These seven months of our Soroptimist year have gone fast. Great speakers, fun programs and educational SOLTS. I am very happy with the attendance to our meetings which show the commitment of our current members and the increasing of our membership. Good job ladies, you have been inviting guests consistently and better yet, women in our community are showing more and more interest in being part of this awesome organization. We are not such a mystery any more... yes, there are still people out there who don't know how to pronounce our name, so there is still work to do, but we are on our way!

December and January's programs included:

- Our Holiday Party: we all had a great Soroptimist of Corona

time, thank you Judy Horan for opening your beautiful home to us, it definitely got us into the Holiday spirit!

- Earthquake Preparedness - by Lynn Mata from the Corona Fire Department: Here is a quick tip I learned that day: If the power is out, cordless telephones will not work. Keep a backup analog phone (which does not require electricity) available to plug directly into the phone jack.

- Massage Therapist Maria Warenski delivered a great speech about body energy. Maria made us laugh and interact with each other as she taught us how to give a shoulder and back massage. (Hands to Heal Therapeutic Massage 951.808.0945)

- Kristi Camplin from Inspire Life Skills Training, Inc. visited us and gave us an update on her program which our local club sponsors. (Inspire Life Skills Training, Inc. exists to mentor and train former foster youth to become self sufficient, responsible, and to make positive life choices.)

- Mellissa Rouhe, RN, MPH, CHES who specializes in Osteoporosis and Bone Health gave us a presentation on how to take care of our bone system and how to prevent Osteoporosis.

- We utilized Jan. SOLT training to show the results of the Mentoring Program I had implemented a couple of months ago. Our new members got together during the month of January with their mentor and learned all the various aspects, acronyms, programs, and projects Soroptimist supports; all their questions where answered and most important, some new friendships where born from this program.

As you can see again, we have been busy! Our President-Elect, Seema, is always looking for speakers with women-related topics and/or subjects that fit into our vision and mission. But the best is yet to come...

1) S.O.S. (Saturday of Service, March 1st) is when we have Dreams & Decisions; the committee is planning a spectacular day for the girls, their theme this year: Make yourself over "Inside & Out". This day we all participate in one way or another, but I encourage you as a SI Corona member to attend the committee meetings and help with the planning, there is enough for every one of us to do.

2) We have our winners for WOA and for VRA.

3) We have great nominations for MADFW award.

These programs are the reason why we come together as a whole and what make us proud of being called Soroptimists.

Thank you,
Marcy Decato, SI Corona President 2007 - 2008

Photos from the Holiday Party

DataTel-A-M-C

The Latest

By Teresa Costa

Congrats to our fellow Soroptimists for their achievements in the community:

- Rachel Rola was inducted as the Chairman of The Board of the Corona Chamber of Commerce.

- Sylvia Tarshis was honored by the Corona Norco Board of Realtors.

- Debbie Miller was nominated by SI Corona as our woman of the year to be honored at the NAWBO "Amazing Woman Event" in April.

Our thoughts go out to Kristi Kenny on the death of her mother-in-law, Barbara Kenny. Also, Leeza Villagomez's brother had a horrible motorcycle accident which has resulted in the loss of his leg. Please keep these ladies and their families in your prayers.

Keep in mind that Tracy Mauser has implemented a "new and improved" fine schedule that should help us with our ways and means: Cell phone going off...$10, Not wearing a pin or badge...$5. Bragging about something $2 minimum, if it is really big or long $5 minumim. Announcement for organization other than soroptimist...$5 minimum.

Thank you Seema for some fun and informative meetings. Remember how much fun it was learning those massage techniques?

Remember, attendance is the price of membership! Also, if you bring a guest, you are responsible to buy her lunch that day. Just see our treasurer, Paola Ringer.

SAVE THE DATE***IMPORTANT DATES

DREAMS & DECISIONS

March 1st, is Soroptimist International of America's Saturday of Service. In taking part, we are organizing our major service project of the year: "Dreams and Decisions". Many older members know what Dreams and Decisions is all about. But if you are a newer member, this is a workshop for young women designed to teach that dreams are reached through good decisions.

All members are asked to participate the day of the event. If you are unable, please see co-chairs Julie Fredericksen or Teresa Costa for some alternate ways you can help out.

Debbie Miller will be organizing volunteers, so please make sure she has your name down to help!

Also, make sure you have items to help fill the goodie bags. See Shelly Davis.

Making a Difference for Women Program

By Committee Chair,Valerie Rucinski

The Making a Difference for Women Program taking place on March 26, 2008, is coming along.

We have 16 entries of very wonderful women. The invitations have been ordred and will be out to you soon. For those of you who have never attended this program, you will be plesasntly surpised at how well received it is in the community. You will have a wonderful time that day, so don't miss this fullfilling program.

