A GUIDE TO THE PAPERS OF

Geneva Douglas

Collection no. 93-35

Geneva Smith Douglas (1932-1993)

Geneva Smith Douglas was born in Gloucester, Massachusetts, and received her graduate degree in physiology from Mount Holyoke in 1956. From 1956-1959 she worked as a Research Associate at the University of Rochester Atomic Energy Project, studying the metabolism of nuclear fission products. In 1959 she joined the U.S. Public Health Service as a radiation biologist for the Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory (later renamed the Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory) in Las Vegas, Nevada. In her dual role as Public Affairs Director for the U.S. Public Health Service and Public Information Director for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, she acted as a scientific liaison between the nuclear industry and local communities regarding the effects of the nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site. In Geneva's eventual capacity as the Program Operations Manager of the Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, she developed an off­site radiation monitoring program and spent much of her time speaking, advising, conducting tours, and writing informational brochures and fact sheets regarding nuclear testing and community safety.

Although Geneva retired from the Environmental Protection Agency in 1985, she continued to advise the scientific community on matters relating to nuclear safety. She participated in and evaluated full-scale field exercises of the Federal Radiological Emergency Response Plan in Florida (1984) and Illinois (1986) and the VENTEX exercises at the Nevada Test Site (1986-1987). She also acted as a technical liaison and EPA spokesperson following accidental releases of radioactivity from U.S. and Chinese nuclear weapons tests, and advised the emergency response crew during the krypton venting phase of cleanup following the nuclear power plant accident at Three Mile Island. In addition, she prepared and delivered Congressional testimony relating to nuclear testing, radiation exposure, and nuclear waste repositories.

In addition to her busy professional career, Geneva was active at all levels of Soroptimist International, one of the five largest women's service organizations in the world. She was a charter member of Soroptimist International of Greater Las Vegas, and held most club offices, including two terms as club president. In 1980, she was elected to the office of regional governor of the Sierra Nevada Region, which consisted of about 45 clubs in California and Nevada. Between 1982-1984 she served as Environmental Advisor for Soroptimist International of the Americas, a federation of clubs in 20 countries. Geneva attended her first international convention in Istanbul in 1983, as a silent observer, and was appointed member of the Long Range Planning Group for Soroptimist International. Between 1987-1991 she served as the International Programme Liaison and was responsible for coordinating international service programs in the areas of Economic and Social Development, Education,

Environment, Health, Human Rights/Status of Women, and International Goodwill and Understanding. As International Program Liaison, she developed a database of club service activities relating to international programs, helped write and revise Soroptimist statements and positions, and created a roster of Soroptimists with special expertise for consulting purposes.

In 1986, Governor Richard Bryan named Geneva Douglas to chair the newly formed "Governor's Advisory Committee on Volunteerism," whose focus was to discover and coordinate volunteer leadership and activities within the State of Nevada. In just a few months, Geneva had coordinated several workshops on volunteer resources and training, and organized the first statewide Conference on Volunteerism, with representatives from business and service organizations and government agencies.

Geneva also served on the steering committee of the Friends of Nevada between 1986-1987. This coalition of environmental groups functioned to lobby the state against bills which would negatively affect Nevada wilderness areas, and to encourage the state to purchase public lands for statewide protection. In her capacity as chairperson, she helped the group organize and focus their efforts on preparing statements and congressional testimony relating to wilderness preservation.

Scope And Content

The papers of Geneva Douglas were donated to the Department of Special Collections in 1993 by her husband, Richard Douglas. The papers consist of 25 cubic feet of materials dating between 1950 and 1993, with the bulk of materials dating between 1978 and 1990. Document types include organizational records, correspondence, news clippings, photographs, scrapbooks, audio recordings, and memorabilia.

Because Geneva and Richard Douglas spent May through October at their home in Rockport, Maine, and November through April at their home in Las Vegas, the collection contained some duplicate subscriptions, photocopies of correspondence, and Soroptimist reference materials. Unless annotated, duplicate items were discarded. The papers were reboxed into acid-free containers, and materials were removed from binders and placed in acid-free folders.

Materials relating to Geneva's work with the U.S. Public Health Service, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the Nevada Nuclear Waste Study Group consist of two cubic feet of documents dating from 1959 to 1991. A good portion of this material consists of drafts of public information fact sheets, brochures, and press releases written in her capacity as Public Information Officer. Also included among her professional papers are tour notes relating to her work as a Nevada Test Site tour guide, and slideshows she developed and presented to local communities explaining underground nuclear weapons testing and the environmental monitoring program.

