Service Project Spotlight: Dallas Club

The Dallas Club received second place for their 2011-2012 Dr. Nina Fay Calhoun International Relations Award entry. Here is the description of that project (slightly edited) that was read at the Awards Luncheon.

The Dallas Club worked with an international organization that supports small-scale entrepreneurs in developing countries. Working with Opportunity International, the Club launched its International Builders of Women program, empowering people to work their way out of chronic poverty through microloans. Loans are repaid over time enabling the funds to be lent again to continue the cycle. The average loan is $142, and 96 percent of loans are successfully repaid. This Club’s members carefully reviewed the needs of the women entrepreneurs and selected six businesswomen located in the Philippines, Columbia, and Kenya. The club donated $1,000 and provided microloans ranging from $50 to $300 to support mothers with food kiosks, fish market, clothing, and other small businesses. The club devoted two meetings to this project, actually selecting and donating funds live during the second meeting. They also observed six major international events with newsletter articles, discussions, and program accents. 

Altrusans throughout District Nine and all over the world are doing amazing things. Won't you join us?

Update on West, Texas, Library Project

Today I had the pleasure of talking with Jan Hungate, Assistant Superintendent of West ISD.  I explained to her that Altrusa Dallas had undertaken a service project specifically to assist our neighbors in West, Texas, as we understood all too well how devastating the tragedy had been to the local community, and the near-impossible task to try and rebuild. I also advised her that several of our sister clubs were also asking how they could assist.

In truth I think it is fair to say Ms. Hungate was initially wary of our offer of assistance – as it turns out there has been a lot of “talk” by other organizations on how they could help, but most of that had come to nothing. When I told her of the progress we had already made, Ms. Hungate was stunned, to say the least. She asked me to pass on her thanks to all concerned and will assist us in whatever way she can.

We discussed a number of logistical questions, and Ms. Hungate shared the news that they are bringing ALL the local children back to school in the district this fall. There is a site currently under preparation and the children will be taught in portacabins. Two smaller portacabins have been designated for use as libraries. This will fit in very well with our plans to help. Ms. Hungate has a list of all the books that the school previously had in the library, and she is going to ask the teachers if they can prioritize a list which we can then work from.

She also mentioned that one of the suppliers they have used for library services had gifted 24 boxes of books to them. At this time they do not know what books those boxes contain, nor if they are age-appropriate. Until now they have not had the resources to allocate some manpower to this task. I have suggested to Ms. Hungate that we may be able to assist with some woman-power, and we will work to come up with a suitable date and time. Governor Beth Blair has suggested that some of the local clubs may want to assist with this smaller project, and we certainly would welcome them.

I will be in regular contact with Ms. Hungate as our project gathers pace, and will endeavor to keep everyone informed of any needs or areas that require attention, as well as more specific plans for further fund-raising.

On a personal note I wish to thank all those who are helping me with this project – I am humbled by your wealth of knowledge and willingness to give of yourself so graciously.

Gillian Allen7.2.2013

Books for West: A Districtwide Service Project

On June 24, Governor Beth Blair received word from International Foundation Board of Trustees Chair Ann Marie Snyer that the Altrusa Club of Dallas Foundation had received a $6,000 grant for its library book project for the schools in West, Texas, that were destroyed in the horrific explosion there on the Thursday night before our 2013 District Nine Conference.
 
Dallas' newest member, Gillian Allen, was already thinking and formulated a fabulous service project on her own. With the seed money from the International, Gillian is leading the Dallas Club and all District Nine Clubs in a two-year project that will make an enormous impact. Here are Gillian's thoughts about the vision for the project.

"Two days before my first conference, a deadly explosion ripped through the town of West, Texas. I have been to that town to work. I know some of the people there. As I sat through various seminars and gatherings at Conference, my mind frequently returned to thoughts of the area. But what could I do? I am one person. I am not wealthy. Yet the one gift that I myself received early in life was the joy of reading. I can remember visiting my local libraries, both at school and in my community, and the joy, the peace, the contentment I found in books. To this day I am a bookworm. I make no apology for it. So on my way home from conference I decided I had to do something. I had listened to many speakers talk about service projects and the idea that had sparked them, and thought to myself “How do I do this?” I called Beth and asked the question. I told her I knew there had been significant damage to the schools, and I wanted to find some way to help. Over the next few days and then weeks, we learned that two schools would require complete demolition, and a substantial portion of a third would need to be razed to the ground and then rebuilt.

