30 Miles in 30 Days Fundraiser
*30 Miles in 30 Days Fitness Challenge Fundraiser:
WHEN: The challenge begins January 1, 2024 and ends on January 30, 2024
WHERE: Anywhere you can walk/run/bike safely!
WHAT: You sign up online, pledge $1 per mile walked (or whatever you can afford) and walk/run/bike a total of 30 miles in January. Online options include donating without walking, signing up as an individual, joining an existing team, or forming your own team.
WHY: This is a fundraiser and all funds raised through pledges and donations will go to our Service Fund to support our mission of helping women and girls get the education and training they need to succeed.
HOW TO SIGN UP: Visit https://bit.ly/3Ppocfd or text the code “3030WALK” to 44-321.
Whether you choose to walk or run inside, outside, on a treadmill, on a bike…we only challenge you to cover 30 miles in 30 days in January. This challenge is excellent motivation for you to get in shape while raising money for a good cause!
November 17 Program Meeting
L-R: Kathleen Ables, Soroptimist Vice President Susan Roncone, and Chuck Ables.
At our November Program meeting at Wildwood Crossing in Vista we were honored to host guest speaker Kathleen Ables, a retired Marine Corps captain, who spoke to us about the challenges faced by herself and other women in the Marine Corps over her 20-year military career, which spanned 1967-1987.
We also welcomed Kathleen’s husband Chuck Ables, a Marine veteran with 28 years of service under his belt. Kathleen credits Chuck with contributing to her success as a female officer in the Marines. (Among his words of advice to her were: “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”)
Ables was one of the first females to serve as a commanding officer in a predominantly male unit. During her 20 years of service, she was a trailblazer, using her influence to raise issues concerning women Marines. One example: she urged a change to a policy that excluded females from certain assignments and deployments, which denied them the operational experiences they needed to be competitive with their male peers. After Kathleen briefed a new incoming commander on the problem, that commander ended the policy then and there!
Kathleen Ables retired from the military in 1987 in order to raise the couple’s two daughters. Kathleen and Chuck now reside in Carlsbad, where they have both been active in local veteran’s associations.
Meet & Greet at Cocina Del Charro Oct. 26
Curious about Soroptimist? Join us for cocktails* or non-alcoholic beverages & heavy appetizers to get to know members of our Club, “Soroptimist International of Vista & North County Inland”! Come and learn how our “Dream Programs” help women and girls through education impacting their lives! RSVP is required, email us at soroptimistinternationalvista@gmail.com or scan QR code.
COST:
$20* for members
FREE* for guests
*does not include alcoholic beverages
October 20 Program: Moms Demand Action
Our October Program meeting guest speaker is Steve Gronke from Moms Demand Action, a grassroots movement of Americans fighting for public safety measures designed to protect people from gun violence. The Lunch Meeting is on Friday, October 20 from 12 noon to 1 pm at Wildwood Crossing & Cantina, 116 Civic Center Drive, Vista. RSVP is required to soroptimistinternationalvista@gmail.com.
Trafficking Collaborative to Meet Oct. 12
Please mark your calendars and join us Thursday, October 12 at 9:00 am. for our next San Diego North County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative Meeting. at United Methodist Church Community Room, at 490 S. Melrose, Vista, CA. The event is free to the public and complimentary coffee and pastries will be available.
Our guest speaker is Megan House, Policy Advisor for Supervisor Jim Desmond. Ms. House covers the area of Health and Human Services and Public Safety. She has also had experience volunteering for A21.com, a global anti-human trafficking non-profit.
Upcoming related events of note:
January 27, 2024 – Annual Human Trafficking Awareness Walk 10 am from United Methodist Church of Vista (UMC Vista). Speakers and information tables to be announced.
March 7, 2024 – Collaborative Meeting 9 am at UMC Vista (speaker TBD)
May 2, 2024 – Collaborative Meeting 9 am at UMC Vista (speaker TBD)
Our Members at SI Convention in Dublin
VISTA, California, August 27, 2023–Seven members of Soroptimist International (SI) of Vista and North County Inland attended the Soroptimist International quadrennial International Convention in Dublin, Ireland during the last week in July.
