SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
Fall 2016
www.soroptimistfoundation.ca
Editor: Aline Chan
Page 1
Fall 2016
[email protected]
2016 Grants for Women Award Winners
$30,000 total was awarded to four recipients.
http://www.soroptimistfoundation.ca/grantwinners.html
ECR Fall Meeting & SFC AGM
October 15, 2016
Hosted by SI Grand Erie
Melinda Hill, one of the 2016 Grants for Women winner, was our
guest speaker. She talked about how she founded a unique consultancy practice supporting individuals to better manage complex health
conditions.
Melinda Krynen-Hill, MEd in Counselling Psychology candidate, University of Toronto (OISE), 2017; Master’s in Public Health specializing in
Health Promotion, University of Alberta, 2013. Melinda founded a unique consultancy practice supporting individuals to
better manage complex health conditions.
Melinda pursued training in the psychology field after organically developing a consultancy practice supporting individuals
with complex health conditions to cultivate skills and tools to self-regulate their challenging conditions. Her practice evolved
following her own experience with a complex health condition, where she aspired to create a resource and support for others
going through similar journeys. Melinda envisioned a practice that would supplement gaps in the current health care delivery
system and provide needed support and encouragement for those living with complex conditions. She credits the women in
her life for inspiring her to seek agency in decisions involving her health and for encouraging her to create a space for others to
empower themselves through illness.
More about her can be found in the Spring 2016 Cornerstone, on our SFC website. (Photo by Estatira Shirkhodaee)
MESSAGE FROM WCR GOVERNOR
RITA MACKENZIE
I visited the ECR Fall Meeting in October,
held together with the SFC Annual General
Meeting. It was lovely meeting so many
Soroptimist members of Eastern Canada. I
realized the importance of connecting the
East with the West and brought back a message to the
membership of Western Canada to visit clubs in the East
whenever possible. The SFC has strengthened Soroptimist
in Canada and I hope the trend continues as more and
more women become aware of our organization and all it
has to offer to our female population.
Rita Mackenzie,
Governor, Western Canada Region
Genna Evelyn Master of
Laws (Fundamental and
Collective Rights) candidate
2016 Faculty of Law,
Université Laval, LL.B. 2006
University of New Brunswick. Genna was one of the
2015 winners of Grants for
Women.
Here, she speaks to the Soroptimists at Briars Dining
Resort Spa & Conference Centre, ECR 2016 Spring Conference.
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
Fall 2016
Page 2
Soroptimist Chilliwack's 2nd Annual PAJAMAS & PEARLS event, October 15, at Evergreen Hall. Photos: Heather Rollins
INTRODUCING TWO NEW BOARD OF DIRECTORS - SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
CYNDY ROBERTS joined Soroptimist Dundas / AncasELIZABETH KITCHEN has been a member with SI Peterborter / Flamborough, ECR, in 1993
ough since 2009. She has been employed in
then left in 2003 to help charter SI
the banking sector for over 35 years with the
Haldimand-Norfolk then left in
last eleven years as a Certified Financial
2014 to help in the chartering of
Planner.
her present club, SI Grand Erie,
Brantford, Ontario.
Elizabeth Kitchen
Treasurer, SFC
Cyndy Roberts
Club Grants, SFC
FAREWELL TO TWO RETIRING BOARD OF DIRECTORS—SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
SHERYL HOPKINS, SI Peterborough, is retiring this META FLEMKE, SI Edmonton is retiring this year October 31,
year, November 15, 2016 after 4 years of
2016 after 2 years of service to the Foundation.
service to the Foundation. The treasurer
Meta's position as secretary will be filled by Anna
position will be taken over by Elizabeth
Der who moves from Club Grants and WCR Grants
Kitchen also of SI Peterborough. We
for Women Manager. We will miss Meta but she is
wish Sheryl much success with her fumoving to Treasurer of SI Edmonton and is unable
ture endeavours and a happy retirement.
to do both positions at the same time. We have enIt has been a pleasure working with Sheryl and she will joyed our time with Meta and have enjoyed her presence on the
be missed.
