Altrusa International Inc, District Fifteen
REALLY GOOD IDEAS
Orientation - useful information for orientation nights
OUR HERITAGE
Altrusa was 92 years old April 2009 and operates in 13 countries
Because we like to belong to something bigger than ourselves here is a history story in order to understand why the power of the organization is greater than the power of the club and also the individual when it comes to service.
The Altrusa story is a remarkable tale of how a pioneer organization started out to be the first-of-its-kind for businesswomen, took a 180-degree turn, and became the first women's classified service club as well.
A young Dr. Alfred Durham, had set out on a business venture. His idea was to sponsor a national chain of clubs for business and professional women and call it the "Altrusa Institute." The women who would be members would meet and exchange ideas and pay dues to the organization. Dr. Durham would collect a per capita share of all the dues. The idea was novel and the time was right.
It was 1917 and women's organizations of this type did not exist and women were not allowed to joi
n men's civic clubs. The momentum for change was there, however, fueled by the demands of the war.
Businesses across the country were adjusting to labor shortages caused by the military drafts by hiring women to take the absent men's places. For many women, this was the first time they had ever been called on to serve as the primary breadwinners of their families. Dr. Durham chose to start his venture in Nashville, Tenessee.
The first Altrusa club was formed on April 11, 1917. Other clubs followed. In Indianapolis, Dr. Durham met Mamie L. Bass. Mamie herself was captivated by the possibilities at this time afforded women by emerging career opportunities and, even more, by the great potential she saw for women in the future. Mamie infused Altrusa with its inspiring philosophy of service and personal achievement.
At about this same time, Mamie was being familiarized with a club her brother was helping to charter locally, Rotary International of Indianapolis. She was impressed by the organization's aims and objectives. Mamie began to envision a similar club for women. The idea of an organization dedicated to the service of others seemed to her to be the key to helping women unlock their potential and, at the same time, help others and improve their own way of life.
In June 1918, the Altrusa Institute held its first convention in Indianapolis. Forty members represented six clubs. In addition to discussing the problems confronting women in business, the first Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws were adopted.
Mamie L Bass was the first elected president of Altrusa.
Other important issues at this first convention included the adoption in principal of Mamie L. Bass's proposal to make the Altrusa Institute a "classified" service organization. With this, Dr Durham relinquished his connection with the Altrusa Institute. The clubs no longer bore any resemblance to his original idea and he surrendered all rights as an organizer. The original contract was for Dr. Durham to receive $3,750. Altrusa made a final settlement with him in 1925 in the amount of $1,800
The philosophy of Altrusa, expressed in its set of Twelve Principles and in its Statement of Ideals first formulated in 1925, states Altrusa's reason for being and could have been written in 2005, as the following excerpts indicate.
- "The woman in business and professional work needs friends whose interests differ from those which keep her busy during the working day."
- "Self-realization means, first of all, loyalty to one's own ideals, then loyalty to one's friends, to all women, to one's work and to one's country."
- "Talent needs recognition. No matter how great a person's ability may be, it never reaches its most effective level unless it is understood, encouraged, and developed."
- "Each woman needs not only contacts which will aid her, but a chance to give corresponding benefit to others."
- "When individuals form a unit which is so big in its aims that self is forgotten in the common purpose of the group, the next step in the evolution of womankind is accomplished."
Altrusa became international in 1935 when Altrusa organized its first club in Mexico. From that first step over US borders in 1935, Altrusa moved into` Puerto Rico, Chile, Equador, Mexico, India, Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland, Great Britain, Bermuda, Canada, and New Zealand.
In 1946, Altrusa sent its first representative to the United Nations.
In the sixties, Altrusans began to look to youth as the future of Altrusa. In 1966, ASTRA was established. ASTRA service clubs target young women ages 13 to 21 and encourage them in their educations, professions and service to society.
In 1977 Altrusa adopted literacy as on going service, and in 1997 Altrusa Foundation adopted Camp Safe Haven for children with HIV/AIDS.
In 1989, Altrusa adopted a resolution to promote environmental concerns.
Our Mission
Altrusa International provides community service, develops leadership, fosters international understanding and encourages fellowship by an international network of executives and professionals in diversified career classifications.
Our Vision
Altrusa: Leading in Service - Giving the gifts of leadership and service to communities world wide
Where we are today as an international organisation?
Despite issues of international concern, Altrusa is, first and foremost, a community based, grassroots organization that seeks to solve the problems in our back yards. Busy Altrusans raise money for local charities, volunteer at Womens Refuge, we have all manner of literacy projects on the go, and so much more.
Mamie L. Bass put it best, "it is not enough to be good; Altrusans must be good for something."
Service within Altrusa
Right down to grass roots level - us in our clubs and what we do for our communities
Service within the community
Did you know that worldwide together we empowered more than 10,000 volunteer members worldwide, last year we strengthened our communities by committing 1 million volunteer hours to local programs and services to help thousands of people, especially in the areas of literacy, HIV/Aids, healthcare and the environment? What a Great Investment!
Why do we do Projects? What's in it for me?
Altrusans have a special organization to provide a unique opportunity to pool our efforts for the greater good.
- Meets specific needs in the community - speakers - individuals or friends who know of a cause or an organization that is in need.
- Builds fellowship within the club working for a common cause. Have fun while you work. Encourage each other through acts of kindness, support and consideration. If you love what you do and it shows, others will want to be part of this energy
- Identifies Altrusa as an organization which serves the community - this is why you need to advertise or market yourselves so people know who you are
- Provides opportunities for personal growth. Take opportunities offered rather than turn them down then discover and enjoy how you have grown to meet the challenge.. Public speaking
Since we are primarily a service group the 4 ways we assist our communities can be divided into these categories
- Donations
- Education
- Hands ON and
- Literacy
We have and take part in special days for Service
- Altrusa International Foundation, Inc. (Tue, Sep 15, 2009) Grant Applications are due to the International Foundation by September 15, 2009.
- World Literacy Day (Tue, Sep 08, 2009) World Literacy Day is September 8, 2009. .
- World Food Day October 16.
- Make A Difference Day (Sat, Oct 24, 2009) Make A Difference Day is an annual event that Altrusa participates in. This year Make A Difference Day is October 24, 2009.
WHAT DID A FEW CLUBS DO?
Puerto Rico
Total People: 98 Total Hours: 588
Effective Communication Workshop for cancer patients and their care providers was directed by an Altrusan using health care professionals as resources. A total of 98 persons from five neighboring towns participated in the project impacting approximately 300 people.
Akron, Ohio
Total People: 26 Total Hours: 54
Over the summer, Akron Altrusans took advantage of "sales items" at local office supply chains to get as many pencils, pens, crayons, notebooks, packages of notebook paper, rulers, etc. ($.05 per 24-crayon pack or ruler, $0.25 for packages of notebook paper, etc.). 25 large boxes were presented to the principal of the Akron Opportunity Center.
Christchurch, NEW ZEALAND
Total People: 10 Total Hours: 10
Through member and community donations of unwanted books we created a children's library, and extended a Community Library. The children's library is in support of our Grandparents as Parents project, and the Community Centre library is part of a drop-in centre open to everyone in the local community.
Service Awards
And because we like to celebrate our own success we have the Service Awards at Conference
They are:
Mamie L Bass - Service Award - First President - 1917 Recognizes outstanding club achievement in service to the community
International Relations Award International President 1941-45: *Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun, Dallas, Texas, dermatologist- Recognises outstanding club achievement in International Relations
Literacy Award 1977-79: *Letha H. Brown, San Diego, California, corporate secretary, Recognises outstanding club achievement in service to the community through literacy projects
