President Paula opened today's meeting at the beautiful Maloff Center at LTCC. This has been such a fantastic addition to our community.

Invocation: Lydia's invocation reminded us that this season is filled with the cultural richness of Diwali, Hanukkah, Eid and Christmas. These traditions all have things in common, including gift giving. The most precious gift that you can give is giving of yourself.

Sunshine continues for Wendy as she continues her journey towards health and Lydia's son Dietrich for healing. Sending comfort to the family and friends of Carla who passed away.

We are holding the Rizzuto Family in our thoughts and praying for the recovery of the children. More about this tragedy here. Prayers continue also for a warrior of women, Jen Gurecki, founder of Zawadisha, on her journey with cancer. A Go Fund Me has been established at https://www.gofundme.com/f/jen-gurecki-support-fund

And we are excited to shout out that Mr. Jim Barr is now home!

This week was our business meeting starting with the reading of minutes from the last meeting and the treasure's report, both of which were approved. It was reported that new contributions from the Rothschild Family and Torq'd Clothing (Liz Prestella) were received in December for the Mt. Tallac Scholarship Fund.

CORRESPONDENCE: Two very heartfelt thank you notes were received from Ms. Moyer and Ms. Rios at the Middle School in appreciation for the letters written by the Middle School Projects Committee thanking teachers, staff and administration for the work that they do.

NEW BUSINESS: Check in procedures will be changing in the near future. Details to follow. Thank you to the ladies who have sat in the front (or the back) for years keeping our attendance. We will be giving them a break by moving to a more self check in style.

COMMITTEE REPORTS: Healthy Women Healthy World committee is sponsoring a walk after the meeting today on the trail behind the college along the river. The Community Outreach Committee is taking signups to help with the Festival of Winter Lights on Friday and Saturday from 4pm -8pm See Jean P. to sign up or contribute to the raffle basket. Wendy and Karen from the Scholarship Committee met with students at STHS to let them know about scholarship opportunities. The Awards Committee has met and chosen their recipients for the Live Your Dream Award. Our celebration Breakfast will be held in March.

Upcoming Events: SNR conference celebrating 50 years from June 5-7, 2026, in Reno.

Biennial Soroptimist International conference will be held in Incheon, South Korea from July 22-25, 2026.

Next week is our Christmas Party. Please bring a $15 gift for exchange and a dish to pass for the potluck breakfast. If you have a centerpiece that you would be willing to share for the event, please bring that too.

The Cookie Exchange is also happening after the meeting next week. If you wish to participate, please bring two dozen (24) cookies. We will meet in the lobby after the party or organize the exchange. Shelly will have extra platters for you to gather your cookie assortment.

A very special THANK YOU to Barton Health as they have pledged as a 2026 Event Sponsor for our club! We are so excited to again have your support and partnership to enhance the lives of women and youth in our community and the world! Thank you again!

Learn how you can become a 2026 Club or Event Sponsor here!

COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS

• All Club Fun this weekend! The South Lake Tahoe Festival of Winter Lights celebration will be held Dec. 12 and 13 at the Senior Center parking lot. Our club will staff a booth during the evening celebration so plan on joining in the fun.
• Fundraising is key to the funds we provide back into our community through scholarships, books, life essentials, and so much more. Currently we are asking all members to address the donation signup sheet that has been emailed out to sign up as the club contact for that business. If you need any assistance, contact Lisa Huard at lisahuard@sitahoesierra.org or ring her up!
• Donations are already coming in! Go to Sits2026.org to view or donate items.
• HWHW (Healthy Women/Healthy World) is organizing a Monthly Movement series. Each will take place following our business meetings around 9 am. Join us and bring a friend! Save the dates and let's move! (Dec. 11, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, Mar. 12, Apr. 9, May 14, and June 11....activities will be announced)
• Dec 18, Holiday Party and Cookie Exchange.
• Jan. 22 at 9 AM, let's all gather at Elements for breakfast following our meeting. MORE SOCIAL to follow!
• Technology Committee continues to be available to our ladies to learn more about our google account, our mail, and whatever else you need to help you be more efficient. Technology isn't a fad, so get the amazing assistance that you need! Get a hold of one of the ladies at technology@sitahoesierra.org

Brisk but beautiful, the HWHW committee sponsored a walk behind the college along the river. On the way we stopped to look at the fantastic sculpture in front of the new dorm building.

Members of S Club at South Tahoe High School sponsor an activity booth at STHS's recent Holiday of Lights Festival.

