SITS News September 17, 2026

Today’s meeting was opened by President Lois. Lois has done an excellent job in bringing regular technology use to each meeting. The PowerPoint outlining the day’s discussion is an added feature that keeps us on track and also more attentive. Thanks for doing this extra task! And if you’re a member, each week’s meeting is located on our Drive!

Today’s invocation was sparked by Lydia’s book club selection of The Correspondent, by Virginia Evans which highlights the the power of something that used to be a common occurrence for many, the writing of a letter. Not a text, nor an email, but the actual writing of a letter. This simple item, one which is most intimate and personal, is such a special thing for the writer and the receiver. Lydia shared that she holds treasured letters from her grand mother, mother, departed friends, and most of all, her Donald. Each one a moment in time that brings happiness and love all over again. She finished her invocation with a challenge to all of us, commit to writing one letter to someone each month. She even got us started by giving each of us a stamp. Thank you Lydia.

Our Zooming ladies today were Jeanne and Kim!

Guests today included Donna, who took home an application to join today, Amanda Buckley, and Lori Thorne. Welcome ladies!

Sunshine: Hugs and healing thoughts go out to Lois’ husband, George. The doctors did a great job on his shoulder and he’s doing well. Lydia shared that while walking Millie the other night, a small bat, yes a bat, flew underneath her glasses! She’s promised friends she’ll see her doctor to ensure all is good.

President Office Hours! Check the member calendar for Fridays President Lois is holding office hours from 9-10 a.m.

Today’s Guest Speaker was Amy Jackson. We love having Amy visit the club and we love her updates on the students of Mt. Tallac High School! This is a group of youth who are near and dear to our hearts and our club has been involved with this amazing group of youth for nearly 30 years.

Mt. Tallac has 60 students annually with 5 staff providing for their educational and emotional needs. Their graduation rate is 97%, very impressive.

For those not familiar, Mt. Tallac is a unique collaboration between students, educators, community members, and support staff, who are vested in creating a high quality, nurturing, safe environment that fosters learning. Mt. Tallac High School is dedicated to providing students with the education, guidance, and support necessary to succeed in all aspects of life.

Mt. Tallac strives to provide a comprehensive academic education while preparing students for employment and socially responsible living. The educational program emphasizes problem solving, reading, writing, communication, cooperation, collaboration, and technical mastery. The teaching staff focuses on academic integrity, sensitivity to the individual student, and creating an environment to promote student achievement as well as social emotional learning opportunities.  Mt. Tallac provides an opportunity for students to complete their secondary education, who otherwise might fail or drop out of a traditional environment. 

Mt. Tallac is proud of its collaboration with Lake Tahoe Community College where students attend LTCC one day per week to receive personalized support for post secondary opportunities. This recent partnership has been amazing as the youth can see themselves there in the future as an LTCC student.

This set of youth make a choice as to whether this program will fit their needs or not. It’s a daily program, unlike independent studies. There are specific requirements in order to graduate. It’s not a “coast along” environment so youth need to be committed to the program and each other. As part of their accepted application into this trauma informed school, all must show respect and grace.

Amy spent time today sharing what the SITS “Fairy Godmothers” have brought to the education and development over the many years.

1. Healthy Independence Fund which provides for Drivers Education, employment clothing, hygiene supplies, gas to get to work and school, behind the wheel driving lessons, and other needs a student many have.
2. Mt Tallac High School Girls’ Group has brought mentorship, career options, and bonding experiences as the group has explored banking, DMV services, cosmetology, yoga classes and fun days out. Annually our ladies meet with the girls to discuss what they’d like to explore during the school year and then the magic happens!
3. PROM which began years ago thanks to the generosity of member, Sandy and her husband Keith, the Mt. Tallac PROM was born. For the last several years, Valhalla Tahoe has generously supported this magical location for the students and donations round out the whole evening, including the room full of desserts by our SITS members.
4. Student of the Month awards a student $75 gift card acknowledging their hard work and commitment. Amy shared her heart is extra blessed when she asks the student what they got with their gift. Often times, this young person didn’t get themselves anything, as they wanted to get their parent or sibling something instead.
5. Culinary Bootcamp, a brainchild of Amy’s and Jeanne Prestella, will begin this semester! Jeanne and SITS volunteers will be providing two separate bootcamp opportunities, one in the Fall and one in the Spring. Each bootcamp will be three classes long, each with a curriculum regarding cooking. Those classes will then be followed up by a practicum whereby they prepare and serve a special meal to about 60 people! SITS applied for an SNR Endowment Grant which we hope to hear from shortly as the funds will cover the prepared meals. Keep your fingers crossed! Students will also earn Internship hours, a graduation requirement, for attending the bootcamp.

As mentioned before, SITS has been working with Mt. Tallac for a very long time. In the beginning, many of youth were pregnant teens who were just trying to finish high school as they figured out life. SITS began to assist with providing diaper and baby needs followed by helping to pay for a part time nurse on the campus. Today, the students are youth those kids, for one just one reason or another, don’t work to their abilities in the regular school setting. These are brilliant people with huge hearts who are working hard and headed off into bright futures, all because they feel safe and cared for by the staff and their surroundings. Thank you to Amy and the whole staff for caring for our kids. We are so proud of all of you.

