What is a Venture Club?

The History of Venture
The concept for Venture clubs was born in 1926. Several "youth groups" were formed until 1934, when Soroptimist International of the Americas decided to sponsor the youth organization and named it Venture.

Who is Eligible to Join Venture Clubs of the Americas?
Membership is by invitaiton only. Members for new Venture clubs are invited to membership by the sponsoring Soroptimist club. Thereafter, the established club invites new members. Membership is limited to women who are employed and have not yet reached their 40th birthday.

Benefits of Membership In Venture
Venture porvides young women with the opportunity to:

• develop leadership ability
• become aware of and actively involved in community affairs
• build frinedships with women of similar interests, ages and goals
• associate and work with Soroptimists who are professional and executive business women in the community

Objective of Venture Clubs
Venture clubs operate with certain goals in mind. Venture clubs:

• encourage young women in business to maintain high ethical standards in accordance with the ideals of the Venture and Soroptimist organizations
• broaden the outlook and the spirit of understanding among the Venturists through programs concerning the governmental, economic, social and cultural life of other countries
• make Venture a factor in community betterment through service.

What Do Venture Clubs Do?
Venture clubs take an active role in their communities. Club activities include:

• assessing the needs of a community and developing programs to meet those needs
• organizing public awareness campaigns that improve the quality of life in the community
• working for change at local, national and international levels to improve the quality of life
• recognizing and encouraging the ahievements of women
• initiating fund-raising activities to support service endeavors

Venture clubs participate in awarding the following:

• Student Aid Award: This award, given in the form of a cash grant, is intended for students with physical disabilities in need of further education. Applicants for this award are between 15 and 35 years of ages. The Student Aid Award is presented on a local, regional, and national level

• Mae Carvell Award: Venture is dedicated to advancing the status of women so they can assume leadership roles in industry, government, business and community service. Whit this goal in mind, Venture established the Mae Carvell Award, in honor of the woman who was instrumental in forming the first Venture youth group in 1927.

  Annual Mae Carvell Awards may be given to women and men who have been influential in:

  • contributing to the advancement of women's status in society
  • advancing the equal rights of women in education and employment
  • removing economic and professional barriers that hinder women.

  For more information, or to request information on becoming a member, use our contact form.