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Altrusa International District Seven Records

Finding Aid

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COLLECTION SUMMARY

Identifier

MA 16

Title

Altrusa International, District Seven Records

Dates

1956-2017

Extent

5.26 linear feet (4 records center boxes, 3 document cases), photographs

Creator

Altrusa International. District Seven

Language

English

Repository

South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library (SBL) Room 241, Box 2115, 1300 North Campus Drive, Brookings, SD 57007
Phone: 605-688-5094, Email: arcrefs@sdstate.edu

Access note

Open. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Preferred Citation

Name of item. MA 16, box #, folder #, Altrusa International, District Seven Records, South Dakota State University Archives and Special Collections, Hilton M. Briggs Library, Brookings, South Dakota.

Abstract

Altrusa is a community based, grassroots organization that seeks to solve the problems in our back yards. The organization raises money for local charities, volunteer at battered women's shelters, help runaway teens, build houses for Habitat for Humanity. The collection is composed of conference proceedings for conference and president's workshops held between 1956 and 1995. Folders contents consist of programs, reports, banquet menus, and minutes, including pre-conference, conference and post-conference.


HISTORICAL NOTE

Dr. Alfred Durham, a member of Kiwanis, founded the Altrusa Institute in Nashville in 1917. Record numbers of women were going to work during World War I. Dr. Durham saw the need for women's civic organizations. While he would organize the clubs and collect a portion of the dues, Dr. Durham envisioned the Altrusa Institute as a chain of national clubs where business and professional women could meet and exchange ideas.

Dr. Durham's idea caught on. He organized clubs in Nashville, Louisville, and Dayton before he moved on to Indianapolis where he met Mamie L. Bass.

Mamie L. Bass had served as the Superintendent of the Women's Division US Employment Services as well as being a partner in her brother's architecture firm and assisting her brother in organizing a Rotary chapter in Indianapolis. While she admired Dr. Durham's Institute, Bass felt that Altrusa could serve a higher purpose. In June 1918, when Altrusa held its first convention in Indianapolis, Mamie L. Bass's vision became reality. The Altrusa Institute became a classified service organization for women.

Now a classified service organization, the Altrusa Institute renamed itself the National Association of Altrusa Clubs and adopted By-Laws that laid the groundwork for today's Altrusan’s. Soon after, Mamie L. Bass created the Principles of Altrusa which defined Altrusa as "a builder of women" and an organization based on merit and accomplishment. The Principles were officially adopted in 1921 along with a major club building effort. By 1922, Altrusa had 20 clubs.

Since the organization required its members to be working professionals, Altrusa decided to make vocational education for women a national policy. Vocational Guidance expanded over the years to include not only scholarships and guidance for young women but older women as well.

Altrusa became international in 1935 when Altrusa organized its first club in Mexico. From that first step over US borders in 1935, Altrusa moved into` Puerto Rico, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, India, Korea, Russia, Ukraine, Ireland, Great Britain, Bermuda, Canada, and New Zealand. In 1946, Altrusa sent its first representative to the United Nations.

In the sixties, Altrusan’s began to look to America's youth as the future of Altrusa. In 1966, ASTRA was established. ASTRA service clubs target young women ages 13 to 21 and encourage them in their educations, professions and service to society. Expanding on its commitment to youth, Altrusa adopted literacy as ongoing service in 1977, and in 1997, Altrusa Foundation adopted Camp Safe Haven for children with HIV/AIDS.

The eighties and nineties brought many exciting changes to Altrusa. With the end of Communism, the former Soviet Union saw its first Altrusa clubs. With its increasingly global outlook, Altrusa expanded its projects beyond literacy and education. In 1989, Altrusa adopted a resolution to promote environmental concerns.

Today, despite issues of international concern, Altrusa is, first and foremost, a community based, grassroots organization that seeks to solve the problems in our back yards. Busy Altrusan’s raise money for local charities, volunteer at battered women's shelters, help runaway teens, build houses for Habitat for Humanity, and so much more. Inspired by Thoreau, Mamie L. Bass put it best, "it is not enough to be good; Altrusan’s must be good for something."

