Hello Laura, Welcome to the Mid-Winter 2025 SI Chico Review, a recap of previous months' Club activities and events. (As a reminder, this publication replaces The Snail paper newsletter from previous years.) Here, you will learn the impact/results of our activities or about programs you may have missed - and meet new members! For upcoming activities and events, be sure to read the e-Blast, which is emailed to our Club members the first three Tuesdays of each month.

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President Theresa's Message

As winter begins to fade and spring gently unfolds, there's a palpable shift in the world around us. The once-barren trees sprout tender green leaves, and flowers slowly begin to bloom, painting the landscape with vibrant hues. This transformation reminds us of the cycles of life and the resilience of nature. Winter's cold darkness gives way to the warmth and light of spring, symbolizing hope and renewal.

In this transition, we find gratitude for the quiet introspection that winter brings and the revitalizing energy of spring. It's a reminder to cherish the present moment, appreciate the beauty in change, and embrace the opportunities for growth and new beginnings.

~ President Theresa Draper

President's Project: Building Community, Saving Lives,

and Supporting Women's Health

Spring is a time of renewal and awakening for both nature and our inner strength. Just as the earth prepares to blossom, so, too, can women harness this period to cultivate their own resilience and empowerment. As we step into the warmth of spring, it's an opportunity to reflect on our growth, set intentions for the future, and embrace the power within. This season of rebirth reminds us that, like the blooming flowers, we have the ability to flourish and stand tall. As Soroptimists, we encourage women everywhere to recognize their worth, protect themselves with confidence, and support one another in the journey towards safety and security. With focus on safety and self-defense during my presidency, we’ve increased our knowledge of disaster preparedness and cybersecurity. On March 19, we will learn about physical self-defense. Member Lisa Fanos of "Damsel in Defense" will teach us about situational awareness and demonstrate tools to better defend ourselves in our day-to-day activities. I’m looking forward to us all growing in strength and confidence together!

by President Theresa Draper

Golf Tournament: May 12, 2025

While we are making good progress, here is a reminder of our “To Do” list – including an urgent note about the “need by” date for Sponsor logos.

TO DO - SOON:

1. Make a list of businesses or supportive individuals you know.

2. Go to sichicogolf.com to learn about the tournament and compare your list to the Sponsors shown there. With a few extra clicks, you can open and print a Sponsor Flyer, that shows sponsorship levels, and a Sponsor Letter to share with the people on your list.

WHEN SPONSORS SAY “YES!”

Get full contact information for an individual in the Sponsor’s organization
Tell them to... expect an invoice from us and send us a print-ready company logo

FINISH THE PROCESS! Go back to sichicogolf.com to sign up your sponsor through our website! Then, stay in contact with your sponsor to ensure that their logo is submitted by the “need by” date!

----- CRITICALLY IMPORTANT -----

We MUST receive high-quality Sponsor logos by MARCH 31st!

QUESTIONS? Ask any Fundraising Committee member for more information. Check the list below.

Amy Louis

Beth Parsons

Gayle Hutchinson

Linda Allen

Joyce Mikkelson

Teresa Gisske

Margo Graham

Megan Lute

Current Sponsors

Title Sponsor: Allworth Financial

Eagle Sponsor:

CalWater
Flowers of Bidwell Park

Swag Bag Sponsor: Anonymous Donor

Breakfast Sponsor: Heritage Insurance

Best Team (Combined) Eagle Sponsor: Newton-Bracewell Funeral Homes

Putting Green Sponsors:

Tee Sponsors:

Program Review

Getting Down to Business, Remembering a Long-time Member, and Having Fun

December 4th Business Meeting: After Board Members delivered their reports, we passed the microphone around the room and shared our sweet memories of Doris Arbuckle, past President and long-time member.

December 17th Holiday Luncheon: Hosted by the Objectives Committee! At each seat, members found a little gift - a wrapped holiday mug filled with candy and teas. Committee members also brought yummy holiday desserts. During the program, members were invited to introduce themselves and share stories of their time in Soroptimist. It was a wonderful way to share the spirit of the holidays and good cheer with all. Bonus: three new members were inducted that day! (Pictured: Sybil Hunt and President Theresa Draper.)

Kathy Erickson

January 8th Business Meeting: After Board Members delivered their reports, the Giving Committee announced recent grant awards. (See details below.) Additionally, the Administration Committee led us through a change to our Bylaws. (Details below.)

January 15th: A Very Merry UNbirthday Party Luncheon:

A Mad Hatter’s Party was the theme at our 95th Birthday Luncheon Celebration! Members were asked to bring their favorite teacups and wear fancy hats or “Alice in Wonderland” garb. The Events Committee did a FABULOUS job with treats and decorations… it was MAD fun! (Pictured L to R: Sharadin Castaldo, Jackie Travis, Jeanne Smith, Joan Stoner, Sue Ligon, Cindy Murdoch, Pam Baldwin, and Mickie Rowland.)

