Altrusa International of Salina, Kansas was chartered in 1944.
Altrusa International Inc. is an international association of business executives and professionals who volunteer their energies and expertise in projects dedicated to community betterment.
Members in Salina are executives, professionals, homemakers, volunteers, retirees who want to make a difference in the lives of others, especially women and children. Many of our service projects focus on literacy.
Members Chris Young and Theresa Morrical deliver books and bears to Carolee Jones at CAPS. These were a portion of the 994 books and 77 teddy bears donated to Altrusa of Salina during Waldenbooks Christmas promotion.
Thank you to Books-A-Million for their 2012 contribution of books to Altrusa of Salina!
Principles of Altrusa
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, 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 if any commercial specie. Its rewards are in proportion to the loyalty, unselfishness and character of the member itself.
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 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 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.
Mamie L. Bass – Altrusa International’s First National President, 1921
Altrusa International, Inc. of Salina – Past Presidents
1944-45 Minna Hensley*
1945-46 Mildred Kurtz
1946-47 Emmalou Birline/Cora Shelton
1947-48 Irene Bjurstrom*
1948-49 Helen Emerich*
1949-50 Katherine Eberhart
1950-51 Eva Marie Digge
1951-52 Ruth Gamber
1952-53 Helen Anderson*
1953-54 Ruth Doyle
1954-55 Thora Foyer
1955-56 Edith Brodine*
1956-57 Leola Weburg
1957-58 Bernice Gans
1958-59 Helen Anderson*
1959-60 Cletia Lamar
1960-61 Aganetha Entz*
1961-63 Janys Ryan*
1963-64 Vivian Hamm*
1964-65 Margaret Mauk
1965-66 Erleen Lindeman*
1966-67 Janice Evans*
1967-69 Ruby Dalrymple*
1969-70 Irene Bjurstrom*
1970-72 Leola Weburg
1972-74 Violet Greever
1974-76 Ruth Doyle
1976-77 Rose M. Auten
1977-78 Dorothy Soderbrg
1978-80 Norma J. Huscher
1980-82 Rose Ann Thatcher*
1982-84 Kathryn Pickering*
1984-86 Rose Ann Thatcher*
1986-88 Marilyn Wenthe
1988-90 Betty Anderson
1990-92 Sandy Fraizer
1992-94 Linda K. Smith
1994-96 Brenda R. Smith
1996-98 Linda Orton
1998-99 Doris Teasley
1999-00 Donna Young
2000-02 Brenda R. Smith
2002-04 Chris Young
2004-06 Brenda R. Smith
2006-08 Sandi Drown
2008-11 Cammy Mays
*deceased
Altrusa Key
Altrusa is the key to:
AMITY – The women in business and professional work needs friends whose interests differ from those which keep her busy throughout the working day. Altrusa offers Amity.
LOYALTY - To such women, self-realization means, first of all, loyalty to one’s own ideals. Next, it means loyalty to one’s friends, to all women, to one’s work and to one’s country. Altrusa stimulates Loyalty.
TALENT – Talent needs recognition. No matter how great a person’s ability may be, it never reaches its most effective level unless it is understood, encouraged and developed. Altrusa encourages the expression of Talent.
RECIPROCITY – Each woman needs not only contacts which will aid her, but a chance to give corresponding benefit to others. Altrusa give impetus to Reciprocity.
UNITY – When individuals form a unit which is so big in its aim that self is forgotten in the common purpose of the group, the next step in the evolution of womankind is accomplished. Altrusa develops Unity.
SERVICE – Because of amity, loyalty, talent, reciprocity and unity, Altrusa develops Service.
ACHIEVEMENT – Through such a plan of living and mutual stimulation, Altrusa brings Achievement.
Adopted 1925
SOME ALTRUSA HISTORIC HIGHLIGHTS
1917 First Altrusa Club founded in Nashville, TX on April 11th. Became the first national organization of business and professional women with incorporation (Indiana) as National Association of Altrusa Clubs, August 21st.
1921 Principles of Altrusa created by Mamie L. Bass.
1930 District Plan adopted and 10 geographical areas established in districts.
1931 Permanent Altrusa headquarters established in Chicago, Illinois.
1935 Altrusa became international with extension into Mexico.
1944 Altrusa organized in Canada.
1945 First Altrusa representative to the United Nations appointed.
1964 District Thirteen established in united Kingdom, Articles of Reorganization for Altrusa International, Inc. filed in Indiana.
1965 ASTRA was established
1976 Altrusa adopted literacy as an ongoing service and the Altrusa Foundation adopted Camp Safe Haven
1978 Action for Literacy adopted as third major program of the Altrusa International Foundation, Inc.
1984 District Fifteen established.
1989 Adopted a resolution to promote environmental concerns
Altrusa Collect
Our Heavenly Father,
Surrounded by blessing,
May we learn to bless;
Reaping the fruits of patriotism,
May we love our country more;
Members of a worldwide community
May we cherish our neighbors everywhere;
Grateful to Thee,
May we show our gratitude
By Efficiency and Service.
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 greet our fellow man,
Be true to all Altrusa aims
Until we meet again.
Altrusa Motto
Patriotism, Efficiency, Service
Altrusa Colors
Blue and White
