February 2015

D reamDare to

The Off icial Newsletter of Soroptimist International of Joplin

February 2015

February 2015

2 | Dare to Dream Feb 20 15

A Letter From Your President Greetings Soroptimist International of Joplin members!

There are many exciting things happening within our club as we look forward to spring. It?s important to know that February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Did you know Soroptimist International of Joplin distributes ?Loves me.../ Loves me Not...? bookmarks that promote healthy, loving relationships? Knowing the warning signs of an abusive relationship is vital and these bookmarks can help connect victims of abuse with local help. If you are interested in learning more about how the bookmarks are distributed within our community, contact our Education Committee Chair, Nancy Laptad. In the meantime like, comment and share posts from our Soroptimist International of Joplin Facebook page during the month of February. Let?s work together to increase awareness of teen dating violence and offer help to those who need it.

In other news, one of my favorite times of the year is awards season! No, it?s not the Golden Globes, SAGs or Academy Awards, but Soroptimist International of Joplin is reserving Thursday, March 5, as a special day to recognize and give awards to four women and one young lady in our community who inspire others, are self less and are motivated to overcome obstacles. The event coincides with International Women?s Day (formally observed on March 8). Be sure to join us at the awards luncheon so we can show our support for these impressive, dynamic women.

The Dream It * Be It: Career Support for Girls planning committee is gaining momentum. This robust, new program replaces the Violet Richardson Award and targets high school girls who face obstacles to their future success. If you are interested in making a considerable impact in the life of a girl and want to help her with a successful career path - this committee needs

you! Please contact Jennafer Johnson for details.

Our club is a proud sponsor of two upcoming events: Joplin High School?s ?Inside>Out? event at Victory Ministries on March 9, which will help freshman girls focus on self-worth, individuality, and overcoming obstacles; and a ?Roasting & Toasting? fundraiser on April 11 at the Roxy Event Center, which benefits Girl Scout Camp Mintahama. More details to come!

"Girls with dreams become women with vision" - that?s our theme for this year. Thank you for all your continued work to help empower local girls and women to live their dreams.

Amanda MitchellPresident, Soroptimist International of Joplin


4,5 2014 Wrap-Up

7 Tips & Tricks

9,10 Award Information

6 Quarterly Topic

8 Dream it, Be it

11 Future Events

C O N -T E N T S

History W ith

Alice

What is Soroptimist?

Soroptimist is a global women?s organization whose members work to improve the lives of women and girls through programs leading to social and economic empowerment. Soroptimist programs focus on providing women and girls with access to education, which is one of the most effective ways to end social problems disproportionately affecting women and girls.

2014 Wrap-up


OVER T H E T OP N UT SALES

Nut Sales were "Over the Top" this year and the Soroptimist ladies sure put on a show! The red top consisted of three rings, each led by fearless ringmasters. The teams were aptly named Big Top Nuts, Freako Nuts, and Peanut and Cashew?s Kazoo Revue.

The club sold $37,678 in nuts and had a net prof it of $19,345. This f igure surpassed last year?s net prof it by almost $1,350!

The team that raised the most money was Freako Nuts!

The annual nut sale is the largest fundraiser for Soroptimist International Joplin. The proceeds help fund activit ies such as Camp Soroptimist, awards, special events, and community service programs throughout the year.

By: Jennafer Johnson


2014 Wrap-up

Soroptimist International of Neosho hosted the 51st Annual South-central Region District Meeting last October. Attendees from the Joplin club included past President and District Secretary Jennifer Reeves, President-Elect Jennafer Johnson, Associate Director Sarah Alumbaugh, and Treasurer Karen McGlamery.

The event kicked off at the National Fish Hatchery on a Friday evening with dinner served by Teen Challenge of Southwest Missouri. Teen Challenge is a faith based, long term, residential program which helps men lead a prosperous life, free from substance abuse.

The district business meeting took place on Saturday. Jennafer Johnson delivered the inspiration which focused around gratitude and being thankful. Johnson also shared our local club report. Clubs discussed their awards and brainstormed on the new Dream It, Be It project.

Sarah Alambaugh accepted a certif icate for our club?s contribution to SIA at the Dreamers Level for 2013-2014.

