ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL OF LAKE CITY—DISTRICT
THREE
February 2003
In 1996, Sandy Furches began a tradition of presenting to the incoming Altrusa
president a plaque, which Sandy had received as a gift in 1991 from Barbara
Kuhn, one of the founding members of the Lake City Altrusa Club, who is no
longer with us after losing a valiant battle to cancer. I’ve displayed
the plaque proudly in my office since May of last year, but as my term nears
its end, I almost feel selfish not to share with my Altrusa sisters the very
inspiring words on the plaque. What follows is the message that is
on the plaque, written by Barbara J. Burrow:
That Woman is a
Success…
Who loves life
and lives it to the fullest;
who has discovered and shared
the strengths and talents
that are uniquely her own;
who puts her best into each task
and leaves each situation
better than she found it;
who seeks and finds
that which is beautiful
in all people and all things;
whose heart is full of love
and warm with compassion;
who has found joy in living
and peace within herself.
On February 6th, six new Altrusa members were initiated
– Suzanne Borganelli, Sybil Hunziker, Flo Karsner, Kathy McAllister, Tanya
Shaffer, and Lacrecia Williams. I congratulate and welcome each new
member. To each of you and to the rest of my Altrusa sisters, I wish
that you will always be “a woman of success”.
Lily Johnson
Committee Reports
Communications
Chair, Barbara Thomas
Thomas_b4@firn.edu
On January 30 th Margaret Collins submitted the following six award
applications to the District Three Awards Committee on behalf of Altrusa
International of Lake City:
Cassie S. Dollar Rehabilitative Services District Three Foundation Award
written by Sandy Furches
Lucille Spillers Alexander ASTRA Service Award for the ASTRA Club of Fort
White High School written by Dorothy Spradley
Ernestine Milner Program Excellence District Three Foundation Award written
by Genie Norman and Mary Kay Hollingsworth
Newsletter Award prepared by Cesta Newman and Faye Roberts
Todd Jordan Yearbook Award prepared by Barbara Thomas and Kitty McElhaney
Governor's Outstanding Club Award prepared by Leandra Johnson and Terri Andrews
Thanks to those Altrusans who gave of their time to prepare
the submissions for the Lake City Club. Also, a huge debt of gratitude goes
to Margaret Collins for her efficiency in coordinating the process.
The Communications Committee will meet on Thursday,
February 27, 2003, from 12:00-1:00 at the Technology Center on Duval Street
located just west of the School Board Complex. Please bring your own
lunch. RSVP
Thanks!
To send a message to all club members, contact Kitty McElhaney at mcelhane_k@firn.edu.
Finance
Chair, Bonnie Penner
Penner_b@firn.edu
Membership Development
Chair, Sue Towns
suebmoran@yahoo.com
New Member Info
Lacrecia Williams is Relationship Manager
Commercial Lender with First Federal Savings Bank. She can be reached
at home 719-2636 or the office 755-0600. She is married to Chris.
Kathy McAllister is Community Director with the
March of Dimes. She can be reached at home 623-1505 or the office 755-0507.
She has three children, Donna Darby, Trey and Matthew McAllister.
Tanya Shaffer is a Real Estate Agent with Hallmark
Agency. She can be reached at home 755-5448 or the office 755-6600.
She is married to Ronald, and has three children, Whitney, Hannah, and Marsee.
Suzanne Borganelli is the Office Manager for her
husband, Greg Borganelli's Pediatric Dental practice. She can be reached
at home 752-6065 or the office 752-8200.
Operations
Chair, Genie Norman
genieinfl@earthlink.net
Please refer to your Hospitality Calendar in the July newsletter for dates
and details of upcoming events for the year. The newsletter is available
on line at www.altrusalakecity.org
Service
Chair, Roberta Whitaker
whit@onehop.net
GIRLS SUMMIT: When it rains it pours, but, hold the course.
The summit date is March 15, 2003.
We were informed that the School Board was been given a dispensation for
the recent emergency weather closing of school. That means that Feb.