The women had the opportunity to share ideas and strategies and attend workshops with sister Soroptimists from around the world. Topics included: Good health and well-being — SI Africa Federation; Quality education – SI of the Americas; Gender equality — SI Europe; Women leading the way on climate change — SI Southeast Asia Pacific. Over 1,700 Soroptimists attended the Convention.
Founded in 1921, Soroptimist International is a global women’s volunteer movement with a network of around 66,000 club members in 120 countries. Advocating for human rights and gender equality, at the heart of Soroptimist International’s advocacy is its work across seven UN Centers, where its UN representatives ensure that the voices of women and girls are heard. Soroptimist members around the world work on grassroots projects that help women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential, realize aspirations, and have an equal voice in their communities.
The rebranding of the SI emblem was unveiled, showcasing the development and growth of the organisation, which is reflected in the new branding. Chris Gooch, the designer of the new emblem, shared his thought process behind the new design, illustrating how it captures SI’s message.
Soroptimist members from the Vista club who attended the Dublin Convention included (l-r in photo ): Jennifer Luz-Olson, Thoralinda Soyland, Karen Thompson, Runa Gunnars, Elizabeth Freed and Sherry Luz. Also present but not in photo was Pat Origlieri.
ABOVE l-r: Desert Coast Region Governor Pat Whitacre and SI Vista member Pat Origlieri at the SI Convention Banquet in Dublin, Ireland in July.
BELOW l-r: Mother-Daughter Soroptimists Jennifer Luz-Olson and Sherry Luz at the Dublin Gala.
Club Installs 2023-2024 Board
VISTA, California, June 26, 2023–Soroptimist International of Vista and North County Inland held its Installation of Officers at a brunch held Saturday, June 24 at Shadowridge Golf Club in Vista. This year’s theme was “Teamwork Makes the Dream Work.”
2023-2024 Board
President: Thoralinda Soyland
Vice-President: Susan Roncone
Treasurer: Assly Sayyar
Asst. Treasurer: Jennifer Luz-Olson
Secretary: Nelly Jarrous
Directors:
Fundraising: Catherine Manis
Programs: Dyana Preti
Membership: TBD
Public Awareness: Karen Thompson
Delegates:
1 yr. Delegate: Karen Thompson
1 yr. Alternate: Eden Weinberger
2 yr. Delegate: Allison Metzler
2 yr. Alternate: Jackie Huyck
ABOVE Incoming Board: Standing (l-r): Nelly Jarrous (Secretary), Jennifer Luz-Olsen (Asst. Treasurer and outgoing President), Thoralinda Soyland (President), Susan Roncone (Vice President), Aleta Dirdo, (member standing in for Treasurer Assly Sayyar), Dyana Preti (Director of Programs), Lani Beltrano (member standing in for Director of Membership), Catherine Manis (Director of Fundraising), Karen Thompson (Director of Public Awareness). Kneeling: Jackie Huyck (Delegate). Not present: Treasurer Assly Sayyar and Delegates Allison Metzler and Eden Weinberger. Photo by Michelle Moritz.
Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative Update
ABOVE L-R: Penny Harrington, Flavio Nominati, and Kaye Van Nevel. BELOW: Meeting in the new space at United Methodist Church of Vista.
Guest Speaker: Flavio Nominati, San Diego County Deputy DA
Human Trafficking Task Force
Next meeting: TBD, United Methodist Church of Vista, 490 S Melrose Dr Vista, CA 92081
The May Meeting of the San Diego North County Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative was held in the newly refurbished community room on the upper level. Our guest speaker was Flavio Nominati, San Diego Assistant District Attorney on the Human Trafficking Task Force. He works with our original guest speaker Carolyn Matzger, who had a unexpected conflict.
Collaborative leader Kaye Van Nevel opened the meeting by having all attendees stand and introduce themselves. There were quite a few new people attending, so Kaye talked about Soroptimist mission and our recent Live Your Dream Awards, which included a survivor of trafficking among our six awardees. (That specially designated award was made possible by donations received during our “30 Miles in 30 Days” to fight human trafficking walkathon and the Awareness Walk.)