Altrusa clubs are grouped by districts pertaining to their geographic location. District Seven is composed of Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan and Wisconsin.


CONTENT and ARRANGEMENT

Contents Note

This collection is composed of the records of Altrusa International District Seven. Included are minutes, reports, treasurers’ records, committee records, photographs and conference proceedings. The conference proceedings are for conference and president's workshops held between 1956 and 1995. Folders contents consist of programs, reports, banquet menus, and minutes, including pre-conference, conference and post-conference.


ACCESS

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.

Physical Access

South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.


SUBJECT HEADINGS

  • Altrusa International, District Seven

CONTAINER LIST

Download Container List

Altrusa International. District Seven Records, MA 16.
BoxFolderDescriptionDate(s)
11[Annual Conference] and Report of President's Workshop (Minneapolis, MN)1956
51925th Anniversary2002
524Administrative2006-2014
747Altrusa 37th Annual District Seven Conference Fargo, North Dakota1993
648Altrusa 44th-45th Annual District 7 Conference Brookings, South Dakota - Wausau, Wisconsin2001
650Altrusa 47th Annual District Seven Conference Red Oak, Iowa2003
651Altrusa 48th Annual District Seven Conference Oshkosh, Wisconsin2004
653Altrusa 50th Annual District 7 Conference Green Bay, Wisconsin2006
533Altrusa 54th Annual District Seven Conference2010
71Altrusa 54th Annual District Seven Conference Brookings, South Dakota2010
72Altrusa 55th Annual District Seven Conference Marshfield, Wisconsin2011
74Altrusa 57th Annual District Seven Conference Red Oak, Iowa2013
75Altrusa 59th Annual District Seven Conference Fargo, North Dakota2015
76Altrusa 60th Annual District Seven Conference Appleton, Wisconsin2016
425Altrusa Advance Christmasundated
555Altrusa Awards2015
546Altrusa C.F.I. Kit, Altrusa International Conference in Rapid City, South Dakotaundated
733Altrusa Club of Brookings [Handbook]1992-1993, 1993-1994
716Altrusa Club of Brookings: History1987, 2002, 2012, undated
61Altrusa Club Wild Game Dinner1983-1994
550Altrusa Club Wild Game Dinner1995-2001
63Altrusa Club Wild Game Dinner2001-2003
62Altrusa Club Wild Game Dinner Co-Chairs2001-2004
744Altrusa Compass Volume 1, Issue 12014
540Altrusa Foundation2008
541Altrusa Foundation Brookings2008
443Altrusa Grants - Letters to Principals2009
413Altrusa H and H (Harvest and Harmony)2006-2008
537Altrusa Handbooks2010-2014
536Altrusa History1977-2002
545Altrusa International2011
748Altrusa International Foundation, Inc., Birthday Celebration Book Grant2012
749Altrusa International Foundation, Inc., International Project:  Dakota Prairies Grant2015-2016
649Altrusa International Inc. 46th Annual District Conference Duluth, Minnesota2002
538Altrusa International Inc. of Brookings, South Dakota Foundation2008
51Altrusa Mini Grants2003-2004
410Altrusa Picture CDs (1 of 2)2001-2013
411Altrusa Picture CDs (2 of 2)2001-2013
41Altrusa President Notebook2004-2005
48Altrusa President Notebook (1 of 2)2006-2007
42Altrusa President Notebook (1 of 3)2009
49Altrusa President Notebook (2 of 2)2006-2007
43Altrusa President Notebook (2 of 3)2010
44Altrusa President Notebook (3 of 3)2010-2011
64Altrusa Program2001
56Altrusa Service Committee (1 of 4)1994-2006
57Altrusa Service Committee (2 of 4)1994-2006
58Altrusa Service Committee (3 of 4)1994-2006
59Altrusa Service Committee (4 of 4)1994-2006