17, will be an out of school day for students after all.
However, Jaye and I feel that we must continue with our plans for Girls Summit
on March 15. We appreciate those of you who have
been able to commit to March 15, and we understand those who have a conflict.
Several team members have recruited helpers from the community, at large.
Please, if you will assure your contacts that the date for summit remains
March 15 that would be most helpful.
Jaye and I are working diligently to communicate with the students and families.
Your help in spreading the word will be appreciated.
During my contact with the parents and students, one 6th grader reported
that she was so excited to be one of the girls attending the summit.
In her words, "This is big! For me, this is really big!"
Additionally, a parent reported that after attending the summit last year
her 7th grade daughter had much improved self esteem and has begun modeling
classes in Jacksonville, and is the only plus sized model they have.
This mother proudly reports that her daughter plans to attend the summit
March 15.
These comments lift us up. They give us "what-ever it takes" to continue
working toward a successful girls summit.
Thanks for sharing our passion.
Wanda
FUTURE PLANS: International will be planning
an activity in the early spring so remember- if you have not participated
in one of the service projects, this will be another opportunity for you.
News from Governor Sandy
Happy New Year to all District Three Altrusans!
Trusting your club received an ornament from the Conference Committee in
Lake City, Fl and you are busily completing award applications and deciding
who will be your delegates, alternates, and other attendees at our 2003 District
Conference. Conference is for every Altrusan!
May 1-4, 2003 will be here before we know it. You will not be disappointed
in St. Augustine, Florida and need to plan now to be with us for our 50th
Anniversary Conference at the luxurious Casa Monica Hotel in the heart of
the oldest city. Check out the conference information on our DIstrict Three
Web Site www.districtthree.org and stay tuned for additions to that information
as conference draws closer! The District Service Bulletin with conference
registration form is now posted on the web site.
Be sure your club knows that one full registration ($170 before April
10) plus optional Saturday Leadership Lunch ($35) and Sunday Morning Leadership
Breakfast ($20) totaling $225 will be reimbursed for one member per club
in District Three that is in attendance. Be there!
Start saving supplies now for our District Service Project. We will be decorating
cloth hats for children with cancer. Bring those buttons, ribbons, fishing
supplies, and whatever your Altrusa creativity helps you envision on a hat
to bring sunshine into the life of a hurting child.
More to come...
Thank you for being such a great Altrusan,
Governor Sandy
From Lily Johnson
A post which could truly be of benefit.
A corporate attorney sent the following out to the employees in his Company.
I pass it along, for your information.
The next time you order checks have only your initials
(instead of first name) and last name put on them. If someone takes your
check book they will not know if you sign your checks with just your initials
or your first name but your bank will know how you sign your checks.
Put your work phone # on your checks instead of your home phone. If
you have a PO Box uses that instead of your home address. If you do not have
a PO Box uses your work address. Never have your SS# printed on your checks
-- you can add it if it is necessary. But if you have it printed, anyone
can get it. Place the contents of your wallet on a photocopy machine, do
both sides of each license, credit card, etc. You will know what you had
in your wallet and all of the account numbers and phone numbers to call and
cancel. Keep the photocopy in a safe place. I also carry a photocopy
of my passport when I travel either here or abroad.
We've all heard horror stories about fraud that’s
committed on us in stealing a name, address, Social Security number, credit
cards, etc. Unfortunately, I, an attorney, have first hand knowledge
because my wallet was stolen last month. Within a week, the thieves ordered
an expensive monthly cell phone package, applied for a VISA credit
card, had a credit line approved to buy a Gateway computer, received
a PIN number from DMV to change my driving record information
online, and more. But here's some critical information to limit the
damage in case this happens to you or someone you know:
We have been told we should cancel our credit
cards immediately. But the key is having the toll free numbers and your card
numbers handy so you know whom to call. Keep those where you can find them
easily.
File a police report immediately in the jurisdiction
where it was stolen, this proves to credit providers you were diligent,
and is a first step toward an investigation (if there ever is one).
