Ruritan Playbook

Ruritan Playbook

Chapter 1 - Ruritan – America’s Leading Community Service Organization - Overview of What we do and Why we do it Ruritan was created on the principle that fellowship was vital in smaller communities to join farmers, educators, and business people to discuss subjects related to agriculture, education, churches, and youth. The needs of the local community were extremely important to the founders of Ruritan. Through their goodwill and vision, they endeavored to help those who might not have anywhere else to turn to for assistance. Ruritan's purpose is to create a better understanding among people and, through volunteer community service, make America's communities better places to live and work. The slogan of Ruritan is "Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service." Club membership represents a cross section of the community in which the club serves and is not restrictive with regard to occupation, social position, or any other specific criteria. Other community organizations’ objectives often center around higher-level objectives or their members' services. In contrast, each Ruritan club surveys the needs of its community and endeavors to satisfy those needs. This distinguishes us as “America’s Leading Community Service Organization!” The first Ruritan Club was chartered in Holland, Virginia, on May 21, 1928.

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