See you on March 26th!!

Are You a Renaissance Woman?

By Committee Chair, Valerie Rucinski

I thought I would write about our Renaissance Campaign for those of you who were not members of Soroptimist when we started this program.

In 2003, Soroptimist of the America's had a Membership Marketing Survey.

A. Some members, particularly in Asia, did not feel that a U.S. based organization was sensitive to Asian concerns.

B. Soroptimist has lost members during those last 5 years.

C. Some members, particularly in Latin America and Asia believed that our mission of improving the lives of women and girls was too narrow.

D. Most members agree that it was important to focus on one signature program (WOA) as a way to increase public awareness of SIA.

E. More than 80% of members believed that fundraising is critical to the success of SIA's mission.

F. The survey recommended that the majority of communication from SIA to clubs become electronic. Members must learn to seek information in this way. The creation of our members-only site would help us to use information technology to our best advantage. SIA's future depended on how quickly we adopt this means of communication and how effectively members use it.

And so, the Renaissance Woman was born. And some of the goals to achieved by 2009 are:

Program:

- 100% of clubs will give a WOA Award

- More than 90% of clubs will conduct and report at least one other project that benefits women or girls.

- More than 90% of clubs will support at least one SI project.

Membership:

- SIA will have 50,000 members

- 250 new clubs will be chartered

- 5000 new members will be recruited annually.

Fundraising:

- 100% of clubs will include SIA in their Annual Report

- 100% of clubs will participate in Founders Pennies

- Soroptimists will make SIA their annual charity of choice through the Laurel Society.

- Corporate sponsorships and grants will be at least 5% of SIA's total budget

Public Awareness:

- Name recognition will increase 5%

- More that 50% of non-members who know the name will associate it with the mission

- More than 50% of clubs will give three or more presentations to outside groups annually

- More than 50% of clubs will place five or more press releases, ads, or public service announcements locally each year

- The Renaissance Campaign Presentation, along with campaign buttons and pledge cards have been made available to region governors to use at district or upcoming region meetings.

BE A RENAISSANCE WOMAN AND
JOIN THE CAMPAIGN!!!

Learn About Our Members

Every issue will feature Member. Please make sure to submit your bio and photo for our library.

Amy Brown

Amy Brown grew up in a very small town outside of Williamsport, Pennsylvania with her two younger sisters. After graduating from Montoursville High School in 1987, Amy attended and received her Bachelor of Science degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in business administration with a marketing emphasis. Amy moved to Philadelphia and shortly thereafter began her career in the shopping center industry as an Assistant Marketing Director for The Court & The Plaza at King of Prussia. Over the next 14 years, Amy worked at four different enclosed malls in a marketing capacity in addition to holding two corporate marketing positions with shopping center developers. Most recently Amy spent three years at Forest City Enterprises in Cleveland, Ohio as the Director of Retail Property Marketing where she was responsible for overseeing the marketing functions for all of Forest City's commercial retail properties, including Victoria Gardens and The Promenade in Temecula.

Currently, Amy is the general manager of The Promenade Shops at Dos Lagos, which is located in Corona. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the center and the adjacent amphitheater and lakes, including operations, marketing, maintenance, security and merchant relations. Amy joined Poag & McEwen, the developer and managing partner of the center, in January 2006, nine months before the grand opening of the center.

Amy received her CMD (Certified Marketing Director) certification from the International Council of Shopping Centers in 1999. She has been recognized by ICSC for her successful and unique marketing programs by receiving several MAXI awards, the highest recognition given for shopping center marketing. During her career, Amy has assisted charitable organizations in raising millions of dollars.

Amy moved to Corona in January 2007 and lives in Dos Lagos with her dog Ripley.

___________________________________________________

Judy Marburger

My name is Judy Marburger. I was invited to be a part of the Soroptimists by Seema Lechner. After attending a few of the meetings it was apparent that this was an organization that I wanted to be a part of. From my experience thus far, there seems to be a great deal of compassion in this group and the group is truly focused on making a difference, not a lot of fluff like other groups. I liked the fact that the main focus was on Women. As a professional this experience has opened my eyes to a whole different perspective when it comes to volunteering, the ladies in the group truly want to be there and be a part of the group which is awesome! As a mother and a member of the community I feel as if this group will help me be more connected, I just wish I had known about the group earlier on but am fortunate to be a part of it now. After delivering the flyers last week I am really looking forward to the "Dreams and Decisions", the counselors were awesome and very supportive.

