Soroptimist is an international organization for business and professional women who volunteer their time, talents and resources to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

The members are a diverse group of like-minded women who work together using their expertise, business and professional skills and talents to support community-based and international projects that benefit women and girls

Programs

• Program is the heart of the Soroptimist mission. It is guided by “Where We Stand”, a tool for clubs and members that describes the scope of Soroptimist interest and involvement in the communities we serve. Clubs carry out projects and activities at the local level, depending on their particular capabilities and the specific needs of their communities.

• A MUST for all clubs is the Women’s Opportunity Awards, the major Soroptimist project which helps a woman live her dream through education and skills training. In addition, clubs are expected to work on at least one other project to improve the lives of women and girls. This is the minimum requirement for all Soroptimist clubs.

Special instructions for WOA, VRA, and MADWA

• There will be no need for District Judging events. Evaluations and selections will be based on the applications and supporting documents submitted by clubs. Clubs should ensure candidates applications are thoroughly screened and meet the eligibility criteria.

For more info.

https://cdesigninc.tripod.com/SIPR8/prog.html

Women's Opportunity Awards (WOA)

SIA’s Major Soroptimist Project

• The Women's Opportunity Awards project receives a very strong support from Soroptimist clubs in the Philippines. A cash award designed to assist women who provide the primary source of financial support for their families, the project gives resources women need to improve their education, skills, and employment prospects. Recipients, many of whom have overcome enormous obstacles including poverty, domestic violence, and drug and alcohol abuse, may use the awards to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, such as books, childcare and transportation.

• Eligible applicants must be 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. Applicants must demonstrate financial need, and cannot have already earned an undergraduate degree. Only residents of the 19 member countries and territories of Soroptimist International of the Americas (SIA) are eligible to apply.

• The program begins at the local club level, where awards vary. Club recipients become eligible to receive district-level awards; District recipients become eligible to receive region-level awards, which are granted throughout SIA’s 28 geographic regions. Currently, the 28 regions grant one first-place award for US$5,000 which then makes them eligible to receive one of three US$10,000 finalist awards. SIA grants two additional US$3,000 awards and a further additional US$3,000 award for every 10 participating clubs.