Communiqué ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL OF DALLAS, TEXAS, INC.

DISTRICT NINE March 2015

Welcome to March. As we move toward the end of

the Club year, I’ve been thinking about the sort of

community servants we have been this year. In the

goals I set for the Club I asked that with the excep-

tion of our scholarships and Person-to-Person that

no service project be a donation only. I am so

thrilled with how we have embraced that goal and

have given of our time.

There is a reason for that

goal. As much as we wish we

had tens of thousands of dol-

lars to give away each year,

that’s simply not the case.

Raising money is really hard

and our small Club usually

has around $10,000 or less to work with. If we were

to just make donations, our impact would be mini-

mal. We know the agencies we serve need money

to “keep the lights on” but unfortunately, we don’t

have the ability to make that happen. Thank good-

ness for corporate donors as they are able to make

that sort of donation and impact.

Just because we don’t have the ability to make a

difference in that way, it doesn’t mean we haven’t

done a lot and helped facilitate change. This year

we have had the chance to work directly with the

clients of the some the agencies we work with. On

February 26th we were at Our Friends Place. That

evening we taught two life skills classes sharing

how to make jewelry and a cooking class. That

night, not only did we teach a couple of skills but we

shared something more important. That night, the

young women at Our Friends Place saw and felt that

their community cares about them. They also had

the opportunity to mingle and observe independent,

successful women. These gifts are unique to small-

er organizations like us and are very different than

large corporate donations.

Our work with Mosaic has also been a shining ex-

ample of how we can affect change with a small

budget. We started this year with a budget of only

$500 for Mosaic. Had we not won the grant and

created the Resource Room

we still would have made a

big difference there. With

our budget we were able to

create the Goodnight/Sleep

Tight bags and create the

spice pantry. We also had

money left over we were

able to put toward the baby shower we threw. Addi-

tionally, we spent time with the clients as we wel-

comed them to their new shelter on moving day

with a meal.

As caring individuals, there is so much we can do. It

reminds me a bit of the stories you hear sometimes

about wealthy parents who give their children all the

material items a kid could want. Sometimes though,

what the child longs for is simply time with the par-

ents and to know they’re there for them. We have

President’s Message

Deborah Hecht

2014-2015 President

Altrusa International

of Dallas, Texas, INC.

deborahahecht@gmail.com

Our work with Mosaic has also been

a shining example of how we can

affect change with a small budget.

THIS MONTH

March 3 Club Meeting

Altrusa You: Coming to Conference Rally

Hosted by Membership Development Com-

mittee

March 11

Visit to TSRHC—rescheduled from February.

Call Sharron Vance for details.

March 14

Grand Opening of Resource Room and

Cookout at Mosaic

March 17 Club Meeting

District Visitor and presentation of the Prin-

ciple and Responsibility Award Hosted by

Finances Committee

March 26

Women’s History Luncheon

March 28

Rockwall Charter Banquet

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO

Sue Powell……....…………….…….……….....4

United Nations Observances

Zero Discrimination Day

March 1

Zero Discrimination Day is a chance to cele-

brate diversity and to reject discrimination.

By joining our voices together, we can

be part of a resounding call for compassion,

tolerance and peace.

World Wildlife Day

March 3

World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to cele-

brate the many beautiful and varied forms

International Women’s Day

The United Nations began celebrating International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March during International Women’s Year 1975. Two years later, in December 1977, the General Assembly adopted a resolution proclaiming a United Nations Day for Women’s Rights and International Peace to be observed on any day of the year by Member States, in accordance with their historical and national

traditions.

International Women’s Day first emerged from the activities of labour movements at the turn of the twentieth century in North America and across Europe. Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing interna-tional women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point to build support for women’s

rights and participation in the political and economic arenas.

Increasingly, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of cour-age and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of their countries and communi-

ties.

This year’s theme, “Empowering Women - Em-powering Humanity: Picture It!" envisions a world where each woman and girl can exercise her choices, such as participating in politics, getting an education, having an income, and living in so-cieties free from violence

and discrimination.

Our Club will be honoring International Women’s Day with the

Grand Opening of the Mosaic Resource Room on March 14.

the opportunity, in every project we do, to be present. We

can let those less fortunate than us know the community

cares about what happens and we can be examples of

strength and independence.

Thank you to all of you who have given of your hearts and

hands to reach this goal. We have accomplished so much

this year and each of you should be very proud.

