Soroptimist International of the San Tans

Want to maximize your donation?  SI of San Tans participates in the Birdies for Charity program from Thunderbird Charities which offers a 10% bonus on the total donation.  Pledges are due by February 5, 2012.

Arizona SciTech Festival: Chandler’s Science Spectacular! 

Chandler is celebrating science in a big way, with three days dedicated to the exploration of invention. The Chandler Science Spectacular will showcase the businesses, artists, students and innovators in the community as Chandler participates in the statewide AZ SciTech Festival.

These events offer unique opportunities for residents to explore the discoveries and science engineered in their own back yard.

Thursday, Feb. 16: Chandler Tech Crawl

•  Intel – 5000 W. Chandler Blvd.
  Bring your questions and curiosity to Intel’s DEMO CENTER and see demonstrations of the latest projects featuring Intel Inside!
• Microchip – 2355 W. Chandler Blvd.
  Peer into the world of microcontrollers and see the electronic “brains” of your automobile airbag, kitchen cooktop, portable electronic devices and many other products you use every day!  

• Friday, Feb. 17: A Night of Art & Science
• Saturday, Feb. 18: Chandler’s Science Saturday
• Additional Links

SIST was lucky to host Soroptimist International President Alice Wells at our club’s Dec 8th meeting to discuss this year’s President’s Appeal Project.  The club raised funds to adopt 2 midwives in Papau New Guinnea and save hundreds of lives!

The 2011 President’s Appeal project, Birthing in the Pacific, targets the United Nations Millennium Development Goal 5: to improve maternal health.  The focus of President’s Appeal is in Papua New Guinea which has the 2nd worst maternal and infant mortality rate in Asia.  One of the biggest killers of children under five worldwide is the lack of skilled birth attendants. 

Each day, 1,000 women die due to complications from pregnancy and childbirth – that equates to 41 women per hour.  Only 28 out of 100 women giving birth have a trained health attendant in developing countries.  More than 90% of maternal deaths occur in Africa and Asia where women die from severe bleeding, infections, and obstructed labor. 

The initial focus of this project will be up-skilling and professionally developing midwives as a way of reducing the very high rate of infant and maternal mortality in Papua New Guinea.  Both training and supplies will be part of this project for nurses, midwives, community health workers and village birth attendants.  Clubs and members can “Adopt a Midwife” for $300 to provide important training, helping midwives save the lives of women giving birth.

Check out page 20 of this issue of the Wrangler News to see an article about the SIST club, mission and recent activities.  Volunteers help others learn how to live their dreams

Don’t miss the opportunity to apply for SIST Women’s opportunity award money to support your educational goals.  Apply today!

SIST 2011 WOA application 

SIST 2011 WOA Reference Form

On November 17th, over 20 of our favorite people met to express our gratitude and raise money to help women and girls.  Thanks to all who attended!

The Soroptimist (“Best for Women”) Women’s Opportunity Award gives women the resources they need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects. Eligible applicants are women who provide the primary financial support for their families, and who are enrolled in or have been accepted to a vocational skills training program or an undergraduate degree program. The award winners may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, including books, child care, and transportation.
 
Last year the Soroptimist of the San Tans, a Chandler-based group, awarded a WOA winner and an honorable mention award for a total of $3,500 in cash awards. Local winners are also eligible for additional cash awards of up to $15,000 at the regional and national level of Soroptimist International of the Americas. Completed applications are due December 10, 2011.   Download the forms below:

SIST 2011 WOA application

SIST 2011 WOA Reference Form

What: Garage Sale with furniture, baby items, clothing and household goods

When: Saturday Oct 29th starting at 7am

Where: NE Corner of McQueen & Warner, Goodwill parking lot

Hosted by: Soroptimist of the San Tans, local Chandler group of professional women, raising money to help benefit the lives of women and girls in need.  Funds raised will add to our scholarship funds awarded yearly to several very worthy local women.
“Soroptimist–Best for Women”

Check out page 49 of the latest issue of the San Tan News for an article about SI of the San Tans seeking new members and resuming our fall meetings!