The vast majority of materials in this collection relate to Geneva's participation in Soroptimist International between 1976 and 1993. The service group is structured hierarchically, and this structure has been maintained within the collection. Correspondence, committee work, and planning notes are arranged according to organizational level and chronicle Geneva's growing responsibilities within the organization. The arrangement also reflects a chronological pattern: for example, early records document Geneva's local club programs and committees, and later records document her international obligations.

Over 300 color slides relating to Geneva's travels in Hawaii, Australia, and New Zealand in 1987 were extracted and are housed in the department's photographic archives. Geneva's scrapbooks also contain many photographs which, due to accompanying explanatory notes, were kept with the rest of the scrapbook materials. Also included in scrapbooks are poems, music and drama programs, notes, cards, class lists, autographs, and memorabilia. The scrapbooks themselves are in fragile condition and were individually wrapped and boxed.

Records relating to Geneva's participation in other volunteer organizations are also present in the collection. Her responsibilities as chairperson of the Governor's Advisory Committee on Volunteerism are detailed through correspondence, minutes, meeting and planning notes, and workshop and conference programs. Records relating to her position as steering committee member and chairperson of the statewide Friends of Nevada Wilderness organization consist of minutes, correspondence, flyers, steering committee notes, and congressional testimony drafts relating to environmental legislation.

Except for two college scrapbooks, the collection contains very little material of a personal nature. Many fellow Soroptimists became close friends, but their correspondence generally focused on club, rather than personal, matters. Only a few letters from her husband and to her mother and brother exist, and financial records consist of a small number of consultation and travel vouchers.

The papers of Geneva Douglas reveal a woman dedicated to her profession and dedicated, perhaps even more, to women's excellence and achievement. In Geneva's case, this meant personal commitment to a service organization with similar goals and purposes and in this sense, her papers reflect the skills and accomplishments of women around the world.

The papers of Geneva Douglas have been divided into the following series:

Series I:            Professional career

Series II:           Soroptimist International

Subseries 1: Soroptimist International of Greater Las Vegas

Subseries 2: Soroptimist International, Sierra Nevada Region

Subseries 3: Soroptimist International of the Americas

Subseries 4: Soroptimist International

Subseries 5: Soroptimist audio recordings

Series III:            Governor's Advisory Committee on Volunteerism

Series IV:            Friends of Nevada Wilderness

Series V:              Personal Papers

93-35/I/1-51.             Series I. Professional career. 1945-1991. 2 cu. ft.

  This series contains materials relating to Geneva's career as a radiation biologist and information officer for the EPA's Emergency Monitoring Systems Laboratory operated by the Environmental Protection Agency, and as an independent consultant and EPA Expert after her retirement. Her work as a speaker for the Offsite Radiological Safety Program and the Community Monitoring Program and as a tour guide for the Nevada Test Site is documented through slideshows and tour scripts, which are arranged chronologically. Her work as a radiation monitoring advisor is documented through nuclear test emergency response assessments and evaluations. Most of the EPA and Department of Energy fact sheets and news releases were either written or revised by Geneva, and are arranged alphabetically. Also included are articles, statistics, and reference materials on nuclear arms and energy in general, and nuclear waste in-particular. Geneva's participation as a steering committee member of the Nevada Nuclear Waste Study Committee is documented with news releases, meeting minutes, speeches, and testimony detailing her views on the Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Repository.

BOX 1:

I/1               Nuclear history and references

I/2-3            Nevada nuclear history and references

I/4                Speeches and talks: references and background materials.

I/5                The United States Nuclear Weapons Program: A Summary History. 1983.

I/6                Nevada Test Site history and background

I/7                Southwestern Radiological Health Laboratory.

I/8                EPA's Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory history.

I/9                Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, 15th anniversary celebration. 1986.

I/10              EPA fact sheets and public information.

I/11              Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Offsite Radiological Safety Program talks and speeches. 1981-1983.

I/12              Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory. Community Monitoring Program slide show talks at town and community meetings. 1983-1986.

I/13              Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory. Community Monitoring Program and Offsite briefings and handbook.

I/14              Directory of Active Surveillance Networks.

I/15              Test site and monitoring station maps

I/16-17         Preparation of transparencies for CP-1 weather briefings.

I/18              Environmental Monitoring Systems Laboratory, Offsite Emergency Response Capability. 1982.

I/19               Federal Radiological Monitoring and Assessment Program. 1984.

I/20               Comprehensive Emergency Management Plan for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada. 1986.

I/21               American Red Cross, disaster services.

I/22               Announced United States Nuclear Tests. 1945-1991.

I/23               Nuclear testing policies, fact sheets, maps.

I/24               EPA briefings: Test Controller's Advisory Panel .

