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 At
the 2004 Convention in Calgary, SIA launched a
5-year plan for renewal called the Renaissance
Campaign. The campaign was first previewed to
the 2004-2006 Region Governors at the Governors
Round Table preceding convention. They gave some
valuable suggestions to President-elect Vicki
and Executive Director Leigh who made the
presentation to the members at the opening
general session. Patti LaBelle’s “New Attitude”
got the delegates on their feet and ready to
embrace some new thinking about our
organization.
The goals for the campaign were developed by the
board of directors in consultation with the fund
development council, staff, and past and current
leaders over the course of several months spent
studying the results of the membership/marketing
research project conducted by Kerr-Downs. The
findings and recommendations of the research
were reported out in two issues of the magazine.
Some members apparently assumed that the board
of directors was going to implement the
recommendations of the research firm as they
were published. While some of the
recommendations were quite suitable and
relatively easily implemented (upgrade the web
site, new logo and tag line), others like the
fundraising ideas, were deemed inappropriate for
Soroptimist clubs and culture. The federation
board and staff worked diligently to propose a
plan of action based on what the members and
prospective members told them in the research
study, but requested input and wanted to obtain
member support before committing federation
resources to an ambitious undertaking.
At language-based breakout groups following the
launch of the Campaign, convention attendees
were asked about their general reaction to the
Campaign and its objectives to:
• Increase membership numbers
• Increase member satisfaction
• Increase club participation in Soroptimist
projects
• Increase public recognition of the Soroptimist
name and mission
• Increase our financial ability to serve women
and girls through Soroptimist programs
The group facilitators reported that the
members’ response to the campaign was quite
positive and that the objectives were both
worthy and achievable.
The Renaissance Campaign relies on improvements
in 4 inter-related aspects – program,
membership, fundraising and public awareness.
Improvements in program mean having more impact
with our mission to improve the lives of women
and girls. More impact means better public
awareness, which means enhanced fundraising
capability and member recruitment. More members
and more money to devote to program means we can
do even more to improve the lives of women and
girls.
Each level of the organization (federation,
region, club) is responsible for assuring a more
efficient use of financial and volunteer
resources and for working together with more
synergy in order to be successful. The goals of
the campaign are overall Federation goals to be
achieved by 2009, but clubs will have to support
these goals to make them a reality.
The Federation goals for each of areas were
deemed realistic and achievable by 2009:
PROGRAM
• 100% of clubs will give a Women’s Opportunity
Award.
• More than 90% of clubs will conduct and report
at least one other project that benefits women
or girls.
• More than 90% of clubs will support at least
one SI project.
• There will be an involved, influential SIA
Program Council.
MEMBERSHIP
• There will be 50,000 members.
• 250 new clubs will be chartered.
• There will be 5,000 Soroptimist Associates.
• 5,000 new members will be recruited annually.
• The average age will be less than 58.
FUNDRAISING
• Total contributed income will be the largest
course of revenue to SIA.
• 100% of clubs will include SIA in their annual
budget (contribute through the Club Campaign).
• 100% of clubs will participate in Founders
Pennies.
• Soroptimists will make SIA their annual
charity of choice through the Laurel Society.
• Corporate sponsorships and grants will be at
least 5% of SIA’s total budget.
PUBLIC AWARENESS
• Name recognition will increase 5%.
• More than 50% of non-members who know the name
will associate it with the mission.
• More than 50% of clubs will give 3 or more
presentations to outside groups annually.
• More than 50% of clubs will place 5 or more
press releases, ads, or public service
announcements locally each year.
The breakout groups then discussed the
challenges facing the federation in achieving
these goals and submitted ideas about what tools
and resources that clubs would need to overcome
the barriers. Suggestions for club awards and
recognition were solicited and a draft copy of
the club award form was reviewed. Clubs agreed
that the simplified form was an easy way to
report activities that a club in support of the
campaign would undertake. The form is now
available on the website and clubs are asked to
report before June 1, 2005.
The Renaissance Campaign presentation has been
made available to region governors to use at
district or upcoming region meetings along with
campaign buttons and pledge cards. Join the
Soroptimist Renaissance Campaign!
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