Alambaugh also accepted a certif icate for our club?s participation in the 2014 Live Your Dream Award.

Apart from business, there was also some fun at the district meeting. A dinner reception took place on Saturday night at the Flower Box Theater with entertainment from the Neosho Newcomers Club and the Neosho High School Choraleers. Sunday morning, the men of Teen Challenge offered an inspirational musical program. Additional business was discussed and the business meeting was adjourned.

SI El Dorado, Kansas will host the next district meeting October 9-11, 2015.

The 89th South Central Region Conference will be hosted by SI Greater St. Louis on April 24-26, 2015. The 2016 Region Conference will be hosted by our club, SI Joplin.

51stAnnualD istrict M eeting { N eosho}


moder n daySLAVERY

A barcode on her neck. The letters S-L-A-V-E on one of her ankles; just in case she forgot.

At 18, her body is subject to stomach-churning torture by her owner ?Master Ed.?

While locked in a dog cage she is tied up, whipped , and electrocuted. Several men pay to watch and take part in the sexual torture sessions which happen daily.

This horrific story sounds like the product of a sick writer. But, the details you read are printed on a 20-page federal indictment as evidence collected by the FBI and investigators with the State of Missouri. in 2012. Until a few years ago, this unnamed teen runaway was kept captive in an inconspicuous trailer located in the woods in rural Lebanon, Mo after being lured in by false promises.

When she was 16, ?Master Ed? promised her a ?great life? with a guaranteed career in modeling and dancing.

What followed remained a secret to everyone outside of this human trafficking ring for five years until the girl ended up in the hospital after having a heart attack from a torture session.

Humanatrafficking.org offers ways you can identify and combat human trafficking. The first step is to recognize victims. You may notice visible clues like bruises and branding but other signs include the individual not having identification, travel documents or money because someone else has control over them. You can report suspected trafficking to the hotline or professionals like law enforcement, nurses and anyone else mandated to report such cases. Another way to help is to join a grass-root effort. Soroptimist of Carthage started the SWMO Coalition Against Human Trafficking and YOU can join by contacting Lora Phelps at [email protected].

A Tale of Horror

HOTLINE: 1-888-428-7581Edward Bagley. Sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for imprisoning a young women in his t railer for six years.

Unfortunately these cases are not rare. Human trafficking for sex and forced labor is a rapid growing business across United States. According to the Polaris Project, an organization that offers help to human trafficking victims, 3,609 human trafficking cases were reported to the National Human Trafficking Resource center in 2013 alone. 80-percent of victims are women and children. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children estimates 1 in 7 runaways reported were victims of sex trafficking.

The Attorney's Office for the Western District of Missouri lauched the Human Trafficking Rescue Project in 2006. Since then, Missouri has become the leading state for human trafficking convictions.

QUARTERLY TOPIC

By: Jennifer Penate



Spring into Action[ Tree Planting Tips]

The dormant season ? early spring ? is an ideal t ime to plant t rees and shrubs. Weather condit ions are cool and allow plants to establish roots before heavy rains or summer heat st imulate new top growth.

Proper handling during plant ing is essent ial to ensure a healthy future for new t rees and shrubs. Before you begin digging, be sure to have all underground ut ilit ies located by calling 811 and take note of overhead power lines to avoid future t rimming conflicts.

Whether the t ree you are plant ing is balled and burlap or bare root , understand the root system has been reduced by 90 to 95% of its original size during t ransplant ing. This can result in t ransplant shock, indicated by slow growth and reduced vigor after t ransplant ing. Proper site preparat ion before plant ing and good follow- up care

1. Dig a shallow, broad plant ing hole.

6. Stake the t ree, only if necessary.

Information provided by the arborists of The Empire District Electric Co

By: Julie Maus

2. I dent ify the t runk flare.

3. Plant at proper height.

4. Straighten the tree. Before backfilling, view the tree from several directions to confirm it is straight.

7. Mulch. Mulch acts as a blanket to hold moisture.

8. Follow-up care. Keep soil moist but not soaked;

TIPS&TRICKS

D ream itWHAT'S NEW

Be i t : Career support

for GirlsWHO DOES THIS PROGRAM TARGET?

Girls, ages 14-18, who face obstacles to their future success.

WHAT DOES DREAM IT, BE IT PROVIDE?

