The SI Strategic Plan: Unanimous Board


VISION Soroptimist International is a vibrant, dynamic organisation for today’s professional and business women. We are committed to a world where women and girls together achieve their individual and collective potential, realise aspirations and have an equal voice in creating strong, peaceful communities worldwide.


GOAL 1 – PROGRAMME Soroptimists will ensure that women and girls enjoy equality, live in safe, healthy and equitable environments, have access to education and have leadership and practical skills. OBJECTIVE 1: Improve the status of women and girls, particularly the most vulnerable, through the 2007–2011 Programme Focus Objectives: 1. Eliminate poverty and gender discrimination through ensuring women’s full social and economic rights. 2. End human trafficking and all forms of violence against women and girls. 3. Ensure access to health care for women and girls.


4. Support programmes and policies that eliminate HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis and other major diseases. 5. Improve access to clean water, sanitation and essential food resources. 6. Mitigate the effects of climate change and integrate sustainability into personal choices and government


Agreement for Completion MISSION Soroptimists inspire action and create opportunities to transform the lives of women and girls through a global network of members and international partnerships.


VALUES • Human rights for all • Global peace and international goodwill • Advancing women’s potential • Integrity and democratic decision making • Volunteering, diversity and friendship.


policies and programmes. 7. Meet the needs of women and girls during and after armed conflicts and disasters.


Rosie Coutts, SI Executive Director, reports


GOAL 2 – ORGANISATIONAL DEVELOPMENT


8. Promote peaceful conflict resolution, intercultural and inter-racial tolerance and condemn all forms of genocide and terrorism.


9. Ensure equal access to education and training for women and girls throughout their lifespan.


Soroptimist International will have a dynamic, flexible and responsive membership, with an international point of connection, committed to the delivery of its vision and mission. OBJECTIVE 1: Increase members’ engagement and affinity for being part of a global organisation. OBJECTIVE 2: Increase membership.


10. Assure women’s advancement in management, politics and decision making. OBJECTIVE 2: Strengthen and increase SI’s presence as an international advocate for women and girls in SI’s programme focus areas, particularly education and leadership. OBJECTIVE 3: Intensify activities that raise the international profile and visibility of Soroptimist and its programme focus on the global level within the organisation and externally.


GOAL 3 - STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP SI will be a strategic organisation with dynamic and proactive leadership at all levels, able to deliver results and ensure its vision is achieved. OBJECTIVE 1: Improve performance management and decision making. OBJECTIVE 2: Develop leadership capacity. OBJECTIVE 3: Establish strategic financial planning and control.


(SI is the board and SI post holders)


Extend and Prosper Organisational Development Committee


Ann Dawson, Chair SI Organisational Development Committee, reports


Yes, the Extension Committee has a new name, one that more accurately describes the work undertaken by the committee, particularly in these days of strategic planning and development. As a vibrant organisation for women we need to grow in order to ensure that our organisation can fulfil its vision and its mission throughout the 21st Century and to do that we need a clear strategy and the willingness to develop. During the past few months it has been good to send greetings and congratulations to new clubs in all four Federations, particularly as in some cases, this marks the organisation breaking new ground and entering countries/territories where, prior to considerable hard work and negotiation, there had been reluctance to accept women’s service clubs in their domain. On this note, particular congratulations must go to SISWP for their work in Mongolia and their continued liaison with the All China Women’s Federation.


vital issues that affect women and girls. It is, without doubt, our programme work that attracts new members and retains their interest; this can be seen in Sierra Leone where there are two embryonic clubs. Major projects attract groups of women and open the door for the extension and development of our organisation. It is the responsibility of us all to ensure the door is open wide and the welcome warm. We need the power, knowledge, skills


and experience of members in established clubs to encourage and nurture our new clubs and new members. It is that wonderful mix of experience and raw enthusiasm that enables Soroptimist International to be the channel through which we can all continue to make a real difference to the lives of women and girls. Make sure your club is visible when tackling social issues, let the media know that Soroptimists are not shrinking violets but women of action! Have you thought


Without members we cannot tackle the


of offering yourselves as speakers at other clubs? I know of a member who, when invited to address a Rotary club about a Soroptimist project, was surprised to find that it was the Rotary women who had not heard of Soroptimists not the men! The committee may have a new name


but never forget ‘Extension’ - ask the question of women showing interest at your public event – “do you have a group of like-minded friends - would they be interested in hearing about the work of Soroptimist International”? Ask to meet them in a social situation to introduce them to Soroptimism and our work, if they form a natural group they may well form the nucleus of a new club. Never miss a chance! The future of our organisation is in our


own hands, every single member is an ambassador for Soroptimist International; let us work together to see our organisation grow and thrive in the 21st century. There are women and girls throughout the world who need us.


TIS December 2010 Page 7


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