Who we are
History of Soroptimist International
| After the founding of the first Soroptimist Club, in Oakland, California, in 1921, the prominent French cosmetic surgeon Dr Suzanne Noël, chartered the SI Club in Paris, in 1924 as the first club in continental Europe. Many of the first clubs in Europe were actually chartered or inspired by Dr. Noël. She set an unrivalled record by establishing a dozen clubs around the world and thus widely disseminating the Soroptimist concept. It is fitting that Suzanne Noël was elected the first President of the European Federation, in 1930. Since its founding, the European Federation has grown steadily and now consists of over 34,000 members, in more than 1,200 clubs, present in 57 countries. The activities of SI/E are governed by its Constitution and By-Laws. Every year, the President of SI/E holds a Governors' Meeting, which is attended by her extended Board and Governors from every Union. Representatives from Single Clubs and presidents of the various Unions are invited to participate in this meeting, as observers. This is the governing body of the Federation. Once every four years, between World SI Conventions, the respective Federation President organises a European Congress. The next convention will take place in Amsterdam, in 2009 and its focus will be on the current President's Theme 'Soroptimists Go For Water'. |
Soroptimist International of Europe has more than 1,200 Clubs in 57 countries:
26 Unions | 53 Single Clubs in European Countries | 28 Single Clubs in African Countries | One Single Club in the Caribbean | |
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Member Area
