President’s Message
This past weekend, April 28th – April 30th, I had the awesome opportunity to attend the “Celebrating 91 Years, Making the Dream Work” Southern Region Conference in Hollywood Beach, FL. I have been a Soroptimist for about eight years, and this is the very first conference I’ve attended. I cannot tell you how excited I was to be attending my first region conference. On the train ride down, I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I was definitely looking forward to a wonderful time with the five other members from our club who’d be attending the conference too--as well as learning more about the volunteer organization I so proudly serve.
Attending the Southern Region conference took me beyond seeing what we do in Hillsborough County and past our connection to the Pinellas Club to a much larger picture of our impact on a global scale. I was truly able to see the importance of the vision and mission of our organization. Our club is not on a tiny island by itself. We are connected to an international group of resources and services all moving toward a common goal: to impact and empower the lives of women and girls. The first words that come to mind when I think about all we do and how we effect change is simply…WOW! I am so very thankful and glad that I was able to come to this conference, and I hope to attend many more in the future.
What I learned:
Our work is essential to the lives of the women and girls we serve in our community.
When we serve/volunteer we truly are making a difference.
We must continue to drive toward adding to our membership base.
The women in our District II work mighty hard.
There are many opportunities to help women and girls.
Effective leadership is the key to building a successful club.
I’ve always known that the women in this Tampa club are amazing. Spending quality time with Ms. Lorraine, Ms. BJ, Ms. Teri, Ms. Cathy and Ms. Michelle gave me a much better picture of the love, friendship and support I have. By the way…you haven’t lived until you’ve taken a trip with this crew!
Here’s to you, for all you do! SI Tampa is bringing home the Celebrating Success Award for Teen Achievers, Dream It, Be It Award, Scrapbook Award, Individual Business Ad Award (Michelle) and….. the Governor’s Service Award for our Teen Dating Violence Bookmarks.
Congratulations and thank you for your hard work and dedication!
President Rosetta
May11 Meeting
Soroptimist International of Tampa will meet on Thursday, May 11 at 5:30 pm at The Children’s Board of Hillsborough County, 1002 East Palm Ave., Tampa.
At this meeting we’ll elect officers for next year, hear a delegatesreport and celebrate successes from the recent Southern Region Conference and give feedback on our first Dream It, Be It One-Day Seminar.
Please bring a friend and potential new member to this meeting. Share the gift of Soroptimist membership!
Proposed Slate of Officers for 2017-2018 for SI Tampa
President: Rosetta Peacock
Vice President: Lorraine Lundy
Recording Secretary: Teri Matlach
Corresponding Secretary: Vicki Salin-Decker
Treasurer: Deborah Pruden
Director: Michelle Strawser
Director: Fran DeLuccia
Dream It, Be It One-Day Seminar, May 6
Please contact President Rosetta or Director Michelle if you can attend on Saturday, May 6, 8:30 AM to 3:30 PM at Just Elementary School, 1315 W. Spruce Street, Tampa.
Seminar focus: Discover Your Dream, Exploring Careers, SMART Goals, Rising Above Obstacles, Turning Failure into Success, and Putting Dreams into Action.
A Successful Plant Sale!
We had beautiful weather and big crowds of plant lovers at the Spring Plant Sale at the USF Botanical Gardens, April 8-9.
Our newest memberTrish Wild and Treasurer Debbie Pruden made sure we were ready and open for business on Saturday morning.
From there, the customers just kept coming! Our net profit from the weekend sales was $1,486.16. We send a big pat on the back and “thank you” to all the members who helped with the plant sale including Teri (and Matthew), Lorraine (and Lutwan), Glenda, Trish, Debbie, Jeanette, Fran and Rosetta. Cecil and Louis Delcher helped with the heavy hauling, set-up and take down, and Susie Miller donated a trailer load of plants for the sale. Well done, everyone!
Plant Sale Chair Diana Miller
Congratulations to Dawn Marie Lemonds, SIA’s New President-elect
The federation election to fill the 2016-2017 president-elect vacancy is complete. We congratulate President-elect Dawn Marie Lemonds on taking up this leadership position.Dawn Marie began her new position immediately, and will become SIA president on September 1, 2017.
Southern Region Conference Report
The delegates and members of SI Tampa visited Hollywood, FL for this year's Southern Region Conference. Instead of driving, we opted to travel by train and invited SI Pinellas to accompany us.
SI Tampa and SI Pinellas County at the train station. All Aboard!
Good times were in order on the train. You had to be! We stayed at the Hollywood Marriott with a view of the beach to our east and a main waterway to the west. The blue green water, the waves with white caps, and the gentle breeze were very calming.
On Friday afternoon, the note taking began with Barbara A. Martinez, Assistant U.S. Attorney informing us on “Human Trafficking: Where Are We Today?”
Our Southern Region Board Members
We also got hot tips on how to interact with social media and fund raising tactics. We had dinner at Taverna Opa, a well-known Greek restaurant, and many a brave Soroptimist danced on the tables. Saturday morning began with meetings for the presidents and briefings for the delegates from the 16 clubs that were in attendance.
President Rosetta with Federation Visitor Dana Martin from the SIA Board of Directors
During lunch, we enjoyed the presentation of the Southern Region Live Your Dream and Violet Richardson award winners. Throughout the day we were given leadership tips from the Emerging Leaders. The leadership group exercise was informative and fun. Nominations are now open for anyone that may wish to serve on the board for 2019-2021.
Vice President Lorraine accepting an award.
The Governor's Service Award was presented by the winners from the three districts. Saturday had a full agenda, but excitement built as we awaited the participation in the no-talent lip sync competition and in anticipation to see who would win one or more of the beach themed baskets. We did not win the no-talent lip sync competition, but we did win the Governor's Service Award and the Scrapbook Award. We were also commended by SIA and Southern Region for our active participation in their signature Dream It, Be It program. Our Soroptimists Celebrating Success Certificate regarding the Teen Achievers included $100.00 toward the next Southern Region Conference club fees.
Sunday morning's Celebration of Life conjured up memories of those we have lost in the past year. Our goal is to persevere and carry on for them.
Business meeting items were completed, and then we formed "THE" circle, recited the Soroptimist pledge, gave hugs, said our goodbyes, and departed with intentions to see one another again in Tuscaloosa, AL next year.
Congratulations to the delegates and clubofficers who represented SI Tampa so well!
Vice President Lorraine Lundy
From the SIA Annual Report for 2015-2016
Soroptimist International of Tampa Officers for 2016-2017
President Rosetta Peacock
Vice President Lorraine Lundy
Treasurer Deborah Pruden
Recording Secretary Teri Matlach
Corresponding Secretary
Vicki Salin-Decker
Director Michelle Strawser
Director Fran DeLuccia
Upcoming Dates:
May 3: Dinner with Southern Region Governor Denise Held. 6 PM
Island Way Grille, 20 Island Way, Clearwater
May 6: Dream it, Be Itseminar
Just Elementary School,
8:30 AM to 3:30 PM
May 11: Monthly Meeting, 5:30 PM
Children’s Board
May 20: Flea Market at the home of Fran DeLuccia
June 10: Joint Installation of Officers at the home of Fran DeLuccia
1:30 AM to 2:00 PM
Contact us at
or write to
SI Tampa,PO Box 271774
Tampa, FL 33688.
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