SI Ventura Donates Stethoscopes to Ventura College Nursing Students

web_stethescopes.VC.college.2016Stethoscopes are an important and expensive part of a nurse’s arsenal of equipment. SIV, after much thought and consideration, committed funds to donate quality stethoscopes to nursing students at Ventura College.

Over the last two semesters, we have handed out 14 stethoscopes engraved with our Soroptimist logo. We have confidence the recipients will be off to a good start in their nursing education and will be able to use their stethoscopes well into their nursing careers.

On Monday, February 8 a group of SIV members met the recipients and were delighted to hear from the women themselves what a valuable addition our donation has made to their education. Many of the women are returning students with families and very tight budgets. They expressed such gratitude at having this necessary item provided for them by our Soroptimist Club.

The 38th Annual Camino Real Region Spring Conference is May 13-15, 2016

web2_2016spring.conference.graphicPlease join the Soroptimist Camino Real Region on May 13-15, 2016 at the Pasadena Hilton Hotel at the annual Spring Conference.  The Region Board and Spring Conference Committee have been busy creating a fabulous experience specifically for you!  Spring Conference is designed to recognize the work, members, and what has been done collectively to carry out the vision and mission of Soroptimist.     

We will see a return of Club photos, Women’s Health Related workshops in the morning and the Leadership Academy in the afternoon.  The Dreams on Parade is Friday night where each clubs creative banners are on display. Governor Elect Ginger Cole will be installed on Saturday evening with a Mardi Gras themed celebration so put on your glitz and glamour for this.

SIA Federation Director, Beverly Bucur, will be a special guest during the Conference. The speakers for Friday and Saturday lunch will inspire as well as call on you to be the catalyst for change in a positive fun way.  The week-end will be filled much shopping, education, region updates and lots of celebration!

The Call to Conference, agenda and pertinent forms are available here on the Camino Real Region website for your convenience.

March 23 Program Speakers are Norbert Tan and Anne Paul King from the Ventura College Foundation

web_Norbert-TanNorbert Tan has served as the Executive Director of the Ventura College Foundation for nearly nine years. Successes include developing the Ventura College Promise program that funds first year fees for every Ventura County high school graduate; growing the scholarship program to nearly $500,000 in annual awards; and building the Textbook Lending Library to serve over 3,000 students annually. Prior to Ventura College, Norbert served as the Managing Director of Rubicon Theatre Company in Ventura, after completing the prestigious Arts Management Fellowship at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.  Prior to working in the non-profit field, Norbert was an international marketing and advertising professional in the new media, live entertainment, legal, and advertising industries. Norbert volunteers on numerous community boards and committees in Ventura County. Norbert earned his BS from UC Berkeley and his MBA from UCLA, with an emphasis in nonprofit management.

Norbert’s peak experiences at the Ventura College Foundation include moments with a donor, with a past employee, and at the VCF’s annual scholarship gala.

web_anne.paul.kingAnne Paul King serves as the Director of Major and Planned Giving for the Ventura College Foundation. Her recent successes at the Foundation include developing and stewarding the corporate donor relationship leading to at $1,000,000 gift to launch the Diesel Technology program at Ventura College; creating the Foundation Ambassador’s program with faculty and classified staff; and securing over $1 million in planned gifts over the past year. Anne has been a fundraising professional for nearly 25 years and has raised over $22 million for both national and local organizations. The scope of her many roles has ranged from the national development consultant to 31 state affiliates at Volunteers of America to the foundling chair of the development committee for the Conejo Schools Foundation Board supporting the local Conejo Unified School District. Anne specializes in major gifts and board management.

Anne’s peak experiences at the Ventura College Foundation include moments with a scholarship recipient, a legacy society member, and a corporate partner.

If you are interested in attending this meeting please call Cindy Daly at 805-701-0882 to RSVP by Monday, March 21. The cost is $15.

Soroptimist International of Ventura Announces 85th Anniversary & Awards Event

web_85th-anniversary-flier.mar2016

When:

April 16, 2016, at 11:30 a.m.

Where:

Wyndham Garden Ventura Pierpont Inn
550 Sanjon Road, Ventura, CA 93001

What:

Luncheon, Longtime Member Recognition, Scholarship Awards and Silent Auction

Cost:

$30 per person

RSVP:

April 4 to Cyndi Damron at 805-216-4728

Tickets:

Deadline: April 4
May be bought online at: www.soroptimistventura.eventbrite.com
Or checks made out to SI Ventura may be mailed to: P.O. Box 6133, Ventura, CA 93006

Menu choices:

Chicken, beef or vegetarian.
Please provide choice when registering or purchasing tickets at www.soroptimistventura.eventbrite.com.

