Who are SISP?

Soroptimist International of South Perth (SISP) was chartered in October 1998 with 35 foundation members making it one of the largest in the state of Western Australia.

Women (most of them local) are attracted to the opportunity to be of service to the local, national and international community.

SISP is only one of two clubs in the state that has monthly breakfast meetings. Meetings occur once a month on the second Tuesday at 7:00am at The Royal Perth Golf Club.

Each year, the club sets a programme of service which revolves around projects that benefit the community. Some of these are ongoing projects (such as supporting a local women's refuge) whilst some are once-off projetcs.

Three keywords which help Soroptimists promote their service work are:
Awareness - Advocacy - Action

The club also helps support International service projects by contributing funds to the Soroptimist International headquarters.

The collective talent of our members, combined with our enthusiasm helps Soroptimist International of South Perth be a leading service organisation in Western Australia.

Soroptimist International (SI) History
Soroptimist International is a worldwide organisation for women in management and the professions, working through service projects to advance human rights and the status of women.

The first Soroptimist Club was organised in Oakland, California, in 1921. It was followed by the forming of other clubs in North America and in 1923, by the first club in Europe, the Greater London club.

By 1928, the number of clubs in these areas had grown to such an extent that it was decided to form a coordinating body, known as a Federation, in each area - The Federations of America and Europe.

In 1934 the third Federation - Great Britain & Ireland - was formed and in 1978, the fourth was formed - Federation - South West Pacific.

Our Federation - the South West Pacific - today includes the following countries:

Australia
New Zealand
Fiji
Mongolia
Samoa
Papua New Guinea
Singapore
Malaysia
Indonesia
Solomon Islands
China
Thailand
Australia has approximately 110 clubs in nine Regions.

Western Australian SI History
In 1949, 25 women signed a petition requesting permission to start a Soroptimist club in the City of Perth.

The Club was chartered on August 3rd by Florence Rutter, Past President, Greater London Club, and became a part of the Federation of Great Britain and Ireland, thus laying the foundation of Soroptimism in Western Australia.

Since then, membership has grown to around 400 in 18 currently active clubs.