February 5th Business Meeting: After Board Members' reports, the Membership Committee welcomed SIX new and returning members - Barbara Hansen, Stacie Martin, Leslie Radler, Cheryl Tuck-Smith, Denise Hardy, Claudia Jalaty! (This may be a record for one week, sisters!) We are growing and growing and growing!

February 12th Meeting: Amy Louis walked us through the plans for our upcoming Golf Tournament (our major fundraiser for the year). All Club members are asked to volunteer, either prior to or at the actual event. Scheduled for 5/12/25, our third annual Tournament promises to be the biggest and best yet!

The Business of Being Soroptimists

The Giving Committee has once again been "sharing the wealth" with deserving programs across Butte County, and they are so excited to share their news with us! After careful (and considerable) research, Giving has presented grants to the following groups and nonprofits:

Durham High School Safe and Sober Grad: $245
Seeds of Learning: $250 for one year of school for a girl in Nicaragua
Women’s Micro-finance: $1,500
Girls on the Run: $7,700
Catalyst Domestic Violence Services: $5,500
Esplanade House: $2,000
California Regional Theatre: $4,000
Full Circle Living and Dying: $800
Paradise AAUW: $1,200
Chico AAUW: $1,200

Additionally, the Ruby Award was recently presented to Liz Granskog, President of the Discovery Shoppe (315 Flume St.). Since 2017, Liz has led this complex operation with great organizational skill and a heart that makes the volunteers feel appreciated. This all-women, all-volunteer thrift store distributes over $100,000 annually to multiple local non-profits, many of which focus on empowering women and girls. The Ruby Award recognizes women whose professional or personal efforts make extraordinary differences in the lives of women and girls and comes with a $1,000 grant for the recipient to donate to a charity of her choice. Many of our Soropti-sisters volunteer at the Discovery Shoppe and report that it’s a true pleasure to be part of such a well-run and worthwhile charity. Liz has, of course, chosen to donate her $1,000 award to the Discovery Shoppe. Congratulations, Liz!

The Administration Committee has been hard at work, too! That is, they have been working to update the SI Chico Bylaws to best reflect Club practices and their related decisions. If you were at the January 8th business meeting, you may recall this change to our Bylaws, voted on by members present:

"Eliminate the dollar value for the amount to be earmarked for the Convention fund in Chico Live Member dues. Accordingly, on Handbook page 2, 1.1. Bylaws, Article III Members, Section 2. has been revised as follows:"

Previous language: “Chico Life member is a locally authorized class, d. Shall pay annual dues in the amount that covers dues and fees remitted to SIA Federation and Sierra Nevada Region, $15 to the convention fund and the balance to the General Fund.”

Newly-approved language: “Chico Life member is a locally authorized class, d. Shall pay annual dues in the amount that covers dues and fees remitted to SIA Federation and Sierra Nevada Region convention fund designation equal to amount set in Regular Member dues.”

Thanks, Admin Committee, for your diligence and attention to detail!

More great "business" news! A generous donor recently awarded SI Chico $5,000 to support our mission over the next five years! The Board is currently reviewing areas of need and areas in which we “dream” and will distribute funds accordingly. Woo HOO!

SOLT: Where do Those Happy Dollars Go?

The SOLT "Minute" during a monthly meeting offers us an opportunity to share helpful and often inspiring information about Soroptimist across the decades. Today, we use our "Minute" to explain the practice of collecting "Happy Dollars" at the close of a meeting. Why do we do it, and where does the money go? The explanation is simple, really. As a nonprofit club, we raise money two main ways, for two different purposes. The greatest amount of our money is distributed externally across Chico and Butte County. We also need to keep some of it for internal use. Former President Kathy Erickson explains it this way:

Our club does one large external fundraiser each year - our Golf Tournament - that funds our many scholarships, grants, and awards, and our signature "Live Your Dream" and "Dream It, Be It" programs.

But how do we cover expenses such as website hosting fees, newsletter program fees, copies, postage, and speaker luncheon fees and gifts? Through internal fundraising efforts such as annual dues, events like November's Holiday Paint 'n' Sip, and "Happy Dollars." The practice gives us an opportunity to share in members' good news, bad news, accomplishments, and shout-outs! Next meeting (as time allows), we will invite you to drop a Happy Dollar (or two or more!) into the collection basket and share your news. NOTE: We do ask a minimum of $5 donation if you are sharing a business advertisement or spotlighting an event for another group or club.

On behalf of the Fundraising Committee (and our Club), we thank you for all of your Happy Dollars - past, recent, and future! We are grateful for all you do!

