The founder President of the first Soroptimist Club, Violet Richardson Ward, (Oaklands, California, 1921) considered the involvement in public affairs to be great service. The first project was saving the great redwood trees from being unmercifully lumbered. In England, the Bristol Venture Club, formed in 1921 appointed a service committee to befriend motherless girls. When the two organisations merged in 1930, Soroptimist International adopted constitutional objects which were to form the framework for service. The peak of achievement was the granting of Category 1 status with ECOSOC during the 1983-87 Quadrennium. Emphasis was placed on reporting the work of every member throughout the world and in 1987, the 'Programme Focus' was introduced.

Programme implements the objects of Soroptimist International and it is through Programme that Soroptimists provide service to others in a variety of ways through Awareness, Advocacy, and Action. It is through Programme Action that Soroptimist International provides service to others and encourages its members to be an active influence for positive change in society at local, national and international levels. Programme areas cover:

Economic and Social Development

Education

Environment

Health

Human rights/Status of Women

International Goodwill and Understanding

Every year the Clubs fund-raise for their project.
Every two years a National Project is chosen and run by teh National Association for 2 years.
Every four years an Internation Project is chosen at the International Conference.

Soroptimist International North Kildare Projects.

Programme Area	Projects
Health	Alzheimers Respite National Project Lunch in the K Club, 17 Oct 2004. (National Project)
Health & Education Environment	St. Raphael's Special School, Celbridge, Co. Kildare. Garden (flora and fauna) Centre for the training of the special children in horticulture and small animal care. The first three presidents of the club raised funds for this project. This centre was opened by President McAleese in 1999. (Link to Kildare Failte website).
Health & Education	Fundraising for the local Riding for the Disabled Group at St. Raphael's Special School, Celbridge.
Health & Education	Saplings School for Special Children, Kill. KARE
Health	St. Brigid's Hospice, the Curragh, Co. Kildare. The Club has raised funds towards this new Hospice with up-todate facilities for patients and their families.
Health	Fundraising for the Oncology Unit, National Maternity Hospital, Hollos St. Dublin.
Health	Caring for the Carers. The Club runs a Caring for the Carers service. National Rehabilitation Hospital, Dun Laoghaire, National Project.
Health	Meals on Wheels. The club runs a Meals on Wheels service.
Health	Special Needs. Special Olympics.
Health	Teach Tearnann Womens Refuge Project Merchants Quay Drugs Project .
Health	Rose Project - Fights AIDS in Africa in women and children
Health	KARE
International Goodwill & Understanding	National Project 2002-3 Fundraising for the Special Olympics 2003 Click here for more information
International Goodwill & Understanding	Northern Ireland Childrens Enterprise
Education	Public Speaking for Girls. The Club runs a Public Speaking Competition for Girls. Click here for more information
Youth	Barnaros: Clane Youth Club

Annual Special Days

8 March	UN International Women's Day
21 March	UN International Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination
22 March	UN World Water Day
7 April	UN World Health Day
15 May	UN International Day of Families
21 May	UN World Day for Cultural Diversity and Development
22 May	UN International Day for Biological Diversity
5 June	UN World Environment Day
20 June	UN World Refugee Day
23 June	UN Public Service Day
26 June	UN International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
11 July	UN Population Day
12 August	UN International Youth Day
8 September	UN International Literacy Day
21 September	UN International Day of Peace
1 October	UN International Day for Older Persons
3 October	Soroptimist Club Friendship Day
October	UN World Habitat Day (1st Monday)
10 October	UN World Mental Health Day
16 October	World Food Day
17 October	UN International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
24 October	United Nations Day
16 November	UN International Day of Tolerance
20 November	UN Universal Children's Day
25 November	UN International Day for the Elimination of Violence against women
1 December	World AIDS Day
3 December	UN International Day of Disabled Persons
10 December	Human Rights Day - Soroptimist International Day

Choosing A Project

• Interest - local idea, current/prospective members ideas
• Utilises club expertise, involvement
• Based on sound evidence of need - by those seeking help.
• Contributes to current Programme Focus
• Idea from SI Database of projects from PFRF, Information from Federation Advisers, or PA Officers
• Idea from Link club - joint project
• Makes effective use of partner opportunities
• Involves different action - lobbying, fundraising, service

History of PA

• 1921 California: Birth of SI
• Local service in communities
• United Nations - SI accredited in 1952 to UNESC as an NGO
• Consultative status with UN
  Economic and Social Council in 1983-87 quadrennium
• 1987 Programme Focus and The Form introduced
• "Where we stand" statements continue to be produced
• Focus reviewed every quadrennium at SI

The National Project 'Fundraising for the Special Olympics 2003' was awarded the International Good Practice Award 2003 at the Federation Conference, Belfast, Oct. 2003 for Exceptional Service as a Global Voice for Women in the Programme Area of International Goodwill and Understanding

Soroptimists International Republic of Ireland were awarded
the Good Practice Award 2003 National Project, Fundraising for the
Special Olympics 2003 by Federation President Joan Smith, CBE


Soroptimists International Republic of Ireland were awarded
the Good Practice Award 2003 National Project,
Fundraising for the Special Olympics 2003
by Federation President Joan Smith, CBE