MS 1150 - Altrusa International of Marion, Ohio

Title	MS 1150 - Altrusa International of Marion, Ohio
Introduction	The archives of Altrusa International of Marion, Ohio chapter were donated to the Center for Archival Collections in December 2010 by the organization. Dating from 1925 – 2010, the contents of the 3.5 linear foot collection primarily consist of meeting minutes, membership records, committee reports, financial reports, scrapbooks, news clippings, and promotional materials. No restrictions exist on the research use of this collection and duplication is permitted for research purposes. The collection was arranged and described by graduate student assistant Rebecca Denes in September 2013.
Agency History	Altrusa International is an international association of professional women who volunteer their energies and expertise in projects dedicated to community betterment. Altrusa is also a community service organization that espouses volunteerism, service and fights for literacy and against AIDS. It is comprised of over 400 clubs located throughout the United States and in ten countries around the world. First organized in 1917 as a women’s service organization, over the years it has supported vocational training for women and graduate research for women in developing countries in addition to its long standing commitment to literacy. The Marion, Ohio chapter of the organization was founded in 1925 and, as of 2013, continues to be an active part of the worldwide Altrusa International organization. From even its earliest days, the members of the organization sought to make connections and foster relationships with Marion businesses and organizations. The amount of sub-committees contained within the chapter is a strong indication that they were committed to causing and encouraging change—whether through scholarships, literacy outreach, medication payment programs, or simple encouragement. Fundraising was an integral part of the Marion chapter since its earliest days, with funds benefiting various parts of the greater Marion community. Pecan sales, candy sales, fashion shows, and bingo games helped pay for the myriad of programs created and maintained by the organization. The chapter has also organized various talks and visits by local and national leaders throughout its history, inviting the public to join them and fostering education.
Scope and Content	The items contained within the Altrusa International of Marion collection provide a fairly accurate history of the organization. Though there are gaps here and there in the materials, those that are available provide adequate representations of the decades that the club has been in operation. The meeting minutes, of which there are only a few missing years, present a meticulous record of the club’s activities and inner workings. In many cases, these minutes also include the monthly and annual treasurer’s reports attached, as well as the reports of committees in the earlier decades. Perhaps the most interesting and important aspect of the collection is the large amount of scrapbooks within. When possible, these were kept intact and not altered. Those that were dismantled were put into folders with attention to page order, so that they maintain the original essence of the scrapbook. Each volume is set up in the same way, featuring a variety of materials that help describe club life and events for each given club year. Many of the later decade scrapbooks also include copies of the chapter newsletter “The Blotter.” The collection is especially useful to those studying women’s organizations on the local level, or to those who have a specific interest in this chapter. However, the collection can also appeal to a much broader audience. The material contained in this collection follows professional, working women from the 1920s through the 2010s. They represent a much different demographic than many of their contemporaries, and this is often reflected within the collection. The inner workings of the club, the activities they took part in, and the events that they promoted throughout the years can speak towards the social history of a certain region of Ohio.
