September Newsletter

ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL OF LAKE CITYóDISTRICT THREE
Club View

September 2002

LILY JOHNSON, PRESIDENT COEDITORS: CESTA NEWMAN CESTANEWMAN@MIX943.COM
FAYE ROBERTS ROBERTS4@ISGROUP.NET

President's Message

The days are beginning to seem to get shorter as summer ends and fall approaches. But, the Altrusa spirit that I see in each one of you continues to last endlessly.

The Gala is just a month away. Everyone is working hard to make this the best Gala ever. Now that you have your tickets, please sell them quickly. Donít wait until the last minute to sell them. Itís better to sell out and let people have to ìwait until next yearî, than having to scramble at the last minute to sell the tickets, or worse yet, not sell all the tickets. Remember that ticket sales are a large portion of our revenue. The Service Committee did an excellent job in selecting the eight recipients of the Gala funds (which were unanimously approved by our Club) and we have to be sure to raise enough money to adequately meet their needs. The Gala has been for many years the ìsocial eventî of the fall in Lake City and we need to continue with the tradition of making it a fun and memorable party while raising funds for the needy.

Although May of 2003 may seem a long time away, please start thinking about attending the District Conference to be held in St. Augustine. Lorrie Wheeler and Connie Scott are doing an excellent job chairing the Conference, but we need everyoneís participation. We are far enough now for everyone to make arrangements at their jobs and with their families.

Keep up the Altrusa spirit!

Lily Johhnson

Committee Reports

Communications

Chair, Barbara Thomas
Thomas_b4@firn.edu
The scrapbook provides an informative pictorial of Altrusa of Lake City. A comprehensive documentary is possible with the help of all members. Pages of a scrapbook that contain a variety of memorabilia is much more interesting and diverse in presentation. It also gives a better overall appreciation and understanding of the events. Photos, clippings, mementos, programs, handouts, favors, etc. should be sent to Linda Johns, Barbara Thomas, or any Communications Committee member.
The updated Yearbook pages will be ready for distribution at the October Business Meeting.
The member responsible for getting information out by email is Kitty McElhaney at mcelhane_k@firn.edu

Finance

Chair, Bonnie Penner
Penner_b@firn.edu
The Finance Committee has been working to come up with fundraising ideas. We will be scheduling a meeting in September to finalize our plans. Be on the lookout for 50/50 bucket. Remember you can purchase 1 ticket for $1 or 10 tickets for $5.

Membership Development

Chair, Sue Towns
suebmoran@yahoo.com
    Please remember the current absenteeism policy. If you are going to be absent a total of 3 or more consecutive meetings please contact Roxanne Maxson at rmaxson@cnbnb.com If a member is absent from 3 consecutive meetings without having given notice, absentee response notice will be sent to the member by the committee with a cc sent to the president.
    New Member Orientation
There will be an orientation for new members Tuesday, Sept 17 at 6:30 pm at the home of Judy Spring. All new members are encouraged to attend. Learn all about your club and make new friends. Laugh and learn at the same time. Call Judy at 752-9569 Directions to follow:
   Take Hwy 90 to Lake City Country Club Rd. Right on Egret. Left on Harris Lake Drive. Left on Frontier Drive. Look for the 3rd circle drive on your left ? balloons out front!
An informed membership is so important to the success of Altrusa. If you have not heard, Altrusa delegates at the International Convention in Dallas, July, 2001, voted to eliminate the membership category of "Active-Retired." For that reason our local club bylaws are automatically changed to reflect that fact. Retired members are still experts in their field of former employment and still very valued members actively involved in the service of the club. It is suggested that local clubs keep track of their classification by adding the word "retired" after their former classification. For example, our Charter President Faye Bowling-Warren recently retired. Her classification now would read: Government/Executive, retired.

Do you know the current membership categories?
They are:

Active - Recognized leaders of good character who subscribe to the principles and purposes of Altrusa and meet one of four criteria outlined in our club by-laws.
Emeritus - Active members no longer able to actively contribute due to health or other restrictions. They must have been an Altrusan for at least 10 years and the Club and District Boards of Directors must approve this honor being bestowed upon them.
Honorary - Any woman who has achieved distinction through notable service. Honorary members are not members or former members of Altrusa.

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. www.altrusalakecity.org

Mark your calendars ? The December meetings will be reversed. The Program Meeting will be held the 1st Thursday, December 5. Gala founds will be presented to the recipients at this meeting. The Business Meeting will be held the third Thursday ? December 19.

