Soroptimist International members and their guests gathered for their monthly program-luncheon at the Hilton Glendale on Thursday.
First Vice President Lisa McMurray welcomed the 40 in attendance on the dot of noon. Second Vice President Sandy Doughty led the Pledge of Allegiance followed by Kathryn Van Houten, who gave the Inspiration.
Val Douglas, chairwoman of the board of the local Red Cross Chapter, was introduced by Julie Shermer as a brand new member.
Accompanying Shermer were 98-year-old mom Genevieve Sultenfuss and guest Rosemary Montana.
Past presidents on hand included Lou Rhodes, Margaret Alm and Nancy Kochi. More Soroptimists-Glendale residents were Susan Hunt, Kathy Lefkovits, Lynne Raggio, Suzanne Bangert, Gayle Craig and Liz Mirzaian from Glendale Adventist Medical Center’s Foundation office.
Guest Catherine Yesayan and grandmother-to-be plans to add Soroptimist service to her work as a home decorator-stager. Glendale Unified School District Board President Joylene Wagner was also checking out the organization.
McMurray introduced guest speaker, attorney and mediator Caroline Vincent who spoke on “Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Skills for Women.” The problem-solving skills she discussed were to listen actively, acknowledge and validate, ask open-ended questions and explore options.
The busy Soroptimists have just sent out save-the-date fliers to their 10th annual “Accolades” on March 19.
The event will honor, among others, the “Making a Difference for Women” 2009 awardee.
After the luncheon, some Soroptimists traveled the several blocks to an Open House at the Glendale New-Press-Burbank Leader office.
Star of the day was Director of Editorial Danette Goulet, who is moving to Boston with her family. Those stopping buy to wish Goulet their best included Glendale Unified School District board members Joylene Wagner, Mary Boger and Chuck Sambar.
School District representatives Susan Hunt and Linda Junge also joined their fellow educators in saying farewell to Goulet.
More Glendale residents included former Glendale Mayor “Hizzoner” Larry Zarian, Glendale Healthy Kids Executive Director Camille Levee, Lois Sambar Rosemary Montana, Kimberly and Gary Cornell and inveterate letter-to-the-editor writer Mike Mohill.
Goulet assured her guests, “I will work from Boston until we find the right person [as replacement]. I’m not leaving ‘em high and dry.”
