SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL of VISALIA

Soroptimist International of the Americas
39TH Biennial Convention
Philadelphia, PA, USA JULY 19-22, 2006

FREE TO DREAM

We were told that the first Federation convention for delegates is always a memorable one. For me, it was so much more than that. Attending the convention with all the enthusiasm of the other delegates and non delegates was an awesome experience. Listening to the speakers, enjoying the entertainment and fabulous food added to the pleasurable experience. However, the biggest impact came from my gaining a much broader and deeper understanding of what it means to commit to Soroptimist. I truly understood that we do make a difference in our big old world. Rather than making me feel personally insignificant, it made me feel so proud and confident that I am a part of an organization that will continue to make a difference for women and girls in our local community and throughout the world.

(Left photo) President Martha with Governor Lauren
(Right photo) Janet Paine and Lydia Gargan from SI Visalia, in front of SIA Headquarters Building

All was not work, however, and we did get a chance to see the Liberty Bell and Liberty Hall. It was amazing to walk down the streets where our country's government was first created. If you let your imagination run wild, you could almost see Franklin, Jefferson, Washington and their peers standing on the corner talking politics!

Constitution Hall and the Liberty Bell

On Wednesday, we did finally have the opportunity to meet with our Friendship Link from SI Kudasmatsu, Japan. I was able to make contact and arrange a meeting with Machiko Yamada who had just sent a letter to us. It arrived only five days before we left for Philadelphia so there was no time to pre-arrange a meeting.

We found her to be a very pleasant and engaging woman but she spoke little English and conversation was difficult but worthwhile. She had mentioned in her letter that she was just recently became the President Elect. I thought that meant that she was the President-Elect of the Kudamatsu Club. You can imagine our surprise when we discovered she was the President-Elect of SIA Board!

The business of the Convention was conducted over a three day period. As I reported at meeting on Monday the 14th, all of the proposals and resolutions were adopted either as written or amended. There will be a mail ballot sent to us in the next couple of months and each club will have the opportunity to vote a final time on the proposals and resolutions. However that vote goes will determine if all or any of them go into effect. I will bring that vote to our Board and to the Club as soon as we receive it.

Proposal #4 is the one which will affect our club the most directly. Our SIA dues will most likely go up next year. The amended proposal calls for an increase from the current $39.50 to $44.00 effective July 1, 2007. There will also be progressive increases in the next two years. Please do not be surprised that your dues will be increased next year.

The final portion of the Convention program was an invitation from the clubs in Taiwan to attend the 40th Biennial Convention in 2008 to be held there. They had shimmering colorful silk costumes, drums pounding and lions dancing! Their energy just poured out to everyone in the room. The dancing was stimulating and the invitation was beautifully extended to everyone. To say the very least watching the event made your heart pound a lot harder.

This signaled the end of the Convention. Personally, I was exhausted. All the busy activities of the past week were now memories. These are memories I will have forever thanks to you, all the members of SI Visalia. I never would have had this wonderful and changing experience had it not been for your confidence in me. For this I thank each and every one of you. Please know that I have returned home with a profound commitment to Soroptimist and our own club - SI Visalia.

Yours in Soroptimist Friendship and Service
Martha Heaton

Top: Janet Paine, Anita Natividad, District V Director Bottom: Lydia Gargan, Gerry Lambert, President, SI Hanford, Martha Heaton, President SI Visalia