BOX 2:

I/25               EPA Ventex exercise at Nevada Test Site. 1986.

I/26               EPA Ventex exercise at Nevada Test Site. 1987.

I/27               EPA Zion and Florida exercises. 1984-1988.

I/28               Glasstone, S. Public Safety and Underground Nuclear Detonations. 1971.

I/29               The Containment of Underground Nuclear Explosions. 1989.

I/30               Nevada Test Site, NTS News Bulletin. 1986-1988.

I/31              Consulting, general. 1986-1989.

I/32               Consulting, EPA.

I/33               Consulting, Reeco travel vouchers, purchase orders, contracts. 1986-1991.

I/34                Nevada Test Site tours, information and correspondence.

I/35                Nevada Test Site tour cards and notes.

I/36                Nevada Test Site Field Trip Guidebook. 1984.

I/37                Nevada Test Site tours, 1986-1987.

I/38                Nevada Test Site tour, Soviet delegation. 1987.

I/39                Nevada Test Site tours, 1988-1989.

I/40                Nevada Test Site tours, 1990-1992.

I/41                Nevada Test Site tours, Soroptimist International. 1989, 1991.

I/42                Department of Energy, public relations pamphlets and fact sheets.

I/43                Department of Energy, news releases and fact sheets. 1980-1992.

I/44                Nevada Nuclear Waste Study Committee, Steering Committee. 1988-1992.

I/45                 Nevada Nuclear Waste Study Committee hearing testimony before House Subcommittee on Energy and Environment. 1992.

I/46                 Nevada Nuclear Waste Study Committee citizen's speaker packet.

I/47                 Nuclear waste articles

I/48                 Yucca Mountain Repository

I/49                 Yucca Mountain workshop. 1992.

I/50                 Western Environmental Research Laboratory, annual reports. 1970, 1971.

I/51                 University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Environmental Research Center.

93-35/II.                      Series II: Soroptimist International.                    1957-1993. 20 cu. ft.

Soroptimist International started in 1921 in Oakland, California, and has grown into the world's largest classified service club for women executives in business and professions. "Soroptimist" comes from the words "soro" (sister or woman) and "optima" (best) and can mean either "the best for women," or "women at their best helping others to be their best. " The organization is structured hierarchically, and service programs are established internationally and applied locally. Each club investigates the needs of its community in six major service areas--Economic and Social Development, Education, Environment, Health, Human Rights/Status of Women, and International Goodwill and Understanding--and adopt service projects to help meet these needs.

Most of the business of Soroptimist International takes place at the club level, and club delegates attend a yearly regional conference. Regional delegates are automatically federation board members, and attend biennial federation conferences. There are four federations: Soroptimist International of the Americas, Soroptimist International of Europe, Soroptimist International of Great Britain/ Ireland, and Soroptimist International of the South West Pacific. Quadrennial conventions bring the federations together for reports and planning, which then filter down to the club level.

Document types in this large series consist of the working business of all levels of Soroptimism, from club budgets and activity plans to international statements submitted to United Nations committees. Conferences and conventions are arranged chronologically and these files offer the most comprehensive picture of organizational growth and development. Geneva's correspondence as club president, regional director, environmental advisor, long-range planning group member, and program liaison is arranged chronologically and illustrates the commitment and dedication of Soroptimists throughout the organization.

SOROPTIMIST PLEDGE:

I pledge allegiance to Soroptimism and to the ideals for which it stands:

The Sincerity of Friendship

The Joy of Achievement

The Dignity of Service

The Integrity of Profession

The Love of Country.

I will put forth my greatest effort to promote, uphold, and defend these ideals for a larger fellowship in home, in society, in business--for Country and for God.  

93-35/II/1/1-30. Subseries 1: Soroptimist International of Greater Las Vegas. 1968-1993. 1 cu. ft.

Chartered in 1950 as Soroptimist International of Las Vegas- ­Paradise Valley, in 1976 the group was reorganized and renamed Soroptimist International of Greater Las Vegas. Geneva was a charter member of the new group and held most offices at the club level between 1968-1980, including president from 1976-1978. The club generated local programs corresponding to the service areas determined at the international level. Projects include involvement with the Regina House for Girls, Temporary Assistance for Domestic Crisis, and the Retired Senior Volunteer Program.

Document types in this series include club charters, by-laws, rosters, minutes, installation programs, committee reports and notes, and a small amount of correspondence relating to proposed service projects, workshops, and new members. 

BOX 3:

II/1/1-6             Soroptimist International of Las Vegas-Paradise Valley.

II/1/1                Membership rosters and meeting calendars. 1968-1984.

II/1/2                By-laws and club procedures. 1974-1977.

