SOROPTIMIST PLEDGE

I pledge allegiance to Soroptimist and to the ideals for which it stands:

           - The sincerity of friendship
           - The joy of achievement
           - The dignity of service
           - The integrity of profession
           - The love of country

I will put forth my greatest effort to promote, uphold, and defend these ideals for a larger fellowship
 in home, in society, in business—for country and for God.
 

History
Founded in 1921, Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who provide volunteer service to their communities. Currently, almost 95,000 Soroptimists in about 120 countries and territories contribute time and financial support to community–based and international projects benefiting women and girls.  

The name, Soroptimist, means “best for women,” and that’s what the organization strives to achieve. Soroptimists are women at their best working to help other women to be their best.

Soroptimist International of Moreno Valley, chartered on April 22, 1983, is passionate about making a difference through service.  Our members have diverse business backgrounds and are at difference stages of their professional lives; yet we share a common goal to help others, especially women and girls, achieve their potential and realize their aspirations.  Our club is one of 59 clubs in the Golden West Region, which serves San Bernardino and Riverside Counties of California, Arizona, except Yuma County, New Mexico and El Paso County in Texas.  It is part of Soroptimist International of the Americas, one of four federations in Soroptimist International. 

Soroptimist International of Moreno Valley club projects help support various local non-profit organizations including the Community Assistance Program, the Moreno Valley Senior Center, the Riverside Area Rape Crisis Center, the Riverside County Coalition for Alternatives to Domestic Violence, and Riverside County YWCA's Born Free program.  In addition, Soroptimists participate in organization-wide programs that include the Women’s Opportunity Awards, Soroptimist Club Grants for Women and Girls, the Soroptimist Workplace Campaign to End Domestic Violence, the Soroptimist Ruby Award For Women Helping Women, and the Violet Richardson Award.

Vision
Be the leading international organization of business and professional women united through volunteer efforts to enable women and girls to live their dreams, take control of their lives, and live according to their own values. 

Mission and Core Purpose
To improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. 
Soroptimist International of the Americas is committed to:

 Meetings
Our club meets every Tuesday from September through June.  One evening meeting on the second Tuesday of each month is held in a member's home from 7:00 - 8:30 PM.  On all other Tuesdays, our club meets for a one-hour breakfast meeting beginning at 7:00 AM at Brandon's Diner, located at 24626 Sunnymead Blvd., Moreno Valley, CA.   Our business meeting is held the first Tuesday of each month. The program meetings on subsequent Tuesdays focus on topics and projects which promote Soroptimist International's goals to ensure that women and girls: enjoy equity and equality, live in safe and healthy environments, have access to education, and have leadership and practical skills. 
 for more information about recent program meeting topics and club activities.

Dues
Annual club dues are $85, which include International, Federation and Regional dues, Club Liability Insurance, and Founders’ Pennies. A one-time $15 new member fee covers the Soroptimist pin, badge, and new member packet.

Monthly club dues are $35, which covers the cost of breakfast at the regular meetings for members.

Soroptimist and the United Nations
Soroptimist International, a  respected NGO (Non-governmental Organization), has consultative status with the UN’s Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), which oversees UN activities and policies promoting human rights. More than 1,000 NGOs hold this status, including Soroptimist International. This enables Soroptimist International representatives to request the addition of an item on ECOSOC’s agenda, submit written statements for circulation to all members of the council, make oral statements at ECOSOC meetings, and contribute to other UN gatherings and seminars. It is in this forum that Soroptimist International representatives can advocate for the Soroptimist mission, advancing the status of women and girls.

Soroptimist International is committed to the furtherance of the Millennium Development Goals, as enshrined in the United
Nations Assembly in September 2000.    Link here  for more information about the UN Millennium Goals

Soroptimist International works together with other non-government organizations (NGOs) and various United Nations agencies to promote the changes necessary to make the world a better place for this and future generations.  The organization is represented on the Board of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO) and has General Consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council, ECOSOC. By right of General Consultative Status with ECOSOC Soroptimist International  has applied for, and been granted, official relations with United Nations Specialized Agencies including: