COUNTRIES OF THE FEDERATION
OF THE AMERICAS (SIA)

The countries under the umbrella of SIA, to which SISD belongs, are represented in the following graphic. As you can see, it's a very large Federation.

The remaining three Federations are Great Britain and Ireland (SIGBI), Europe (SIE), and South West Pacific (SISWP).

The Federations take us to the top of our ladder, which is Soroptimist International, Inc. (SI). Located in Cambridge, UK, SI oversees everything Soroptimist through the Federations, and downwards to the Clubs. It is at SI that Soroptimist affiliations with major world organizations are managed. The list and scope of SI worldwide activities at this level is, in a word, staggering. Consider the following edited list from SI's website:

SI Affiliations With Government Organizations 

SI has General Consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC).

By right of General Consultative Status with ECOSOC, SI has been granted official relations with United Nations Specialized Agencies including:

• UNESCO: United Nations Educational, Scientific and
   Cultural Organization
• ILO: International Labor Organization
• WHO: World Health Organization
• UNIDO: United Nations Industrial Development Organization
• FAO: Food and Agricultural Organization
• UNHCR: United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
• UNICEF: United Nations Children's Fund
• UNEP: United Nations Environment Program

SI Affliations With Non-Governmental Agencies

SI is also represented on the Board of the Conference of Non-Governmental Organizations (CONGO). In this capacity SI works actively with non-governmental organizations such as the Red Cross to promote all changes necessary to make the world a better and safer place for current and future generations of girls and women.

SI is governed by an international Board that meets annually, usually in August. The Board is comprised of three representatives from each of SI's four Federations, and four International Officers: President, Immediate Past President, President-Elect, and Treasurer.

SI holds an International Quadrennial Convention (every four years).
The 2011 Quadrennial Convention was held in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The 2015 Quadrennial Convention will be in Istanbul, Turkey. Attendance is open to all SI members in good standing.

In the photo on the right is SISD's Victoria (Vicki) Hobbs, who has participted actively several times in both SIA and SI gatherings. She was Vice-Chair the Montreal Convention.

 

«BACK | NEXT»