Service

Chair, Roberta Whitaker
whit@onehop.net
SERVICE COMMITTEE: The following recipients of the 2002 Gala Funds were approved

CARC - Advocates for Citizens with Disabilities - $3,000
Columbia County Senior Services - $5,000
Friends of the Library - $2,500
Habitat for Humanity - $10,000
Happy House - $5,000
North Florida PAWS - $2,000
Students in Free Enterprise (SIFE) - $1,000
Take Stock inChildren - $3,100
Lake City Community College Scholarships - $1,000

Thanks to all the committee members who took this job very seriously to make this recommendation.

GIRLS SUMMITT: Wanda Toner and Jaye Smith are actively making plans for this one-day event to be held on Monday. Feb. 17th. They will need a lot of volunteers. Please contact them to donate your time and talents.
LITERACY: Donít forget to bring your paper back books and/or childrenís books to next several meetings. Or call Beverly Dillashaw. These will be used for Make A Difference Day on Oct. 26th.

GALA COMMITTEE

Chair,Gigi Register
gregister@cnbnb.com
Committee members please note the following important meeting dates:

Thursday September 12 Noon @ Chasteens' Downtown
Thursday September 26 Noon @ Chasteen's Downtown
Thursday October 10 Noon @ Chasteen's Downtown SALES DEADLINE!!

ALL Altrusans: Just a reminder to please sell your tickets as soon as possible! This is a critical part of our Gala success.

AUCTION COMMITTEE

Auction off your goods and services!     Hereís your opportunity to promote your businesses (and those of your friends, families and employers) at the Silent Auction at the 2002 Charity Gala.
    While providing auction items is voluntary, itís an ideal way to showcase your goods and services. Gift certificates for services are always popular auction items. Sports items, jewelry, art, theme baskets, timesharesóany of these items can be donated to help raise money to support local charities.
    If you have an unused gift that ìjust isnít you,î this can make a lovely auction item, too.
    A member of the Auction Committee will be glad to help you plan a donation. Expect a call soon. Canít wait to make a contribution? Email Auction Chair Debby Freeman at ccssdirector@aol.com.


News from Our Governor
Welcome two new Altrusa clubs! Mason County, Washington chartered on June 2 in Olympia, Washington and Garland, Texas chartered September 13. Our Altrusa sisterhood grows! Sympathies to the family of our Past Governor (1968-1970) Myrtice H. Price of Savannah, Georgia who suffered head injury from a recent fall. She died later the same day. Please access her obituary on the District Three web site www.districtthree.org and note the prominent mention of her Altrusa involvement. Fortunately, she had been interviewed recently and her legacy will be included in our District Three History to be distributed at Conference 2003 in St. Augustine. It was Myrtice's husband who established the Myrtice H. Price Membership Award for Greatest Percentage Net Increase in 1990. District Three will continue to present this award annually at Conference. May we all be inspired to nurture and grow Altrusans in Past Governor Myrtice's honor. Our Spartanburg, SC club has voted not to continue selling the Altrusa Rose due to illness of the grower. May we even more so value the rose planted last year at City Hall in honor of our Charter President Faye Bowling-Warren. She and the rose are truly a rare breed! Greetings to Lake City from Altrusa sisters in Rocky Mount, NC and Charlotte, NC. These are my two most recent club visits made in early August. Sharing a meal and Altrusa experiences with different clubs is one of the greatest joys of District service. There are some wonderful Altrusans out there and I trust you will meet more of them at our 2003 District Conference, May 1-4 in St. Augustine. Governor Sandy
SAFETY TIPS These are very good things to know!! I learned from my children's karate classes that the elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do! If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver won't see you but everybody else will. This has saved lives.
Last night I attended a personal safety workshop, and it jolted me. It was given by an amazing man, Pat Malone, who has been a body guard for famous figures like Farrah Fawcett and Sylvester Stallone. He works for the FBI and teaches police officers and Navy SEALS hand-to-hand combat. This man has seen it all, and knows a lot. He focused his teachings to us on HOW TO AVOID BEING THE VICTIM OF A VIOLENT CRIME. He gave us some statistics about how much the occurrences of random violence have escalated over the recent years, and it's terrible. Something like 99% of us will be exposed to, or become a victim of a violent crime. Here are some important points (1.) The three reasons women are easy targets for random acts ofviolence are: (a.) Lack of Awareness You MUST know where you are & what's goingon around you. (b.) Body Language. Keep your head up, swing your arms, standstraight up. (c.) Wrong Place, Wrong Time DON'T walk alone in an alley, or drive in a bad neighborhood at night. (2.) Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping and just sit and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list,etc). DON'T DO THIS! The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in the passenger side, put a gun to yourhead, and tell you where to go.AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO YOUR CAR, LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE. (a.) A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage: Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat. (b.) If you are parked next to a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans while the women are attempting to get into their cars. (c.) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle,and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (3.) ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot). (4.) If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control,ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times. And even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN! (5.) As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP IT! It may get you raped, or killed. (a.) Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim. (b.) Pat Malone told us the story of his daughter, who came out of the mall and was walking to her car when she noticed 2 older ladies in front of her. Then she saw a police car come towards her with cops who said hello. She also noticed that all 8 handicap spots in the area were empty. As she neared her car she saw a man a few rows over calling to her for help. He wanted her to close his passenger side door. He was sitting in the back on the driver's side, and said he was handicapped. He continued calling,until she turned and headed back to the mall, and then he began cursing at her. In the meantime, she wondered why he didn't ask the 2 older ladies, or the policeman for help, and why he was not parked in any of the empty handicap spots. As she got back to the mall, two male friends of hers were exiting, and as she told them the story, and turned to point at the car,the man was getting out of the back seat into the front and the car sped away. DON'T GET CAUGHT IN THIS TRAP. PLEASE BE SAFE AND NOT SORRY! JUST A WARNING TO ALWAYS BE ALERT AND USE YOUR HEAD!!!