II/1/3                Adjustment Committee. 1975-1976.

II/1/4                Club business. 1968-1976.

II/1/5                Correspondence and notes. 1968-1969.

II/1/6                Publicity. 1976-1979.

II/1/7-30          Soroptimist International of Greater Las Vegas.

II/1/7                Membership rosters. 1977-1983.

II/1/8                Membership rosters. 1984-1990.

II/1/9                Agendas and meeting minutes. 1985-1988.

II/1/10              Agendas and meeting minutes. 1989-1992.

II/1/11              Budgets. 1985

II/1/12              Correspondence. 1982-1992.

II/1/13               Installations, inductions, and awards. 1976-1993.

II/1/14               Attendance. 1986-1992.

II/1/15               Laws and Resolutions Committee, procedures and standing rules. 1980-1985.

II/1/16               Laws and Resolutions Committee, procedures and standing rules. 1986-1991.

II/1/17               Environment Committee. 1986-1989.

II/1/18              Foundations Committee.

II/1/19              Health Committee.

II/1/20              Human Rights/Status of Women Committee. 1986-1988.

II/1/21              International Goodwill Committee. 1986-1988.

II/1/22              Nominating Committee. 1982-1992.

II/1/23              Workshops and programs. 1983-1992.

II/1/24              Nevada Friendship Force project. 1978-1979.

II/1/25              Seminar on Success Skills project. 1982-1986.

II/1/26              Youth Seminar. 1984-1992.

II/1/27              Spring Leadership Meeting. 1988.

II/1/28               Mentor. 1985-1988.

II/1/29               Mentor. 1988-1990.

II/1/30               Mentor. 1990-1992.

93-35/II/2/1-84.        Subseries 2: Soroptimist International, Sierra Nevada Region. 1976-1993. 3 cu. ft.

In 1976, the Sierra Nevada Region was created with the redistricting of the Southwestern region, creating three districts with a total of 48 clubs throughout Nevada and California. Geneva either chaired or was a member of most committees in the regional organization, and served as Governor of the Region between 1980­1982. During that time, the major projects were revising the handbook, dispelling conflict and discord within and between clubs, conducting workshops at district meetings, and planning the yearly regional conference.

Document types in this series include regional histories, directories and rosters, correspondence between the Governor and individual club members and committee chairs, committee reports, regional reports to the federation board, regional board minutes, and conference planning notes, programs, and reports.

BOX 4:

II/2/1              Rosters. 1976-1983.

II/2/2              Rosters. 1983-1993.

II/2/3              Club rosters.

II/2/4              Regional history. 1981.

II/2/5              Governor's guide. 1981.

II/2/6              Governor's notebook. 1991.

II/2/7              Governor's mailing. 1991.

II/2/8              Governor's mailing. 1992.

II/2/9               Regional Board meetings. 1976-1979.

II/2/10             Regional Board meetings. 1980.

II/2/11-12       Regional Board meetings. 1981.

II/2/13             Regional Board meetings. 1982-1984.

II/2/14             Regional Board meetings. 1986-1992.

II/2/15             District I meeting. 1978.

II/2/16-17       District I meeting. 1979.

II/2/18             District I meetings. 1980-1981.

II/2/19             District I meeting. 1982-1992.

II/2/20             District II meetings. 1978-1984.

II/2/21             District III meetings. 1983-1984.

II/2/22             Budgets and financial statements. 1978-1982.

II/2/23             Governor-Elect travel expenses. 1978-1980.

II/2/24             Vouchers. 1980-1982.

BOX 5:

II/2/25            Regional Handbook, 1976-1980 committees.

II/2/26            Regional Handbook, 1979 Federal by-laws.

II/2/27            Regional Handbook, 1981 revisions.

II/2/28            Regional Handbook, 1986 Federal by-laws.

II/2/29            Regional Handbook [1989].

II/2/30-47       Sierra Nevada Region Committees.

II/2/30             Economic and Social Development Committee. 1980­1982.

II/2/31             Education Committee. 1980-1982.

II/2/32             Environment Committee. 1980-1984.

II/2/33             Health Committee. 1980-1982.

II/2/34             Human Rights/Status of Women Committee. 1978-1982.

II/2/35             Women Helping Women Committee.

II/2/36              International Goodwill and Understanding Committee. 1980-1982.

II/2/37              United Nations Committee. 1980-1982.

II/2/38              Adjustment Committee, Willows Club. 1980-1982.

II/2/39              Adjustment Committee, Willows Club. 1982-1984.

II/2/40              Adjustment Committee, Creative Las Vegans. 1983.

