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Violet Richardson Award winner, Kayla Jelen

1/29/2015

Soroptimist International of Ukiah has announced the 2015 Violet Richardson Award winner, Kayla Jelen. The Violet Richardson Award recognizes young women between the ages of 14 and 17 who are making a difference through their volunteer work. The award is named for the first President of the first Soroptimist Club founded in 1921 whose motto was “It’s what you do that counts.” Kayla Jelen exemplifies that motto. Kayla has been doing various forms of community service since the sixth grade, both on her own and through Girl Scouts. She is an Ambassador Girl Scout, setting an example for younger girls and volunteers as a leader.

Her volunteer activities have included sewing, decorating and stuffing stockings for the homeless, planning and leading a food drive for the Ukiah Food Bank, helping with Thanksgiving dinner for Plowshares, working on a veteran’s fundraiser, and volunteering as a day camp and resident camp counselor, a First Aider, and a lifeguard for her service unit.

Kayla volunteered more than 60 hours over the last two summers helping to make the Kinetic Carnival Fundraiser for the Mendocino County Museum a success. She also volunteered more than 40 hours after school and during lunch breaks to organize thousands of pieces of sheet music at her school.

Kayla received the award and a check for $250. Her plans for the money are to help with the restoration of music instruments at her school and to write a booklet on the care of musical instruments to help keep them in good condition.

Congratulations Kayla!

Salad Bar Lunch

9/17/2014

Thank you to everyone who came to enjoy our all-you-can-eat salad bar lunch, raffle prizes and good company!

57th Annual Soroptimist Invitational Dolphins Swim Meet

7/28/2013

The Soroptimist Meet is a Pacific Swimming Short Course C/B/A+ Meet. It is a large meet hosting over 20 teams from around the Redwood Empire and the North Bay Area. 359 swimmers participated in this year's meet, from elementary-school age up to high school.

Infused Water Contest - Rethink Your Drink!

7/16/2013

Sugary beverages are the largest single source of calories in the American diet. Greater sugary beverage consumption is associated with weight gain, obesity and diabetes. The average person in the U.S. drank 45 gallons of sugary beverages in 2009. In Mendocino County 55.7% of
adults and adolescents and 42.7% of 5th, 7th and 9th graders are overweight or obese.

Increased access to more healthful beverages is important for reducing sugary beverage consumption and decreasing the prevalence of chronic diseases in Mendocino County. Therefore, Mendocino County Public Health Prevention and Planning hosted the Infused Water Contest to promote the healthiest and most beneficial beverage available - WATER.

Greater Ukiah Chamber of Commerce Local Business Expo

7/11/2013

The Local Business Expo provided an opportunity to share how SI Ukiah makes a difference and ito nvite others to join.

Greater Ukiah Chamber of Commerce Board Members and Interim Director Mary Buckley.
Soroptimist International of Ukiah Members Lucille, Tami and Rebecca

WELCOME TO SI UKIAH'S NEWEST CLUB MEMBERS

6/26/2013

Soroptimist International of Ukiah welcomes the newest club members, Jill Slavin, Betty Thompson, Rebecca Enberg and Sharlene Kaye during the June Induction Ceremonies.

INSTALLATION OF 2013 - 2014 OFFICERS

6/20/2013

Ukiah Daily Journal July 3, 2013

An evening of laughter and tears capped-off the 2012-13 Soroptimist International of Ukiah's officer's duties and opened the way for the 2013-14 Board.

The installations of Offiers was held on June 20th at the Thompson Family home in Redwood Valley and was catered by Zack's Catering.

It was a bittersweet event for Anne Holden, who acted as Mistress of Ceremonies, as she has moved out of the area and will no longer be in the Ukiah club. She has been a member for 29 years, and will be greatly missed.

District IV Director Maddy Leader was on-hand to induct two new members, Jill Slavin and Betty Thompson. Also joining this year, but unable to attend were Rebecca Enberg and Sharlene Kaye.

As Installing Officer, Nikki Hamilton wove the theme for the coming year, "Soroptimists Shine... Brightening our Club, Community and World", throughout the program in a fun yet meaningful way. She reminded each officer how they can individually shine brightly and promised as members "to add our individual lights to yours so that we will be a bonfire Brightening our Club, Community and World."

It was also an evening of surprises. Janet Hunt was chosen by President Katie Kight as the coveted Soroptimist of the Year. Katie said, "Janet's positive shines through in everything she does. She's always encouraging and has a kind word to bring to every conversation, along with a little humor. Thank you Janet."

This year, Katie also honored our "Soroptimisters" with bags of snacks which she tied into her thank you speech to them. Those honored were Zack Leventis, Matthew Tognoli, Paul Holden, and Richard Kight. Gene Richardson, Bob McIntosh and Bob's son Robbie were also honored but were unable to attend. Our club is priviledged to have such great support from these "men behind the women."

The biggest surprise, however, was reserved for Katie Kight, as Soroptimist International of Ukiah honored her distinguished service as a Soroptimist by making a $1,000 contribution to the Founder Region Fellowship program in her name. This honor recognizes her as a 'Fellow' in support of Founder Region's indentifying project. Fellowship provides grants to women attending universities within the boundaries of Founder Region, which encompasses 10 North Coast counties in California, the State of Hawaii, and the U.S. Territories of Guam and the Marianas. The mission is to advance the status of women in the final phase of their doctoral degree. This year, $60,000 in grants have been provided to six women who are influential in their fields of study, already accomplishing amazing things that have great social importance to the world. Katie wrapped up the evening by stating, "You have touched my heart more than you will ever know."

Congratulations to the 2013 - 2014 Officers: President - Katie Kight, Vice President - Willow Anderson, Treasurer - Janet Hunt, Assistant Treasurer - Loretta Tognoli, Recording Secretary - Linda Davis, Corresponding Secretary - Judy Pinto, Director - Penny McIntosh and Allyne Brown, 1 Yr Delegate - Jessica Kimball and Carol Lanier, 2 Yr Delegate - Marily Ogle and Tami Glasco.

JUNE GUEST SPEAKER - Natasha Yim Carter

6/19/2013

Most of Natasha's professional career has been in counseling or social work. She is also a children's book author, freelance writer, playwright, and a mom of three who writes in the midst of transporting her kids to soccer games, gymnastics, volunteering at their shcool, and other parental responsibilites.

To kick off our brainstorming session for our club storybook project, Natasha shared her passion for writing books for children. Willow read on of her stories which is currently making the rounds for publishing consideration.

At this time, Natasha has three published books available for purchase; SACAJAWEA OF THE SHOSHONE, CIXI THE DRAGON EMPRESS, and her first published children's book, OTTO'S RAINY DAY. Seven months shy of its release date, the Junior Library Guild has selected GOLDY LUCK AND THE THREE PANDAS for its 2014 reading list.

SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS LUNCHEON

5/15/2013

FOUNDER REGION CONFERENCE - MAY 3rd, 4th & 5th, 2013

5/5/2013

What an uplifting Conference. SI Ukiah Members - YOU ARE FIREWORKS! Your volunteer support, working with the other Mendocino County host clubs, allowed the conference to be the success that it was. We enjoyed our club "team building" activities while we were there - time spent together laughing and having fun. What wonderful memories!

One of the greatest highlights of conference was hearing from the Fellowship, Women’s Opportunity, Violet Richardson and Ruby Award winners, especially having our Women’s Opportunity Award Winner, Dani Foreman, honored by District IV. It was great to see Dani shine at the podium as she accepted her award!