Transformation: A View from Spruce Street

Elizabeth Lucas, CEO and Executive Director

Just as the seasons change, so too has the view from 1709 Spruce Street, the home of your federation headquarters. As a newcomer to the Soroptimist community, I have been listening, watching, and learning.  Let me share my observations with you in hopes you will share yours with me:

• Our organization is strong with four solid cornerstones.
  
  
• Mission. People are drawn to give and to serve because of our mission.
  
  
• Members. We have passionate members who are intent on making a difference for women and girls.
  
  
• Workforce. There is a committed workforce of both volunteers and staff.
  
  
• Programs. SIA programs make a difference in the lives of women and girls through its programs.
  
  
• For 90 years SIA has successfully adapted to the changing and growing landscape.
  
  
• We have wanted to increase our public awareness for 14 years. ¹
  
  
• Our membership has been eroding for 20 years.
  
  
• There may be pent-up demand for SIA’s mission but not in the traditional delivery system of clubs, which is being altered by technology and virtual communities.
  
  
• 50 percent of members who left SIA did so because of interpersonal issues. ²
  
  
• As members and revenue declined, we turned to fundraising to replace the revenue stream.
  
  
• 27 percent of members who left SIA did so because they were asked to give/spend too much money. ³
  
  
• We are unclear about whether our mission’s outcomes are to raise awareness and concern for a social issue or if it’s about influencing specific changes.
  
  
• Humans have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined and connected to one another; when that drive is liberated, people achieve more. ⁴

These observations, made after listening to members and reading reports, suggest direction for shaping our future; for liberating and engaging others in our mission; for increasing our impact. Join me to help shape our future. Share with me what you think I should know about SIA. What are the issues? What do you wish for SIA? If SIA were the lead story of a national news organization in 10 years, what would you like the headline to be? Write me at ShareYourViewWithLiz@soroptimist.org and share your views with me.

Just as you have shaped our organization’s past and present, the military has had a prominent role in shaping countries and their ruling parties. And now, women—as part of the military workforce—are shaping the military. Women are increasingly performing in a combat fighter role. And as their role has changed and grown, so has the level of harassment, including sexual assault. See the lead article about how women striving for full equality in the military are shaping the future of military service.

May your new year be filled with the joy of knowing your service through Soroptimist International of the Americas has an impact—locally, nationally and globally.

To learn more about Liz click here.

¹ SIA Member Survey 1994 and 2009

² SIA Three Year Member Retention Survey

³ SIA Three Year Member Retention Survey.

⁴ Edward Deci and Richard Ryan; Rochester University research pg 69-71, Drive, Daniel Pink, 2009

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