II/2/41              Ad Hoc Committee on Redistricting. 1982.

II/2/42-43         Foundations Committee. 1983-1987.

II/2/44               Growth and Development Committee. 1981.

II/2/45              SOLT (Soroptimist Orientation and Leadership Training) Committee. 1979-1984.

II/2/46               Fellowship Committee. 1979.

II/2/47               Laws and Resolutions Committee. 1979-1984.

II/2/48               Public Affairs Committee. 1977-1982.

II/2/49               Club awards. 1980-1982.

II/2/50               Legislative workshop. 1986.

II/2/51               Legislative workshop. 1987.

II/2/52               Installation programs and speeches. 1980-1985.

II/2/53              Governor's reports. 1980-1982.

II/2/54               Songbooks, quotes, poems.

II/2/55              SWAT (Still Willing and Terrific) team. 1985-1992.

BOX 6:

II/2/56-58        Correspondence. 1977-1982.

II/2/59              Newsletters. 1976-1992.

II/2/60-84         Regional conferences.

II/2/60              Southwestern Regional Conference. 1976.

II/2/61              Sierra Nevada Region 1st regional conference. 1977.

II/2/62              Sierra Nevada Region 2nd regional conference. 1978.

II/2/63-64        Sierra Nevada Region conference notes. 1977-1978.

II/2/65              Sierra Nevada Region 3rd regional conference. 1979.

II/2/66              Sierra Nevada Region 4th regional conference. 1980.

II/2/67-69        Sierra Nevada Region 5th regional conference planning. 1981.

II/2/70              Sierra Nevada Region 5th regional conference. 1981.

II/2/71-73        Sierra Nevada Region 6th regional conference planning. 1982.

II/2/74              Sierra Nevada Region 6th regional conference. 1982.

II/2/75              Sierra Nevada Region 7th regional conference. 1983.

BOX 7:

II/2/76              Sierra Nevada Region 8th regional conference. 1984.

II/2/77              Sierra Nevada Region 9th regional conference. 1985.

II/2/78              Sierra Nevada Region 10th regional conference. 1986.

II/2/79              Sierra Nevada Region 11th regional conference. 1987.

II/2/80              Sierra Nevada Region 12th regional conference. 1988.

II/2/81              Sierra Nevada Region 13th regional conference. 1989.

II/2/82              Sierra Nevada Region 14th regional conference. 1990.

II/2/83              Sierra Nevada Region 15th regional conference. 1991.

II/2/84              Sierra Nevada Region 16th regional conference. 1992.  

93-35/II/3/1-114. Subseries 3: Soroptimist International of the Americas. 1957-1992. 7 cu. ft.

Records in this series reflect Geneva's involvement in two major areas at the federation level of the organization. Between 1983-1985, she co-coordinated the women Helping Women program, which involved judging club nominations of women who excelled in using their resources, talents, and influence to help other women achieve their potential. Detailed biographies, resumes, scrapbooks, and supplementary material relating to these extraordinary leaders are gathered in this series.

Between 1984-1986, Geneva served as Federation Advisor for the Environmental Programme, and materials relating to this position include correspondence with clubs and the Federation Board, as well as background materials relating to water and nuclear issues. Several drafts of Geneva's environmental statement for the federation are included here. The majority of her Reports to the Board, as well as the reports from other Programme Advisors, can be found in the files relating to the biennial conventions and interim meetings, which are chronologically arranged. Other document types in this series include manuals, bylaws, guides for new clubs, rosters, and newsletters.

BOX 7:

II/3/1               Soroptimist Manual. 1957.

II/3/2               Handbook. 1980.

II/3/3               Policy decisions. 1982.

II/3/4               Laws. 1968-1973.

II/3/5               Laws. 1974-1988.

II/3/6               Club guide. 1981.

II/3/7               Club guide. 1981, revised.

II/3/8               Club guide. 1982.

II/3/9               Guide for Better Members for Better Clubs.

II/3/10              Achieving your Potential.

II/3/11-13        Club directories and rosters.

II/3/14              Club listing by region.

II/3/15              Club mailings.

II/3/16              Orientation and information sheets.

BOX 8:

II/3/17              Key to Classifications. 1966.

II/3/18              Classification Guide. 1979.

II/3/19-20        Parliamentary procedures. 1976-1980.

II/3/21              Supplies and gifts.

II/3/22             Forms.

II/3/23             Insurance.

II/3/24-46        Federal Board Meetings. 1974-1992.

II/3/24             23rd Biennial Convention. Portland, 1974.

II/3/25             24th Biennial Convention. Boston, 1976.

II/3/26             25th Biennial Convention. Calgary, 1978.