SITS Member Quick Reminders

Quarterly Member Dues for Oct - Dec and Happy Dollars: These funds are how we pay for our overhead expenses, so they are very important. Dues are generated by our Treasurers. Happy Dollars can be paid directly online on our website www.sitahoesierra.org on the Donate button. "Note" what the payment is for to help out our team!

SITS Committee Signups~ Go to our signup listing site for this new year of fun committee options here!

NEWS signups are here!



Our Soroptimist apparel line is ready for purchase! Liz Prestella's Torq'd clothing line for women is our supporter of this endeavor. Members and appreciators of SITS are now able to purchase apparel and items from her website. See what items are offered and to order go here. Thank you to the SITS team and to Torq'd for all of the hard work.

NON-SITS

Fun and Opportunities in Tahoe

There's actually so much going on so you're going to want to check out the EVENTS tab on www.southtahoenow.com, but here's a few to get you started!

Holiday Fun in Tahoe!

For a complete listing of the many activities all of Tahoe can enjoy, check out the details here.

The Optimist Tree lot is open! Get your beautiful tree and benefit the youth in our community at the Lakeview Commons! Get yours before they are sold out.

Details here!

Let's show up as they did!

Join us in celebration of our nation's

Wreaths Across America celebration this SATURDAY

This is the 39th Season of Tahoe Arts Project!

TAP performances include:

Push Physical Theater-Jan 26-30, 2026,

Katie Jane Band-March 2 - 6, 2026,

Living Voices-"Our Revolution" will be presented in our LTUSD schools March 23-27, 2026, with an evening Community Presentation at LTCC on Wednesday, March 25, 2025, hosted by the Lake Tahoe Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution in collaboration with TAP and LTCC.

The Tahoe Women's Community Fund is having their membership drive! The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund, a philanthropic leadership organization, is dedicated to building and engaging an inclusive and diverse membership of women interested in strengthening our community through the power of collective giving. Be a part of something big!

Vista Rise Collective (previously Live Violence Free) is always looking for volunteers. There are many opportunities, for both direct and indirect services. Cash donations are always welcome, but every Tuesday they accept non cash donations such as furniture, clothing, etc. For more information about volunteering, donations and/or services provided click here.

Lake Tahoe Wildlife Care could use donations of towels if you have some to take to goodwill, take them here instead. Check out their Facebook page here

PETAL KINDNESS is a non-profit organization that rescues flowers to uplift others and helps divert green waste from landfills. They are in desperate need of vases. Drop them off at 2941 Lake Tahoe Blvd. Leave behind wooden pallet wall.

Petal Kindness rescues these flowers from the landfill and provides them to non-profits, hospitals, senior centers, and community-based organizations to bring comfort, joy, and healing to our local community members. Donations and volunteers are always needed!

Blood donations are needed and four are scheduled in our community. Please see details here and make your appointment today!

December 5th Blood Drive

South Lake Tahoe Community Blood Drive will be held this Friday, Dec. 5, and organizers need your help! Just 50 more donors are needed to reach the goal promised by Barton volunteers at the beginning of the year.

Looking for up to date resources in our community? Barton Health has a list for all of us and it is actively updated! SHARE this link with others!

ALL YEAR LONG!

LTCC Basic Needs Center is looking for food donations. A variety of foods and basic need items are on the list. Click here for full list and drop off details

If you'd like to donate through our club, please bring your donations to the monthly business meeting and Lisa C. or Andie will make sure they are delivered to the college. Please include an estimate on the value as LTCC needs to keep records of that information.

South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue has a quarterly newsletter to keep us all updated on fire safety info. Their goal is to help people learn about the fuels reduction products they are working on, seasonal fire safety info and other fire dept related news. Click here to sign up for the newsletter

Saint Joseph Community Land Trust has changed their Motel to Home (MTH) program from a loan program to a grant program and we're hoping this will attract families living in substandard housing, who would like to live in a more permanent and adequate home. Please click here for more details

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless seeks community support in keeping people cared for.

Our South Shore community has been able to sleep better knowing that our homeless population has an indoor option. This winter season marked the 10th anniversary of the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) providing warm beds to the most vulnerable in our community.

The office hours are Monday, Wednesday, and Friday 12-4 at the Red Lodge, 1137 Emerald Bay Rd.

More details here

Between Horses and Humans continues to grow! If you're a lover of youth and a lover of horses, this is a program for you! You can keep up on their information by reading their newsletters here! Volunteers and donations are always needed. BHH Update-they are soon relocating to the Amacker Ranch!

Food Assistance Guide for So. Lake Tahoe. If you know of anyone in need, please share this information. Click and print!