Calendar of Events April 3, 2014—Ruby Tuesday, Mililani

4:30 p.m. Board Meeting 5:00 p.m. for dinner Business Meeting starts at 6:00 p. m.

May 1st Business Meeting, Ruby Tuesday Mililani

May 2-4 Founder Region Conference, San Ramon, CA

June 5th Business Meeting and Installation of New Officers, Ruby Tuesday Mililani

October 26th—Annual Fundraiser, Ala Moana Hotel, Halloween Masquerade

July, 2014—SIA Convention, Vancouver, BC—Plan to attend

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SOROPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL OF CENTRAL OAHU 

27 Years of Service

April 2014

EMPOWERING WOMEN AND GIRLS

“Share the Light of Soroptimist Service”

The Awards reception was again, a wonder-ful experience as poignant stories and situa-tions were shared by the Women’s Opportu-nity awardees. SICO’s awardees were Rox-anne Kajioka, $2000, attends Kapiolani Com-munity College with a career goal of becom-ing a social worker; Ashley Shankles, $3000, attends Windward Community College whose career goal is to become a history teacher; Maile-Ann Wright, $5000, also attends Wind-ward Community College where she will earn her Associate’s degree in May and hopes to earn a Bachelor’s degree from UH Manoa in social work. Maile-Ann was very inspiring in telling of how she overcame her hardships with domestic violence and homelessness. She was fervent in her goal to help others.

As many of us who have witnessed these

awards know, these can be sad tear jerking and also very happy moments as the trials and tribulations of the women are shared. This year was no exception. Each woman has become stronger and more confident as they pursue their goals especially since they know that they are not alone and that other women support them. They shared their enormous gratitude for all the awards which will help them succeed and continue toward attaining their educational goals.

Chair Rene Tokunaga shared another suc-cess story. As she reviewed applications she recognized one of the Counselor’s names on a reference letter as a former Women’s Opportunity awardee.

Kat Brady, is the first SICO Ruby Awardee and had been a speaker at one of our meetings which prompted her selec-tion. She is currently the Honolulu Chair of the Committee on the Status of Women among her many other distinctions.

SICO was able to award a total of $500 each to Whitney Kim as the Youth Citizen-ship Awardee and to Marissa Lum as the Violet Richardson Awardee. Con-tinued on page 2

Page 2

President Rene’s Message

NA MEA HOU

Happy Birthday Aries

Leona Takita—April 9th

Aloha SICO Members!

Thanks for your support for our club in your own special way. This year will be our 28th Anniversary and we are going stronger than ever BECAUSE OF YOU!

Each member contributes their energy, knowledge, talent, resources, and passion to help improve the lives of women and girls in our community and world.

Whether you attended the memorable and tear -jerking Awards Banquet, worked at our Annual Gala Fundraiser, attended our Human Trafficking Awareness Day, helped at our Lei Ilima Project, attended our Member-ship Tea at the scenic Wahiawa Botanical Garden, went miniature golfing, or attending our monthly membership meetings, YOU are the essence of SICO, and let’s continue this arduous journey. Please invite new members, interest-ing speakers, and innovative projects! Fun, fun, fun! A hui hou! Mahalo, Rene

Empowering Women continued:

Whitney had also applied for the Violet Richardson Award and received that award from SI Waikiki. This was a first ever to happen. Whitney expects to be the CEO of a Make A Wish foundation. Marissa had another engagement so her proud parents spoke on her behalf. She hopes to be-come a pharmacist.

Ann Freed, DDVI Lorene, Kat Brady and President Rene. Ann introduced SICO to Kat.

Women’s Opportunity Awardees

Maile-Ann Wright and her very proud son.

Roxzanne Kajioka; Chair Rene’ Tokunaga with Ashley Shankles.

Parents of Ma-rissa Lum, Violet Richardson awardee with Chair Julie Arigo from SI Hono-lulu

Double winner Whitney Kim.—Youth Citizenship and Violet Richardson awards.

