SITS News August 6, 2026

Even with the heat, there is no prettier place than Lake Tahoe!

President Lois welcomed us all on this sunny morning. Many of us are really enjoying our flexible meeting setup. Discussions really can be more productive in a circle! Members Kim and Cookie zoomed in today.

Lydia’s invocation looked back at significant things that happened in our nation’s history at this time; the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, Lucielle Ball was born, and the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 1945. Such devastation on the days of the bombing and for generations to come. The debate still goes on whether it was worth it or not and how those decisions are made. When does our nation go into other countries has been a dividing moment within our own families. Her message today was for all of us to learn more, understand who our leaders are and how they represent us as individuals.

Sunshine goes out to our Maria as we learned she took a spill at home this past week. She’s doing fine but is staying at home this week. Continued thoughts go out to Prakash, Laurie B, Jeanne P, and Rick Pence for continued healing. And to some of our younger ones, Theresa’s two girls continue to keep the family busy, one with a broken wrist and one awaiting a Neuro consultation in the future. President Lois’ grand daughter also had a bit of excitement while walking at camp on a path, taking a stumble but landing into a stick causing a trip to the urgent care for a nasty gash to the knee. She did have the good luck of seeing 4 bears on the way to urgent care, so that was special!

It’s been a busy week for SITS!

Annually, our members gather to set goals and objectives for this our new year’s efforts. This gathering marked our 50th retreat which was led by President Lois at the beautiful home of Cookie Rork. Thanks Cookie!

Significant work focusing on the service we provide was accomplished. This included reviewing our club’s mission, aligning our activities with our mission, coming up with 3 core pillars of our service work, and beginning the conversation about how we can have the greatest impact in our community. All members were emailed amazing notes provided by President Lois. It was a recap so through, that ladies who missed the meeting should be all caught up! Thank you Lois!

Retreat identified three pillars for our organization: Education, Empowerment, and Basic Needs. True group productivity comes from shared vision, clear roles, and open trust rather than chaotic effort. When a team aligns its purpose and organizes its workflow, small steps lead to massive results. Core pillars of group activity include:

Clear Vision: Define the main goal so everyone knows the destination.

Defined Roles: Match tasks to each person’s unique strengths.

Open Trust: Encourage honest talk and tackle problems, not each other.

Our club wants to work smarter, not harder to educate and empower women and youth in our community and around the world.

Today’s meeting continued the discussion of our pillars and we will organize ourselves and the work that we will identify as the greatest needs in our community. Lois presented the membership with a proposed SITS Committee Structure. All members received this outline and our discussion this morning helped us to flush out the direction that we have chosen to go. As a group we voted on a hybrid of the initial proposition and we are anxious to begin our work. The key element is that each pillar will consists of two major committees; SITS Led Projects, and Community Support. Thank you so much to everyone for today’s discussion. President Lois will revise the committee structure outline and forward it to all members. Great work ladies!

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.

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!

Tahoe Learning Haven presents an

Extracurricular Fair on Wednesday, Aug. 12!

Details here!

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.

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!