Presidents Message

Soroptimist International SEAP members recognise the importance of Education as a core element of our project work. Education is a basic human right; our Clubs provide many pathways towards improving education leading to economic empowerment. Just recently the Federation celebrated International Day of Education with the other 4 Federations. I do hope you were able to view the webinar hosted by SI President Maureen Maguire. Noting the SISEAP section, where we were able to showcase the Building Bridges Beyond Borders, an education initiative by SI Damansara. This presentation focused on the education of refugees and the importance of partnering to achieve results. 

Also celebrated was World Environmental Education Day, which has a focus to “Identify environmental issues both globally and locally and to raise awareness about the need for participation in order to conserve and protect the environment". I used World Environmental Education Day to launch my Presidential Living with Nature Art competition. This Federation wide initiative will raise awareness of SISEAP and advance our advocacy and awareness of the changing environment due to climate change and pollution. I encourage Clubs to take up the challenge and implement a Living with Nature art competition in your community.  Please watch the video and peruse the guidelines HERE. The art competition will run from now until the 5^th of June 2023.
 
February is a month of Club administration, as our Clubs hold their annual general meetings and elect new office bearers, who will provide guidance and leadership to Club members. I congratulate all members who take on leadership within their Clubs, whilst this is a great opportunity to be creative, inspire and motivate, build relationships and implement exciting projects, taking on these leadership roles does come with administrative duties. To understand these duties the Club Roles and Responsibilities document for position holders is recommended reading, you can find these documents HERE. 

Recently I held a webinar titled “Getting the best out of the SISEAP website”, this webinar covered the rights of the Club President, Secretary, Treasurer and ICT Liaison officer to create and edit Club website pages, add events to the events module and how to update Club Position Holders after an AGM.  Please take the time to watch this video HERE, the webinar is available from the webinars section of the website.
 
Members are our greatest asset, and providing pathways for our members for personal growth is an asset to SISEAP, with improved training our members are more confident as they step up into Club and Federation leadership roles. The Federation is pleased to announce the Thriving Futures Program. The aim of this program is to build capacity and capability for Soroptimists at all levels to ensure the organisation’s future sustainability. This program will be delivered virtually over 4 months, including an intensive 3 day face to face workshop held in Kuala Lumpur scheduled for September 2023.  More details about the Thriving Futures Program can be found HERE.   
 
International Women’s Day (IWD) and Consultative Status of Women (CSW67) are the next two programme campaigns in which Soroptimists world side participate in. Programme Convenor Donnell Davis and I will be attending CSW 67 in person, I encourage all members to participate in CSW67 which can be done virtually. To register please click HERE to create your account to allow you to participate virtually in the parallel events.   SISEAP will be hosting both a face to face parallel event, as well as a virtual event, more information to come on how to view this event. I would encourage all members to be involved with IWD, which provides an opportunity for Clubs to raise awareness of the vision and mission of SISEAP, promote gender equality and what is needed for women worldwide to reach parity. 
 
During this month I have the utmost pleasure to Charter a new Club, as we welcome the new members of SI Port Macquarie to the Soroptimist family. As we all prepare for another Soroptimist year, I thank each and every member for renewing your membership in this vibrant organisation.  Your participation does make a difference each and every day and I ask each of us to remember our Soroptimist pledge, including the sincerity of friendship, the joy of achievement and the dignity of service, all of which add value to our lives.  And I leave you with this:
 
“The people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world are the ones who do.”
— Rob Siltanen

Christine Johnstone
President 2022 - 2024
Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific
swppresident2022@siswp.org

And just like that, it's December! and we all start asking ourselves, where did the year go?

Before the close of this year and Clubs start to think of their summer break, (or snow break if you are in Mongolia). Members have one more important campaign to complete, we will already be 5 days into the 16 days of Activism, commencing on 25 November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and concludes on 10 December, Human Rights Day.