Foundation Board. All the best to you Meta,
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
Fall 2016
Page 3
CLUB GRANT WINNERS, 2016!
CONGRATULATIONS!
I would like to thank all Soroptimist Clubs that filled out the SFC forms asking for funding to help provide programs to young
women in their communities and to encourage more clubs to host programs and to apply for funding from SFC next year.
This year we have applications submitted by nine clubs. Most of these clubs are old hands at providing quality programs to girls
and women in their communities and, in doing so, strengthening ties to their communities and to the families, including the young
women and girls that attend those programs.
Soroptimist International Clubs in Canada that applied for funding this year:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
SI Guelph
SI Kawartha Lakes
SI Central Alberta
SI Edmonton
SI Surrey Delta
SI Calgary
SI The Langleys
SI Tri-Cities
SI Winnipeg
- Dream It Be It DIBI.
- Girls of Action and Leadership (GOAL)
- The Power of a Girl. (Mother/Daughter Conference)
- "Be Brave" Empowerment Workshops.
- DIBI Career Support for Girls
- Soroptimist Sharing Closet.
- DIBI Career Support for Girls.
- Suwa' Ikh Girls Project.
- DIBI Career Workshops.
Soroptimist Pledge
We are Soroptimists committed to:
The Sincerity of Friendship
The Joy of Achievement
The Dignity of Service
The Integrity of Profession
The Love of Country
We will put forth our best efforts to improve the
lives of women and the girls in local communities and throughout the world.
GIVE GENEROUSLY
and PROUDLY wear your
MAPLE LEAF PIN
The Red Pin is awarded to recognize individual members whose
cumulative donations have reached
$500 plus. The Silver Pin is added
to recognize cumulative donation
amounts totalling $1000 plus, and the Gold Pin
recognizes $2500 plus.
For some members these milestone pins are
reached in a relatively short period of time. For
other members, they represent several years of
faithful donations. Hence, there is a bonding and
all pins are worn with pride in each other.
The SFC Board Members look forward to meeting
with each of the Clubs representatives and presenting them with their cheques.
Please note: For this year only SFC has set an
amount of $8,000.00 for Club Grants from SFC.
Also a Financial Reporting Form must be used
after funds are received from SFC. The form is
available on the SFC website as part of the application form.
Anna Der, Former Club Grants Manager, SFC
SOROPTIMIST CLUB GRANTS
FOR CANADIAN SOROPTIMIST CLUBS
The Soroptimist Foundation Of Canada offers Club Grants to
Canadian Soroptimist clubs holding educational programs for
women and/or girls that will help them to be the best they can be
by developing their abilities and their awareness so that each of
these young women can reach her full potential. The exact number of grants and the amounts for the grants will be determined
each fiscal year at the discretion of the Board of Directors of the
Foundation, depending on the funds available in that year’s
budget, the number of clubs applying, and the program needs of
the clubs applying. A FOLLOW-UP REPORT IS MANDATORY.
Deadlines for Club Grant Applications is June 30 of each year.
Applications are available on the website.
Click on Club Grants Application at
http://www.soroptimistfoundation.ca/
Or go directly to
http://www.soroptimistfoundation.ca/application.html#clubs
Cyndy Roberts, Manager, Club Grants
[email protected]
LET’S BUILD OUR ENDOWMENT FUND
Send your Club Donation or Personal Donation to
Soroptimist Foundation of Canada
Elizabeth Kitchen
1216 Trentway Vista
Peterborough ON K9H 6N8
OR DIRECT—MAK
It’s fast and easy - fill out the form on the following page and attach a
voided cheque and your donation will be automatically deposited as
directed by you! It’s that easy!