Series Description	PROCEEDINGS MINUTES - General and Board Meeting Minutes 1925 – 1986, 1989 – 2010 Nineteen folders, arranged chronologically Records of regular monthly meetings held by the club and of separate meetings attended only by members, each feature date, location, and details of what was discussed at the meeting. Some may include attached agendas and treasurer’s reports. MEMBERSHIP RECORDS 1925 – 2007, n.d. Four folders, arranged chronologically by type Varying types of membership records and meeting attendance records that span most of the organization’s history. BY-LAWS 1961, 1974, 1991, n.d. One folder, arranged chronologically by type Official organization policies and by-laws, with representations of changes made over the years. CORRESPONDENCE CORRESPONDENCE – General 1939 – 2010, n.d. Two folders, arranged chronologically Internal and external correspondence to and from members of the organization, not all years represented. SUBJECT FILES COMMITTEES 1979 – 2010 Twenty-three folders, arranged alphabetically by committee and chronologically within The files and related reports of each of the various sub-committees contained within the organization during its later decades. SERVICES AND CEREMONIES 1939 – 1946, 1966, n.d. Two folders, arranged chronologically Details of prayer services held for deceased members with prayers and eulogies, detailed initiation ceremony for new members. OFFICE FILES 1982 – 2004, n.d. Three folders, arranged chronologically by type Assorted files relating to various aspects of club operation, including paperwork related to district conferences and nomination and entry forms for national and international awards. REPORTS ASSORTED REPORTS 1981 – 2001 Four folders, arranged chronologically by type Features reports from various club officers, visits from the Altrusa governor, activity reports, and member volunteer hour tallies. FINANCIAL REPORTS 1927 - 2010 Eight folders, arranged chronologically by type Assorted type of financial reports including those directly related to fundraising, proposed and actual budgets, accounts audits, and monthly and annual treasurer’s reports. LITERARY PROUCTIONS REMINISCENCES – Club Histories 1998 – 2003 One folder, arranged chronologically Includes general chapter histories as well as those created to describe the events of specific club years. LEGAL DOCUMENTS TAX EXEMPTION INFORMATION 2000 – 2001 One folder, arranged chronologically Documentation regarding the organization’s tax exempt and not-for-profit status with the state of Ohio. SCRAPBOOKS AND SCRAPBOOK MATERIALS EVENT SCRAPBOOKS – Altrusa International 50th Anniversary Scrapbook 1967 Two folders, arranged by original page order Scrapbook dedicated to the 50th anniversary of the organization with memorabilia, photographs, clippings, artifacts, and printed material used to create the pages. CLUB SCRAPBOOKS 1958 – 2002 Fourteen folders and two volumes, arranged chronologically by individual volume and original page order Scrapbooks devoted to the accomplishments and activities of each club year, often with multiple years contained in one volume. Pages made up of memorabilia, photographs, clippings, artifacts, and printed material. JUNIOR MEMBER SCRAPBOOKS 1945 – 1965 Three folders, arranged chronologically by volume Scrapbooks used to record the accomplishments of Junior members of the chapter, usually high school students who did not need to meet other membership requirements. NEWSCLIPPINGS 1920s – 1990s, n.d. Nine folders, arranged chronologically by decade and year Multiple decades of newspaper clippings about the activities of the chapter itself and those of its various members throughout the years. PRINTED MATERIAL NEWSLETTER – “The Blotter” 1982 – 2000 Three folders, arranged chronologically Scattered issues of the organization’s local newsletter, featuring news about their own activities and those of their District and National counterparts. CERTIFICATES – Ruth B. Emmons Award 1994 One folder Award presented to the Marion chapter by their parent organization. PUBLICITY MATERIALS 1984, 1993, n.d. One folder, arranged chronologically Flyers and other such material created to publicize various events held by the organization. PROGRAMS Two folders, arranged chronologically Programs for the chapter’s celebrations of the organization’s 50th and 75th anniversaries. PHOTOGRAPHIC MATERIAL POSITIVE PRINTS - Assorted Event Photographs 1976, n.d. One folder, arranged chronologically Snapshot photographs, primarily undated, of unknown events held by the organization POSITIVE PRINTS - 75th Anniversary Photo Collage 1992 One folder Photocopied collage of photos taken at the 75th anniversary celebration. A/V RECORDINGS RECORDS - “Ruth Kramer Address Marion Altrusa’s 25th Anniversary” 1950 Two Items 78rpm recording of an address given by chapter president Ruth Kramer. RECORDS - “Interview with Altrusa Charter Members” 1959 Two items 78rpm record with a recording of an interview with the charter members of the Marion chapter; Edna Rhodes, Clara Walker, and Jessie Lindsay. VIDEOTAPES - “This is Altrusa” VHS recording n.d. One folder Informational video about the organization, its purposes, and activities.
