SITS News May 21, 2026

Past President Lisa Cali opened today’s beautiful Post Mad Hatter meeting! What an exciting event. Let’s begin this morning by thanking all the ladies who have worked so long and hard on this event. Your leadership, your talents, your hearts, are all so appreciated. Our guests loved their experience and it’s all because of you.

Invocation: Lydia’s invocation today was in honor of all of those who have given their lives, their health, and often their livelihood in service to our country. Memorial Day is to honor them and their families for all the sacrifices, and this observance should be each and every day in meaningful ways. Memorial Day is not to highlight BBQ get togethers and fun for us, it’s to highlight what has been and continues to be fought for; our freedoms and our rights. Patriotism is a dedication of efforts we all need to have. It’s important to teach our youth how and why our country was formed, and how our democracy is always in danger. It’s something we all need to be active in securing.

There are a couple of ways in which we can be active and share with our youth. Join many at this Monday’s Memorial Day Observance at 11 AM at Happy Homestead Ceremony. And it’s important to VOTE. Regardless of how you vote, just VOTE in every election.Those who fought for our nation, fought for ability to do so.

Guests today included a dear friend and Past President of our club, Janna York! She’s at least back for the summer before trading her snow shoes into sandals permanently. So happy she joined us.

We also welcomed two dads who supported their daughters as our speakers today! Patrick McDonnel and Roy Umana, thank you for joining us!

Sunshine goes out to Jeanne P as she recovers from a procedure and also Laurie B! She just had knee surgery. Both ladies know to give a holler if they need anything and both are doing well.

Super Important Announcements for all:

• Friday, May 29th at 8 PM the auction closes! A list will be produced showing the names of all prize winners. Please sign up to help get the prizes to their owners. If you have questions, please contact Jeanne P here! Members are needed to sign up TONIGHT so the team can organize the prizes by group assignments. Let’s wrap this event up together!
• Cookies are needed for both Senior Projects and Mt. Tallac Prom. Please bring your treats to meeting!

Quick Mad Hatter review! Our guests were simply overwhelmed by the amazing decorations, food, and frivolity of the whole event. They were delighted with mimosas, raffles, a scavenger hunt, the table settings, and of course, the food. Here’s a few of the pics taken by our SoroptiMISTER John Valverde!

Today’s meeting was exciting and inspirational! Our Maddie Bowman (2x Olympian, 5x X Games Gold Medalist) and her STEM team from the Boys and Girls Club were the highlight of our day. Maddie is the STEM Specialist who is passionately guiding our thinkers of tomorrow through the Lego Robotics and Makers Space at B&G.

The Boys & Girls Club in our community is quite active. They currently serve 40% of our TK – 8th grade population and the STEM program is one of many.

Maddie’s role is that of a facilitator and guide. She was quick to tell us that it’s the work of the students who make the projects happen and that through the process, youth are gaining in so many aspects: problem solving skills, collaboration, they are taking social and academic risks in a safe space, they learn to work through frustrations and hurdles, teamwork, and speaking with confidence to groups, ours included!

We were treated to three speakers from the team today, all who highlighted their projects and the skills they gained.

The team produced a video which helped us all to understand each of the projects.

Katalina’s project was that of a walking robot. Coding skills, through the Lego’s Scratch platform, required users to use measurement, discussion, and debate in order to program the robot’s turns and movement.

Another student coded a computer that provided movement for a Ferris wheel.

Aliana and Hanali created a 3D model of Lake Tahoe and our surrounding mountains which will now be used to teach the younger youth at B & G about our remarkable area. This project involved creating layers showing the depth changes of the lake and using Paper Mache techniques to create our surrounding mountains.

At the end of the fantastic presentation, Colleen Pence, Chair of Middle School Project, presented Maddie and the team with a check of $1,400.00 to continue to the STEM work at the club. This money comes from our annual fundraising efforts, so if you’re reading this and you like where the funds are going, then register to bid on our ONLINE Auction NOW at www.SITS2026.org.

Before closing, Maddie updated us on the program expansion for our community. Next year, the STEM program will now be at all Elementary sites as they provide services at Sierra House School. Congratulations to all who are behind the scenes and making these opportunities available for our youth.

COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS

We’re a busy group!

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! June 11….activities will be announced.

Technology Committee

• It’s never to late to gain more skills! The Tech team is 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 [email protected]

SITS Member Reminders

Quarterly Member Dues for April -June and Happy Dollars: These funds are how we pay for our overhead expenses, so they are very important. Thanks to our Tech team and Treasurers, we continue to evolve into the most efficient payment and accounting methods. Use THIS LINK or QR Code to PAY YOUR WEEKLY, QUARTERLY, or YEARLY DUES AND HAPPY DOLLARS! *Be sure to use the drop down menu on the service charge and click “Other”, then type in “0”. You will not pay a service fee in doing this.

Happy 50th Board Installation to us! Next year on March 8, 2027, we will celebrate our 50th Anniversary as a club and it will be this new Board that swings us in to this celebration. Our Installation will be on Thursday, June 25, 2026 at the home of Wendy David beginning at 5 PM. The theme of our festivities is Harry Potter so get outside and find a stick on the forest floor to be your magic wand. More details to follow. In the meantime, think of a fun and interesting woman to join in on our fun!

NEWS team schedule signups 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.

SOROPTIMIST CONFERENCES!

• 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.

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!

Protect your identity and support the youth of St. Theresa at their Document Shredding Fundraiser, this Saturday, May 23! They will be open 10 – 1 PM.

All donations made support the youth education at St. Theresa.

Volunteers STILL NEEDED during Bike to School Week for the Middle School Bike Rodeo! Click link below for volunteer information.

Volunteer at the Middle School May 27 & 28 for the Bike Rodeo

Tahoe Alliance for Safe Kids is working with the schools to promote bike safety and also to come up with new rules for school cell phone use.

Community Safety Tidbit: South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue is linked into a program purchased by El Dorado County. It’s the SMART911 program. Go https://ready.edso.org and create an account. Emergency services can gain important information on your home and who is in it as they are responding. You can provide as much or as little information as you want. Things like an elderly parent, pets, family members, Oxygen tanks in the home, etc., help first responders help you. Please take the time to check it out and SHARE.

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.

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 desperately needed . Please see details here and make your appointment today!

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!

Medical Equipment needed – Rotary’s David Kurtzman has a program for our community. Free, used, in home medical equipment, like shower chairs, wheelchairs, walkers etc.

He can be contacted directly, 530-545-3283 to request items or donate.