Page 3

ANNUAL FUNDRAISER

HALLOWEEN MASQUERADE

Save the date: October 26, 2014 For a fun time at: Ala Moana Hotel

Tickets: $125 each Gold Tables: $2500—tables of ten

As much fun as Halloween can be, the Committee encourages attendees to dress up but keep costumes to a moderate level. That means, not overly gregarious. Masks should be worn within the party room and not in public for security’s sake. SO, that means Silent Auction time again. A suggestion was made to have SICO members contribute to theme baskets. Since we are well ahead of time, as you travel and go about your shopping trips, think of adding to a pasta basket, a breakfast basket, a baking basket, golf basket, and/or a gardener’s basket or one of your own choice. For those who golf, win some good prizes! Easier than it sounds but make a good effort! If you enter any other contests, consider the prize for the Silent Auction! As always, crafters, your arts will be most appreciated. Unique items will make the baskets more valuable. All items for the silent auction must have a minimum value of $50. Bring your donations to any meeting and Jackie will start col-lecting them. Everyone, please pitch in for another successful Silent Auction to help improve the lives of women and girls toward social and economic empowerment. Chair Lyn Lurbe will be keeping us current with this event.

Nahoku Ahlo, sponsored by President Rene joined SICO and was inducted at the March 6th meeting. She must have been very impressed as she had been ready with her dues! After her formal induction and, continuing on, President Rene added a little lightness to this rite of passage with some fun questions. Being a great sport, Nahoku tried to answer each and everyone.

SICO ADDS ANOTHER NEW MEMBER TO THE ROSTER

COURAGE HOUSE COMES TO SICO MEETING

SICO was earlier introduced to Courage House Hawaii by member Susan Lau who had learned about the project a few years ago. At the Human Trafficking Awareness Forum, a little more was learned about the project. Then, member Maile Kanemaru invited Jessica Munoz and Ellen Sollars to attend the March meeting for more detailed information. Jessica’s mother had founded a Courage House in Califor-nia and, in Hawaii, she quickly witnessed more cases as a nurse in an urgent care clinic. Incensed that there was no facility to rescue and restore these girls, she has been on a path to acquire a shelter and now has a large staff of volun-teers. One of the staff members makes presentations in schools which alerts students of what to be watchful for so that they do not become induced by bribery. More volun-teers are still needed as is fundraising for a facility. Presi-dent Rene has pledged SICO to assist in their endeavors.

Leona Soto, Ellen, Jessica, President Rene and Angie Bugarin pause for a photo op.

Officers and Directors 2013-2014

President: Rene Mansho President-Elect: Marilyn Lee

Co-Treasurer: Susan Lau Secretary: Jackie Pactol

Co- Treasurer: Lyn Lurbe

Directors: Zoe Tanaka, Ann Freed, Judy Fomin and Lorraine Fukumae

Committee Chairs:

Ann Freed: Program Lyn Lurbe: Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training (SOLT)

Jackie Pactol and Marilyn Lee: Public Awareness and Newsletter

Rene’ Tokunaga and Lyn Lurbe: Awards and Reception Lyn Lurbe, Jane Murakami, Lorraine Fukumae: Fundraising Ellen Kazama and Rene Mansho: Membership Leona Soto: Leeward Shelter Jackie Pactol: Adopt-A-School Marilyn Lee and Rene Mansho: SICO High School Scholarship ** Lei Ilima Girls Club ** Career/ College Fair for Women/High School Students Angie Bugarin: Bobby Benson Center

Rene Mansho: Ehime Maru Clean Up

P O Box 893102 

Mililani HI 96789‐3102 

SOROPTIMIST  INTERNATIONAL  

OF  CENTRAL  OAHU

Soroptimist Pledge

I Pledge allegiance to Soroptimism and to the ideals for which it stands,

The Sincerity of Friendship,

The Joy of Achievement,

The Dignity of Service,

The Integrity of Profession,

The Love of Country.

I will put forth my greatest effort to promote, uphold and defend these ide-als for a larger fellowship in home, in

society, in business, for country and for God.

Soroptimist Grace

For the bread upon the board,

Make us truly thankful, Lord.

For each one meeting here

Whom our hearts hold close and dear,

For this day O Lord above

Now accept our grateful love.

Amen

email: renemansho@hawaii.rr.com Address for President Rene Mansho

The Best for Women 

www.soroptimist. org

Soroptimist is an international service organization improving the lives of women and girls through programs leading to

social and economic empowerment.

Year of the Horse

Marion Poirier having fun with her “hand made” name tag.