Inventory	Box 1 Folders General Meeting Minutes, 1925 – 1930 General Meeting Minutes, 1931 – 1938 General Meeting Minutes, 1939 – 1944 General Meeting Minutes, 1945 – 1952 General Meeting Minutes, 1953 – 1959 General Meeting Minutes, 1960 – 1964 General Meeting Minutes, 1965 – 1972 Box 2 Folders General Meeting Minutes, 1973 – 1980 General Meeting Minutes, 1981 – 1986 General Meeting Minutes, 1989 – 1997 General Meeting Minutes, 1998 – 2003 General Meeting Minutes, 2004 – 2010 Board Meeting Minutes, 1925 – 1942 Board Meeting Minutes, 1943 – 1952 Board Meeting Minutes, 1953 – 1962 Box 3 Folders Board Meeting Minutes, 1963 – 1975 Board Meeting Minutes, 1976 – 1986 Board Meeting Minutes, 1989 – 2000 Board Meeting Minutes, 2001 – 2010 Membership Applications, 1995 – 2000 Member Rosters and Attendance Records, 1925 – 1969 Member Rosters and Attendance Records, 1988 – 2001 Committee Rosters, 1937 – 2007, n.d. Policies and By-laws, 1961, 1974, 1991, n.d. Assorted Organization Correspondence, 1939, 1975, 1982 – 1983 Assorted Organization Correspondence, 1997 – 2003, 2007, 2010, n.d. Ad-hoc Committees, 1992, 2005 Assorted Committees, 1982 – 1983, 2003 ASTRA Committee, 1983 Audit Committee, 1994 – 2002 Bingo Committee, 1999 – 2003 Blotter Committee, 1999 – 2002 By-laws and Policies Committee, 1982, 2000 – 2002, 2010 Communications Committee, 1998 – 2000 Community Service Committee, 1989 – 2000, 2006 – 2007 Extension Committee, 1983, 1993 – 1995 Fellowship Committee, 1983, 1996 – 2003 Finance Committee, 1982 – 1999 Information Committee, 1982 – 1983 International Relations Committee, 1983 – 2002 Literacy Committee, 1995 – 2003, n.d. Membership Committee, 1982 – 2002 Box 4 Folders Nominating Committee, 1982 – 1983, 1994 – 2010 Public Relations Committee, 1982 – 1995 Scholarship Committee, 1979 – 1984, 1991 – 2002 Sister Club Committee, 2001 – 2003 Social Committee, 1989 – 1997, 2002 – 2003 Vocational Services Committee, 1983, 1989 Ways and Means Committee, 1995 – 1997 Memorial Services for Members, 1939 – 1946, 1966, n.d. Initiation Service, n.d. Rx Marion Program, n.d. District Five Conference Paperwork & Information, 1982, 1998 – 1999, n.d. Award Nominations and Entries, 1998 – 2004 Altrusa Governor Visits, 1997, 1999 Officer Reports, 1981 – 1991 Club Activity Reports, 1998 – 2000 Member Volunteer Reports, 2000 – 2001 Fundraising 1982 – 2002, n.d. Budgets, 1941 – 1943, 1982 – 1983 Budgets, 1989 – 2004, 2009 – 2010 Accounts Audits, 1943, 1982, 1989, 2002 – 2003 Annual Financial Reports, 1929 – 1945, 1989 Monthly Financial Reports, 1927 – 1928, 1937 – 1941 Monthly Financial Reports, 1982 – 1983, 1989 – 1995 Monthly Financial Reports, 1997 – 2003 Club Histories, 1998 – 2003 Tax Exemption Paperwork, 2000 – 2001 Altrusa 50th Anniversary Scrapbook (Cover-p. 19), 1967 Altrusa 50th Anniversary Scrapbook (p. 20-27), 1967 Club Scrapbook (p. 1-22), 1977 – 1980 Club Scrapbook (p. 23-31), 1977 – 1980 Club Scrapbook, 1981 – 1983 Box 5 Folders Club Scrapbook (p. 1-13), 1983 – 1987 Club Scrapbook (p. 14-29), 1983 – 1987 Club Scrapbook (p. 30-48), 1983 – 1987 Club Scrapbook (p. 1-18), 1987 – 1989 Club Scrapbook (p. 19-30), 1987 – 1989 Club Scrapbook (p. 1-24), 1989 – 1992 Club Scrapbook (p. 25-39), 1989 – 1992 Box 6 Folders Club Scrapbook (p. 1-28) 1992 – 1996 Club Scrapbook (p. 29-44) 1992 – 1996 Club Scrapbook 1999 – 2001 Club Scrapbook 2001 – 2002 Junior Members Scrapbook 1945 – 1952 Junior Members Scrapbook 1952 – 1955 Box 7 Folders Junior Members Scrapbook, 1955 – 1965 Newsclippings, 1920s Newsclippings, 1930s Newsclippings, 1940s Newsclippings, 1950s Newsclippings, 1960s Newsclippings, 1970s Newsclippings, 1980s Newsclippings, 1990s Newsclippings, n.d. “The Blotter” Newsletter, Mar. 1982 – May 1983 “The Blotter” Newsletter, Feb. 1994 – May 1996 “The Blotter” Newsletter, June 1999 – Feb. 2000 Ruth B. Emmons Award Certificate, 1994 Assorted Event Publicity, 1984, 1993, n.d. Ohio Altrusa Convention Program, 1928 50th Anniversary Program, 1975 75th Anniversary Program, 1992 Annual Fashion Show Fundraiser Programs, 1994 – 1995 Assorted Event Photographs, 1976, n.d. 75th Anniversary Photo Collage, 1992 “This is Altrusa” VHS Recording, n.d. Box 8: Oversize Folders Club Scrapbook 1958 – 1977 Club Scrapbook 1980 – 1981 “Ruth Kramer Address Marion Altrusa’s 25th Anniversary” Record 1, 1950 “Ruth Kramer Address Marion Altrusa’s 25th Anniversary” Record 2, 1950 “Interview with Altrusa Charter Members” Record 1, 1959 “Interview with Altrusa Charter Members” Record 2, 1959