Access to professional role models, career education and resources for girls to live their dreams. Topics for discussion include career opportunities, setting and achieving goals, overcoming obstacles to success and how to move forward after success or failures.

HOW DOES IT WORK?

Our club is currently in the planning phase of this program to implement in 2015-2016. We plan to offer mentoring opportunities in a small group setting. We are reaching out and partnering with Joplin High School, local universit ies and area businesses to possibly assist with funding for this project. Our club is also engaging a girl advisory group of Joplin High School students to achieve the goals outlined in the program. It 's an exciting time of pioneering, exploring and planning for this new and worthy project.

HOW DID THIS COME TO BE?

The Dream it, Be It project and award will replace the Violet Richardson Award at a local, district and region level.



Soropt im ist I n ternat ional of Joplin?s ?Best Wom an of the Year? com m it tee is now accept ing nom inat ions for the 2014-2015 Award.

The awardee m ust have been in Soropt im ist at least 3 years and be a m em ber in good standing. She m ust be act ive in recruitm ent and retent ion, serve on a club com m it tee, have at tended at least one Dist r ict m eet ing and one Region conference in the last 5 years and be act ively involved in our club?s service project .

The SI / Joplin award winner?s nam e will be forwarded to the South Cent ral Region later this year for considerat ion for the SCR Lou Kirby Best Wom an of the Year Award.

I f you would like to nom inate som eone, p lease com plete the at tached form . Feel f ree to m ake any com m ents about your candidate on the back of the form or at tach an addit ional sheet .

Please subm it ent r ies to Tracy Asbell either in person, by fax at 417-659-9054, or by e-m ail at tasbell@sm bonline.com

Deadline for ent r ies is Thursday, February 19, 2015.

I f you have any quest ions, p lease contact one of the following com m it tee m em bers:

Alice Pantoja

Cheryl Glass

Lea Schroer

Terr i Falis-Cochran

Jennifer Reeves

Tracy Asbell

You can f ind the nom inat ion form on the next page.

Soroptimist International of Joplin's Best Women of the Year Award

AWARD INFORMATION

9 | Dare to Dream Feb 2015

SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF JOPLIN?S

BEST WOMAN OF THE YEAR AWARD

Member Submitting

Nomination: __________________________________________________________

Nominee?s

Name: _______________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

Phone: _______________________________________________________________

To be eligible, the nominee must:

(Rate on a scale of 1-10 with 10 being the top)

_____ Be a member in good standing

_____ Member for a minimum of three (3) years

_____ Be active in recruitment and retention

_____ Serve on a club committee

_____ Have attended a minimum of one (1) District meeting and one (1)

Region conference in the last five (5) years

_____ Be actively involved in the club?s service project(s)

_____ Demonstrate:

§ The Sincerity of Friendship

§ The Joy of Achievement

§ The Dignity of Service

§ The Integrity of Profession

§ The Love of Country

If you know of someone who meets these criteria, please complete the required information and provide an overview of the candidate?s recent contribution to the club, District, and/or Region.

10 | Dare to Dream Feb 2015


Future Events:

February 9: Camp Soroptimist meetings begin. They will be held on the second Monday of each month at Children?s Division, 601 Commercial, Joplin, noon.

February 19: Best Woman of the Year Nomination Deadline

February 26: Circles Dinner, United Methodist Church, 2423 W. 26th, 5:30 PM

March 5: Awards Banquet, Mythos, noon

March 31: Lunch with Leading Lady, Joplin High School, 11:20-12:50

April 2: BUNCO/IGU, Continental Banquet Center (behind Granny Shaffer?s), 2728 N. Range Line Rd, Joplin, 6:00 pm

April 16: Remembrance Lunch

June 1: Annual Memberships Due

May 2: Night at the Derby, The Ramsey, 107 E. 6th St., Joplin

June 25: Installation of Officers Banquet

March 9: JHS Fusion?s ?Inside>Out? at Victory Ministries, 3405 S Hammons Blvd, Joplin, time TBD

April 24 ? 26: South Central Region Conference in St. Louis

April 11: Girl Scouts Roasting and Toasting, The Roxy Event Center

Dare toD ream

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She turned her can'ts into cansand her dreams

into plans.

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February 2015