SI NEW PLYMOUTH
Est. 1965
Our club turns 60 years in March 2025. We are a club of around 25 members but are always looking for new enthusiastic members to join us in the work we do. As well as meetings we get together regularly for lunches at cafes and bike rides.
Club Achievements and Community Impact
Empowering Mothers Projects
Highlighted at the 2023 Soroptimist International Convention in Ireland, showcasing our work supporting mothers at a local kindergarten.
Club Details:
New Plymouth based club -
sinewplymouth@siseap.org
Meeting Details:
Our club meets on the first Tuesday of each month from February to December. Meetings alternate between dinner and supper formats:
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Dinner Meetings: Held at the Devon Hotel, starting at 5:30 pm. Each dinner meeting features a guest speaker.
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Supper Meetings: Held at the Disability Centre on Young Street, beginning at 7:00 pm.
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February is always a dinner meeting.
Additionally, we hold a monthly business meeting that any interested member is welcome to attend. We require a minimum of 8 members for a quorum. To accommodate as many members as possible, these business meetings vary in time and day of the week.
Spirit of New Zealand Sponsorship
We annually sponsor a girl from one of our three local high schools for a 10-day personal development and leadership sea voyage on the Spirit of New Zealand. Schools select candidates who demonstrate leadership potential and whose families may not have the means to fund such an opportunity.
Women’s Refuge Care Bags
In collaboration with SI Waitara, we provide care bags for women entering the Women’s Refuge.
Ovarian Cancer Fundraising
In August 2023, we raised $10,000 through a vintage fair and garage sale. This followed a breakfast in March 2022, featuring a presentation by an obstetrician about ovarian cancer symptoms.
Support for the Local Cancer Ward
We donated $15,000 in 2023 to the new cancer ward at our local hospital, raised through a successful golf tournament.
International Service
From 2008 to 2012, club members traveled to Darkhan, Mongolia, three times to construct Gers for homeless women and their children and build greenhouses to extend the growing season.
PARTNERSHIPS AND LINKS
We maintain friendship links with the Soroptimist Club in Darkhan, Mongolia, and SI Suruga in Mishima City, Japan—Mishima being New Plymouth’s sister city.
Member Acknowledgements and Awards
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Long-Serving Members: Life member Helen Elder has been with the club for 50 years, while several members have received their 20, 30, and 40-year service pins.
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Community Recognition: Karen Eagles received the New Plymouth District Council Citizens Award in 2022 for her exceptional contribution to the community.
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National Leadership: Kathy Glass is a life member and served as the national president from 2008 to 2010. Members such as Helen Elder, Eileen Middleton, Adele Morton, Karen Eagles, and Laurie Swift have held or currently hold national positions in Soroptimist International.