I called recently to inquire about Ross' title and responsibilities at the Tempest Youth Center, so I could include it in this newsletter. I spoke to Ross directly; he told me he is the Executive Director. I replied that I was surprised to hear someone with such a big responsibility was handling everything from lighting to fetching a bowl for discarded cream cheese packets! He said they are a young organization and for now, many of the jobs are accomplished by just a few people. You can visit their website at: www.olytempest.com. The site has been created by some of the youths from the Center.

In the last Soropti-Scoop I wrote an article as Internet Coordinator. Part of my role is to learn about the NWR Website and to help educate the rest of the club. Part of my role – not just as Internet Coordinator, not just as Editor of the Soropti-Scoop, but also as a Sister Soroptimist – is to share information with other Soroptimists.

I had sent the Soropti-Scoop link to District and Region Officers and Board. Governor Dede liked my article and sent an e-mail to the District Directors suggesting they share the info with their club presidents. Suzanne Harris, our District 1 Director, then shared the info with all club presidents in our district. This all transpired just prior to the Area Meeting.

Leah called me the Thursday before the meeting asking if I had ever met Suzanne. I had seen Suzanne at the District Meeting in September, but hadn’t been introduced to her. Leah said it might be nice for Suzanne to meet me, put a face with a name from e-mail, as well as share information. Leah asked if I could possibly attend the meeting for even part of the day.

I told her I could probably go to the meeting Saturday morning, but would need to leave about noon. I wasn’t sure where the meeting was, but it turned out I had no trouble finding the Tempest Youth Center. I signed in and as I was en route to find Gail, I met Suzanne Harris. I introduce myself and she commented on my article from the Soropti-Scoop. I told her I was glad it was helpful. She asked me if I would be a resource person for others who might have questions. I wasn’t sure what I could do, but I said I was willing to help. Later, Suzanne announced my name and that I would be happy to help anyone with questions about the NWR Website.

SI Port Angeles (SIPA) hosted the Area Meeting. Cindy Souders, current president of SIPA, and her TEAM of Geri Bawden and Debbie Riley did a great job of organizing the event. They sure got us thinking. Cindy has warmth that radiates from her. She is a good motivator, a good leader. SIPA has their regular meetings at the Tempest Youth Center. How great to be around the Youth energy! It is contagious! John Reed is the Founder and Youth Center Board President. He was very accommodating to our group.

  
                     Cindy Souders, Ross Turkus, John Reed

Some of you may remember Laxmi, our Grant of Friendship visitor from last year. At the time she was here, Laxmi was working on a new novel and it just recently was published! Cindy had copies available for purchase; the money collected will be sent back to Laxmi.

Laxmi Parasuram’s new novel is entitled, “Entrapped in Academia.” The book is a blend of fact and fiction, kind of like cream mixed into coffee, the two become one. On the back cover of her book, there is a short bio of Laxmi. It is interesting to note it includes this wording: “An active member of Soroptimist International, she served on local and national committees of this global association of professional women.” What a great example Laxmi is!

Three workshops were offered:

Parliamentary Procedure for the Soroptimist
Presented by Pili Meyer, Caldwell-Banker Uptown Realty
Identity Theft
Presented by Lena Waske and Liz Waud,
P.A. Police Dept.
Web Presence 101
Presented by Cindy Sounders and Heather Eims, PenPrint

Leah attended the Parliamentary Procedures, Gail attended the Identity Theft, Marilyn Hooser and I attended the Web Presence 101. Do any of these surprise you? I learned many new things, a reminder that there is always more to learn.

Thanks to all of those who attended the Area Meeting. And thank you, SI Port Angeles, for hosting it. I have another meaning for T.E.A.M. that certainly reflects what I saw at the Area Meeting: Time, Energy, Attitude, Motivation.

Kathy Purcell