Already, as I write this article SISEAP Clubs' social media platforms have begun to turn orange. Clubs are already showcasing their actions to amplify our voices for change. These social media campaigns are designed to shift community attitudes. Looking at the statistics, one could almost ask, what has changed in the many decades of action? We still see: 1 in 3 women will experience gender-based violence in their lifetime, and less than 40% of women who experience violence will seek help. For many decades Soroptimists along with other feminist voices seemed to be a lone voice in the wilderness. Domestic and gender based violence were perceived as a ‘feminist’ centric issue, and this we know has changed.

Over the decades it was the feminist movement that drove the change in society, our actions have contributed to open conversations, governments implementing policies and laws and national plans to reduce violence against women. Women’s movements forge strong partnerships, these partnerships focus on educating our men about respectful relationships, and having strong male role models to call out abusive behaviour. Soroptimist advocacy does not stop, and we individually must ACT, and call out gender-based violence when we know or see someone in a domestic violence situation. Whilst it looks like the situation does not change, there have been massive changes and Soroptimists are part of that solution.

I was able to travel and join the Soroptimists of Malaysia to welcome SI Melaka, as a new Club to the Soroptimist movement. It was a joyous occasion; congratulations to Charter President Lee Lian Teu and the SI Melaka members. Please take the time to send congratulatory messages and warm wishes, we look forward to hearing how the Club flourishes and the grassroots projects they initiate. Whilst in Malaysia, I caught up with several members from the SIROM Region and then travelled with SEAP President Elect Joanne Yeoh to Singapore for the joint birthday celebrations of SI Singapore Orchid City and Singapore Garden City. We also had an informal meeting, followed by a training session with 8 young women who wish to form a ‘Young Soroptimist’ Club, with such energy and enthusiasm from these young women. National President Linda Gan, Membership Convenor Asia Joyce Lim, Joanne and myself were then able to meet with up with members from each of the 3 Singapore Clubs, these visits provided great opportunities for a frank discussion on the value of membership, the implementation of projects and the growth of the Soroptimist movement, the value of friendship can not be understated. My most pleasurable task was to pin 7 of the Federation Team leaders with their Biennium badges and thank them for undertaking these Federation roles. There is no fairy godmother to run this organisation, the Federation exists because members value Soroptimist International and with courage and determination, step up and volunteer for these leadership roles. It is a strong team effort by all.

As our members come together to celebrate the end of the year, please take the time to reflect on all the outstanding work you have contributed as a volunteer to the Soroptimist movement, I am sure each Club has many success stories. Have you considered nominating your Club's successful project for the Federation Programme Best Practice Award? I hope so, the storytelling and the publication of these success stories assist SISEAP to promote the outstanding work we do. December 10, is also the Soroptimist International President’s Appeal. This is the day when Soroptimists worldwide, harness the collective power and generosity of all five Federations of Soroptimist International, in support of the Educate to a Bright Future project. Consider giving up something you love just today, it might be that cup of coffee or the chocolate bar, donate that money to the SI President’s appeal, you can do this collectively with your Club members, or individually via the SISEAP website HERE. Have you read the latest story from SISEAP SI President’s Appeal liaison Linna Khorn? Linna shares with us the story of Chay Satan, who is a single mother and raises an 11 year old daughter alone. She lives in Doun Ov Village. Read this story HERE and you will understand how powerful the Educate to a Bright Future projects are.

Christmas and the season of giving, Soroptimists give their time and money generously throughout the year, we do so knowing that we are making a difference in the life of a woman or girl somewhere in the world. Please consider Soroptimist Gift giving this Christmas, purchase a gift certificate for that special gift, let that special person know that their gift will address inequities, provide learning and education opportunities, and assist clubs in delivering grassroots projects which benefit women and girls. Order yours today by contacting HQ at hq@siswp.org. Soroptimist friends, if you are celebrating Christmas, then Merry Christmas, otherwise Happy Holidays. Enjoy the end of year festivities with your family and friends, recharge the batteries, until we meet again in 2023, and stay safe. Christine Johnstone President 2022 - 2024 Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific swppresident2022@siswp.org

Christine Johnstone
President 2022 - 2024
Soroptimist International South East Asia Pacific
swppresident2022@siswp.org