Inspiration

Itís not how long a man lives, but how well he used the time allotted him.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

We Are United One
As the soot and dirt and ash rained down,
We became one color.
As we carried each other down the
stairs of the burning building,
We became one class.
As we lit candles of waiting and hope,
We became one generation.
As the firefighters and police officers
fought their way into the inferno,
We became one gender.
As we fell to our knees
in prayer for strength
We became one faith.
As we whispered or shouted
words of encouragement,
We spoke one language.
As we gave our blood in lines a mile long,
We became one body.
As we mourned together the great loss,
We became one family.
As we cried tears of grief and loss,
We became one soul.
As we retell with pride of
the sacrifice of heroes,
We become one people.
We are:
One color, One class, One generation
One gender, One faith, One language
One body, One family, One soul, One people

We are THE POWER OF ONE.
We are UNITED!

*Shared by Terri Andrews
In Remembrance of 9-11


More Tips for Committee Chairs from Granny Good News
Committee Chairs have two wonderful opportunities: to accomplish great things in the name of Altrusa and to develop the potential of committee members. How can you make these things happen? Ask committee members to take on specific tasks. Itís up to you to identify what those tasks are and the time and skill needed to get them done. Who is the best person to do the job? Which person is good at record-keeping or clever with words? Who has lots of community contacts with tradespeople? Who is eager to learn a new skill? Each of us is more likely to get a job done if itís something we understand and enjoy. Some jobs, of course, just need to be done and any Altrusan could do it. In these situations we sometimes send out a blanket ìWe need help on this projectî request, only to be disappointed at the response. One-to-one requests are more effective. A personal invitation says you respect that person and value her expertise, her talents, and her individual contribution. More ìGranny Good Newsî ideas for leaders are available at http://www.districtthree.org. ìGranny Good Newsî is written by District Three Past Governor Shirley Foor .


Member Update New Member Sybil Hunziker Intl Career Category: Educational Service Club Classifification: Adult Education Sybil is employed by the Columbia County School District. She teaches ESOL (English as a second language) to GED students and adults. Married to Roger Hunziker and has 2 children, Birgit Hunziker Mercer and Heather Hunziker Gieberg. She enjoys trip planning, decorating, entertaining and tutoring. RR 8 Box 915 Lake City, FL 32055 Ph 752-0935 Email hunziker@atlantic.net	Thoughts & Prayers Kevin Grayís (Heather Grayís husband) grandfather passed away in Live Oak. Please keep the family in your prayers.