II/3/27-29       26th Biennial Convention. Denver, 1980.

II/3/30             Federation Board meetings. 1980-1981.

II/3/31-32        Interim Board meeting. 1981.

II/3/33-34        Pre-Convention Board meeting. Long Beach, 1982.

BOX 9:

II/3/35              27th Biennial Convention. Los Angeles, 1982.

II/3/36              Federation Board, regional reports. 1982.

II/3/37              Federation Board meetings. 1982-1983.

II/3/38-39         28th Biennial Convention. Nashville, 1984.

II/3/40              Federation Board meetings. 1985.

II/3/41              Federation Board meetings. 1986.

II/3/42-43        30th Biennial Convention. Toronto, 1988.

II/3/44              31st Biennial Convention. Kyoto, 1990.

II/3/45              Kyoto Task Force for Improvement of Federation.

II/3/46              32nd Biennial Convention. Phoenix, 1992.

II/3/47              Federation Programmes. 1982-1992.

II/3/48-49        Federation Advisor: Environment. 1982-1985.

II/3/50              Environment: Concern, Inc.

II/3/51              Environment and UN programs.

BOX 10:

II/3/52              Environment: water issues.

II/3/53-55        Environment: nuclear issues.

II/3/56              Nominations. 1983-1986.

II/3/57              Legislative Workshop.

II/3/58              The Soroptimist. 1967-1970.

II/3/59              The Soroptimist. 1971-1972.

II/3/60              The Soroptimist. 1973-1974.

II/3/61              The Soroptimist. 1975-1976.

II/3/62              The Soroptimist. 1977-1978.

II/3/63              The Soroptimist. 1979-1980.

II/3/64              The Soroptimist. 1981-1982.

II/3/65              The Soroptimist. 1983-1984.

II/3/66              The Soroptimist. 1985-1986.

II/3/67              The Soroptimist. 1987-1988.

II/3/68              The Soroptimist. 1989-1992.

II/3/69              The Connection. 1984-1988.

BOX 11:

II/3/70              Women Helping Women, correspondence and background. 1981.

II/3/71-74         Nominations. 1981.

II/3/75              WHW correspondence and background. 1982.

II/3/76-84         Nominations. 1982.

II/3/85              WHW correspondence and background. 1983.

BOX 12:

II/3/86-97        Nominations. 1983.

II/3/98              WHW correspondence and background. 1984.

II/3/99-100       Nominations. 1984.

BOX 13:

II/3/101-110      Nominations. 1984.

II/3/111-112      Nominations. 1985.

II/3/113             Nominations. 1986.

II/3/114            WHW judging and other projects. 1982-1986.  

93-35/II/4/1-119.      Subseries 4: Soroptimist International. 1978­1992. 8.25 cu. ft.

This series contains materials relating to the international structure and planning of the Soroptimist organization. Geneva attended most of the International Board meetings, held each quadrennium, as well as yearly interim meetings. Included in this section are the minutes, reports, records of decisions, and resolutions created at the international level and reflecting the growth and changing focus of Soroptimist International.

As a member of the Long-Range Planning Group between 1982­1987, Geneva worked to develop a plan for increasing communication and efficiency at the club, regional, federation, and international level; for promoting internationally adopted programs locally; and for organizational growth through outreach activities. Documents relating to Geneva's position as a member of the Long-Range Planning group include surveys, correspondence, and draft reports to the international board.

The majority of materials in this series consists of documents relating to Geneva's position as International Program Liaison between 1987-1991. In this capacity, she was responsible for organizing and linking activities relating to the six major service areas established by the international board, with the assistance of six international program coordinators. Extensive correspondence between program coordinators and the international board members document her efforts. Geneva also developed a database consisting of individual club programs relating to the service areas, and included in this series are club reports detailing specific local programs in the areas of Economic and Social Development, Education, Environment, Health, Human Rights/Status of Women, and International Goodwill and Understanding.

In her capacity as Programme Liaison, Geneva was also responsible for coordinating the creation of new and revised Soroptimist statements, whose purpose was not only to define the organization's position for individual club direction, but to advocate political change, especially through the United Nations. Several drafts of each statement, as well as UN representatives' reports, are collected in this series.

Other document types collected in this series include federation and international directories and newsletters, materials relating to United Nations programs, many of which were adopted by

Soroptimist International, and general reference materials relating to women's status in the world.

BOX 14:

II/4/1                Great Britain/Ireland Federation Directories. 1978­1985.

II/4/2                European Federation Directories. 1981-1991.

II/4/3                South Western Pacific Directories. 1981, 1992.

II/4/4                Supplement A, International Directories. 1982-1992.

