On February 23, the Loomis Basin Chamber of Commerce presented Soroptimist International Loomis Basin with the Non-Profit of the Year Award. The plaque says: “This award honors the local organization that has made significant contributions to the community and has served Loomis in exceptional ways over a number of years.” Thank you to Rex, Jackie’s husband, for giving the club an amazing introduction at the ceremony.

The club was thrilled that Jenny was also recognized with the “Most Neighborly Native Award.” Congratulations Jenny!

The vision of Acres of Hope is to provide a safe family environment and a healthy living program for women with children that sets the foundation of change and breaks the cycle of homelessness. The committee met on March 1 and began planning for the Soroptimist Enrichment Day at Acres of Hope on March 25, 11 am – 3 pm. Presently, there are six families with babies and children under age 12 at the community, and two more families are expected to join them.

When asked how Soroptimist could best support the educational needs of the families, the topics suggested  were: nutrition, etiquette (speaking in groups, conversations with women, body language, working, manners), human trafficking and investing. Knowing these interests, we invited them to attend our Human Trafficking Awareness Workshop. The committee is planning fun ways to cover some of these topics with skits or activities during Enrichment Day. The club will also serve a lunch, play games with the women and children, and give out prizes. 

All are welcome to join the committee and/or to come help with the Enrichment Day. Let Rae know, so we can all carpool.

In addition, the club plans to purchase more bark for the playground swing set area. After members tour the facility on March 9, we’ll be able to determine how much bark is needed.

Show Your Fashion at Acres of Hope Presentation

What: Cook and serve St. Patrick’s lunch for 75 seniors
When: March 16
Volunteer: Guided by Peggy, prepare and cook from 9 am to 11 am or take the second shift to serve and clean up from 11 am to 1 pm.
Where: Loomis Senior L.I.F.E. Center, First United Methodist Church, 6414 Brace Rd., Loomis
How: Sign up with Jenny (see the Signup Genius)
Why: Our club founded the center and this is part of our ongoing support of this vital community resource providing education for seniors

SNR Governor, Lisa, with President Rae

President’s Message

SI Loomis Basin has a lot to be proud of because we just completed and celebrated one of our best months ever.

We Rise By Lifting Others, President Rae

To provide women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment, Soroptimist International (SI) Loomis Basin distributed over $13,000 in education awards on February 15.

Soroptimist “SI Live Your Dream” awards help women to continue their education and build careers.

The Soroptimist Ruby Award for Women Helping Women was awarded to Mindy, President, Shine with a Purpose, who connects volunteers to community projects.

“Investing in Dreams” awards went Del Oro High School students:

Senior L.I.F.E. Center of Loomis received a Loomis Soroptimist Education Grant to fund teachers.

The club also presented 15 Soroptimist Teacher Grants to fund books, educational software, musical instruments, art materials, white boards, alternative seating, physical education tools, hands-on learning items, and Science Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) materials.

A special thanks to Assemblyman Joe Patterson for providing personalized certificates of recognition to awardees. Read more on the SI Loomis website about the amazing people in our community who will use these resources to create opportunities for women and girls to reach their full potential and live their dreams.

We appreciate the Awards committee for organizing this project – Chair Cyndie, Alaire, Ann, Ardella, Cindy J., Elizabeth, Karen FM, Karin W., Pam and Ralene. Thank you to the many club members who supported this event and fundraised to provide funding for the awards.

Saturday, April 29, 2023, 8:30 am — 3:30 pm.
Blue Anchor Annex, 3550 Taylor Rd., Loomis.
Background Check Required: Due to Elizabeth by April 15

In 1998 when her sister-in-law, Sandy, was president of the club, Jackie joined SILB. Sandy encouraged Jackie to join and fill the assistant treasurer position so the club would have the 15 members needed to retain its Charter.

After holding many roles in the Loomis club, Jackie went on to serve as the Sierra Nevada Region (SNR) Governor from 2014-2016. She also served on the Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) Board of Directors from 2019-2021 and as Secretary-Treasurer from 2020-2021. She is presently on the SNR Finance Committee and will be the Treasurer for the 2027 Quadrennial Soroptimist International Convention.

According to Jackie, her favorite part of being in SILB is mentoring other members and helping them to be successful. Jackie said, “Without the members, there is no organization.” She enjoys helping out wherever she can with events.

A forever resident of the local area, Jackie lives on property in Newcastle that her great-grandfather purchased in 1906. She went to Del Oro and her husband, Rex, went to Placer High School. They have one son, Ryan, who is engaged to his fiancée, Heather. Rex retired five years ago and is now a volunteer with Civil Air Patrol which lets him keep up with his love of piloting his plane.

Jackie is the owner of JC Bookkeeping and Financial Services. She started her company five years before opening it in Loomis in 1998. When not working at her business or her volunteer positions with Soroptimist, Jackie likes working outside in her yard and listening to audiobooks.

SOLT stands for Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training. The goal is to continually provide training to members to enhance their skills and understanding of Soroptimist methods to achieve our mission. By developing our knowledge, we grow personally and professionally, and can become better leaders in our club, in Soroptimist and in the community.

“SOLT moments” can be brought up at club meetings to provide background for new members and ongoing leadership training is provided through district, regional and international meetings.

A great resource is the archive for past SNR Conferences. Whether you want to learn more about social media, fundraising, financial management, Dream It Be It or other Soroptimist programs, you can find videos and notes in the SNR Archives.

Loomis News, Gold Country Media (Feb. 28, 2023) Loomis Basin Chamber honors Rabe, Knisley, among others

Roseville Today (Feb. 22, 2023) Loomis Soroptimist Awards Invest in Education

Loomis Union School District – Soroptimist International 2023 Loomis Basin Awards Ceremony

Loomis Basin Charter School – Grant Winners Announced

March 15 (Wed) Program Meeting 5:30 – 7:00 PM – Guest Speaker Executive Director Marnel of Acres of Hope and Renew Fashion Show
March 16 (Thurs) Cook for Loomis Senior L.I.F.E. St. Patrick’s Meal
March 25 (Sat) Acres of Hope event 11 AM – 3 PM
March 29 (Wed) White Elephant party to raise Delegate FundsApril 3 (Mon) Board Meeting at 5:15 PM, Raley’s Café
April 5 (Wed) Business Meeting at Loomis Round Table, 5:30 – 7:00 PM
April 19 (Wed) New Member Mixer 5:30 – 7:00 PM
April 29 (Sat) Dream It Be It 8:30 AM — 3:30 PM  Blue Anchor Annex, 3550 Taylor Rd. LoomisMay 1 (Mon) Board Meeting at 5:15 PM, Raley’s Café
May 3 (Wed) Business Meeting at Loomis Round Table, 5:30 – 7:00 PM
May 13 (Sat) Tostada Bingo Fundraiser at the Blue Goose 5:30 PM
May 17 (Wed)  Program Meeting 5:30 – 7:00 PM
May 31 (Wed) White Elephant party to raise delegate funds

June 2-4 SNR Conference in Reno
July 27-29, SI Conference, Dublin, Ireland
Aug 12-13, SNR Development Retreat in Reno

Sadly, Amazon is discontinuing it’s “Amazon Smile” donation program. Thankfully, the ink cartridge collection is contributing about the same amount of money to our club. So spread the word to help the planet, increase awareness of Soroptimist and make a little money!