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
Fall 2016
Page 4
I would like to make my annual donation to
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA via
DIRECT deposits
Pre-authorisation for Scheduled Donations from my bank account:
Name (please print) ________________________________________
Club: SI of ___________________________________
Region ___________________________
Your Address: ______________________________________________________________________________________
I authorise the SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA to make withdrawals in the amount of $ ________ in the
following withdrawal sequence:
□ monthly
□ quarterly
□ bi-annually □ annually
STARTING DATE: _____________ ______
______
month)
(day)
(year)
□
PLEASE SPECIFY WHERE FUNDS ARE TO BE DIRECTED:
Endowment
/
If it is not indicated, it will be directed to SFC Expenses.
□
SFC Expenses
√ attached is my voided cheque required to set up an automatic deposit schedule.
Signature: ____________________________
Date: ___________________
MAIL TO:
Treasurer, Soroptimist Foundation of Canada
Elizabeth Kitchen, 1216 Trentway Vista, Peterborough ON K9H 6N8
Tax receipts will be issued December 31st.
Please indicate the name and the mailing address for the receipt if it is for someone else:
Name: _______________________________________
Address: _________________________
(street)
___________________
(City)
____________
(Province)
_________
Postal Code
(Registration # 119156594RT001)
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS 2016 – 2017
ELIZABETH JANE (BJ) GALLAGHER, Chair
[email protected]
Box 841, Rosedale Station
Rosedale AB T0J 2V0
780-689-1091
Club - SI Edmonton
ELIZABETH KITCHEN, Treasurer
[email protected]
Maple Leaf Pins
1216 Trentway Vista
Peterborough ON K9H 6N8
705-761-0213
Club: SI Peterborough
ANNA DER, Secretary
[email protected]
780 903-0426
Club: SI Edmonton
ALINE CHAN
Grants for Women, Eastern Canada
National Grants Manager / Editor, Cornerstone
[email protected]
87 East Tree Drive
Breslau ON N0B 1M0
519-213-1520
Club: SI Guelph
CYNDY ROBERTS, Club Grants
Grants for Women, Western Canada
[email protected]
P.O. Box 1067, Waterford ON N0E 1Y0
519-718-3376
Club: SI Grand Erie
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
Fall 2016
ECR & SFC FALL MEETING
Page 5
Pictures by Julaine Palmer
RoseMary Reid & Jane Crane
Jean Skillman, ECR Governor, opens the meeting.
Aline Chan, SFC
Grants for Women
Manager and Editor of
Cornerstone, sells tickets to win $500 Red
Maple Leaf Pin & $500
tax receipt—won by
Rita MacKenzie, WCR
Governor.
Mary-Lynn Koekkoek, Marney Horton, Joyce Fee, Elizabeth Kitchen, Tanna Edwards at SFC Social on the Friday
evening before the Fall meeting.
Out-going Treasurer Sheryl Hopkins with
incoming Treasurer, Elizabeth Kitchen.
Marney Horton & Julie Coleman (Si Peterborough); Sylvia Thomson & Margaret
McRae (Si Hamilton-Burlington); Shirley McCoy (SI Dundas, Ancaster, Flamborough);
ECR Spring Meeting,
2016.
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
MAPLE LEAF PINS
DONORS FROM OCTOBER 2015-2016
RECOGNITION PINS PRESENTED AT
ECR SPRING CONFERENCE
& WCR FALL LEADERSHIP MEETING
ECR
Presented at Spring Conference, May 2016
SILVER PIN
Fall 2016
Page 6
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
will be held in conjunction with the
SI Western Canada Region Leadership Retreat
SEPTEMBER 16, 2017
JULAINE PALMER, SI PETEROROUGH
The Sandman Hotel
32720 Simon Ave.,
Abbotsford BC V2T 0B8
RED PIN
RHIANNA HAMPTON, SI THUNDER BAY
NELL CHEESEMAN, SI STONEY CREEK - NIAGARA
Presented at ECR Fall Meeting & SFC AGM
Brantford ON, October 2016
SILVER PIN
BJ GALLAGHER, SI Edmonton
Known as a "City in the Country", Abbotsford is blessed
with British Columbia's richest agricultural lands, familyfriendly hospitality and sophisticated urban amenities
such as stylish restaurants, accommodations, shopping,
art galleries and refurbished historic neighbourhoods.
