Club & District Officers Handbook

Ruritan National Community Service Merit System Guide

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 A. Community Engagement 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

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 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 needing a kidney transplant. Service Merit System (effective August 1996)

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Revised 8/2023