A Speaker’s Guide To Civic Organizations 1. Altrusa International, Inc. 2. Civitan International 3. Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks 4. Fraternal Order of the Eagle 5. Jaycees (United States Junior Chamber) 6. Junior League (Assoc. of Junior Leagues International) 7. Kiwanis International 8. Knights of Columbus 9. Lions Club International 10. National Exchange Club 11. National Grange 12. Optimist International 13. Rotary International 14. Soroptimist International 15. Zonta International The following information was compiled verbatim from numerous sources. Visit the actual organization’s website to learn more about their Mission and History and updates on their programs. Altrusa International, Inc. – Leading to Better Community www.altrusa.org Altrusa is an international, volunteer service organization of business and professional leaders, classified by occupation, dedicated to improving their communities by personal service. Through their local Altrusa Clubs, members unite their varied talents in service to others, achieving as a group what individuals cannot do alone. Altrusa Clubs develop and fund specific service projects to meet community needs. Altrusa was founded in April, 1917, in Nashville, Tennessee, U.S.A, as the "Altrusa Institute" for business and professional women. Under the leadership of Mamie L. Bass, later to be the association's first president, Altrusa became the "first" national service organization for women committed to a philosophy of service and personal achievement. With extension into Mexico in 1935, Altrusa achieved an international scope. Growth has continued, and today, clubs can be found in countries throughout the world. In 1987, Altrusa opened its membership to men. Altrusa took an early leadership position by developing innovative programs in vocational guidance and public education. The organization continues to adapt its programs and projects to meet current community needs. Each club has its own board of directors, a strong committee system and regular meetings, allowing every member to become personally involved in club projects and decisions. Altrusa Clubs are organized into geographic Districts, each with its own governing body and offering annual conferences, workshops, and leadership training seminars for all members. Altrusa International unites its more than 500 clubs in a common goal of community service. The International Program sets the theme for Altrusa, world-wide, and the organization provides clubs with program guides and materials to assist them in fulfilling their objectives. Every member receives the international publications, and a wide variety of literature, manuals and materials to support club activities is available from the International Office. A full line of official Altrusa supplies is also offered, designed for public relations activities and to build pride in membership. An International Convention is held every two years. Members from throughout the world conduct the business of the organization, elect officers, recognize individual and club achievement and participate in workshops on community service, club administration and leadership development. Altrusa offers members numerous benefits: -An opportunity to use your time and talent to enrich the lives of others. -Lasting friendships and a spirit of fellowship. -Personal leadership development as you assume positions of responsibility in your club, or serve at the district and international levels. -A unique opportunity to work with local civic and volunteer groups on service projects. -Stimulating programs and speakers that broaden your knowledge on many subjects. -Personal contacts that evolve when business and professional people meet and work together toward common goals. -A forum for exchanging ideas about your community and the world. The satisfaction that comes from being involved in activities that will make your community a better place to live. Source: Altrusa International brochure. Civitan International www.civitan.org Civitan is a worldwide community service organization open to all men and women of good character. Local clubs particpate in a variety of programs and projects aimed at meeting the needs of the community. There is a Civitan Club for you. There are different types of Civitan clubs tailored to suit Civitan's diverse membership. There are breakfast clubs, luncheon clubs, dinner clubs, and evening social clubs (no meal). There are clubs made up of mostly young adults, business men and women, singles, all women, and all men. Club meetings are educational and fun. Clubs meet weekly or bimonthly. Guest speakers, such as community and business leaders, media representatives politicians, and educators, address a variety of topics of interest to club members. Club meetings are also an opportunity for members to develop friendships and establish business contacts. Civitan clubs are best known for their hands-on work in the community. From projects to help people who are mentally and physically disabled to building youth recreation centers, Civitans are actively involved in bettering