RED PIN
RITA MACKENZIE, GOVERNOR WCR
($500 receipt winner)
Also received from WCR was a $900 donation in
honour of outgoing Governor, Heather Rollins
CLUB RECOGNITIONS...a recognition
program is in place to recognize annual
Club donations. Club Star Award Certificates are awarded for donations as follows:
$2001 and over…a Platinum Certificate
$1001 to $2000…a Gold Certificate;
$501 to $1000…Silver
$201 to $500…Bronze;
$100 to $200 a Red Certificate
RED
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA DAY
FEBRUARY 6
Club Recognitions...a recognition program is in place to recognize
annual Club donations. Club Star Award Certificates are awarded as
follows:
for donations $2001 and over…a Platinum Certificate;
for donations $1001 to $2000…a Gold Certificate;
$501 to $1000…Silver;
$201 to $500…Bronze;
$100 to $200 a Red Certificate.
Si Hamilton-Burlington
Si Guelph
SI London
SI Kawartha Lakes
SI Saskatoon
BRONZE SI Grand Erie
SI Winnipeg
SI White Rock
SI Stoney Creek-Niagara
SI Toronto
SI Abbotsford
SILVER SI Central Alberta SILVER
SI Courtney
SI Langleys
SI North and East Vancouver
SI Cambridge
SI TriCities
GOLD
SI Thunder Bay
PLATINUM SI Edmonton
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
TREASURER’S REPORT
Page 7
INVESTMENT REPORT
Treasurer’s Report AGM October 15, 2016
(Fiscal Year July 1, 2015-June 30,2016)
ENDOWMENT FUND
GENERAL FUND
TOTAL 2015-2016
TOTAL 2014-2015
DIFFERENCE
Fall 2016
$ 1,710,529.00
$ 82,271.00
$ 1,792,800.00
$ 1,674,019.00
+ $ 118,781.00
EASTERN CANADA
WESTERN CANADA
LEGACIES (WESTERN CANADA)
TOTAL 2015-2016
TOTAL 2014-2015
DIFFERENCE
$ 11,222.00
$ 16,817.00
$ 63,000.00
$ 91,039.00
$ 27,454.00
+ $ 63,585.00
Legacies received: Oct 9, 2015 Betty Secord $19,666.66
Feb 04, 2016 from Betty Secord, $33,333,33
From the estate of Helen Gibson, Sept 02, 2015, $10,000
A CHEQUE FOR $50,000.00 WAS GIVEN TO Warwick Holland to be invested in the Endowment Account on November
16, 2015.
The 2017 fiscal year is well underway, and I’m pleased to report
initial results have been strongly positive for the Soroptimist
Foundation portfolio.
Here are a few highlights for the first quarter (July 1-Sep 30th):
Total Return 3.05%


$13,471 Income generated
$37,338 Gain on investments
Equities

Strong equity markets were responsible for 70% of the
overall gains.





Equities represent approximately 45% of portfolio.
Canadian equities advanced 5.4%.
U.S. equities advanced 5.5% (in Canadian Dollars).
International equities advanced 5.8% (in Canadian Dollars).
Financial and technology shares added most to results.

The two sectors represent approximately 36% of the
overall equity portfolio.
Currency
The U.S. Dollar gained 1.55% which added roughly 0.45% gain to
the portfolio.
