About Us
Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to acheive economic empowerments
Board Members
We are nothing without our talented members. Women from across our community bring together their expertise, resources and goodwill to create a memorable community that strives for promoting excellence.
Michelle Whisenand President
I have been a member of this Club since 2015. I have been fortunate to hold many titles allowing for a valuable perspective of each position’s needs and goals. I will rely on past successes while also coming into the new year with fresh energy and enthusiasm. I am looking forward to a successful and fun year!
Hilda Tonarely VP Membership
Serving on the SIGS Board for the last 4 years has been a learning experience. I hope to do SIGS justice as co-president for 2021-22. My professional experience was as a Project Manager for a Family Literacy Program at Washington Unified School District. I have been a teacher and a social worker. I enjoy physical exercise and my artistic pursuits. Because of my Cuban background, Spanish first language, I like my name pronounced ‘Ilda’, without the ‘H’ sound-Gracias to all!
Lydia Ziedner VP Program
Jean Foster Co-Treasurer
TBD
Susan Gower Co-Treasurer
TBD
Paula Maw Secretary
Our Committees
Finance
Responsible for preparing a budget for the fiscal year and to present it to the Board for approval. This includes both the General and Service Funds.
Service
The service committee’s responsibilities are to Identify and coordinate service projects.
Ways & Means
Makes recommendations and coordinates member involvement in fundraising activities.
Programs
Schedules guest speakers, luncheon invitations and reservations as well as other Club events including mixers, team-building activities, annual retreat and book club.
Membership
Conduct member recruitment, member retention, maintain communications with potential new members, review applications for membership, present to the Board, and provide orientation.
Gifting Committee
Committee integrates all grants and scholarships including the club’s dream grants, endowment, education, and Live Your Dream Award.
Communications
Bylaws & Rules
Ensure that the Club’s bylaws and standing rules are current and align with SIA/SI
OUR MISSION
Soroptimist is a global volunteer organization that provides women and girls with access to the education and training they need to achieve economic empowerment.
Our Partners
Women's Empowerment educates and empowers women who are homeless with the skills and confidence to acquire a job, create a healthy lifestyle, and regain a home for themselves and their children. SIGS has a very close, long standing relationship with this organization. Their community services embody everything that Soroptimist stands for.
Valentines Lunch for Mustard Seed: SIGS gives from the heart by providing Valentine’s lunch for the children at Mustard Seed. In addition to lunch, Valentine inspired goodies and crafts are provided so that the children know what a special treat Valentine's Day can be for family and friends.
Wellspring Women’s Center: Wellspring Women’s Center in Sacramento’s Oak Park neighborhood, nurtures the innate goodness and personal self-esteem of women and their children. They serve nearly 200 women and children each weekday and offer four different programs: the Nutritious Meal Program, the Children's Corner Program, the Safety Net Services Program, and the Women's Wellness Program. Our Club efforts include, but are not limited to donating backpacks full of hygiene products for Wellspring to distribute to those in need.
Koinonia: During its 39-year history, Koinonia’s caring and compassionate staff and families have helped thousands of needy children begin a new life by facilitating foster, adoption opportunities and Short-Term Residential Therapeutic Programs. Its headquarters is located in Loomis, California, a small suburban community located about 25 miles northeast of Sacramento. Koinonia’s growth has expanded across California and Nevada to better serve the community. In 2020, SIGS used endowment funds to purchase a $10,000.00 laser cutter for their on-site training and education center.
Sacramento Food Bank: A place for hope and prosperity, a place where women and men, children and elders, are offered the tools they may need—food, clothes, education, technology, or just plain kindness—as they move toward a path of financial independence and self-sufficiency. Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services (SFBFS) has evolved from a food pantry to a provider of services for lifelong Sacramento residents—as well as refugees and immigrants who wish to make Sacramento their home. In the past, SIGS has provided home kits for refugees and coordinated a children’s blanket drive in honor of the 100th Anniversary for Soroptimist International of the Americas.
Backpacks 4 WEAVE:The campaign to Stop Human Trafficking has been at the forefront of our community's needs for many years. SIGS has revamped their Backpacks for Mercy program to focus our efforts to support WEAVE. We provide backpacks containing basic amenities as needed for trafficked women and girls who are brought to WEAVE for care and support. The cry for support is made and we proudly answer that call.