Soroptimist International of Arbutus held it's charter dinner on September 22, 1965 with 20 charter members. As part of an international organization of business and professional women, our club provides a practical means of participating in community service. We try to make a difference through volunteerism locally and throughout the world, promoting high standards in business and professional life, advancing the status of women, promoting friendship, international understanding, goodwill and peace. Our club promotes the Soroptimist objectives through several annual programs and projects. Among these is the Women's Opportunity Award. Each year, Soroptimist clubs in 19 countries and territories assist women in overcoming personal difficulties and improving their lives through education and skills training. The women, who provide the primary source of financial support for heir families, may use the cash award to offset any costs associated with their efforts to attain higher education, including books, childcare and transportation. Our club participates in the Violet Richardson award which recognizes a girl from 14 to 17 years old who is an active volunteer. The Club also sponsors a Youth Citizenship Award honoring an outstanding high school Junior or Senior, who is active in community service. Our signature local project is is "Comfort Caps" in which we provide turbans and bandanas to a local oncology center to be given free of charge to women experienced hair loss due to cancer treatment. Additionally we provide financial support to local charities and events including the Good Shepherd Center, Friends of the Library and more. We participate in National and International programs each year. The Quadrennial project of Soroptimist International is Project Independence: Women Survivors of War. This project supports women survivors of war in Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Rwanda.