Respectively Submitted by:
Sheryl Hopkins, Retiring Treasurer, SFC
Warwick Holland | Portfolio Manager
TREASURER’S CORNER
Balance Reporting - Balance Summary Report
SHERYL HOPKINS, TREASURER
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
Report Date: October 25,, 2016
Account Type
BUS DEP
BUS DEP
BUS DEP
Account
Operating Account
Endowment Account
VISA
Currency
CAD
CAD
CAD
Balance
15,094.20
27,725.81
(owing) 3,818.20
The Soroptimist Foundation wishes to thank all the members and clubs who have donated to our Endowment Fund this fiscal year. It
is only due to the support of our faithful donors that we are able to maintain the programs that are supported by the Foundation. It
has been suggested and we agree that we would like to increase the number of women that we help with our Grants for Women’s
program but due to the financial atmosphere at present, we are reluctant to extend the number of grants, although it is agreed that
this would help to increase the brand name of the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada.
This past year we received $11,222.00 in donations from ECR members and clubs and $79,817.00 in donations from WCR members
and clubs. These donations are much appreciated.
The stewardship of our Investment Manager, Warwick Holland, and the generous support of all of our donors has helped to raise the
balance of our endowment fund to $1,710,357 this year from $1,674,019. This is an increase over the year of $36,338.00.
Thank you all very much for your continued support of the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada.
THE OFFICIAL ADDRESS IN WINNIPEG: SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
c/o Albina Moran, Partner, Thompson, Dorfman, Sweatman LLP
2200 – 201 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MN R3B 3L3
Full accounting of donations, income and expenses of the Foundation can be referenced at the Auditor’s report approved at the Annual General Meeting on October 22, 2016 at the Best Western Conference Centre, Brantford, Ontario.
Sheryl Hopkins
Treasurer
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
Fall 2016
Page 8
FROM THE DESK OF BJ GALLAGHER, CHAIR
Since the last Cornerstone, the Foundation Board has been very busy.
In July, we travelled to Orlando to attend the SIA Convention and while there, held an orientation meeting.
This year, there will be changes to the SFC Board as our Secretary, Meta Flemke, SI Edmonton, and
Treasurer Sheryl Hopkins, SI Peterborough, will be stepping down on November 1 & 15, 2016 respectively. They will be
replaced on the board by Elizabeth Kitchen, SI Peterborough and Cyndy Roberts, SI Grand Erie. Sheryl and Meta have
both worked very hard for the foundation - Sheryl for four years and Meta for two. It is with much gratitude from the
remaining members of the Board that we see them go. We wish Sheryl and Meta success with their future endeavours
within the Soroptimist umbrella and in general.
Elizabeth Kitchen will take over the position of Treasurer and Cyndy Roberts will begin work on Club Grants and Western Canada ‘Grants for Women’ Grants Manager. Anna Der will become Secretary and Aline will remain Eastern Canada
Grants for Women Manager and Cornerstone Editor and I will continue as Chair.
It should be noted that Aline and I will have completed our terms after the SFC AGM next year and therefore everyone
should be thinking about standing for a place on the SFC Board.
This year, the SFC AGM was held at Brantford, Ontario, along with the ECR Fall Area meeting. I consider it a great success. 77 women attended the meeting and most stayed to take part in the SFC AGM. Club Grants were presented and it
was a pleasure to hand out awards of $1000 each to SI Guelph and SI Kawartha Lakes. Six WCR clubs also won Club
Awards of $1000 each. Read about them in this issue of Cornerstone. Several Clubs also received star awards for club giving. Thank you!
It was a pleasure to have the company of SIA President RoseMary Reid as well as WCR Governor Rita MacKenzie and
ECR Governor Dr. Jean Skillman and her Board. And Margaret Wooton, SI Courtenay who represented WCR attendees.
I would also like to say a big thank you to Tanna Edwards and Janet Simms-Baldwin for volunteering to have a look at
the SFC Bylaws and see if and where they need updating.
Aline put together a Power Point presentation on the history of SFC. It was well-received. Many had not heard much
about SFC’s history and it was a great opportunity to do a bit of PR and Education. Thank you to the SFC History Committee, under the chair of Janet Simms-Baldwin.
Since 1982, SFC has donated $910,000 to Grants for Women.