But here's what is perhaps most important: (I never even thought to do this)
Call the three national credit reporting organizations immediately to place
a fraud alert on your name and Social Security number.
I had never heard of doing that until advised by a bank that called
to tell me an application for credit was made over the Internet in my name.
The alert means any company that checks your credit knows your information
was stolen and they have to contact you by phone to authorize new credit.
By the time I was advised to do this, almost two weeks after the theft, all
the damage had been done. There are records of all the credit checks initiated
by the thieves' purchases, none of which I knew about before placing the
alert. Since then, no additional damage has been done, and the thieves threw
my wallet away this weekend (someone turned it in). It seems to have stopped
them in their tracks.
The numbers are:
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian (formerly TRW): 1-888-397-3742 (in AZ call Credit Data Southwest
Inc at 602-528-7285)
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289 (or www.transunion.com)
Social Security Administration (fraud line):
We pass along jokes; we pass along just about
everything. Do think about passing this information along. It could really
help someone you care about.
Tips on Leadership
From Granny Good News
Topic: Change. How are you handling it? (Part 1)
Change is upon us Altrusans.
Change is irritating. Change creates anxiety and anger. Change challenges
and exhilarates. Change sneaks up on us, or it is planned. Changes make us
roll our eyes and snort. No matter how change affects you, one thing is for
sure: So long as there is a breath of life, change is inevitable.
You might not have changed the paint in the living room for the past 10 y
ears, or you might still be wearing the same nightgowns, to the point of
tattered rags, or the same makeup or hairdo that suited you five or 10 years
ago. That proves only that life has not impacted your need to make those
particular changes. If, however, there's a wedding or a birth or some other
significant life event in the offing, more than paint or makeup will be changed
in a heartbeat, or the swipe of your credit card in the store's machine.
Change is a fact of life — every life. Change is necessary if life is to
survive. So important is the continuation of life, change with the changes
in their surroundings in order to live. Viruses and bacteria adapt to the
medicines that would kill them and vigorously return, oftentimes in forms
that were worse than the original one.
Altrusa is a living organism. Its very existence embraces the lives of more
than 1,300 persons in District Three. Those lives spread out in the respective
communities to create new opportunities, hope, and yes, new life among the
recipients of these gifts. Because Altrusa is a living organism, it, too,
must adapt, change, to remain healthy in its ever-changing environment.
Altrusans in District Three have been asked to change the way in which we
approach our membership goals, even the way in which we plan for our future,
because the way we have been conducting our Altrusa life for the past 50
years has not been working. We have enjoyed the illusion of success, but
the numbers do not support that illusion, regardless of how "positive" a
spin we put on it at home.
For instance, you probably have persuaded yourselves in your club that you
don't need to change anything because you "getting new members." You might
very well be acquiring new members, but has your overall membership number
remained about the same? And how many members have you lost in the past 10
years? Dig out those old yearbooks and count the number of members who left
Altrusa to do other things. You will be astonished, if not totally embarrassed,
that you could meet the needs of your community but not the needs of the
40 or 50 women who left you.
Part 2 of Change. How are you handling it? Will deal with some specific changes
facing Altrusa and how you can embrace those changes for the good of Altrusa.
Join us in a continuing leadership discussion. Send
your comments and your questions to grnegdnews@aol.com. We’ll share them
on line. Your thoughts just might inspire some other hard-working chairman
or president who needs a perk me-up to keep going, or a new perspective to
solve a knotty problem.
More “Granny Good News’ ideas for leaders are available
at http://www.districtthree.org. “Granny Good News” is written by District
Three Past Governor Shirley Foor.
Thoughts & Prayers
As our nation goes on terror alert, may we remember those who have been called
to duty to protect our freedoms.
Your Calendar
February 3 Board Meeting
February 6 Business Meeting
Initiation of New Members
February 20 Program Meeting
March 3 Board Meeting
March 6 Business Meeting
March 20 Program Meeting
Announcements
Library Petition
I hope you will join me in "signing" this electronic petition
in support of continuing the State Library. The petition was developed by
the Florida Historical Society.
