Soroptimist International Loomis Basin News
June-July 2021
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Welcome, New Members!
Julie Bruce
Pamela Dumler
Wendy Freeman
Ardella Newton
Thank you to Shari Lynn Goodwin for hosting and organizing the wine pairings for the June 30 event to introduce women to SI Loomis Basin. We appreciate the members who brought appetizers, served, welcomed and engaged with our guests. Several of you brought or sent guests, and social media efforts were effective in extending our invitation to the community. Attendees agreed that there was a super positive energy and it was a great start to the coming year!
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New Officers Installed
On June 16, our new club officers were installed at La Fornaretta in Newcastle. The club was honored that Connie Pool, District 4 Director, was our guest speaker. Member Jackie DeMartini, who serves as Secretary/Treasurer of Soroptimist International of the Americas, conducted the installation. We celebrated our success in 20-21 with Karen Fraser-Middleton at the helm and heard President Rae’s plans for the coming year. Congratulations to the new board members: President - Rae DeGabriele, Secretary - Sharon O'Donnell, Treasurer - Shari Lynn Goodwin, One Year Delegate - Cyndie Whitefoot and Two Year Delegate - Jenny Knisley.
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President Rae’s Message
 I am so honored to be this year’s incoming president for the Soroptimist International of Loomis Basin. I had never imagined myself taking on this important role; I have basically stepped out of my box. My courage comes from the amazing and talented women in our club who have supported and encouraged me over the past years.
Now with the pandemic behind us, our fundraisers will again be scheduled -- It’s In the Bag, Tostada Bingo and a few others that were successful this past year. People are ready to get back to “living” and what better way than to enjoy a fun filled evening at a Soroptimist fundraising event.
Although fundraisers are important, I’d like to focus my year on Programs and Services. We’ve been strong with “Dream It Be It” career exploration program and our Awards Ceremony but I believe there is so much more we can do within our community. My theme this year is “We Rise by Lifting Others.” I hope that my theme will inspire us to work as a team, stay motivated and become involved.
Save the Date: The club Planning Retreat on Saturday morning, August 14 at Rae's home in Loomis. Details to follow.
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Casual Meet-ups
To keep in touch over the summer, Peggy Word & Sheila Lee organized some casual meet-ups. It is also a way to support local businesses, especially those that carried our masks during the pandemic. We already met at Ugly Mug, Bru Coffee House, Gander Taphouse and Loomis Basin Brewery Gastropub. Mark these on your calendar:
- Thursday, 7/29, NOON at Flower Farm, 9280 Horseshoe Bar Rd., Loomis
- Wednesday, 8/4, 5:30 pm at La Fogata, 5911 King, Ste. f, Loomis
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LIFE Center Reopens
The mission of Soroptimist is to provide education that leads to economic empowerment for women and girls locally and internationally. This mission led our club to start the Loomis senior LIFE Center in 1978.
And since its inception, our club has continued to support the LIFE Center. We are especially proud of members Eileen Elder, Nancy Hogan and Sheila Lee who currently serve on the LIFE Center Board. It was announced on June 30 that club member Jenny Knisley was selected as the new executive director.
The club had delayed giving a grant to the LIFE Center since they weren’t having education programs during COVID. At the reopening luncheon with over 80 guests, our club is presented a $3000 grant to fund teachers for art, exercise, craft, music and other classes in the coming year.
June 16 was the last time that Senior LIFE Center meals were offered for pick up. Many seniors are still using the Soroptimist insulated bags we provided in December for the holidays.
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Meet Ashley Summers
 Ashley Summers, Title Agent & Principal, Hebard Insurance Solutions, was attracted to Soroptimist because the club enables her to be part of the community and make a difference in people’s lives. “I always grew up with mom telling me how important it is to give back to our community; that’s how we show appreciation to the community that has taken care of us,” said Ashley. “I never really understood what she meant until recently.”
She partners with her mom at Hebard Insurance Solutions in Loomis, a multi-generational family business. “We’ve been providing business and personal (car, home, etc.) insurance since 1950," said Ashley. "Every day, I strive to make my family and team proud by continuing the family legacy.”
Ashley has had the opportunity to be part of many Soroptimist projects, “My top three favorites are Dress a Girl Around the World, Days for Girls and the Soroptimist Dream It, Be It program.”
She also enjoys the club fundraisers. “They are a blast,” said Ashley. “It’s a lot of work leading up to the event, and we have an amazing group of women who step up every time. It feels so good to finish the event, feel like we had fun and know that our guests enjoyed themselves."
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What Determined Women Can Accomplish in a Pandemic
Past-president Karen indicated that the club fulfilled our theme “We’ll find a way” in 2020-21 and met our goals despite COVID-19 as a result of the leadership of board members Rae, Shari Lynn, Sharon, Sheila and Cyndie, and the efforts of all the club members.