Now a little about me:

I was born and raised right here in Southern California. My father also a native Californian was German and Irish decent. My mother was Cherokee Indian and Irish...guess that's where I get the spark from! I grew up in the Lakewood, Long Beach area. Attending Long Beach City College then later attended the University of Phoenix for my Bachelors degree. I have worked for General Motors for 23 years, 9 years in the Mortgage entity... I truly love getting people into homes and making a difference! I like to consider myself as their "lender for life". I am a District Manager and responsible for 3 offices and about 20 employees, sometimes it's like babysitting but I do enjoy the challenge.

I have been married to my husband Chris since 1985, he's an awesome husband and father and a great cook too! I'm spoiled as he does 99%of the cooking. He works at Boeing and has been there for about 25 years as an Electrical Inspector. I have two children, Kristie will soon be 20 and Corey is 16. Kristie is in her second year at Cal Poly Pomona, studying to be a veterinarian. Corey doesn't have a clue what he wants to do but I hope he figures that out soon!

We all enjoy going out to Lake Havasu and spending the day in the hot sun and just "chilling out". We like to play card games, pool, and shuffleboard... almost any kind of games, and most of all taking family vacations and creating lasting memories!

Thank you again for giving me the opportunity to be a part of your organization.

Sincerely, Judy Marburger

________________________________________________________________

Jokes

Submitted by Seema Lechner

WOMAN'S PERFECT BREAKFAST

She's sitting at the table with her gourmet coffee.
Her son is on the cover of the Wheaties box.
Her daughter is on the cover of Business Week.
Her boyfriend is on the cover of Playgirl.
And her husband is on the back of the milk carton.

Keep reading-they get better!!!
________________________________

WOMEN'S REVENGE
"Cash, check or charge?" I asked, after folding items the woman wished
to purchase.
As she fumbled for her wallet, I noticed a remote control for a
television set in her purse.
"So, do you always carry your TV remote?" I asked.
"No," she replied, "but my husband refused to come shopping with me,
and I figured this was the most evil thing I could do to him legally."
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UNDERSTANDING WOMEN
(A MAN'S PERSPECTIVE)
I know I'm not going to understand women.
I'll never understand how you can take boiling hot wax,
pour it onto your upper thigh, rip the hair out by the root,
and still be afraid of a spider.
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CIGARETTES AND TAMPONS
A man walks into a pharmacy and wanders up & down the aisles.
The sales girl notices him and asks him if she can help him.
He answers that he is looking for a box of tampons for his wife.
She directs him down the correct aisle.
A few minutes later, he deposits a huge ba g of cotton balls and a
ball of string on the counter.
She says, confused, " Sir, I thought you were looking for some tampons
for your wife?
He answers, " You see, it's like this, yesterday, I sent my wife to the store
to get me a carton of cigarettes, and she came back with a tin of tobacco
and some rolling papers; cause it's sooo-ooo--oo-ooo much cheaper.
So, I figure if I have to roll my own .......... so does she.
(I figure this guy is the one on the milk carton!)
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WIFE VS. HUSBAND
A couple drove down a country road for several miles, not saying a word.
An earlier discussion had led to an argument and
neither of them wanted to concede their position.
As they passed a barnyard of mules, goats, and pigs,
the husband asked sarcastically, "Relatives of yours?"
"Yep," the wife replied, "in-laws."
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WORDS
A husband read an article to his wife about how many words women use a day...
30,000 to a man's 15,000.
The wife replied, "The reason has to be because we have to repeat
everything to men...
The husband then turned to his wife and asked, "What?"
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CREATION
A man said to his wife one day, "I don't know how you can be
so stupid and so beautiful all at the same time.
"The wife responded, "Allow me to explain.
God made me beautiful so you would be attracted to me;
God made me stupid so I would be attracted to you !
________________________________

WHO DOES WHAT
A man and his wife were having an argument about who
should brew the coffee each morning.
The wife said, "You should do it because you get up first,
and then we don't have to wait as long to get our coffee.
The husband said, "You are in charge of cooking around here and
you should do it, because that is your job, and I can just wait for my coffee."
Wife replies, "No, you should do it, and besides, it is in the Bible
that the man should do the coffee."
Husband replies, "I can't believe that, show me."
So she fetched the Bible, and opened the New Testament and showed him
at the top of several pages, that it indeed says . "HEBREWS"
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The Silent Treatment
A man and his wife were having some problems at home
and were giving each other the silent treatment.
Suddenly, the man realized that the next day, he would need his wife
to wake him at 5:0 0 AM for an early morning business flight.
Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE), he wrote
on a piece of paper,
"Please wake me at 5:00 AM." He left it where he knew she would find it.
The next morning, the man woke up, only to discover it was 9:00 AM and
he had missed his flight Furious, he was about to go and see why his
wife hadn't wakened him,
when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed.
The paper said, "It is 5:00 AM. Wake up."
Men are not equipped for these kinds of contests.
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God may have created man before woman, but there is always a rough
draft before the masterpiece