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What is Soroptimist?
Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who work
to improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.

Loosely translated from Latin, the word "Soroptimist" is a coined term meaning
"best for women." The name originated when the first Soroptimist club was formed
in 1921 by a group of 80 women including founder Violet Richardson, resident of
Oakland, California, Alameda County, USA.

How many members are in Soroptimist?
Soroptimist International has about 95,000 members. Soroptimist International of the
Americas has about 40,000 members.

How many countries make up Soroptimist?
Soroptimist International members reside in about 120 countries and territories
throughout the world. Soroptimist International of the Americas' clubs are located
in 19 countries and territories: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia,
Ecuador, Guam, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines,
Puerto Rico, Taiwan, United States and Venezuela.

Soroptimist focuses on improving the lives of women and girls from a
pivot point in time (1921) by women who were interested in volunteering in
their communities but were not permitted to join male service organizations.
Since that time, the organization has worked to help women improve their
standing in the world. As an organization of and for women, Soroptimist,
now as an international organization through its membership, strives to
address the challenges facing 21st Century women and girls.

Soroptimist offers a growing number of programs that improve the lives of
women and girls through community-focused projects identified by club members
to the signature program which have come to be synonomous with Soroptimist.
Major programs include the Women's Opportunity Awards, the Soroptimist
Workplace Campaign to End Domestic Violence, the Violet Richardson Award,
the Soroptimist Club Grants for Women and Girls, the Soroptimist Ruby Award:
For Women Helping Women and Soroptimists STOP Trafficking. Clubs also
participate in the Live Your Dream campaign, which encourages all women to live
their dreams while helping others to do the same. Local club entities within Soroptimist's
501(c)(3) organization structure embark upon local-specific initiatives focused in
empowerment and advancement of women and girls. These most often include community
partnerships with other service organizations and agencies as well as those entities sheltering
women and fostering mentoring for girls. As Soroptimist clubs' cities become more directly
affected by sexual trafficking and members have become more aware of the dangers and extent
of this dehumanizing trafficking trade, clubs, anti-trafficking awareness, protection-oriented
agencies such as Gracehaven, located within Midwestern Region's states territory, have begun
to garner the support of club members.

How can interested women join Soroptimist?
Women who are interested in joining a Soroptimist club should visit the Our Clubs section at
www.soroptimist.org and fill out the Introduction Form, or contact the Midwestern
Region Membership chairwoman (see homepage address. For more information, contact Nancy Nardone, membership coordinator,
at 215-215-893-9000, extension 115 or nancyn@soroptimist.org.

Soroptimist International is proud of the commitments of its individual member-base
and dedication and longevity of established clubs. Without the creativity, talents,
and outreach of our members, our mission to improve the lives of women and girls
would fall short of its goals. Each member as a part of the larger organization makes
unique and significant contributions of talent and time.

How are Soroptimist programs funded?
Soroptimist programs are funded by investment income, member dues, and contributions from clubs
and members. As a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, Soroptimist also depends on outside
contributions from people who support the Soroptimist mission.

As indicated in the annual Points of Light Foundation study, each volunteer hour
contributed to local communities through Soroptimist activities and other volunteer
efforts underwrites that communities outreach at an average of approximately $20-
per-hour. The figure is re-calculated annually and varies from state to state in the U. S.
But not for the volunteer, the locality's expense in wages and benefits to accomplish
the desired task would cost $20/average to achieve. Soroptimist and other 501 (c)3
community service organizations perform a vital function in this socio-economic
equation.

Consider this, if each of the 95,000 Soroptimists volunteer 4 hours per month each year
in their respective communities, according to the Points of Light extrapolation (averaging
$20/hour) their contributions equal a total savings of $91,200,000 in expended revenues.
Any contemporary search of the internet would clearly indicate that 4 hours per
month understates the commitment of time, energy, and talent. Soroptimist values each
single hour devoted to the improvement of the lives and women and girls. We value
all that you do, each in your own way to support our common mission.