President Lisa Cali opened today's meeting at the Lisa Maloff Center on the campus of LTCC.

Sunshine: Our thoughts are with Julie C. as she mourns the loss of her brother.

Today's Speaker was our very own Lois Downy.

Lois has over 20 years’ experience as a nonprofit finance and administration professional. After graduating from Mills College in Oakland, she worked for a grant-writer in the affordable housing field before getting a job with Sonoma Land Trust as their Director of Finance & Administration. For seven years she had her own consulting business helping Sonoma and Marin County nonprofits with their accounting, audits, and governance needs. And most recently she is Director of Finance and Administration for The Climate Center. Lois is an avid traveler, hiker, and lover of beauty. She loves encouraging her grandchildren to get outside and enjoy the natural world, and she is committed to a climate-safe future for them, and for all.

Lois presented a brief history and deeper understanding of non-profits in the US. First, just what is a non profit? A non profit must put all of its profits back into the organization for the purpose of providing a societal benefit. It is self governing, voluntary and tax exempt from income tax, but must pay sales tax. Historically, people have been helping each other since before Biblical times. In the US there were voluntary associations before 1776 and afterward, as the government grew, so did the voluntary associations. In the 19th Century most of these associations were private foundations run by one person, a family, or a small group such as the Carnegie Foundation. Andrew Carnegie believed that excess funds from business should be used to produce beneficial results to the community. He was a pioneer in philanthropic giving. It was also in the 18th Century that the US government recognized non profits because they did good and in 1894 gave them tax exempt status.

The modern tax code recognizing 501(c) nonprofits was written in 1954. There are 27 different kinds of 501(c) organizations with different rules and tax liabilities. As the government demanded more accountability, donations increased and in the 1970s the number of 501 non profits skyrocketed. The government also gave tax deductions of up to 50% of taxable income to individuals who donated to nonprofits. That is no longer the case. In 1976 the government created a law that allowed non profits to lobby Congress, however, they may not endorse candidates or be partisan, but they can endorse issues that are important to them.

From 1985 until today, the number of non profits has gone from 325,000 to 1,935,344 in the US. They employ12.3 million people, mostly in schools and hospitals and contribute 6% to the overall economy. It is estimated that one quarter of US adults volunteer for a nonprofit. More women are employed by non profits than men and nonprofit workers have a higher education than workers in other sectors (business or government). There is estimated to be 177 nonprofits in the Tahoe basin of which Soroptimist International of Tahoe Sierra is one.

Lois ended her talk with a review of the funds that our club has infused into the community over the last 6 years. She then encouraged us to think about what is the greatest need in the community how we could have the greatest impact. 

SITS Member Items & Our Projects

SNR Soroptimist Development Retreat is Aug 17 & 18! Details are here! Let President Lisa know if you will be participating asap! She and Jeanne P are attending and it's going to be fun.

Retreat is a fabulous way to gain all the tools and resources you need to assist you as an individual, a Soroptimist, and a new club officer AND you'll have a blast at the Atlantis in Reno. And don't forget, our club's Happy Dollars are what support our members participating at conferences!

SAVE THE DATE

SITS Annual Retreat will be held August 24, from 9am to 1:30pm. This is where we have a bit of fun and Fellowship along with discussing our goals and planning the coming year. If you haven't chosen, or are thinking about switching committees, this would be the time to find out more information. We will be DARK (no meeting) on August 22 due to the Saturday meeting.

SAVE the DATE! Sierra Nevada Region's FALL DISTRICT MEETING will be on September 21st, 2024. More Details to follow soon here!

MEMBER Weekly Contribution or Quarterly Contribution can be paid online here! It's fast and easy! It can go through your Paypal or Credit Card. Get er dun!

Notes for members

Some committees do not have chairs. If you are looking for a way to get more involved, think about chairing a committee. You will have lots of help to back you up!

All members should take a look at the website, sitahoesierra.org and let Lisa H know about any updates that need to be made, especially concerning the committees.

Survey: Please fill out the survey that you got via email and give your opinions, questions, and comments. If you lost it, email Lisa H. for another. Please submit the survey by August 18.

COMMITTEE Signup Portal!

This is how we get things done.

Our SITS club and all that we do are driven by the committees that we maintain. All members are asked to join at least ONE Service Committee and ONE Technical Committee. Service is what we do and Technical is how we roll! Our Committee Signup portal will be ready shortly but our Newsletter Team sign ups are here and all are welcome to learn a new skill and join in!

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!

Hwy 395 Closure for all travelers!