COMMITTEE

NEWS

Communications

The Third Annual Celebrate Women's History

Luncheon information is on our web-

site. Please submit your pictures for the Dis-

play Board at Conference.

Please visit our website at

www.altrusadallas.org for all up to date infor-

mation. And follow us in Twitter @altrusadallas.

Service

Members visited the residents at Our Friends

Place on February 26 to teach life skills includ-

ing cooking and jewelry making.

Finances

The revised Financial Policies of the Club and

Foundation to require Board approval of differ-

ent types of payment methods and its ade-

quate controls were approved in February. Our

policy was written with the assumption (not

stated) that checks were the primary form of

payment. Now with new payment types (debit

card, Pay Pal, etc.) the Board felt that the policy

needed to be evaluated in light of these pay-

ment types. The Finances Committee’s goal

was to keep the policies generic and not men-

tion specific payment types. The revised policy

requires Board approval for each type of pay-

ment and the adequate control.

Membership Development

Our club's March Luncheon is our next sched-

uled Fun of the Month event and April is Con-

ference and "Add an Altrusan" month, so be

thinking about guests for the luncheon and

signing up for conference!.

At our next meeting we will initiate a new mem-

ber Shauna Gantt, so be there to meet our

newest member!

Third Annual

Women's History Month Luncheon

March 26 @ 11:00

If you haven't already, please buy your tickets to the Third An-

nual Women’s History Month Luncheon at Prestonwood Coun-

try Club on Thursday, March 26, 2015.

The tickets are $50.00 each. Visit www.Dallas.Altrusa.org for

more information.

Our Friends Place

Members visited Our Friends Place in February where life

skills including cooking and jewelry making were taught to

the residents.

Our Friends Place is breaking the cycle of abuse, neglect,

poverty and homelessness. By the time a girl reaches ado-

lescence, no matter what trauma she is enduring, there is

only a slight chance that she will receive help. The situation

is equally inadequate for young, single women with no chil-

dren – the few support services available give preference to

women with families.For these at-risk girls and young

women, Our Friends Place is one of only a few organizations

in North Texas providing them care and support to help them

end destructive behaviors and soar to success.

Altrusa Resource Room at Mosaic

Mark Your Calendar for March 14 for the grand opening of

the Resource room at Mosaic.

Board Actions

Approved revised Financial Policy that requires

Board approval of different types of payment meth-

ods (debit cards, PayPal...) and its adequate con-

trols.

Club Actions

Approved revised Financial Policy as written and

explained and previously distributed by email.

March Principle and Responsibility

Principle: Altrusa expresses good will for all mankind. It em-

phasizes the good and lets the evil sink into the oblivion it

merits.

Responsibility: Be aware of Club progress toward its goals

and be ready to join in whatever action is needed at each

stage of the way.

District Nine Conference

April 17, 2015

HILTON SAN ANTONIO AIRPORT

611 NW Loop 410, San Antonio, TX 78216

Viva Altrusa!

July 17-21, 2015!

Registration is now open. Get the early bird rate now through

March 15. See more information at http://www.altrusa.com/

Calendar-Event/2015-Convention/Jazzitup.aspx

WAYS & MEANS

Did you enjoy the Scholarship presentation meeting? Do

you know how the Scholarships are funded?

Our Foundation Financial Policy states that a minimum of

10% of the net proceeds from fund raising activities from

previous year be allocated for Edith DeBusk Scholarship

Fund for Legal Studies, Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun Scholarship

Fund, Leita Marsh Scholarship Fund for Pharmaceutical

Studies and the Ruth Behrens Fund. In addition, donations

may be designated to any of the funds.

On March 26, 2015 our main Fund Raising Activity is hap-

pening. What can you do?

a) sell tickets—this may be done on line or checks may

be sent directly to Sharron Vance.

b) Obtain silent auction items and give with description

with cost to Sandra Blassingame or Karen Wise.

c) Call Dee Parmer and ask where you can volun-

teer. Many jobs must be done ; everyone is needed.

Fund raising is a lot of work and requires a sacrifice to have

a successful activity but it is worth it when you think of the

people who benefit from the scholarships as well as those

who benefit from our other service projects.

Betty Lawson

Co-Chairman

Ways & Means Committee

Scholarship Night!

On February 17, our Foundation awarded several

well deserved scholarships. These scholarships

include; the Edith DeBusk scholarship for Legal

Services; the Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun Scholarship;

and the Leita Marsh Scholarship for Pharmaceuti-

cal Studies. Congratulations to all of our recipients

and to the families who encourage and support

them!