Member Highlights: Meet Val Bowlby

I was born and raised in SoCal, the eldest of five kids. Both cheerleader and tomboy, I enjoyed fishing for yellowtail and marlin with my uncle, shooting dove in Imperial Valley with my family, winning badminton tournaments with my doubles partner, Judy, and attending Prom at the El Cortez Hotel (where I shared a cigar with my date!). I graduated from Point Loma High School in 1960.

My family started me traveling shortly after birth, taking me to Catalina Island, Borrego Springs, L.A., and Hawaii. In the summer of 1958, I took a trip around the world when my Spanish teacher needed a replacement on a teachers’ tour. My world view had begun.

My first experience with “four seasons” came at Monmouth College in Illinois, where I joined Pi Beta Phi Sorority. I had a blast, learned a LOT, and - since girls were not allowed to wear pants to school - got frostbite! Anxious to move on with life, I quit school and went to work for United Airlines.

I met my first husband, Tom, on a blind date. We married soon after and started our family. After the births of our sons Kevin and Kyle, we headed to the University of Minnesota for Tom's PhD work. (More "four seasons," which I loved!) When we returned to California three years later, I became a CSUC faculty wife.

With our sons in school, I began what I call my "litany" of careers. It was 1972 when Martha Tout and I opened a small “interiors” shop on Mangrove. Next, I managed The Almond Orchard Shopping Center, followed by real estate leasing and sales. During these years I was President of the Chico Chamber of Commerce, then President of the Chico Board of Realtors. I loved every minute of my business life and didn't retire until the mid 1990s.

My second husband, Don Bowlby, and I spent most weekends taking the boys exploring in our motor home, water or snow skiing in the beautiful Cascades and Sierra Nevada mountains. Don and I traveled to Japan and Australia, took Road Scholar trips, rode our motorcycle to Alaska and back, and learned to fly fish. Life was never dull!

With Don’s passing in 2002, I was determined to "dig in" to the rest of my life. At age 60, I started tackling my Bucket List items starting with fly fishing in Kamchatka (Russia). I also enjoy attending Ollie classes every quarter.

I have been an SI Chico member since 1974, when Mignone Hodnett invited me to a meeting. I find the meetings stimulating; together we improve the lives of women and girls both here and around the world. We are a wonderful team!

Events and Celebrations!

Check out these fun, informative gatherings!

Dec. SUDS at Roselle Bar & Lounge

Many thanks to Val Bowlby for organizing another fabulous "SUDS" evening! The gathering definitely helped us get into the holiday spirit! (Pictured back: Nickie Alcala, Shari Hopper, Michelle Rasmussen, Lupe Medrano, Susan Kehm, Jeanne Smith, Laura Burghardt and friend Merryl Hall. Front: Ali Killion, Billie Araiza, Val Bowlby.)

SI Chico Birthday Cocktail Party!

On January 10^th our Soroptimist sisters turned out for a fun-filled evening at our home to celebrate SI Chico’s anniversary. Our sisters brought their spouses and friends and shared delicious homemade food and libations. We all had a GREAT time!

- Gayle Hutchinson and Linda Allen

We did it again – made it possible for Butte County women to get PAP smears/screenings for cervical cancer and HPV. We are proud to have partnered with AMPLA Health in Chico and Adventist Feather River Health in Paradise again this year to make these important services available. We thank project leaders Jackie Travis and Nickie Alcala, and all Soropti-sisters who staffed the "Welcome" tables during our January clinic days! (Pictured: Bonnie Chapman, Amy Louis and an AMPLA clinic staffer welcoming a patient in Chico.)

Celebrating the Life of Doris Arbuckle

Doris B. Arbuckle passed peacefully in her sleep at her home on Thursday, November 7, 2024. Born in Provo, Utah, Doris moved with her family to Chico while she was in high school. It was here that she met her husband, Earle, became a loving mother, and began her 50+-year career as a legal secretary. In 1960, she joined the Soroptimist Club; serving as President in 1967 and enjoying 60+ years of membership.

Doris’s commitment to the people of Chico was a long one, filled with remarkable and important achievements. She was an original founder of the Chico Area Council on Aging (now Chico Meals on Wheels), an advisor to the Salvation Army, and a Deacon in the First Baptist Church. Through the Chico Nile Club, she helped make adaptive clothing for patients of Shriners Hospital.

Doris and her husband Earle were regular golfers at Bidwell Golf Course, where Doris served as President of the Women’s Golf Association. Chico residents may remember seeing Doris and her husband driving through town in their green Ranchero, Earle at the wheel and Doris in the middle seat, right next to him. She is survived by daughter Doris A. Dunham, son-in-law Ray, and loving grand- and great-grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, attended by many SI Chico members.

From the Editors

The past few months have been so fun and informative! We hope you enjoyed this Winter issue of The SI Chico Review (SICR) for Club year 2024-2025 – your source for a summary of Club projects, progress, and growth (people!) spanning the past few months. Spring is just around the corner!

Laura Burghardt and Sybil Hunt, Editors

SIC Communications Committee