750Altrusa Tradition1985
68Altrusa Wild Game Dinner2005
69Altrusa Wild Game Dinner2006
720Altrusa Wild Game Dinner & Silent Auction2007
65Altrusa Wild Game Dinner (Dinner follow-up)2002
67Altrusa Wild Game Dinner Dessert Committee2001-2004
66Altrusa Wild Game Dinner Punch Table2002-2004
719Altrusa Wild Game Dinner: Committee Chairman Notebook1998-2008
426American Horse (Reservation Literary Project)2006
73Annual District Seven Conference Ames, Iowa2012
656Annual District Seven Conference Door County, Wisconsin2009
652Annual District Seven Conference Fargo, North Dakota2005
655Annual District Seven Conference Omaha, Nebraska2008
654Annual District Seven Conference Saint Paul, Minnesota2007
622Audit2012-2014
739Awards1997-1999, 2010, 2015
523Awards2004-2007
522Awards and Certificatesundated
544Bookmarks District Conference2010
427Books for Babes2007
412Bridge Marathon2001-2014
612Brochure2014-2017, undated
428Brookings Backpack Program2013
754Brookings Domestic Abuse Shelter Appreciation Award2007
729Brookings Strategic Plan2010, 2015, undated
620Budget (General)2011-2014
621Budget (Service)2011-2014
619Budget, Dues, Labels, Letterhead CD-ROM2008
526Bylaws and Rulesundated
615Bylaws and Standing Rules2013-2016
730By-Laws and Standing Rules of Brookings1984, 1985, 2014
429Celebrate the letter A with East Central Literary Council2005
641Channel Seven: District Seven Newsletter2012
745Channel Seven: District Seven Newsletter2001-2017
46Club Activity Report and Review FY092008-2009
613Club Roster2011, 2013
430Coloring Book2006
431Coloring Book for 4th Grade2006-2008
529Committees, Program, etc.undated
432Continuing Education Grant2009
433Continuing Literacy Education Grant for Teachers2006-2008
527Contracts2009-2010
628Cookbook: Entertaining Altrusa Style1999, undated
711Correspondence2001-2006
617Correspondence2008-2010
530Courtesy2009-2014
543District Conference2009
532District Conferenceundated
531District Conference in Minneapolis Carolyn Quilt Pictures2007
528District Governor Visit2010
79District Information2001-2003
746District Seven Governor's Message and other District and International Communication2013-2015, undated
47District Seven Policies2007
726Donation Acknowledgments2015
625Donations1992-2006, undated
624Dues2008-2012
434Eastern South Dakota Science and Engineering Fair2011
26Eighteenth Annual Conference and President's Workshop (Oshkosh, WI)1974
18Eighth Annual Conference and President's Workshop (Omaha, NE)1964
111Eleventh Annual Conference and President's Workshop ( Rockton, IA)1967
710Emeritus Status2001-2003
645Evening of Excellence1998-2001
435Family Back to School2014
23Fifteenth Annual Conference (Madison, WI)1971
15Fifth Annual Conference  (Des Moines, IA)1961
549Flyers2000-2005
444Forms and Letters for Mini Grant and Literary Education Grant2005-2008
539Foundation Copies2009-2014
623Foundation Report to Altrusa International2008-2015
22Fourteenth Annual Conference and President's Workshop (Duluth, MN)1970
14Fourth Annual Conference (Lincoln, NE)1960
718Fundraiser Ideas2007, 2012, undated
436Habitat2004-2014
614Handbook2010-2017
610Harvest and Harmony2008
416Harvest and Harmony2003-2006
414Harvest and Harmonyundated
415Harvest and Harmony Pictures2008
721Harvest and Harmony, October 13, 20072007
611Harvest Table1998-2015
437Harvest Table2009-2010
438High Interest and Low Vocabulary Books2008-2009
439High Interest Low Vocabulary Altrusa Literary Project2009
753Hillcrest Elementary School Volunteer of the Year Book Buddies Award2007-2008
535History1977-2002
