Last week we began a discussion...

Last week we began a discussion of ethics in America and where

service clubs stand with ethical practices, with the presentation of

Rotary International’s Four Way Test. This week, we will explore the

Soroptimist International of the Americas Code of Ethics.

There are about 93,000 members in more than 3,000 Clubs in 122

countries and territories, and the movement is expanding rapidly with

many clubs being formed in the developing world and countries in

transition. Soroptimist International is now the world’s largest

classified service organization for women.

The Soroptimist Code states: “My business principles exact: full

recognition of the rights of others; acknowledgment of the

responsibilities of citizenship and the duty of discharging the

obligations entailed; the use of my position at all times to the end

that a higher level of human ideals and achievement may be obtained.”

Victoria Gray, vice president Northern Trust and a member of the

Soroptimist Club of Newport Harbor, has a similar take on the code.

“I’m proud to be a part of a company like Northern Trust,” she

said. “Our living ethic is: ‘Principles that Endure,’ high-touch

client service, professional expertise, creative solutions,

unquestioned integrity, a commitment to the well-being of our people

and a personal dedication to quality. Many of us have a reminder on

our desks that ‘Quality is never an accident; it is always the result

of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful

execution; it represents the wise choice of many alternatives.’ I can

truly say that Northern is a quality company that can stand

tall.”Newport Harbor Soroptimist Pat Jackson-Colando, a

speech-language pathologist, said: “While we are encouraged and

required to ‘think outside the box’ in many areas, ethical standards

are the gyroscope of integrity. Without integrity we cannot thrive in

business or in life. Thus, being within the ‘box’ of ethics and high

standards allows me to be as creative as I need to be to plan and

problem-solve for my clients’ benefit. It centers my purpose of

service in my vocation, my avocation, and in all the nooks and

crannies of my life.”

“The vision of my service organization focuses on the sincerity of

friendship, the integrity of profession, and the dignity of service,

to name but a few of our cornerstone ideals,” said Sue Haddock,

member of Soroptimist International Newport Harbor and Community

Program Specialist II at South Coast Regional Project in Costa Mesa.

“My membership in Soroptimist International has given me an

opportunity to blend those concepts in my work and personal life. I

have a chance to support change and growth in the people I come in

contact with, by promoting their sense of responsibility as ‘citizens

of the world.’ By acknowledging the diversity of people and their

cultures, celebrating it rather than being fearful of it, we have a

chance to truly be an ‘international neighborhood.’”

Dawn Marie Lemonds, a past International board member and member

Soroptimist International Newport Harbor, is the director of South

Coast Regional Project in Costa Mesa (serving people with

developmental disabilities). She added: “The cornerstone of the

business I am in revolves around the recognition and promotion of

access to human and civil rights and responsibilities for people with

developmental disabilities. Active membership in Soroptimist

International has brought a global awareness of these core values in

every aspect of human life -- particularly the human condition that

affects women and girls in gender based inequities and violations;

poverty, violence, access to services etc. This code encourages me to

learn and take the risk of bringing local and global issues to my

‘neighborhoods’ such as ‘trafficking of women and girls’ and help

support advocacy and action that promotes services and awareness.”

As you can see, Soroptimist International promotes living to a

higher standard of human ideals and ethics.

SERVICE CLUB MEETINGS THIS COMING WEEK:

TUESDAY:

7:15 a.m.: The Newport Beach Sunrise Rotary Club will meet at Five

Crowns Restaurant for a program on Literacy by the Newport Beach

Public Library.

WEDNESDAY:

7:15 a.m.: The 20-member South Coast Metro Rotary Club will meet

at the Center Club (www.southcoastmetrorotary.org) and the Newport

Harbor Kiwanis Club will meet at the University Athletic Club.

Noon: The 35-member Exchange Club of the Orange Coast will meet at

the Bahia Corinthian Yacht Club to hear Pat Glasgow of the Orange

County Sheriff’s Department.

6 p.m.: The Rotary Club of Newport-Balboa will meet at the Bahia

Corinthian Yacht Club for the official visit of District Governor Jim

Parsons (www.newportbalboa.org).

THURSDAY:

7 a.m.: The 20-plus member Costa Mesa-Orange Costa Breakfast Lions

Club will meet at Mimi’s Cafe.

Noon: The 50-member Costa Mesa Kiwanis Club will meet at the

Holiday Inn (www.kiwanis.org/club/costamesa), the Newport

Beach-Corona del Mar Kiwanis Club will meet at the Bahia Corinthian

Yacht Club to hear registered nurse Donna Clauson on “Local Doctors

of Mercy in Central America.” The 80-member Exchange Club of Newport

Harbor will meet at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum to hear Alan

Murphy on “What’s New at our John Wayne Airport,” the 100-member

Newport-Irvine Rotary Club will meet the Irvine Marriott Hotel to

hear Dexter Godbey on mentoring (www.nirotary.org).

* COMMUNITY & CLUBS is published Saturdays in the Daily Pilot.

Send your service club’s meeting information by Fax to (949)

660-8667; e-mail to jdeboom@aol.com or by mail to 2082 S.E. Bristol,

Suite 201, Newport Beach, CA 92660-1740.