My vision for this project is, first and foremost, to give books to the library of the Intermediate school. I want the children to know that people in their wider community are still thinking of them, and to give them a refuge in books. We can give them that escape into books that I cherish to this day.

I intend to utilize every resource and personal contact we can to obtain corporate matching of our funds. I believe that success in our group fund-raising efforts will fuel further success and help us give more to the school.

I am also very cognizant of the fact that our clubs need members. To encourage people to look at our organization as an endeavor worthy of their time, talents and potential monetary contributions, we have to let them know we exist. By going into our communities and talking about how we intend to help our neighbors, we demonstrate by our actions what we are: who we are.

 

I also think that one of our greatest strengths is our network of clubs. Alone, I can do very little; together we can do mighty works. I love that other clubs have heard of our project and asked to share in it. We are united in our intent to help our neighbors, and it unites us as clubs, as districts, as a national organization too.

Gillian is a visionary. It's our hope that you will catch the vision, too. To help, email Governor Beth Blair (bethelene@tx.rr.com).

Why I Became an Altrusan: Deborah Hecht, Dallas

Recently at conference I was chatting with a former Governor and she asked me why I became an Altrusan.  Easy question.  I had gotten to a point in my life where I was enjoying some of the spoils of my past hard work.  I recognized my blessings and new it was time to give back.  That’s why I joined Altrusa.  Thing is though, that’s not why I fell in love with Altrusa. 

My mother passed away at age 48.  In her short life, she was a tremendous community servant.  Her dedication was well known, but I think in the years since her death I had forgotten.  When I became an Altrusan I was flooded with memories of my Mom’s hard work for our town and our schools.  Each act of service I perform makes me feel closer to my mother.  As I follow my mother’s lead I know how proud she would have been of me.  THIS is why I fell in love with Altrusa. 

So, what’s your story? Why did you become an Altrusan?  Why do you love Altrusa?  Please share your story with other Altrusans, better yet…….share your story with potential Altrusans.  If everyone knew what we know; if they knew any of the many reasons why we love our organization, don’t you think they’d want to share in the experience? 

--Deborah Hecht, Dallas Club

The Importance of Planning

The following is the Altrusa Accent prepared by Carolyn Hollingsworth, president-elect of the Dallas Club, for the June 19 meeting.

Planning helps an organization chart a course for the achievement of its goals. The process begins with reviewing the current operations of the organization and identifying what needs to be improved operationally in the upcoming year. From there, planning involves envisioning the results the organization wants to achieve, and determining the steps necessary to arrive at the intended destination--success, whether that is measured in financial terms, or goals that include being the highest-rated organization in customer satisfaction.

Efficient Use of Resources

All organizations, large and small, have limited resources. The planning process provides the information top management needs to make effective decisions about how to allocate the resources in a way that will enable the organization to reach its objectives. Productivity is maximized and resources are not wasted on projects with little chance of success.

Establishing Goals

Setting goals that challenge everyone in the organization to strive for better performance is one of the key aspects of the planning process. Goals must be aggressive, but realistic. Organizations cannot allow themselves to become too satisfied with how they are currently doing--or they are likely to lose ground to competitors. The goal setting process can be a wake-up call for managers that have become complacent. The other benefit of goal setting comes when forecast results are compared to actual results. Organizations analyze significant variances from forecast and take action to remedy situations where revenues were lower than plan or expenses higher.

Managing Risk And Uncertainty

Managing risk is essential to an organization’s success. Even the largest corporations cannot control the economic and competitive environment around them. Unforeseen events occur that must be dealt with quickly, before negative financial consequences from these events become severe. Planning encourages the development of “what-if” scenarios, where managers attempt to envision possible risk factors and develop contingency plans to deal with them. The pace of change in business is rapid, and organizations must be able to rapidly adjust their strategies to these changing conditions.

Team Building

Planning promotes team building and a spirit of cooperation. When the plan is completed and communicated to members of the organization, everyone knows what their responsibilities are, and how other areas of the organization need their assistance and expertise in order to complete assigned tasks. They see how their work contributes to the success of the organization as a whole and can take pride in their contributions. Potential conflict can be reduced when top management solicits department or division managers’ input during the goal setting process. Individuals are less likely to resent budgetary targets when they had a say in their creation.

While many of these points are for profit organizations they also relate to Non-Profit organizations like Altrusa.

References

“The Art of the Long View: Planning for the Future in an Uncertain World”; Peter Schwartz; 1996
From an article by Brian Hill, Demand Media