What you need to know: U.S. 395 will fully close for 15 days within the Sonora Junction Shoulders Project while crews install two under-highway wildlife crossings, providing safe and sustainable passage for mule deer and other area wildlife. MONO COUNTY – Beginning Wednesday, September 4, U.S. 395 will fully close between Bridgeport and State Route 108 for 15 days while crews install two wildlife crossings underneath the roadway as part of the Sonora Junction Shoulders Project. The project, which began construction in May, is widening the shoulders of the highway to 8 feet, installing rail-element retaining walls, and stabilizing slopes with anchored mesh in addition to installing the wildlife crossings. More info here.

EDCF Nonprofit Volunteer Fair is on August 15 from 5 - 7 PM at the South Tahoe High School Student Union.

Come and learn about the amazing nonprofits in our community and ways in which you can volunteer!

Don't miss out on this fantastic fundraiser on the beautiful shores of Lake Tahoe to benefit TAP!

Music on the Beach Fundraiser

Thursday, August 22, 2024

​6:00pm-9:00pm

930 Bal Bijou Rd. South Lake Tahoe, Lakeshore Lodge and Spa

SOUTH TAHOE BREWFEST: Tickets available now for the 7^th Annual South Tahoe Brewfest, Aug 24 11-5 @ Ski Run Blvd. Celebrate all that is special about South Lake Tahoe’s mountain culture: our beer (more than 40 breweries), our crafts, our environment, music, fire dancers, and most of all, our community. We can’t wait to welcome beer lovers from all over the world to enjoy a beautiful day of brew in South Lake Tahoe. See here.

RENNAISANCE FAIRE: – It’s back(!), August 24-25^th, but in a new location, the Tahoe Valley Campground (1175 Melba Dr). Jousting, pageantry, ale, food, music, crafts, and swordplay on 3 stages. Tickets are going fast so buy online now. See here.

Tahoe is the place to be in the summer and here are more things to check out!

Rotarian Greg Felton has comprised a prenominal listing of things happening throughout the summer. See and print this list for your fridge! Get it here!

There are TWO South Lake Tahoe Community Blood Drives, available for you to participate in, Friday, Sept. 6th and Friday Dec. 6th, 11:30 am - 5:00 PM at the Parks and Rec Center Gym. 1180 Rufus Allen Blvd. To schedule an appointment, call Vitalant at 775-329-6451

Get your tickets now for the October 4-6, 2024 Documentary Film Festival here.

Set amidst the natural beauty of South Lake Tahoe, CA, a captivating Multi-day Documentary Film Festival comes to life. 

We provide a welcoming space for filmmakers, industry professionals, and audiences to connect through screenings, discussions, workshops, and vibrant parties.

Our mission is to entertain, enlighten, and inspire by showcasing remarkable films, building community, and igniting a passion for storytelling that transcends boundaries, empowers, and fosters compassion and awareness.

Marcella Foundation Partners with Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to Offer FREE books to Local Children

Marcella Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library in El Dorado County. Each month, Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library will provide an age-appropriate book for each registered child, absolutely free to the family. All 8,000 children ages 0 to their 5th birthday living in El Dorado County can enroll now to receive a free monthly book. Any child in the home can register, and books are available in both English and Spanish. In a show of support for early literacy for all children in our region, First 5 El Dorado, El Dorado County Library, Friends of the Library, El Dorado Community Foundation partnered with Marcella Foundation to help launch Imagination Library. Additionally, United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra is providing the initial funding to bring Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library to each of the communities surrounding Lake Tahoe. 

Committed to FEED, READ, and LEAD

Click here for details on how to enroll your child

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.

Important information for your family from TASK (Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids)

TASK's mission is to prevent and reduce youth substance use and related harm - Keeping kids safe in collaboration with our community partners.TASK's mission is to prevent and reduce youth substance use and related harm - Keeping kids safe in collaboration with our community partners. For more information click here.

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 Learning Haven - Click here for all their information and a link to each month's newsletter.

TAHOE LEARNING HAVEN: Are you aware of the FREE monthly educational forums that Kathy Haven has set up for students, parents, and all interested community members? These are great! Most TLH forums are the second Wednesday of the month from 6:45pm-9pm at the Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe! See here or tahoelearninghaven@gmail.com. Mark your calendar:

·      

·       9/11 – Adulting 101: Responsibilities and choices

·       10/9 – Student winter job fair

·       11/13 – College application tutorial

·       12/18 – Student/alumni college panel & fair

·       1/8 – Scholarship application tutorial

·       2/12 – The college track: A-G requirements

·       3/12 – Playing at the next level: Athletics after high school

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 seventh 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

Blood Donations are Needed!

Our Nation continues to have a blood shortage everywhere. Giving blood is giving life. So GIVE!

Vitalant Blood Donations. Click here to find a blood draw near you!

Wed - Mon Carson City Vitalent Donation Center

256 Winnie Lane, Carson City, NV.

Click here to find more dates and locations in other areas

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!