Ambassador - March 2010 This is an abbreviated version of the printed Ambassador distributed each month.

Dear Altrusans—

 

The question for the month of February has been, “Are we meeting today?”

Mercifully as we exit February, perhaps it will go down on record as one of the

snowiest months in Indiana history. Our attendance at meetings may be

somewhat lower for the month because many people found themselves either

snowbound or unwilling to risk getting out in bad weather. Although March can

be brutal, I am eagerly looking forward to the warmth that usually comes later in

the month with the arrival of spring.

 

As I write this message for the month, I also realize that my time as your president is quickly winding down. My fourth and final quarter, however, is also a busy one for us in the Club. The arrival of spring brings with it some of the usual exciting and fun programs including: Add an Altrusan Day; the Essay Contest; and Senior Recognition. The Service Committee program should also give us an opportunity to reflect on many of the good things (people and programs) that we impact in the community. Please keep in mind that it is not too early to start thinking about the end of the year summary of your committee work. You will soon be asked to submit your committee reports for the year.

 

The time for District Six Conference is also quickly approaching. This year we are called to conference along the Mississippi River in Quincy, IL. The conference is scheduled from April 16-18, 2010; and, if you have not attended a conference, I encourage you to do so. If you are interested in being either a delegate or an alternate, let Sandi Hoover know as soon as possible.

 

March 8th is International Women’s Day 2010. The push for women’s rights is not only a US movement; it has always been an international movement. On September 19, 1893, New Zealand became the first country in the world to give women the right to vote. Our 19th Amendment to the US Constitution did not take effect until August 26, 1920. This made the US the 27th country to allow universal suffrage. If at all possible, plan to celebrate, observe, or recognize International Women’s Day this year.

 

This month, I was guided by the first Principle of Altrusa, “Altrusa is a builder of women.” It is women like you who are laying the foundation for the women of tomorrow.     June

 

Making plans, looking at committees…Our Future is in your hands!

 

Altrusans—Behind-the-scenes preparations are being made to set the calendar for next year—program suggestions are welcome--contact me, Sandi Hoover. I will soon be making phone calls asking co-chairs if they will move up to a chairman position for their respective

committee; and, I am hoping, for the continuity of our club, that all co-chairs will graciously agree to do so.

 

It’s never too early to be thinking about your choices and levels of participation in next year’s club activities. The strength of our club lies with diverse members who lead our activities and participate in the variety of club activities that we embrace, so please start thinking about your choices…where do you want to give your time to committee work and make a difference in the lives of others through Altrusa. You are our supporting cast!

 

Look for sign up sheets for committees near the end of March!

 

The word “Service” describes all the members of the Service Committee, Sensible, Enthusiastic, Resourceful, Versatile, Innovative, Concern for others and Energetic. These Altrusan's bring a variety of attributes to our committee that enabled us to carry out the following service projects: The Guardian Scholars Orientation and pizza party, topped off with brownies and 12 freshmen were given back packs filled with all kinds of school supplies and a bulletin board. In December we purchased gloves hats, totes, snacks, First Aid Kits, etc. for 24 Guardian Scholars. Also, we will provide goodie boxes during finals week in May for all Guardian Scholars.

 

October 8, 2009 during our committee meeting, Patrick Rivest, executive director of First Choice for Women came and talked to our committee on the Parent Care Program. $1000 was transferred from the Wayside Mission Funds to the Parent Care Program to purchase diapers and other baby supplies needed.

 

October 21, 2009 we prepared 150 sack lunches for the Harvest Soup Kitchen and we plan to prepare another 150 sack lunches in the spring. Garnet Wince founder of Harvest Soup Kitchen and Sandi Hoover, board liaison to BRRR, assisted our committee.

 

November 9, 2009 a home-cooked dinner was provided for the women of A Better Way; and, we assisted the ladies with a craft. June taught a class on “Skillet Meals” and gave each lady recipes to take with them. Each lady was given a slightly used purse and several non- hotel toiletries. Another dinner will be provided in the spring.

 

December 10th, the Service Committee with the help of the Information Committee, bagged 160 bags of toilette items. These items were collected from Altrusans through the summer and fall and were donated to clients of Wayside Mission, A Better Way, Christian Ministries, YWCA and Bridges. Two large bags of items were donated to Take Five Community Outreach. We encourage you to continue to collect for our committee!

 

The scholarship application was revised over the summer and $1000 scholarships were awarded to four women and a $500 scholarship to one woman. All were nontraditional students. Wayside Mission was given purses and billfolds for the ladies living in the home. We will be working with them later this year. YWCA, at the present time is working on a hands-on project for our committee and details are not

finalized. We do know that we will be helping them with renovation of a room to use for donated clothing, etc. for the homeless being housed at the YWCA. We have been investigating needs for Beds and Britches and an Abstinence Education Program, which is an educational curriculum for Delaware County Students. The Program comes under First Choice for Women. It is a one week class and is present in 14 different schools.

 

We hope the brief updates at each business meeting and articles in the Ambassador have kept membership abreast to the Service Committee’s progress throughout the year. In February we gained a new member from the Information Committee, Lavone Whitmer. It has been a privilege to chair the Service Committee, amazing how well we all work together and enjoy ourselves while making a difference providing community service. We welcome all members of Altrusa to join in with us on our projects; it is a

rewarding experience to be able to give back to our community and each of us gains from those we help.

Jane White, chair