“Even when gathering was limited, Rae led us in completing 205 Days for Girls sanitary kits that will prevent girls from missing school as well as collecting donations for Standup Placer thrift store,” said Karen. “When we couldn’t host Tostado Bingo or the Purse event – we found a way to sell olive oil & St. Patrick’s Day Dinners. When we couldn’t communicate in person, we used social media, the newsletter and zoom. When restaurants were hurting, we found a way to offer their customers masks. When the senior LIFE Center wasn’t meeting, we delivered meals. When we couldn’t do the Dream It Be it career program with Koinoina, we found a way to offer the girls yoga in the park. When we couldn’t do our usual awards ceremony, we still gave out grants and scholarships.”
 Lupine flowers were our symbol during the pandemic year, explained Karen. “It was ironic that we had a super bloom this spring,” she said. “The innovation and dedication that members invested this year is sure to result in a super bloom for the club in the coming years. So keep saying yes to being active, because together we make a difference and change lives.”
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SNR Holds Virtual Conference
Our club is part of the Soroptimist International Sierra Nevada Region (SNR) that represents over 1400 members in 54 clubs located from Sacramento to Yreka in California and all of the state of Nevada. The region held a development retreat on July 10 to help members and new officers learn more about Soroptimist processes and procedures. Additionally, the event allows clubs to share information and support each other. Because of the pandemic, it was held virtually so there are resources online that anyone can review at their convenience. Sessions include the Dream It Be It program, Stop Human Trafficking, Learn the Language of Soroptimist, Legislative Advocacy, Creative Approaches to Fundraising and much more. See them listed on the SNR website .
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To stay in compliance with COVID restrictions, the club’s June Business Meeting was held at the Loomis Library Park.
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Club Submitted Celebrating Success Applications
Thank you to Marilyn Robinson and Rae who documented our club’s achievements by submitting “Celebrating Success Awards” entry forms to SNR. Marilyn described how we increased our public awareness using our website, social media and newsletter as well as used mail for business community outreach. The results were measured by increased traffic to our sites, participation in our fundraisers and business donations. Rae’s application described how our club completed a more than two year project making handmade, sustainable sanitary napkins for young women that were sent to Africa in collaboration with DaysforGirls.org. The organization delivers the kits with health education for the women and distributes them in the United States as well as worldwide.
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Thank you, business and individual donors for over $3,500 in a challenging year!
Anonymous
B&B Real Estate
Boberg Hardwood Floors
Dee & Brian Ash
Hebard Insurance Solutions
Henley Homes, Inc.
Huber Property Management
Jeanne Holt
Kathleen Foley
Landmark Construction
Marketing Action, Inc.
Motion Pro
RuffStuff Specialties
Star Acquisition/Carl's Jr.
West Pacific Cabinets
Western Engineering Contractors
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Calendar
After the summer break, the club will resume meeting in September, on the first and third Wednesdays, and occasionally the fifth Wednesday from 5:30 to 7 PM. In the meantime, we are getting together casually at local eateries. To support the community, we’ve listed some upcoming Loomis events as well in this calendar.
July 26-Aug 1 - (Community) Placer Valley Eats Loomis week - support local restaurants https://placervalleyeats.com/guide
July 29 THURSDAY – Noon - Casual Meet-up Noon Flower Farm
Aug. 4 - 5:30 PM - Casual Meet-up at La Fogata
August 13 – 7-9 PM (Community) The Town of Loomis Concert “Invincible” Pat Benatar Tribute Band and “Press Play” 80’s Rock Band at 5775 Horseshoe Bar Rd. Bring Chairs.
August 14 – 8:30 AM – 1 PM Club Planning Retreat at Rae’s to brainstorm, form committees and review the 21-22 budget.
Sept 1 – Business Meeting
Sept. 15 – Program Meeting
Sept 25 -26 – SIA - Soroptimist Celebrates 100 Years – $50 Soroptimist International of the Americas https://zoom.us/webinar/register/5116204077216/WN_RfnhOVtxR5uJZrquOggZ2A
Oct. 1-3 (depending where you are in the world) SI 100th Virtual Birthday $50 before 9-14-21) https://www.soroptimistinternational.org/members-area/100th-si-birthday-the-big-event/
Oct. 2 – (Community) Loomis Eggplant Festival
Oct. 6 – Business Meeting
Oct. 20 – Program Meeting
October – Tostado Bingo
October 23 – SNR District Meeting
July 27-29, 2023 -- SI International Convention in Dublin, Ireland
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Websites:
Loomis Basin Club
Sierra Nevada Region
Soroptimist International of the Americas
Facebook: @SILoomis
Instagram: @SILoomis
Officers:
Rae DeGabriel, President
Shari Lynn Goodwin, Treasurer
Sharon O’Donnell, Secretary
Cyndie Whitefoot, One-Year Delegate
Jenny Knisley, Two-Year Delegate
Newsletter editors: Submit your news items to Alaire and Karen.
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Copyright © 2021 Soroptimist International Loomis Basin, All rights reserved.
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