• Soroptimist Live Your Dream Award is for women who provide the primary financial support for their families and are pursuing more education to increase their employability.
• Teacher Grants are for teachers in the Loomis Union School District to fund special projects.
• The Loomis Soroptimist Investing in Dreams Award recognizes a girl at Del Oro who demonstrates leadership as a community volunteer.
• The Soroptimist Ruby Award honors women who make a difference in the lives of women or girls.

The club will have a booth at the Loomis Eggplant Festival on Taylor Rd. in Loomis on October 1. We’ll be selling these cork pumpkins at our booth.

Shari Lynn is coordinating volunteer signups. Please sign up to help. It is an opportunity to share what we do with the community and attract new members

Several club members attended the Soroptimist Sierra Nevada Region Development Retreat on July 30-31. Club treasurer Bev indicated that specific workshops were especially helpful in explaining various forms and reports required to effectively carry out her responsibilities. “The entire conference was very informative and uplifting,” said Bev. “It was well organized, we listened to great speakers, and there was even some fun entertainment.”

Jackie indicated that she was inspired by the speakers from the Pivotal Moments podcast. Hosts Siria Gutierrez and Melissa Robaina share stories of change through mindset and wellness, and the impact on relationships.

President Rae attended the Human Trafficking workshop.  “Each county in California has been touched by this devastating crime,” said Rae.  “Human Trafficking is the second largest criminal industry per illicit revenue generated, just behind drug trafficking.  It is important to educate ourselves as well as young women and girls in our community on ‘How Traffickers Lure Victims, How to Recognize Victims and How to Help Victims.'”

Rae indicated that those attending were women on a mission, trying to attend as many workshops as possible so they could better serve our club as well as our community.  “We’re all like-minded women enjoying one another, sharing ideas and making good friends,” said Rae. All club members are welcome to attend this summer conference.

Our club will be welcoming members of surrounding clubs to Loomis on October 22 for the District 4 meeting. It will be held from 9 AM to 2 PM at the Loomis Meeting Spot, 3601 Taylor Rd.

Members are encouraged to volunteer to help make this event successful. Everyone is welcome and those attending this meeting will learn more about Soroptimist and our impact in the region and beyond.

The guest speaker is Karen Wilkes, Days4Girls. Our club has supported this project and hopes it will spread to other clubs.

Make Someone’s Year by Being a Secret Pal

Sharla announced that our Club is doing the Secret Pal activity again for this 2022-2023 year.  “It is a completely voluntary activity that allows us to get to know another Soroptimist a little better and have a little fun giving and getting surprises throughout the year,” said Sharla.

• Those who want to participate will fill out a sheet about themselves.
• Return the form to Sharla.
• Everyone who completed a form will randomly draw another member’s form to get her Secret Pal for the year.

“What you do from there is up to you, but typically, participants send a card or a small gift for special occasions and holidays, or sometimes just because,” said Sharla.  “It doesn’t have to be anything big or expensive.”  Members often say that a token arrived at just the moment when they needed a boost so it is a way to carry out our theme, “We rise by lifting others.”

Sharla sent out an email with the full instructions and the form to fill out.

According to Shari Lynn, our club has “FUN” while raising money for specific causes supporting women and girls. “My favorite club project is Dream It, Be It,” said Shari Lynn.  “I want to ensure that we offer young girls: the opportunity to interact with successful women, an arsenal of tools to set and attain career goals, the knowledge that they can overcome any obstacle and mentorship.”

Shari Lynn indicated that volunteering on different club committees and projects has fostered new friendships. “I appreciate the acceptance without prejudice,” said Shari Lynn.  “I have greatly benefited being a part of this amazing club.”

Shari Lynn’s career dream was to become an elementary school teacher. “Circumstances kept me from attending college fulltime,” said Shari Lynn. She held many jobs and had a career at Hewlett-Packard in the warehouse, finance and marketing departments.  Shari Lynn achieved her dream by graduating from college at the age of 40 and earning her teaching credential. She taught in Elk Grove and was an adult education teacher at Folsom State Prison.  As a result, Shari Lynn started the club Christmas Dream Project that provides educational and personal items for inmates in the Folsom Women’s Facility.

Although she retired in 2020, with COVID and other challenges, she says “official” retirement really began this month. “I enjoy not having to be anywhere or do anything,” said Shari Lynn. “Freedom is fun!” And thanks to her “Soroptimister,” Jack, for all he does for the club