Our legislative guru, Penny Harrington, updated us on status of legislation, specifically SB 14, which includes human trafficking within definition of a serious felony for the Three Strikes Law. To pass out of Public Safety, Sen. Grove had to amend to apply only to minors 18 and under. See online spreadsheet here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1QA9U3nrhNlsMhnjAHD8MTkDDuMm5k2sCMMkjkrUjc_I/edit?usp=sharing
AB 1740, to post HT notices in pediatric care facilities has passed committee which is a great first step. Penny also mentioned the Bilateral Safety Corridor Coalition Freedom Luncheon and Angels of Trafficking Awards on May 19 in La Jolla at 11:30 am to 2:00 pm with Monica Dean as Master of Ceremonies, and San Diego District Attorney Summer Stephan as special guest. Tickets available on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/freedom-luncheon-and-angels-of-trafficking-awards-tickets-603989267157?utm-campaign=social&utm-content=attendeeshare&utm-medium=discovery&utm-term=listing&utm-source=cp&aff=escb
Kaye introduced our guest speaker, Flavio Nominati. Flavio is Assistant DA in Human Trafficking Task Force. He told us about his path to law school and his background. Although he originally wanted to get into theater, he is glad he pivoted to law, because he enjoys helping victims of abuse and trafficking. He told us about the unintended consequences of the passage of Bill 375 which repeals California Penal Code Section 653.22, the law that criminalized loitering for the intent to engage in sex work. This new act took effect January 1, 2023…and the result has been a sharp increase in “street level trafficking” state-wide! He cited a particular street in downtown San Diego (Main St. and Roosevelt) that has seen “bumper to bumper” traffic of men seeking sex from women who are there, some as young as 14. Law Enforcement has temporary cameras to document the activity, but they are constrained form having the cameras there permanently.
On a positive note, their recent Operation Better Pathways which focused on making contact with victims was a “dramatic step in the right direction” and “sent a message to traffickers,” he said. He cited one victim who is now back in school and has a job and is close to being able to be reunited with her kids.
He said if we suspect someone is being trafficked don’t intervene but call the Task Force Tip Line: 888-373-7888 or text 233-733 (BE FREE)
Next meeting will probably be in September, Kaye will notify Collaborative members.
Rewarding Spring Conference!
Our club received a lot of recognition at Soroptimist’s 44th Annual Desert Coast Region Spring Conference. We received five “Celebrating Success” awards in various categories, and our club president Jennifer Luz-Olson was presented with the Governor’s Service Award! We got to meet and honor 7 of the 9 Region Live Your Dream Finalists (2 were unable to attend) and hear their inspiring stories of resilience. One of them is going on to be considered for an additional award at the National level!
We heard from our SIA President-Elect Bobbi Enderlin, and from the keynote speaker Dr. Martha Sosa-Johnson who is a doctor of internal medicine and since 2018 a member of SI Santa Ana-Tustin. Currently on the faculty at the University of California, Irvine, Dr. Sosa-Johnson told us her very personal story of struggling against adversity to get where she is today.
The theme of this year’s Conference was “Inspiring Leadership.” There were three workshops: one on Stepping into Leadership, another on Asking for Big Sponsors, and the third on the Big Goal Accelerator and what does and doesn’t qualify as an Accelerator project. Speaking of the Big Goal, it was announced that Governer Pat Whitacre has offered to match contributions up to $10,000 to the Dream Big Campaign made by members and clubs in Desert Coast Region! See QR code below to make a donation!
Our club’s basket earned us about $250 towards our Club Giving. All the silent auction baskets were amazing. I think some of our members came away with nice designer handbags from the Chinese Auction. We all enjoyed watching Pat O. and Runa cavorting around as geese in flight in the fun part of the program (with Pat O. playing the part of the disruptive goose who flies out of formation. She’s such a rebel.). Some photos from the Conference are below:
Anti-Human Trafficking Collaborative Meeting in May
Our guest speaker in May is San Diego Deputy District Attorney Carolyn Matzger from the DA’s sex crimes and human trafficking division. We will also invite the recipient of this year’s special Soroptimist Live Your Dream Education & Training award for a victim of sex trafficking. This award was made possible by all who donated and/or participated in last year’s “30 Miles in 30 Days” to Fight Trafficking Walkathon. Please join us! All are invited and complimentary water, coffee and pastries will be available.