We are also looking for sponsors and silent auction donations to make our event a success. For more information about our the various levels, go to www.soroptimistventura.org. To become a sponsor or to donate a silent auction item, please contact Cyndi Damron at 805-216-4728. All contributions are greatly appreciated.

Soroptimists raise funds throughout the year for scholarship awards and to provide additional grants to local community organizations serving women and girls.

The Violet Richardson Award honors young women for their volunteer efforts in their school or community. It is awarded annually to a teen, ages 14-17, and her volunteer organization to recognize the inspiration and dedication it takes to be a volunteer making a difference in the lives of others.

The Live Your Dream award is dedicated to women who are heads of household and need to further their skills, education or training to support their families.

STOP Human Trafficking & Sexual Slavery Annual Event – March 9, 2016

fb.stop.human.trafficking.event.2016Soroptimist International of Ventura joins with Oxnard, Camarillo, The Conejo, Santa Barbara and Simi Valley SI clubs to present the ninth annual Stop Human Trafficking and Sexual Slavery Annual Event on March 9, 2016 at the Ventura County Government Center, 800 S. Victoria Ave., Ventura. This event includes an Awareness Walk followed by a speaking panel of experts from social service agencies, government, and law enforcement.

The Awareness Walk starts at 4:30 p.m., and the Panel begins at 6:00 p.m. Speakers for the panel include:

  • Shannon Sergey, Founder of Forever Found 
  • Von Nguyen, Santa Barbara Deputy District Attorney
  • Judith Porter, Deputy Sheriff, Ventura County Special Unit
  • Megan Riker-Rhineschild, Santa Barbara Human Trafficking Task Force

This event helps raise awareness about this rapidly growing problem in Ventura County, the state of California, our country and throughout the world. Anyone can be trafficked regardless of race, class, education, gender, age, or citizenship when forcefully coerced or enticed by false promises. We are working on education, advocacy and involvement.

This year’s event is being sponsored by the County Board of Supervisors. For questions about the event please call Debbie Gohlke at 805-320-5215.

February 24 Speaker, Sam Benner, will Educate us on Marketing and Social Media

Sam.BennerWe will be welcoming Sam Benner to our February 24 program meeting. He will be discussing the following:

  • How to use content marketing to get your message out there.
  • Social media best practices.
  • Facebook 101: He will cover the basics of profiles, pages, groups, and its amazing advertising platform.

Sam is a third generation Venturan.  His only years outside of Ventura were spent in the Bay Area where he attended Stanford University which culminated in a degree in Communications and participation in the 2000 Rose Bowl at defensive end.  His professional career started in real estate in title insurance which led to an opportunity to start an online marketing company where he created and managed campaigns for some of the area’s leading companies and non-profits.  He returned to real estate in 2014 where he currently works as a REALTOR for Keller Williams Realty.  He currently serves on the board of directors for the Ventura Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Ventura Organization, and Bell Arts Factory.  He has been married to his wife Amanda for 10 years and has 2 children, Alex and Dylan.

If you are interested in attending this meeting please call Cindy Daly at 805-701-0882 to RSVP by Monday, February 22.

The cost is $15.

 

Laurie Bennett will Speak about Camp NAWIC at the January 27 Program Meeting

laurie.bennettVentura County’s Camp NAWIC  is a five day, hands on construction basics learning course for high school girls. The curriculum taught includes, but is not limited to, electrical, welding, plumbing, carpentry, painting, heavy equipment operation, hand tool basics and construction safety to name a few disciplines.

The camp teaches responsibility, self esteem, team work and team building as well as promotes empowerment for young women to problem solve in a male dominated industry/profession.

These young women may not have an interest in construction before they begin the camp but will have learned many personal skills that can be used throughout their lives no matter what profession they ultimately chose.

Laurie Bennett

  • 49 year county resident, raised in Ventura, lives in Camarillo
  • Vice President of Arbee Inc, the corporate holding company for Fence Factory and C&W Construction Specialties, a family owned and operated business
  • MBA from California Lutheran University in Business Administration; Organizational Behavior
  • First female president of the Ventura County Contractor’s Association
  • Technical Advisory committee member for Green Build Construction program at Center for Employment Training in Oxnard
  • 25 year member of National Association of Women in Construction, current board member
  • Construction and life skill education of “the next generation” have been a long time passion; organizing and chairing scholarships for career & technical programs, computer aided design and drafting (CADD) competitions for high schools, Lego building competitions for K-6 and a high school girls construction camp
  • Spare time is spent with; family wine tasting and bonding, friends playing Mexican Train, traveling with a big fluffy Malamute named Skye and riding a beautiful sparkling blue touring motorcycle.

If you are interested in attending this meeting please call Cindy Daly at 805-701-0882 to RSVP by Monday, January 25.

The cost is $15.