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Objects of Ruritan
1. To promote fellowship and goodwill among its
members and to inspire each other to higher efforts.
2. To unify the efforts of individuals.
3. To encourage the idea of service.
Awards Program Purposes
1. To motivate individuals and clubs to higher levels
of achievement.
2. To recognize and reward those that have
accomplished outstanding results.
Description of Ruritan National Community
Service Merit System
(effective August 1996)
Purpose
To encourage each club to strive for greater service
to its community by improving living conditions for
all who reside therein.
To provide each club submitting Community Service
Reports an equal opportunity to be properly
considered for their efforts and to recognize and
award those clubs that provide outstanding service
to their community.
Definitions/Qualifications
Ruritan Community Service
: Club projects
undertaken by a minimum of three (3) members,
even if the project is completed by only one member,
and after club consideration and approval, including
members’ labor and club money expended from the
treasury.
Personal Community Service:
Service initiated
and rendered by club members without club
authorization and involvement by at least two (2)
other members, including volunteer service rendered
on behalf of other organizations such as volunteer
firemen, Red Cross, 4-H Clubs and government
and law enforcement agencies, does not qualify as
“Ruritan Community Service” for these reports.
Fundraising Activity:
Labor and expenses
associated with fundraising do not qualify as Ruritan
Community Service. Credit for the money raised will
be received when it is expended and reported by
the proper committee. Credit may be given when
a fundraiser is held to benefit a special cause and
all net proceeds go to that specific project. For
example, a fundraiser to derive funds for a patient
Ruritan National
Community Service Merit System Guide
needing a kidney transplant.
Terms of Projects and Reporting Period
:
Projects can continue for more than one year. The
reporting period is September 1 to August 31.
Report only labor hours and funds expended during
this period. Reports must be postmarked to the
district governor by October 1, for the preceding
twelve (12) month period.
Invalid Project Reporting:
Projects reported to
an incorrect committee will receive half credit. If
the project can be properly applied to two or more
committees and is reported in either, full credit is
received. Projects should be reported only one time.
If the project is reported more than once, partial
credit will be given for each report. Inappropriate
projects receive no credit. Committee reports
incorrectly titled and those reports received after
October 1 cannot be evaluated.
Credit:
Projects can earn points as follows:
1. Each project initiated and reported
2
2. Each hour worked
5
3. Each dollar expended
2.5
NOTE: You may count hours worked by
associate members, however you must also
count those members into the total number of
members divided into those hours.
Community Service Merit System Committee
Summary
(Taken from Community Service Guides)
A. Business and Professions Committee
purpose:
To assist in providing and maintaining
economic stability and growth in production,
commerce, and services in the community. The
areas for consideration should include: agriculture,
industry services, trades, and professions.
B. Citizenship and Patriotism Committee
purpose:
To foster love of our country and pride
in being a citizen by promoting activities and
philosophies which enable each of us to become
more aware of our unique rights and responsibilities
Awards