The weekend was a great success and I would like to extend our appreciation to SI Grand Erie Club and Hannalore
Neiman for all of her organizational skills, to Governor Jean Skillman for allowing SFC to share their ECR event, SIA
President RoseMary Reid for graciously attending the whole event, WCR Governor Rita MacKenzie for taking time out
of her busy schedule to travel across Canada to join us and all of the SI Clubs that sent representative and all of the SI
Member who stayed for the SFC AGM.
Please remember that it is with your help that Soroptimist Foundation of Canada is able to do the work that we do and
can remain strong and viable.
Please remember to make Soroptimist Foundation of Canada your charity of choice.
Elizabeth Gallagher (BJ), Chair,
Soroptimist Foundation of Canada
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
Fall 2016
Page 9
MESSAGE FROM ROSEMARY REID, SIA 2015-2016 PRESIDENT
It was a real pleasure for me to attend the Eastern Canada Region’s Fall meeting and the Soroptimist Foundation of Canada’s Annual General Meeting as President of Soroptimist International of the Americas. Congratulations to both Boards for the great work that you do
on behalf of women and girls.
As Soroptimists, we work to help women and girls make their big dreams of a better life
come true. Each and every day, Soroptimist clubs throughout the world help women and
girls overcome barriers that prevent them from living their dreams.
We helped countless women and girls improve their lives and have provided them with the potential of
fulfilling their dreams. In 2015-2016, 3,955 eligible women applied for the Live Your Dream (LYD) award.
1,355 women received LYD cash awards. So think about the more than 2600 eligible women who applied
for the Live Your Dream (LYD) award throughout our Federation who did not receive funding. Let’s work
to increase our collective impact and do more to transform lives of more women by providing more LYD
cash awards at the local and regional levels.
Last year, more than 600 clubs throughout our federation took part in the next big goal survey. They told us
they want all clubs in our federation to focus on investing in the dreams of women and girls through access
to education by 2031. This is just the first step in building our Soroptimist future.
As your President, I look forward to hearing the results of your club’s further conversations about how to
achieve our next big goal. Plan for these conversations, if they haven’t already taken place, and provide
your input to headquarters by the end of December. Achieving our next big goal on behalf of the women
and girls we serve will require the energy, passion, commitment and focus of every single member.
Let’s dream big! Use your time and resources to invest in the dream we have for women and girls which
builds into our federation’s dream - to increase our impact together.
In Soroptimist friendship,
RoseMary
RoseMary Reid
2016-2017 SIA President
Together, we CAN make the dreams of greater social and economic empowerment for EVEN MORE women
and girls come true!
ECR Spring Conference 2016
SOROPTIMIST FOUNDATION OF CANADA
Fall 2016
Page 10
OLD CLUB REVIVED
The original Soroptimist Club of London was chartered in 1936 and served the community for many years until the club
disbanded in the early 90’s. About 60 years ago, the club hosted Eleanor Roosevelt - this was one of the many highlights.
Building on this great history, 14 dedicated women decided to give a new start to the work of Soroptimist in London. SI
London was chartered in September 2014. Many fellow Soroptimist of ECR region attended the celebration. RoseMary
Reid, President of SIA, was one of the celebrants.
Since then, the club has been busy boosting its ranks with new members and getting the word out in the community.
Although four members have not continued, we have gained seven new members during the last two years. The club
now has 17 active members who continuously try to improve the lives of women and girls.
We keep a strong bond with our Live Your Dream Award winners; one has recently joined our club. One of our highlights is Lunafest, a festival of short films for women, where the Live Your Dream award is presented to the winner and
we offer our community partners, who work for the benefit of women and girls, the opportunity to present their work.
We are looking forward to a steady growth in serving our community, and improving the lives of women and girls.
Gertrud Hocke
Past President
SI London at their
Charter celebration
SI London at LUNAFEST,
May 2015
This unique film festival
highlights women as leaders
in society, illustrated through
nine short films by women
filmmakers.