Please forward this information to anyone who may be interested
in preserving access to Florida's history, genealogy records and libraries.
Here is the web page:
http://www.floridahistory.info/petition/
Thanks,
Faye
Goodie Bags
Pat Vanous is seeking "goodie bag" items for the March
15, 2003 Altrusa Girls Summit.
If any Altrusa sister wishes to donate items, like rulers,
key chains, calendars, etc., Pat is willing to pick them up. Just give
her a call at 755-1134.
We are planning for 60 girls.
Thanks,
Chairs: Wanda Toner & Jaye Smith
Nominating Committee News
The 2003 Nominating Committee will be meeting on Wednesday,
February 12.
Any member who has suggestions regarding the future leadership
of our club, who would like to recommend a member for office, or who would
like to offer to serve, should contact one of the committee members by Wednesday.
American Cancer Society Ball
My Altrusan Sisters,
Tickets are hot off the press..And ready for sale....
Most of you know that Cancer is the number (2) killer in America and around
the World. All American Cancer Society (ACS) income results from donations
made by the public, investment income, and government grants. Of unrestricted
contributions, 60% stays in the division where the funds are raised. These
funds principally support local education and service programs, and to a
lesser degree, administration and fundraising. Each division determines how
funds will be allocated. The funds coming to the ACS are earmarked for the
nationwide research program; medical grants and fellowships; and ACS programs,
administration, and fundraising. Total support from the public during 2001
was $770 million.
Now I am asking for your help to eradicate this dreadful
illness....ACS's Denim & Diamonds Land & Cattle Barons' Ball is April
12, 2003 at the Southern Oaks Golf Club (Lake City County Club). There will
be mouth-watering BBQ, dancing to Highway 7 band, frontier gaming, and live/silent
auctions. All events will begin at 6:30 p.m. and won't end until the cows
come home!
Single tickets to this auspicious event are $45.00 which
is in (4's)...and a table for 8 is $320.00. You can e-mail me or give me
a call (Home: 752-9487 / Cell: 867-0341), and I will get your tickets to
you. Dress, Western attire. Dust off you Stetson...For a fun filled evening.
Again, thanks for your help.
Sincerely,
L. Vivian Ellis
Guest Relations, Committee Chair
Watch for your DSB!
Watch the mail for your District Service Bulletin. The next issue of
the DSB will include the registration for the District Conference to be held
May 1-4 in St. Augustine.
With Lake City as the host club for this very special conference, many of
our members will be attending. Remember that you need to register!
Make Conference Chairs Lorrie and Connie proud by registering early!
Preliminary conference information may be viewed on the District web page
at www.districtthree.org.
International News
Convention Schedule Update
The International Board of Directors, in response to your
requests, has approved a four day schedule for the Pittsburgh Convention.
The new dates for the Pittsburgh Convention will be Saturday, July 19 - Tuesday,
July 22. We want you to be there to share in the Altrusa spirit!
The January, 2003 International Altrusan will contain
Registration Forms along with information and a schedule of events for the
Pittsburgh Convention.