Your Calendar
Sept 17 New Member Orientation Sept 19 Program meeting Sept 19 Wine & Cheese Party Oct 3 Business Meeting Oct 17 Program Meeting Oct 26 Gala **
Announcements
From Genie Norman The Wine and Cheese Party will be Thursday, Sept. 19 from 5:30 until 7:30 at Genie Norman's house. The ABC Liquor Store will host the event and have numerous wines for tasting. There will be a $5.00 charge to be collected at the party. Please try and come, it should be another fun event. Follow these directions to Genie Normanís house. From I-75, Use Exit 82. Turn onto 90 West, go past the Holiday Inn about one mile. Turn left into Cypress Lake subdivision immediately after you pass the Lutheran Church. Turn at the first right, Ridgeview Place. Second on the left, number 103. Phone 758-5672 The River Party held on August 23 was another great time together for Altrusans. Twenty six members attended and eight spent the night. It was a wonderful time for fellowship, renewing friendships, trying out delicious dishes, lazy floating down the River and just good old fun. Many, many thanks to our hosts for the evening, Linda Chambers and Imogene Lawrence. Opening up your homes is a very generous gesture and appreciated by all. If you didn't get to join us this year, please don't miss it next year.
From Lily Johnson Make A Difference with Paperback Books Make a difference in literacy on October 26. Altrusa clubs everywhere are pitching in to advance the cause of literacy as part of ìMake A Difference Day.î Our own club will be collecting gently used paperback books to be donated to Columbia County Senior Services. Books may be brought to either October meeting or delivered to the office of Literacy Chair Beverly Dillashaw, Allstate Insurance, 166 SW Main Blvd. For more information, contact Beverly at 758-7779. To learn more about ìMake A Difference Dayî worldwide, visit the web site of Altrusa International at http://www.altrusa.com.
Program News September 19 So youíre thinking of having a party? Weíve got some ideas for you! Menus, recipes and tablescapes are just a few if the items youíll want to hear about. Plus a special presentation given by a creative artist! October 17 The Witching Hour will be at Noon There will be parking available for your broom! Our Spooky Speakers are sure to thrill - So please be there to feel the chill!
Happy September Birthday 8 Suzy Burch 8 Lorrie Wheeler 9 Jill Adams 10 Connie Scott 11 Jean Jones 13 Jeanette Kennedy 21 Lynda Bullock 25 Sheryll Walker 29 Judy Lewis 30 Suzanne Norris
Officers & Directors 2002-2003 President Lily Johnson PO Box 2812 Lake City, FL 32056 386-752-5735 lilyj@bellsouth.net President-Elect Terri Andrews 12814 S CR 10A 386-963-3473 Wellborn, FL 32094 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@scaff.net Secretary Anne Carroll Rt 8 Box 850-4 386-719-8878 Lake City, FL 32055 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 386-938-2278 Jennings, FL 32053 jill.adams@HCAhealthcare.com 1st Vice President Tracy Hawthorne Rt 15, Box 3098 Lake City, FL 32024 386-755-9063 2nd Vice President Robin Hall Rt 13, Box 331-9 386-719-7001 Lake City, FL 32055 hallhome@mail.lakecity.cc.fl.us View past issues of Club View at www.altrusalakecity.org

Altrusa Internationa of Lake City
Business Meeting
September 5, 2002


Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance
Presidentís Report	All Altrusa Clubs have been encouraged to participate in ìMake a Difference Dayî. Our club will be collecting books for Senior Services. You may bring new or used books to the next three meetings. Debby Freeman is the contact. We will also be collecting childrenís books to be presented to Suwannee Valley Community Coordinated Child Care and Terri Andrews will be the contact. The Board voted to have the December program meeting on the 1st Thursday to distribute Gala funds and the business meeting on the 3rd Thursday.
Treasurerís Report	Handout
Standing Committee Reports	Communications (Barbara Thomas) ? New yearbooks will be handed out at the October business meeting. Linda Johns is in charge of the scrapbook and has requested pictures. If you have anything for the yearbook please get it to Linda. Let Cesta Newman know if you are unable to access the newsletter via email. Membership Development (Aileen Crapps) ? Orientation will be Tuesday, September 17th at 7:30 PM at the home of Judy Spring. Operations (Genie Norman) ? There will be a wine and cheese party at Genie Normanís on September 17th. The September Program will be ìHow to Throw a Partyî. Service (Roberta Whitaker) ? Literacy is organizing the book drive. The Girls Summit committee will meet on September 10th at Wanda Tonerís home. Anyone interested in helping may attend or contact Wanda to let her know. CARC needs persons interested in conducting a mini seminar for women. If you are interested contact Sandy Furches or Roberta Whitaker. There were 13 applicants for Gala funds and the following were recommended by the committee: CARC, Columbia County Senior Services, Friends of the Library, Habitat for Humanity, Happy House, SIFE, Take Stock in Children, and Lake City Community College Foundation. The ASTRA Club in Fort White will have their first meeting on September 12th. Dorothy is still looking for a sponsor for CHS.	A motion was made to accept the recommendation of the committee by Faye Bowling-Warren and seconded by Cesta Newman. Motion passed
Special Committee Reports	GALA ? Posters are out. Everyone needs to work on selling tickets. If you have contacts for auction items please let Debbie Freeman know. District Three Conference ? Preliminary schedules for the Conference were handed out. Please plan to participate in the Conference at least part of the time. A chair is still needed for the entertainment committee so please contact Lorrie Wheeler if you are interested.
50/50	Pat Vanous won the drawing. A drawing was also held for the Wes Skiles posters.
Announcements	CARC membership drive is underway.
Good News	Lily is having her last radiation treatment.
Pin Money
Benediction
Adjourn

Submitted by Anne R. Carroll