their communities, and enjoy the feeling of knowing they are helping others. Civitan offers leadership opportunities which can enhance your organizational and communication skills. Leadership opportunities exist on the club, district and international levels of the organization. Civitan also offers valuable personal development programs for members. Here are some facts about Civitan: - "Builders of Good Citizenship" is Civitan's motto. - There are approximately 55,000 men, women and teenagers in nearly 1,800 Civitan and Junior Civitan clubs worldwide. - Founded in 1917, Civitan has provided members opportunities for personal and professional development while improving the community through community service for more than 75 years. - In 1974, Civitan became the first previously all-male service organization to welcome women as equal members. - On the international level Civitan's major emphasis is toward helping people with mental retardation and other developmental disabilities. - Civitan's most widely recognized fund raising programs are the Civitan Candy Box Project and Claxton Christmas Cake Sales. Serviced by volunteers, 100 percent of the project's net proceeds go to help people with MR/DD. - Civitan funds the Civitan International Research Center, a research and treatment facility for MR/DD located at the University of Alabama in Birmingham. "A working force for civic betterment such as this is a thing more valuable to mankind than great riches." - Dr. Courtney W. Shropshire, Founder, Civitan International For more information about becoming a member call (800) CIVITAN (248-4826). or Email: [email protected]. Source: Civitan International Information Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks www.elks.org Founded February 16, 1868, The Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the United States of America, is a nonprofit fraternal organization dedicated to charitable works. From its meager beginnings, it has grown to be the largest fraternal organization in our nation, boasting over 2,000 Lodges made up of well over one and a quarter million members. The B.P.O. Elks is comprised of patriotic Americans who believe in God, want to be an active force for good in their community, be better citizens, and enjoy the good fellowship of enthusiastic, successful men. The Order of Elks questions no man's religion, nor bars him because of race or creed. It is not concerned with political affiliations. It is nondenominational. Elks stage year-round shows and entertainments for disabled veterans in every V.A. hospital in the country. Elks donated the first V.A. hospital to the U.S. Government in Boston. In 1907, the Elks pioneered the observance of June 14 as Flag Day, the anniversary of Old Glory's birth of 1777. Since its' inception, Elks have contributed more than $333 million dollars for charitable, welfare and patriotic programs. The Elks are second only to the U.S. Government in the amount of money it provides for scholarships each year. Elks scholarships are measured in the millions of dollars annually. They sponsor many youth groups such as youth sports, scouting and 4-H Clubs, D.A.R.E. programs, summer camps, adopt-a-school, Hoop Shoot, etc. The B.P.O.E. does not compete with other civic organizations. To the contrary, the Elks recognize the philanthropic efforts of many other civic and community organizations, assisting those organizations when and where possible. The B.P.O.E. has its' own national magazine and almost every lodge publishes a monthly news bulletin for its' members. The Grand Lodge national headquarters of the B.P.O.E. are located at 2750 N. Lakeview Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60614-1889, phone (213)477-2750. A book entitled History of the Elks can be purchased from the Grand Lodge. Check your local phone book for a lodge near you to obtain further information or e-mail [email protected]. The principles of the B.P.O.E. are: Charity, Justice, Brotherly Love and Fidelity. The motto of the B.P.O.E. is: The faults of our brothers we write upon the sand, their virtues upon the tablets of love and memory. The B.P.O.E. is based upon the Golden Rule: To do unto others as you would they should do unto you. [Source: [email protected] (Joe Orawczyk)] Fraternal Order of the Eagles www.foe.com Our Mission Statement The Fraternal Order of Eagles is an international non-profit organization uniting fraternally in the spirit of liberty, truth, justice, and equality, to make human life more desirable by lessening its ills and promoting peace, prosperity, gladness and hope. The F.O.E. donates more than $10 million a year to local communities, fundraisers, charities and more. As part of its philosophy, the F.O.E. gives back 100 percent of monies raised in the form of grants. Fundraisers are conducted for eight major charities, including kidney, heart, diabetes, cancer and spinal cord injury funds, a children's fund, memorial foundation and the Golden Eagle Fund. Our History The F.O.E. was founded in February, 1898 by six theatre owners gathered in a Seattle shipyard to discuss a musician's strike.