About Us

ALTRUSA INTERNATIONAL
is an international association of business executives and professionals who volunteer their energies and expertise in projects dedicated to community betterment.

Membership is extended by invitation to individuals representing diverse professional and business activities. This diversity provides creative and effective programs for the community. Assistance is given to projects emphasizing literacy through the Altrusa International Foundation, Inc.

HISTORY

The first Altrusa club was organized in Nashville, Tennessee, on April 11, 1917. The following year, membership on a classified basis was adopted by the clubs then organized. The National Association of Altrusa Clubs, the first National Organization of business and professional women, either classified or unclassified, was incorporated under the laws of the State of Indiana on August 21, 1917, with the four clubs then in existence participating: Nashville, TN; Louisville, KY.; Indianapolis, IN; and Dayton, OH. In 1930, districting was adopted and the organization was divided into ten (10) subordinate units, each administered by a governor. The organization was redistricted in 1955 into 12 districts, and in 1965 District Thirteen was added. District Fourteen was added in 1976, followed by District Fifteen in 1985. At the Sixteenth National Convention held in Chicago in June, 1935, it was voted that Altrusa become international and that its official name be International Association of Altrusa Clubs, Inc. In 1949, the name was changed to Altrusa International, Inc. In 1987, men were welcomed into membership in Altrusa. The Altrusa Club of Lawrence was organized November 7, 1951, and chartered January 14, 1953.


ALTRUSA ORGANIZATION

  • INTERNATIONAL
    Motto: Leaders In Service
    First club in Nashville, Tennessee, April 1917.
    Altrusa became international, June 1935.
  • DISTRICT
    Number of Districts: 15
    Clubs in District Eight: 25
    Membership in District Eight: 786
  • CLUB (Lawrence, KS)
    Founded: November 7, 1951

    Five Program Committees:
    Service
    Ways & Means
    Communications
    Membership

    District Eight includes:
    Kansas, Missouri, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

    As of July 2009:
    Clubs in District Eight: 25
    Membership in District Eight: 786
    Altrusa Clubs: 367
    Altrusa Membership: 10,392
    Number of Countries: 13 (Bermuda, Canada,
    El Salvador, Guatemala, India, Ireland, Korea, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Russia, Ukraine, United Kingdom, and the United States)


ALTRUSA PRINCIPLES by Mamie L. Bass

    1. Altrusa is a builder of women.
    2. Altrusa is an expression of the search for the best in character, in business, and in citizenship.
    3. Election to Altrusa is an evidence of confidence which imposes upon the recipient the obligation to strive to be true to the highest standards of life in her personal and business relations.
    4. Altrusa in the very derivation of its name is committed to the philosophy of unselfishness, to the joy of giving rather than getting, and to the search for that happiness which is based upon spiritual worthiness.
    5. Altrusa is practical idealism. Its service consists, not in saying great things, but in daily earnest practice of its principles.
    6. Altrusa commends to its members an active interest in public affairs, realizing that the State is but the individual writ large.
    7. Altrusa develops true leadership, concerned with accomplishment and not with recognition.
    8. Membership carries with it no obligation to transact business with other members. It makes no promise of returns in any commercial respect. Its rewards are in proportion to the loyalty, the unselfishness and character of the member herself.
    9. Altrusa expresses good will for all mankind. It emphasizes the good and lets the evil sink into the oblivion it merits.
    10. Altrusa is democratic; it knows no class, no favorites, but is founded upon merit alone.
    11. Altrusa believes that the way to progress lies not in emphasizing the faults of men and their failure to give proper recognition, at times, to women in business, but rather in arousing women to their responsibilities and their possibilities so that their accomplishments will blaze the trail for greater things.
    12. Altrusa believes it is not good enough to be good; Altrusans must be good for something. Each member must be doing the piece of work that is hers in a way that puts her in the front ranks of accomplishment.

A B C 's of ALTRUSA

A Agenda & accent at meetings
B Blessing and benediction
C Committees: communication, finance, membership, ways & means, and service
D Districts = 15; we’re in District 8
E Energy to accomplish Club’s goals
F Fellowship & fun together
G Generosity
H History: Lawrence Club established 1951
I International: Altrusa clubs in 13 countries
J Joining with others to meet our goals
K Keynote speakers
L Literacy: encouraging literacy throughout the lifespan
M Membership: from a variety of life styles and age groups
N Newsletter
O Officers - past and present
P Programs: informative, enjoyable and participatory
Q Quality time together
R Representing many career fields
S Scholarships to help women succeed
T Tradition and innovation
U Unique backgrounds & interests of members
V Valuable service to our community
W Warm friendships
X X-ceedingly good food
Y Yearbook
Z Zeal for Altrusa!

ALTRUSA GRACE
For this food before us spread,
For our steps in safety led,
For Thy favor on our way,
Lord, accept our thanks today.

ALTRUSA BENEDICTION
May we go forth with high ideals
To serve the world we’re in.
Be true to all Altrusa aims
Until we meet again.