Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Altrusa International by-laws require each club to have four standing committees: membership development, service, communications and finance. At the beginning of the Altrusa calendar year in June, committees are selected and chairs are chosen to lead.
The membership committee for 2026-27 is chaired by Pam Kraft and Cathy Cox. Members include Julie Hall, Donna Josellis, Mary Garrett, Marsha Powell, Shannon Peloza, Vicki Lothamer, Ruth Skeel, Shelly Turek, Charlene Johnson and Dawn Gabrich, according to a provided news release.
Membership development deals with the essential areas of recruitment, retention, education and training.
Recruitment is vital in keeping the club strong and efficient. Prospective members and visitors are welcome to attend any meeting to learn more about Altrusa. Meetings are held on the first Thursday of the month at noon and the third Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The noon meeting is held at the First United Methodist Church at the corner of Market and Indiana streets. The evening dinner meeting is at Papa Vino’s Italian Restaurant.
The membership committee hosts an annual meet-and-greet for prospective members. Participants meet current members, learn about local volunteer service opportunities and are provided with club information.
The next meet-and-greet will be Oct. 22 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Papa Vino’s. Appetizers and beverages will be served. Prospective new members attending this event will have a chance to win a Kindle reader.
Retainment of current members is the committee’s second priority. The committee plans special themed events for their dinner meetings as well as encouraging participation in local community events.
New this year is the Quarterly Outstanding Member award. The criteria includes:
• Active membership evidenced by regular meeting attendance.
• Serves on one or more committees and participates regularly in those committees.
• Has been a leader in her own way; reaching out to other members to make them feel welcome and recruits new members.
The fall quarter Outstanding Member Award was presented to Bev Faulkner. She joined Altrusa in February 2014 and has served as chair of service, membership and communications. She was Altrusa president from 2017-19 and lead the club to Distinguished Status designation in 2018, which the club still holds. Currently, she is a member of the communications committee and responsible for keeping Altrusa - Warsaw in the news. Bev was presented with an award certificate and a heart-shaped pin inscribed “You make a Difference.”
The winter quarter Outstanding Member Award will be presented at the December dinner meeting.
To recognize Altrusa members volunteering around the area, look for members wearing new black shirts with the Altrusa logo. Cathy Cox, co-chair, took the lead in ordering the shirts and getting the logo embroidered. Bingo for Beaman on Oct. 15 will be the first event for debuting their new apparel.
Keep up with Altrusa member happenings by following them on Facebook at Altrusa-Warsaw, IN.
