President's Message: New Year, New Goals
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The start of a new year is a chance to embrace new beginnings and set new goals. Some people emphasize their goals with words or phrases to help shape their meaning. In a similar fashion, SOS’s 2025 word of the year is “acceptance.” It is our hope that all members will step into the new year with acceptance and a heart open to growth. Here is a brief summary of how the Board plans to accept our mission and keep our hearts open for growth in 2025.
At the annual Holiday coffee, it was announced that the Board of Directors had approved SOS’s 2025-2028 strategic action plan. Given our growth over time, in 2021 the Board began evaluating our processes to ensure SOS operations support our capabilities and are aligned to our mission. In the spring of 2024, the Board recognized the need to review and update the 2021-24 Strategic Plan to reflect changing realities and opportunities.
The 2025-28 Strategic Plan is the expression of SOS’s priorities for the next one to three years. This plan extends the mission-critical work of the previous Strategic Plan, addressing those actions that were still to be achieved, and places new focus on opportunities that will support our important role as a champion for small and start-up nonprofits. We believe this plan will create a purposeful momentum that will guide decisions and actions in the coming year and further strengthen the community of women that we are.
On a high-level, the plan identifies four goals in the areas of:
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recruiting and retaining members,
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strengthening our operational functions,
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assessing the impact of the new two-year grant process, and
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defining the purpose and uses of our Founders Fund (formerly the designated fund).
Be on the lookout for the full plan, our goals and objectives, and action items, to be sent to all SOS members via email. Onward to an exciting new year!
Ally Kell
SOS President |
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Mark Your Calendar:
All-Member Meeting on February 18
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Don’t miss the opportunity to hear more about SOS plans at the first-ever Galentine's Social and All-Member Meeting, to be held February 18 at 6 p.m. at the Center of Clayton. Members will have the chance to meet and mingle with SOS Board members, hear from committee chairs, and learn more about our Board priorities as we implement our strategic plan and showcase our 2025 calendar. We hope you can join us!
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In the Words of Our Grantees...
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We are humbled by these words of thanks from a few of our recent SOS grant recipients: “Thank you, SOS, for believing in us! So many of your members visited our table last night (October 9 Spirit Awards program) and strongly voiced their support for Fairground Park For All's mission. We left ever more confident that we will succeed. With this step, we feel like we're taking a giant leap into the world of major urban park renovation. We are bracing ourselves for a glorious ride.” Bryan Lawrence, Board Chair, Fairground Park For All “The entire process for the grant request, including the LOI, was rejuvenating for Health Protection and Education Service (HPES). The thoroughness with which you approach everything that you do – the interview process was overwhelmingly complimentary – provided added inspiration for our team. We rarely get the opportunity to show who we are and why we do what we do. Your support of this organization is incredibly generous.”
Diane Berry, Executive Director, Health Protection and Education Services
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Be In the Know about Philanos
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Did you know that Spirit of St. Louis Women's Fund is a long-time member of Philanos? Philanos is a network of more than 100 women’s collective giving circles located throughout the U.S., Canada, United Kingdom, and Australia. Its mission is to support and strengthen women's giving organizations through education and collaboration designed to promote women's philanthropy and informed, impactful community grant making. Fun facts: Vicki Sheehan, a founding member of SOS and a past SOS president, was one of the founding members of Philanos, and the inaugural meeting of the new organization was held in St. Louis in 2013. In addition, SOS member Amy Conard currently serves as Technology Chair of Philanos. All SOS members are welcome – and encouraged – to benefit from Philanos. Members can receive the Philanos newsletter, register for webinars, participate in discussion groups (affinity groups), and access helpful resources on the Philanos website. Go to https://philanos.org/Subscribe to sign up. |
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Why We Give: EarthDance
Organic Farm School
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In Ferguson, Missouri, tucked away in a residential neighborhood, is a beautiful 14-acre, historic farm called EarthDance. A 2024-2025 SOS grantee (as well as 2022 grantee), the mission of EarthDance is to advance food justice by training organic farmers and gardeners of all ages, providing connection to healthy food and the land, and cultivating vibrant community. They are committed to paying their staff a fair wage, which is not always common in farming. EarthDance offers a pay-what-you can model for both their produce and their educational opportunities, so that finances are not a barrier. |
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Members in the News
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Congratulations to Ellen Schapiro, SOS at-large Board member, who was honored November 20 at the annual Unsung Heroes event held by the St. Louis Jewish Light. This event celebrates exceptional volunteers making a profound impact in our community. In addition to her involvement in SOS, including leading our book discussions, Ellen has advocated for women's reproductive rights and health issues, served on the board of the Scholarship Foundation, is a dedicated volunteer with Planned Parenthood, and is passionate about early childhood education and environmental preservation. Ellen was honored along with 10 other recipients for their time, service and commitment to the Jewish community.
