Nov. 11, 2003

Proper Soroptimist Custom and Protocol
Begin and close meetings on time; be on time for meetings.
Attend regularly.
Address the presiding officer as president, governor or, if the vice president is presiding, by her title followed by her name,
e.g. “Vice President Sandy.”
Address another Soroptimist by her first name.
Do business with Soroptimists on a business level, expecting no favors or special treatment.
Pay your own way, unless you’re invited as a guest or as a speaker.
Present a membership card as “credentials” when visiting another club.
Invite Soroptimists and others (as deemed appropriate by the president) to business meetings.
Welcome visiting Soroptimists.
Disagree politely and keep informality within the bounds of fellowship and parliamentary procedure.
Use correct terminology:
– We are Soroptimists - not Sorops.
– We are members - not sisters or girls.
– We are clubs - not chapters.
– We are a federation - not national or federal.
– We have a pledge - not a creed or motto.
– We attend a club or district meeting, region conference, federation or international convention.
– We elect region officers not regional officers.
– We believe in Soroptimist - not “Soroptimism.
Use correct names:
Soroptimist International of Sequim
Soroptimist International of the Americas
Soroptimist International
Venture Clubs of the Americas
Protocol promotes orderly procedures. Personal friendships, likes & dis-likes cannot matter in official life. Always remember that you honor the office the person holds. . . not the person.