Soroptimist International was founded in 1921, a worldwide organisation for women in management and the professions, is a global voice for women through Awareness, Advocacy and Action.

Objectives of Soroptimists

> High ethical standards > Human rights and advancement of the status of women > A spirit of friendship > A spirit of service > International Understanding

The first Soroptimist Club was formed in 1921 on Oakland, California, and was quickly followed by other Clubs in North America. In 1924 the first clubs in Europe were Chartered in London and Paris and by 1928 there were enough clubs in these continents to form two federations, American and European. A link between them was established by the creation of the "Soroptimist International Association" in 1928. In 1934 a third Federation - Great Britain and Ireland was formed. By 1978 there were clubs on every continent. In 1994 a fourth federation - South West Pacific - was established. The motive in forming the clubs was for business and professional women to associate together to render service.

Soroptimist International is the world's largest service organisation for women. Over 100,000 women throughout the world are Soroptimists in more than 3,000 clubs throughout the world. Each Soroptimist Club chooses the projects it wishes to help in the local community or further afield. It also adopts projects for study and action within the international programme. This covers:

Economic and Social Development Education Environment Health Human rights/Status of Women International Goodwill and Understanding

Soroptimist International has direct access to the United Nations and a voice at United Nations Centres in New York, Geneva, Vienna and Unesco, Paris.

The name Soroptimist comes from the Latin soror sister, optima best. We now take that to mean the best for women and their families and this we work to achieve.

Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women in management and professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women. While SI does not support any political parties or religious groups, it encourages all members to be aware of and involved in issues, which have political implications. We are committed to service to local national and international communities and to active participation in decision making at all levels of society. http://www.soroptimist.org

SI North Kildare is one of 24 clubs in the Republic of Ireland. We have very close links with the 16 clubs in Northern Ireland and have worked on a joint project, with them, to support the Special Olympics 2003 which was held in Ireland for the first time outside the USA.

Federations
As a truly worldwide organisation Soroptimist International is divided, for administrative purposes, into 4 federations. These are SI Americas, SI Europe, SI South Pacific and the federation to which our club belongs, SI of Great Britain and Ireland. These federations cover a wide geographical span. Our federation SIGBI includes women in many parts of Africa, India and the Caribbean along with those in Ireland and the UK. Federation conferences are held every year

(http://www.soroptimist-gbi.org)

North South Joint-Conference - held every two years in the Republic of Ireland
Every two years Soroptimists from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland meet together for a joint Conference.

Federation Conference - held every year

International Conference - held every four years
We meet together too, as a worldwide organisation at our international convention, every 4 years.

Projects

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.