SITS Member

General Reminders

Quarterly Member Dues for July – Sept. 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.

Saturday, Sept 26, 2026 is our Fundraising meeting at LTCC in the Lisa Maloff Center. 9:30 – 11. We hope to finalize our format and then get moving. Be there if at all possible! If you can’t attend, please email President Lois your input.

97th Birthday Celebration for Roberta Mason.

Open invitation from noon club. Sept. 30, 12:00

973 Cave Rock Ave. SLT (the Cave Rock in Al Tahoe

neighborhood. Contact Lois if you plan to attend. Bring a birthday card.

SITS will be the focus of a fundraiser in October at Cascade Kitchens. Mark your calendars for Friday, October 16th, and bring friends!

October 29th will be our SITS Halloween Party at our regular meeting time.

SISLT’s FUNdraiser is coming up!

HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD: Wine, beer and food gala presented by Soroptimist International of South Lake Tahoe. Golden Nugget on Friday, Nov 6 5:30-9:30pm. Tickets $100. You must be 21 years old to attend. Costumes representing movies or TV show shows are encouraged. Proceeds benefit women and girls in the South Shore community. Tickets can be obtained via [http://www.sislt.org,]here, or from Cathy Gibb 530-721-0688.

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.

COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS

We’re a busy group!

Committee formations are happening NOW! We are asking that all members, even those unable to make the morning meetings, signup for one General and one Service Committee. Much work can be accomplished on your schedule! SIGNUP HERE!

Attention ALL Committees

• September is the time that ALL Committees should be meeting to determine their goals, programs, and budgets. Please schedule your meetings on the Calendar. General Fund Budgets are due Oct. 1. Please send your General Fund Budgets to Jean Bergner.
• Service and Fundraising Budgets are due Oct. 22.

Newsletter Committee

• Signup for your week here ladies!
• Reminder to ladies who zoom in, you too can help with this committee! We’d love to have you join us. SITSzoom.com

SNR, SIA, and SI News Corner

SITS is a part of something BIG!

Sierra Nevada Region

Soroptimist International of the Americas

Soroptimist International

SNR

• SI Truckee Meadows is holding their 6th Annual Queen of Hearts High Tea at the Atlantis in Reno, this SATURDAY, Sept 19th. The event is SOLD OUT but we wish them well!
• Fall District 5 Meeting will be hosted by SI Quincy on October 10, 2026. Sign up now with President Lois.
• SI Fallon is having their fundraiser and some of our ladies are attending! Oct 17.
• SI South Lake Tahoe’s, “Hooray for Hollywood” fundraiser is Friday, Nov. 6. Details and ticket purchases here.

SIA and SI

Best for Women magazine here.

23rd Soroptimist Int’l 2027 convention is in Prague Sept.29-Oct. 1, 2027. Registration is now open here.

Learn about Advocacy for Women and Girls here.

NON-SITS Events

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 are a few to get you started!

If you’re a client of Mind Body Physical Therapy with our member Christina Frohlich, there’s a shindig for you! Friday, Sept 18!

3 – 8 PM at Nevada Beach. RSVP via text(530)541-7133

Moose Lodge 1632 presents Kids Fishing Day at Lake Baron on Sept. 19, 2026 beginning at 8 AM!

Open and free to all children up to the age of 16.

Free snacks, hot dogs, chips, sodas, and loads of fish to catch. They even have the gear or bring your own!

Tahoe Youth & Family Services are looking for our talented community members! A fantastic show is on September 26 at Harrah’s and you could be in the show or in the audience! See all of the details here and join in on the fun and fundraiser!

Lake Tahoe’s Documentary Film Festival

is going on the road! For Tickets to the Fall Best of Fest Screening Tour go to ltdff.org/fall-best-of.

Support and Volunteer Opportunities for our Community!

!The Tahoe Women’s Community Fund is a collective giving organization created in 2015. Through a simple grant making process, the annual proceeds from membership provide financial support to nonprofits that address pressing issues facing the communities of Lake Tahoe. Read more about this organization here and consider joining! Huge impacts are being made and there are no meetings!

Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless

Seeks community support in keeping people cared for.

Todays pressing need is: men’s clothing, especially things that are business casual for folks to wear to work or to interviews. Also all sizes of socks and underwear.

They can be dropped off M-F 9a-4p at the Red Lodge 1137 Emerald Bay Rd

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

Rotary Mobility Program

Rotary of South Lake Tahoe is asking the community to help expand its Rotary Mobility Program. The club is seeking donations of wheelchairs, knee scooters, canes, walkers with seats, and shower chairs.. Donations of gently used mobility and medical equipment are appreciated. Rotary Mobility is a free community program. Community members interested in donating equipment or learning more about the program are encouraged to contact David Kurtzman at 530-545-3283.

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. They are also constantly involved in actively working to reduce drug and alcohol use among our kids.

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

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!