SITS News August 13, 2026

Today’s meeting was opened by President Lois. Congratulations again to Lois for leading us through such a successful club retreat and Board Meeting. We have a whole new way of looking at our work and our mission. Thank you for teaching us new ways.

Lydia’s invocation today focused on falling stars. The magic, the science, the feelings, romance, joy and the hopes. Don’t wait for a falling start to make your wishes come true!

Guests today….They don’t qualify as guests, but we were pleased to welcome back after lengthy absences, Colleen and Laurie B. Lots of catching up to do!

Sunshine goes out to Maria who is still healing a bit. She’ll return next week. To Elizabeth and her family on the passing of her beloved mother who passed away yesterday. She left the love of her life on their 65th wedding anniversary. Dad was sweetly at his bride’s side.

Sunshine also to Jeanne P and Prakash for continued healing and celebrations for the new baby in the extended family of Laurie F.

Today’s business meeting was a busy one! President Lois is also the CFO of The Climate Center and with that huge job, she also has a tremendous organizational skill set. Our club is benefitting from that expertise! We, as a club, are striving to tighten up our ship a bit and aligning all that we do surrounding our mission.

The major shift change for SITS is the organizational format of our committees. We will still be doing all of our great work in the community and the world, but we’ll be doing it with more precision and clarity of purpose.

This year we will be focusing on our established three pillars: Education, Empowerment, and Basic Needs. Currently, Chairs are being established for each pillar.

Our General Committees (how we get things done) include: technology, recruitment/retention, morning programs, marketing, newsletter, finance, and community outreach. Members will begin to sign up for their committees of choice today through Aug. 27. Remember, there is work for everyone and most of the work can be done on a flexible schedule.!

Our Service Committees (what we provide to enhance the lives of women and youth) include: Education- SITS led projects, Education- Community Support, Empowerment-Our Dream It Be It outreach, Empowerment- Community Support, and Basic Needs. Signups will begin today through Aug. 27, with committees meeting at some point from Aug.27 – Oct. 15 to formulate goals/objectives and budgets.

To sign up for the committees of your choice just click HERE

Our club is also in the beginning stages of determining our fundraiser for this year. Whatever we decide, we know it’s going to be beautiful and successful. After all, it’s our ladies who put the fundraiser together and it’s our club’s 50th Anniversary!

With our new structure, we will update our informative website, so stay tuned for that! In the meantime, keep up with what’s happening and be sure to add to the conversation!

Office Hours with President Lois!

Lois will be holding “Office Hours” on our www.sitszoom.com location every Friday, 9 – 10 AM. If members or interested community members have a question, simply join her during that time.

COMMITTEE HAPPENINGS

We’re a busy group!

Technology Committee

• It’s never too 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]

Committee formations will be happening soon! If you’re interested in joining the newsletter ladies, please contact Lisa at [email protected] If you are interested in remaining as a committee chair (and more importantly, if you are NOT) please let Lois know ASAP.

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.

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.

SITS will be the focus of a fundraiser in October so mark your calendars for Friday, October 16th: dinner at Cascade Kitchens. More info. to follow.

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!

Join us for the inaugural Encompass Live Benefit Concert!

Wednesday, August 19, 2026 | 4:00–10:00 p.m.

AleWorX at the Y

Enjoy an evening of live music, community, and fun while supporting Encompass Youth and our mission to empower Transitional Age Youth (ages 12–24), with the navigational support, resources, and skills to successfully transition to independence and adulthood.

Admission is free. Donations are encouraged to support our youth programs and services.

 Be sure to enter our raffle—you do not need to be present to win!

We hope to see you there!

Tahoe Arts Project is holding its annual Music on the Beach at Lakeshore Lodge!

A fun evening of community with raffles and music, and find out the lineup for Dancing With The Tahoe Stars! August 20, doors open at 6 p.m.

$20 suggested donation.

The always anticipated UC Master Gardener Plant Clinic & Sale is on Aug. 29, 2026. Details here!

Registration is required.

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!

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

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

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!