Installation News:

For those of you who were able to attend the Soroptimist Installation dinner you were treated to a very special evening.  Not only were we treated to wonderful food and drinks at Paola Ringers lovely home, but we had the pleasure of seeing Marcy Decato get installed as our incoming President.  Past President Shawn gave out gifts to her old board, and gave a great re-cap of the past year. 

Many of the members showed their style by going with Marcy's theme colors of the evening in black, white and red.  And installing officer Joyce Pavez did a wonderful job in her duties as the new board took their pledges to their new positions.

All-in-all, a great evening. Congratulations to Marcy and her new board!

Chocolate, Wine and Jazz Festival

Sponsorship letters have been sent throughout the summer.  Many members are participating at our sponsorship levels, our long standing sponsors are returning as well.  We encourage our newest members to provide names and addresses of business you would like to include in the mailings for potential sponsors.

The Drawing committee is formatting a change to decrease the number of baskets but to increase the value.  We can all still participate with our donations, please contact Teresa Costa for additional information and assistance.

The entertainment has been secured; Valerie's son-in-law will once again join the group with his banjo.  We missed him last year and many of our attendees asked where Chris was.  We are happy to have him back!!

Rachel Rola and the facility committee have secured the site and are working to provide the needed changes to the parking to enable our participants an easier alternative. 

The Food and Wine committees are looking for restaurants and wineries who once again would like to participate with us, it should not be a problem as many of our past participants enjoy our events.

The festival will be here before we know it!  Please provide the needed assistance to the committee to make the "Chocolate, Wine & Jazz Festival" a continued success this year!

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Debbie Dematteis-Miller by phone or email.

Special Events:

Leadership Training Summary

By Marcy Decato, President 2007-2008

In July 13^_14 President-elect Seema, Treasurer Paola and President Marcy attended the SIA-GWR Leadership Training in Ontario, CA. The theme this year was "A Leadership League of Our Own". Governor-elect Karen Haughey and the entire GWR board made of these two days a training full of fun, great information and excellent ideas to bring to all our clubs. We had the privilege to hear past SIA President 2004-05 Victoria Hobbs as a keynote speaker who highlighted the strengths of being a leader:

"You might be a leader"

If you know the difference between managing and leading (a manager does things right; a leader does the right thing)

If you know that the question is not only "how" but the leaders ask "why"

If you listen and follow up, go beyond "so what? And carry it to "now what"

If your approach "inclusive" not "exclusive"

If you understand that the real "power of information" is sharing that information

If you recognize that others' perception is your reality, and that transparent leadership includes education and communication to get to participation

If you know that leadership includes being a follower, and you know WHEN to be a follower

If you realize that your leadership role is that of being a steward of the organization, usually with fiduciary responsibilities

If you are able to set your ego aside and in serving have no agenda (or can "check it at the door")

If you understand that "it's not about ME" but that you are there to focus on the vision and mission of the organization, and meet the needs of the members

If you know when strategic collaborative partner(s) are appropriate and you know how to identify and enlist them

If you approach each issue or challenge with the thought that "The Task Is The Boss" focusing on the goal or objective in that issue or challenge

If you go for the "heart" in leadership where you are there to serve, not for recognition

Our District 1 met with District 1 Director Annamarie Megrdichian, where we talked about our goals this year, including deadlines and club participation of various projects, we went over the Leadership Resource Book, we also shared various successful ideas from each club, where by the way Annamarie gave us kudos about our e-newsletter and web site.

On Saturday, July 14 we had the opportunity to hear from 2006-2008 GWR Governor Judy Harris and everybody on the board giving us valuable information about the region, the programs, the rules and implementation. The fun part of all these was that everyone followed the baseball theme cleverly. We all participated on dynamic group games, one of them "tweaking" a given project so that it is women and girl focused. Very interesting.

The guest speaker on Saturday was SI President 2000-01 Yvonne Machuk. "Why Join the Soroptimist Team?

This Canadian lady shared some of her experiences as SI President and made us laugh out lowed. Her main reason for being a Soroptimist is: "The company of women, the wisdom of women, the power of women. It does not get better than that."

On July 24^th Joyce Pavez hosted a "Raw Food Cooking Class". Guess who was the chef? of course, Leeza Villagomez, our yoga and health expert. Abut 17 ladies came to this delicious event; we all cooked, and learned new and healthy dishes. Just imagine 17 women in a kitchen; I think we used every single dish, cutting board, utensil and wine glass from Joyce's kitchen, Joyce's comment was "my kitchen is smiling". It was a lot of fun. Thank you Joyce and Leeza!

On Friday, July 27^th Seema and Tony planned for us a family Martini Party. Another great afternoon; about ten SI Corona members attended with some Soroptimistors and kids. Seema prepared for us awesome martinis and everyone brought delicious dishes. We spent the evening around good friends, chatting and laughing like there was not tomorrow.

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A Letter from GWR Membership Chair, Debra Dematteis-Miller:

There are two membership information related presentations on the Members Only section of the SIA website.  Keeping Balance and Strategic Planning that I would like to encourage all clubs to review and prepare a strategic plan.  One of the biggest accomplishments, I believe we can have in our region is to encourage all clubs to take on the challenge to not allow a President to repeat a term. 

Take a minute to look at the picture in Corona's article in the Corona Chamber of Commerce magazine, the article was very accurate but the picture speaks a thousand words.  We are the fabric of women that SIA and GWR are trying to encourage to participate in Soroptimist.  We determined at the beginning of our long history never to repeat Presidents, a president would/could not fail because of all of us that came before her.  We are her mentors, the keepers of history and tradition.  She may not do it like you did, but she may do a better job!  I am so proud of the changes that I see in my club, it is not just the faces are getting younger, but the ideas and new techniques are constantly being updated and improved.  It has worked for us and I believe it is because, no matter what, we do not repeat presidencies.  It keeps us always looking for the new kid on the block, always to increase our membership, to spread the word of Soroptimism and share the story of volunteerism. New blood brings in new and inventive ideas; check out Corona's new e-newsletter. We have been doing Strategic Planning for about 10 years; it is how both Dreams & Decisions and Chocolate Wine and Jazz Festival were borne.  Both these projects are award winning not only from GWR but SIA.  Strategic planning allows for the newest members to connect with a project whether it is our Service/Ways & Means projects.  They will join in once they feel that their opinions are being heard.  I know that I have spent a lot of time on my club but it has embraced the ideals of the Renaissance campaign, we were a renaissance club before it was fashionable.

But ultimately, the main point I want to make today is once a member has been a president of this organization she will not leave it!!

I recently presented this report to the Golden West Region Board members; I just wanted our members to know all the great things that are expressed about our club. YOU ARE THE BEST!

Debra Dematteis-Miller, GWR Membership Chair

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