II/4/5                Terms of Reference & Constitution. 1985-1991.

II/4/6                11th Quadrennial Convention, Honolulu. 1979.

II/4/7                International Board meeting, San Diego. 1980.

II/4/8                International Board meeting, West Indies. 1981.

II/4/9                International Board meeting, Scotland. 1982.

II/4/10              Record of Decisions. 1982.

II/4/11              12th Quadrennial Convention, Istanbul. 1983.

II/4/12-13            International Board meeting, Istanbul. 1983.

II/4/14              Revisions to Record of Decisions. 1983.

II/4/15              International Board meeting, Cambridge. 1984.

II/4/16              International Board meeting, Cambridge. 1986.

II/4/17              Record of Decisions. 1986.

II/4/18              13th Quadrennial Convention, Melbourne. 1987.

II/4/19-20           International Board meeting position papers. Melbourne. 1987.

BOX 15:

II/4/21              Convention workshops. 1987.

II/4/22              Record of Decisions. 1987.

II/4/23              Programme annual reports. 1988.

II/4/24-25        International Board meeting, Cambridge. 1988.

II/4/26-28        International Board meeting, Sacramento. 1989.

II/4/29-32        International Board meeting, Cambridge. 1990.

II/4/33              14th Quadrennial Convention, Nottingham. 1991.

II/4/34-37         International Board meeting, Nottingham. 1991.

BOX 16:

II/4/38              Long-Range Planning Group. 1982-1984.

II/4/39-40        Long-Range Planning Group. 1985-1986.

II/4/41              Planning Group draft reports and comments. 1986.

II/4/42              Planning Group draft reports and comments. 1986­1987.

II/4/43              Planning Effective Programs. 1979.

II/4/44              Programme Liaison correspondence. 1987.

II/4/45              Programme Liaison correspondence. 1988.

II/4/46-47         Programme Liaison correspondence. 1989.

II/4/48-50         Programme Liaison correspondence. 1990.

II/4/51-52         Programme Liaison correspondence. 1991.

II/4/53              Programme Liaison correspondence. 1992.

II/4/54              Programme Liaison expenses and vouchers. 1986-1989.

II/4/55              Programme Liaison expenses and vouchers. 1990-1992.

II/4/56              Referrals and charge. 1988-1989.

II/4/57              Where We Stand. 1986.

II/4/58              Programme statement guidelines. 1989-1991.

II/4/59              Programme-related statements. 1987-1988.

II/4/60              Programme-related statements. 1989.

II/4/61              Programme-related statements. 1990.

II/4/62              Comments on 1990 statements.

II/4/63              Programme-related statements. 1991.

II/4/64              Programme Focus reports. 1989.

II/4/65              Programme Focus reports. 1990-1991.

II/4/66-67         Programme Focus reports. 1992.

II/4/68              Programme Focus reports. 1993.

II/4/69              Programme Focus correspondence & database updates. 1986-1989.

II/4/70              Programme Focus correspondence & database updates. 1990-1991.

II/4/71-72        Programme Focus correspondence & database updates. 1992-1993.

II/4/73              Programme Liaison reports to Board. 1990.

II/4/74              Experts Roster. 1986-1989.

II/4/75              Forward Looking Strategies. 1985.

BOX 17:

II/4/76              Ad Hoc Committee to Study SI/UN Relationships. 1987­1988.

II/4/77              SI/UN Training Action Group. 1988-1989.

II/4/78              Information sheets on work with UN. 1990.

II/4/79              UN statements submitted or signed by Soroptimist International. 1984-1991.

II/4/80              UN correspondence and reports. 1988-1990.

II/4/81-82         UN representatives' reports. 1989-1992.

BOX 18:

II/4/83              Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women. 1987-1988.

II/4/84              International Women's Rights Action Watch.

II/4/85              Human Rights/Status of Women resources and references.

II/4/86              UN Decade for Women.

II/4/87-88         UN Environmental Programme. 1981-1991.

II/4/89              Environment, energy, and development pamphlets.

II/4/90              Women and environment.

II/4/91              Global Assembly of Women and Environment. Senegal project.

II/4/92              UN/Non-Governmental Organization Conference on Environment and Development. 1989.

II/4/93              UNICEF programs.

II/4/94              UN Convention on the Rights of the child. 1989.

II/4/95              UNESCO programs.

II/4/96              World Health Organization programs.

II/4/97              UN High Commission for Refugees.

II/4/98              World Population Plan of Action. 1988.

II/4/99              World Association for Orphans and Abandoned Children. 1988.

II/4/100            JUNIC- Women and Shelter. 1986.

II/4/101            UN Development fund for Women.

