Published January 12, 2006

We’ve all heard of optimists and pessimists, but what in the world is a Soroptimist? Ilene Addison has been one for more than 20 years and loves both the hard work and the fun and community it provides.

Because the business and professional women who join this organization are committed to improving the lives of women and girls, they are always on the lookout for new opportunities. Thus a women’s symposium Ilene attended five years ago germinated one more invaluable new project for SISV (Soroptimist International of Sonoma Valley.)

“The day-long series of seminars on life skills was very informative,” says Ilene. “But I came away thinking they should be giving this information to young women before they go out into the world and make mistakes.”

A great deal of effort and fund raising brought to reality such a day for young women graduating from Sonoma Valley High School. The SISV women’s hearts are so big, however, that “Hit the Road” has become an annual feast for all SVHS grads. Girls spend a day at a hotel with breakfast and lunch included and the boys go to Infineon Raceway. SISV even provides a handbook students take home to have all the data with them for future use.

“We give them information to help them deal with adult challenges they will face during the next few years,” Ilene says with pride. “They learn about finances, credit, investments, renting a place to live, staying safe in cities or in dorms and college, career information, income tax advice, buying a car and relationship issues.”
Wow! Don’t you wish someone had done that for you when you left high school?
Ilene says Soroptimists always welcome new members.

“Our service projects and fund-raisers are so diversified that there is something to suit every member’s special talents.”

Want to put your talents to such far-reaching effects? Call Ilene at her office, 996-3647, or contact the current president of SISV, Vicki Johnson, at 938-5157, or e-mail Kocopelli@comcast.net.

May I share your volunteer experiences in this column? Contact joan@justjoanonline.com