Happy Birthdays
February
18 Mary Kay Hollingsworth
18 Michele
Ward
20 Linda Johns
21 Renee Cobb
March
4 Jaye R Smith
11 Terri Andrews
13 Imogene Connoly Lawrence
16 Sue Brannon
18 Melanie Murray
20 Bonnie Penner
23 Carole Dotson
26 Connie Eadie
30 Rita Dopp
Officers & Directors
View past issues of Club View @ www.altrusalakecity.org
2002-2003
Officers & Board
President
Lily Johnson
PO Box 2812
Lake City,
FL 32056
386-752-5735 lilyj@bellsouth.net
President-Elect Terri Andrews
12814 S. CR 10A
Wellborn,
FL 32094
386-963-3473
andrewst@suwanneevalley.net
Past President
Teresa Morgan
PO Box H
White Springs, FL 32096
386-397-2578 tbyrd@atlantic.net
Treasurer Jenny Scaff
944 San Juan Ave
Lake City, FL 32025
386-961-9842 jenny@scaffs.com
Secretary Anne Carroll
Rt 8 Box 850-4
Lake City, FL 32055
386-719-8878 carroll_a1@firn.edu
Director Connie Scott
Rt 13, Box 528
Lake City, FL 32055
386-755-0660
cf_scott@hotmail.com
Director Jill Adams
6834 NW 44th St
Jennings, FL 32053
386-938-2278 jill.adams@HCAhealthcare.com
1st Vice President Tracy Hawthorne
Rt 15, Box 3098
Lake City, FL 32024
386-755-9063 dogdoc@isgroup.net
2nd Vice President
Robin Hall
Rt 13, Box 331-9
Lake City,
FL 32055
386-719-7001 hallhome@lakecitycc.edu
IMPORTANT REMINDER
We are always glad to have guests at the program meetings. Please remember
to contact Robert Chasteen @ 752-7504 if you are bringing a guest.
He needs an accurate count for food preparation.
TOPIC DISCUSSION ACTION
Call to Order
Altrusa Grace
Pledge of Allegiance
President’s Welcome Presentation of Distinguished Club
Award – President Lily Johnson read a letter from Altrusa International recognizing
our club as one of 26 clubs receiving the Outstanding District Club Award.
Recommendation for Membership – Nancy Nydam was recommended for membership
and her sponsors are Betsy Pottle and Nancy Fields.
Election of Nominating Committee—Faye Roberts, Terri Andrews, Sandy Furches,
Roberta Whitaker, Maureen Lloyd, Barbara Thomas, and Robin Hall. Roberts
and Andrews are Co-Chairs.
New Member Initiation The following
new members were initiated: Sybil Hunziker, Flo Karsner, Tonya Shafer,
Kathy McCallister, Suzanne Borganelli, and Lacrecia Williams.
Special Committee Reports District Three Conference – Lorrie
Wheeler
The Conference schedule and registration will be in this month’s District
Bulletin. Please register as soon as possible to help the committee
know who will attend and which days or sessions you will be attending.
The $3000 in the budget and the $225 District Scholarship will be divided
equally among fully registered members. The registration deadline for
receiving these funs is April 10, 2003. Delegates will be chosen at
the next meeting and there will be five delegates and five alternates.
Everyone is encouraged to attend as much of the Conference as possible.
Treasurer’s Report Jenny Scaff shared that we are in good
financial shape.
Standing Committee Reports Communications – Barbara Thomas
Please use the blank pages in the back of your yearbook to enter information
on new members.
If you are not getting email correspondence, please email Kitty McElhaney
to let her know.
Please let Cesta Newman know if you are not receiving the newsletter.
The committee is exploring the possibility for new software to improve the
system.
The Communication Committee will meet on February 27, 2003 at noon.
Page 24 in the Altrusa notebook will be replaced with the new guidelines
for sponsoring a new member.
Operations – Genie Norman
Hospitality – Libby Rhoden shared that there will be changes in the social
activities. More information will be forthcoming.
Service – Roberta Whitaker
Nurse Nita from Five Points sent pictures of the children receiving their
Christmas gifts.
Bell Ringing – Brandy Alexander shared that Altrusa raised $4234.27 this
year.
Girls Summit – Wanda Toner
The Summit has been rescheduled for March 15, 2003.
50/50 Dorothy Spradley
Announcements Vivian Ellis- The Cattleman’s Ball is April
12, 2003 and she has tickets for anyone interested.
Terri Andrews – The Diabetes Walk is this Saturday, February 15, 2003.
Imogene Connelly’s husband had gall bladder surgery and needs our prayers.
Good News Barbara McGlamery was married in December and
also has a new grandson.
Linda Johns has lost 37 pounds.
Pin Money
Benediction
Adjourn
Respectfully submitted by Anne R. Carroll