II/4/102            UN general pamphlets.

BOX 19:

II/4/103            UN Non-Governmental Organizations.

II/4/104            SI international programmes. 1979-1990.

II/4/105            SI international projects (historical).

II/4/106-109     Speeches and ceremonies. 1973-1989.

1I/4/110            International Soroptimist. 1979-1986.

II/4/111            International Soroptimist. 1987-1992.

II/4/112            International Soroptimist correspondence. 1987-1992.

II/4/113            Soroptimist World Span. 1985-1991.

II/4/114            SI/Europe newsletters. 1987-1988.

II/4/115            SI/Europe newsletters. 1989.

II/4/116            SI/Europe newsletters. 1990-1991.

II/4/117            SI/South West Pacific newsletters. 1986-1991.

II/4/118            SI/Great Britain and Ireland newsletters. 1984-1988.

II/4/119            SI/Great Britain and Ireland newsletters. 1989-1991.

93-35/II/5/1-58. Subseries 5: Soroptimist Audio Recordings. 1980­1988.     .75 cu. ft.

Included in this series are cassette tapes of conference and convention programs, committee discussions, workshops and training sessions, speeches, and awards presentations. The "This is Your Life" tapes consist of memories of friends and family used in a surprise party celebrating Geneva's installation as Governor of the Sierra Nevada region in 1981.

BOX 20:

II/5/1-6            Sierra Nevada Region 4th Regional Conference, 1980.

II/5/7-14            Sierra Nevada Region 5th Regional Conference, 1981.

II/5/15              Sierra Nevada Regional Board, undated.

II/5/16-21            "This is your life" party for Governor Geneva, 1981.

BOX  21:

II/5/22-35            SI/A 26th Biennial Convention. Denver, 1980.

II/5/36-37            SI/A 27th Biennial Convention. Los Angeles, 1982.

II/5/38-40            SI/A 28th Biennial Convention. Nashville, 1984.

BOX 22:

II/5/41-49            SI International Board Meeting. Melbourne, 1987.

II/5/50              SI Presidential Address. Marilynn Hofstetter, 1988.

II/5/51              Introduction of 1988/1990 President-Elect. 1988.

II/5/52              Women Helping Women, Korea. Side 2: Environmental Workshop, Joyce Blake.

II/5/53              Governors' Meeting, IGU/Venture.

II/5/54              Bridget Page, Index 18.

II/5/55              Crisis Committee, 1980.

II/5/56              Beyond War: A Business Woman's Perspective.

II/5/57              Five Stories: Women and Environmental Health.

II/5/58              Songs for Soroptimists.  

93-35/III/1-9.     Series III.    Governors Advisory Commission on Volunteerism. 1986-1989. .25 cu. ft.

In 1986 Governor Richard Bryan established the Governor's Advisory Committee on Volunteerism and named Geneva chairperson. The goals of the committee were to assist the Nevada Office of Volunteerism in organizing a state coalition of leadership of volunteer service organizations, to set up an information clearinghouse on volunteer activities, and to assess the status of volunteer training and activities throughout the state. In 1987, the group held the first statewide Conference on Volunteerism, attended by over 150 business and service organizations and representatives from 45 local, state, and federal agencies. Document types included in this series consist of Advisory Committee minutes, correspondence, legislative analysis, and planning notes for the Nevada Volunteer Leadership Conference.

BOX 23:

III/1                 Advisory Committee meeting minutes and notes. 1986­1989.

III/2                 Correspondence, Nevada Office of Volunteerism. 1986­1989.

III/3                 Budgets. 1986-1987.

III/4                 Resource people.

III/5                 Legislation relating to volunteerism.

III/6                 Travel vouchers. 1987.

III/7                 Volunteer planning pamphlets.

III/8-9              Nevada Volunteer Leadership Conference. 1987.

93-35/IV/1-8. Series IV. Friends of Nevada Wilderness. 1985-1990. .25 cu. ft.  

Members of this grassroots coalition seeking to preserve Nevada wilderness areas include Kiwanis, Soroptimists, Citizen Alert, Wild Horse Protection Association, Audubon Society, Sierra Club, and the Nevada Native Plant Society, among others. Documents include steering committee minutes, correspondence, clippings, reference materials, and transcripts of testimony before the Subcommittee on Public Lands and National Parks in 1985.

BOX 23:

IV/1-2              Steering committee minutes, planning notes, and correspondence. 1985.

IV/3-4              Steering committee minutes, planning notes, and correspondence. 1986-1989.

IV/5                 Clippings and articles. 1985-1987.

IV/6                 FNW newsletters. 1986-1990.

IV/7                 </