Congratulations to Chris Schmiz, who was honored with the 2024 Philanthropy in Action Award by SOS grantee The SoulFisher Ministries (TSM). In 2018, TSM began bestowing an annual Philanthropy in Action award to funders, organizations, supporters, and community leaders who have a proven track record in building the St. Louis community through their philanthropic efforts and consistent desire to improve the lives of our most vulnerable populations. Chris is the first "person" to receive the award which makes an even more pronounced meaning to her passion to help others.
Our sympathies to the family and friends of Jill Evans Petzall, a former SOS member, who passed away October 23. Jill was an award-winning filmmaker and a dedicated philanthropist, particularly to causes serving women and children. Her amazing life is chronicled here. |
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Read All About it!
February Book Discussion
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Tuesday, February 25, 5:30 pm
5 Green Oaks Dr., St. Louis, MO 63132
The Moment of Lift: How Empowering Women Changes the World by Melinda French-Gates
“If you want to lift up humanity, empower women! It is the most comprehensive, pervasive, high-leverage investment you can make in human beings.” - Melinda Gates Moment of Lift is an inspiring book which looks at the gender inequalities around the world through story telling. You’ll read firsthand how empowering women can change the world through the stories of the many women whose lives have changed through philanthropic work in education, healthcare, and funding. It is a compelling read and one that leaves us with the thought: “I want all of us to see ways we can lift women up where we live.”
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Coming in March
Urban League of St. Louis Tour and "Save our Sisters" Presentation
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On March 20, the SOS Education Committee will sponsor a special two-part event that you won’t want to miss! Urban League of St. Louis tour – Founded in 1910, the Urban League of St. Louis is an impactful northside nonprofit serving more than 200,000 individuals through 60+ social and economic programs. These diverse programs include Head Start, financial literacy training, housing programs, food pantry, credit union services, office of violence prevention, and much more. We will tour their 35,000-square-foot center – housed in a former Sears-Roebuck building at 1408 N. Kingshighway – and get a construction update on the arts space being developed in partnership with the Missouri History Museum and local arts organizations.
“Save Our Sisters” presentation by Carol Daniel – Following the Urban League tour, Carol Daniel, award-winning St. Louis journalist, reporter, host, columnist, and author, will regale us with the story of the Save our Sisters Empowering Women program. This program connects women with vital services such as employment support, rental and utility assistance, computer training, and entrepreneurial guidance.
This event will be held from 5-7 p.m. Watch your email for further details, including carpooling options. |
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Were You There?
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From volunteer opportunities to social outings, SOS members enjoyed time together throughout the fall and holiday season. |
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October 17 – SOS members and guests teamed up to spread Halloween cheer and treats at the Room at the Inn’s annual “Trunk or Treat” event. |
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October 24 – Creativity was on display at a volunteer event to make holiday cards for seniors, in support of VOYCE’s “Holiday Cheer” program. |
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October 28 – Members gathered for lunch and conversation at one of SOS’s informal Table Talk events, held at Cooper’s Hawk in Chesterfield. |
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November 9 – A small group of SOS volunteers participated in a work day to prepare the temporary Room at the Inn space, which will be used while they renovate and enlarge their Bridgeton facility. |
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November 15 – The Education Committee hosted the program “A Focus on Senior Loneliness,” with speakers from VOYCE and the St. Louis County Library who are making a difference in the quality of life for older adults. Attendees had the opportunity to experience the library’s virtual reality headsets where seniors can explore new worlds together. |
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November 20 –A Table Talk happy hour was held at Oceano Bistro in Clayton.
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December 6 – SOS Co-founder Susan Block once again welcomed members to her beautiful Chase Park Plaza home for our annual Holiday Coffee. Members enjoyed holiday treats, conversation, and a presentation by representatives from 2024 grantee Fairground Park For All.
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Welcome, New Members
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Since our last newsletter, SOS has welcomed these new members: Sally Cohn Selina Miller Forsyth Andrea Jackson Mary Murawski |
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Follow SOS on Social Media
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