MARY BALDASANO / PVT Pictured here are the new Soroptomists administration. From left are new President Claudette Crooks; Jennifer Wade is new president-elect; Janet Libara, secretary; Mary Balloqui, treasurer; Stephanie Statello, assistant treasurer; Joyce Schnelzer, historian and district delegate; and Claudia Knight, district delegate at far right. Departing Soroptomist President Willi Baer will stand behind the new officers. Advertisement

The Pahrump Valley Chapter of Soroptomists International held its first change of command induction of new officers June 3.

The ceremony was held at the Charleston Peak RV Park as part of the monthly meeting.

The chapter began in March 2005 when Willi Baer and Tonya Brum got together with a few friends to talk about creating a chapter of Soroptomists International in Pahrump. They never dreamed it would become so successful.

Now the time had come for an emotional Baer to turn the gavel over to new President Claudette Crooks, owner of CC's Beauty Zone. Baer was presented with a small gratuity in appreciation of her hard work and stick-to-itiveness.

Crooks said she is "very excited about my term in office as president. I hope to get everyone energized and develop possibly two signature fund raising events. I'm looking forward to the strategic planning meeting in July to update and plan for this year's events. I'm hoping to get a lot of good ideas from our Soropto-sisters.

Crooks long list of "duties" to perform based on the position description defined by Soroptomists International headquarters includes representing the club to the community, leadership, wisdom, patience (a lot), understanding, common sense (rare but useful), and meet the needs and acquire the knowledge of region, federation and international aims, just to name a few.

The position of president-elect now held by Jennifer Wade means that at the next induction, she will automatically become president. For now, she will act as president during the absence of the elected president. She will also be responsible for program planning, which will have great impact on the club.

Mary Balloqui and Stephanie Statello will have the biggest responsibilities of receiving, dispersing, and accounting for the club's funds.

Balloqui said, "I plan to work closely with my Assistant Treasurer Stephanie by sharing monthly duties, providing a printed breakdown at the monthly business meeting, as well as giving a verbal presentation at the general meeting. I also plan to expand the budget to include more detail of planned expenditures. The information will be accumulated by working with the historian on periodic reports."

The remaining meeting business items included the beginning planning of the annual Shadow Your Future event that takes place in October and Women's Expo, no date set as of this writing.

At the annual organizational regional meeting, SIPV won six awards for membership efforts, the Shadow Your Future event, working with other organizations (No to Abuse) for the betterment of women in the local community, and more.

Would you like to support your community by helping those women who are in troubled times, if so, come join the Soroptomists -- an organization of women for women and by women, doing what's "best for women."

Contact Tonya Brum at 775-209-3896.