SOROPTIMIST PLEDGE

I pledge allegiance to Soroptimism 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, over 90,000 Soroptimists in 126 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 members belong to local clubs, which determine the focus of service to their communities. Soroptimist International of Moreno Valley was chartered on April 22, 1983, and has been a vital force in the community.  Our members have diverse professions, yet we share a common goal of service. Our club is one of 63 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 non-profit organizations including the Community Assistance Program, the Moreno Valley Senior Center, and the Riverside County Coalition for Alternatives to Domestic Violence.  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 Making a Difference for Women Award and the Violet Richardson Award.

Vision
Be the voluntary service organization chosen by all business and professional women committed to improving the lives of women and girls.  We will share our time, talents and financial resources to enrich our communities. Together, we will:

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 international goodwill and understanding, volunteer action, leadership development, fellowship and diversity.

Meetings
From September through June, our club meets at 7:00 AM each Tuesday   morning at Brandon's Restaurant, 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: