WHAT IS RURITAN?
Ruritan, as an organization, has been working to build better communities since May 21, 1928. Two men, Tom Downing and Jack Gwaltney, recognized a need for an organization where community leaders could meet and discuss ways to improve their community. Their early ideas grew to what is now a national organization centered around 3 major categories: Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service. Ruritan is building a better America by building better communities.
Fellowship/Goodwill
No organization survives for long without the unity of its members. Ruritans work to build this fellowship by meeting on a regular basis to discuss community issues and hearing various presenters. Ruritan members are volunteer members and give of their time willingly. These members often build lifelong friendships as they work over brunswick stew pots or cook seafood at the various events. Men and women work and discuss the events of the world and once and a while tell a joke or two. Ruritan is caring about your fellow member, your fellow neighbor and their families. (Voice Message about Ruritan Fellowship )
Community Service
No one is more aware of the issues or needs of a community than its own members. Ruritan clubs, though organized as part of a national organization, work autonomously in their own communities. Each club surveys its surroundings and designs programs and fund raising activities to meet many of the needs of their neighbors. This local flavor gives club members an opportunity to see their efforts directly. Lights at a little league park; sound system at a local church; sponsoring a baseball league; sponsoring a litter cleanup program; or planting trees for Arbor Day. These and many other activities are undertaken by our members everyday.A Ruritan believes the most important benefit of membership is the opportunity to work in fellowship with people who, like them, have a desire to make their communities better places in which to live.
What is Ruritan? Ruritan is choosing to make a difference and having a joyous, life changing time doing it!
Sound interesting?