Soroptimist International is a worldwide volunteer service organization for business and professional women, working to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

Soroptimist International strives to be a global voice for women through awareness, advocacy and action with almost 95,000 members in nearly 120 countries. The organization, which was founded in 1921 in Oakland, California, is committed to serving local, national and international communities, and participating actively in decision-making at all levels of society.

The word Soroptimist is coined from the Latin words soror and optima, and loosely translated as "best for women."

VISION

Be the voluntary service organization chosen by all business and professional women committed to improving the lives of women and girls.

We will share our time, talents and financial resources to enrich our communities. Together, we will:

• improve the lives of women and girls
• help women achieve economic and political equality
• serve as a global voice for women
• provide outstanding leadership development opportunities for women
• enhance world peace and understanding

MISSION AND CORE PURPOSE

To improve the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world.

CORE VALUES

Soroptimist International of the Americas is committed to:

• international goodwill and understanding
• volunteer action
• leadership development
• fellowship and diversity

STRATEGIC OUTCOMES

1. Membership Soroptimist will be a thriving, dynamic, progressive and relevant organization with members committed to the mission of improving the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

2. Program Soroptimist's programs and efforts to raise awareness of women's issues will enable women and girls to lead better lives.

3. Fundraising Sufficient funds will exist for Soroptimist to accomplish its programmatic goals.

4. Public Awareness The world will know about Soroptimist and its efforts to improve the lives of women and girls.

My name is Donna Ronca and I'm truly proud and excited to serve as Desert Coast Region's 2006-2008 Governor along with the rest of your newly elected Region Board and an extraordinary cast of Committee Chairs, Coordinators and Representatives.

President Woodrow Wilson could have been talking about everyone of us here in Desert Coast Region and so my theme for the biennium is "Enrich the World." We are extraordinary women and we are blessed. We have the ability to meet together as a group and voice our opinions. We have wealth. We have homes and jobs. We have education. We have health or a means to get healthy. We each have a gift to give the world the gift of opportunity and we have an obligation to make sure that the women and girls of the world live better, easier, more fulfilling lives.

I have three goals for the biennium:

1. We must do what we say we do-- work to improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world.

2. We must have a great Soroptimist experience and make sure our fellow Soroptimists do too.

3. We have a lot to do. There are wrongs to right, there are hands to hold, there are tears to dry, there are lives to improve and we must work together with the same vision and sense of purpose to make a difference. In the wise words of my 16-year-old niece, "As we march off the field, ready for anything, we still stay in step, stay together, and act as one."

I am so happy to get to represent the members of Desert Coast Region. I promise to serve to the very best of my ability and together "let?s enrich the world!"

Love,

Donna