45Incoming Club President Guidelines2006-2007
640Incorporation Filings, Invoices, & IRS EIN2008-2015
731International Bylawsundated
542International2003-2009
743Katie Wenstrand Lamplighter Award Nominations2009-2014, undated
520Letha H. Brown Application2007-2009
741Letha H. Brown Literary Award Application2011
534Liability2006
724Literacy is Our Focus2008-2009
646Literacy Lunch2011
647Literacy Lunch2012
639Literacy Lunch Fundraiser2007
638Literacy Lunch Fundraiser2008
637Literacy Lunch Fundraiser - February 11, 20092008-2009
636Literacy Lunch Fundraiser - February 3, 20102010
635Literacy Lunch Fundraiser - February 3, 20112011
634Literacy Lunch Fundraiser - February 4, 20122012
629Literacy Lunch Fundraiser - January 20, 20172017
630Literacy Lunch Fundraiser - January 22, 20162015-2016
631Literacy Lunch Fundraiser - January 23, 20152014-2015
632Literacy Lunch Fundraiser - January 24, 20142013-2014
633Literacy Lunch Fundraiser - January 25, 20132012-2013
418Literacy Luncheon2007
420Literacy Luncheon2007
419Literacy Luncheon2009
421Literacy Luncheon2013
417Literacy Luncheon2005-2012
440Local Altrusa Information and Literary Committee Information - General Informationundated
723Make a Difference Day2012
521Mamie Bass Nomination2010
525Mamie Bass Nomination, 20102006-2014
740Mamie L. Bass Service Award Nomination2010
727McCrory Gardens Dedication:  Brookings Altrusa Celebrates 25 Years [gift of a fountain]2002, 2012
713Meeting Minutes1995-2002
714Meeting Minutes2002-2003
715Meeting Minutes2004-2006
736Membership Applications and Subsequent Actions [1 of 2]1978-2017, undated
737Membership Applications and Subsequent Actions [2 of 2]1978-2017, undated
517Membership List1995-2006
732Membership List (possibly 2014)undated
515Membership Lists (1 of 2)1985-2003
516Membership Lists (2 of 2)1977-1992
735Membership Recruitment Materials1999-2015, undated
728Membership Survey2014-2015
626Meta Bank Award2011
547Mini Grant (1 of 2)2005
548Mini Grant (2 of 2)undated
446Mini Grants2007
445Mini Grants2008
52Mini Grants2000-2002
447Mini Grants2005-2006
441Mini Grants2006-2013
442Mini Grants and Correspondence2009
627Mini-Grant Report from Schools2008-2009
514Minutes2003-2007
513Minutes2007-2013
616Minutes, Agenda2008-2017
644Miscellaneous: Raffle permit, Brookings Register bill, Program for Nels Granholm Luncheon and Raffle2007, undated
752NASA Astronauts:  Eileen Collins, Susan Helms, Ellen Baker, Ellen Ochoa1991, 1993, 1994
554Newspaper Clippingsundated
717Newspaper Clippings, Press Releases and Photographs2001-2018, undated
27Nineteenth Annual Conference (St. Paul, MN)1975
19Ninth Annual Conference and President's Workshop (Burlington, IA)1965
742Nomination for the Roosevelt Award1999
734Orientation Materials2010, undated
77Philanthropy2016
552Photographs2015, undated
553Photographs Chamber After Five2004
642Photographs: 2010 District Conference Invitations2009
643Photographs: Christmas Partyundated
722Photos of Altrusa at Work [color printout]2001-2004
712Policies and Strategic Plans2002-2003
53Reading Book Buddies2005-2008
512Revitalization Grant2009
738Revitalization Grant2014
78Rosters of District Officers2001-2003
54Scholarship1998-2010
551Science Fair Awards2015
12Second Annual Conference (Sioux Falls, SD)1958
424Service Projects2001-2007
25Seventeenth Annual Conference and President's Workshop (Cedar Rapids, IA)1973
17Seventh Annual Conference and President's Workshop (Racine, WI)1963
24Sixteenth Annual Conference (Grand Island, NE)1972
16Sixth Annual Conference (Minneapolis, MN)1962
751Special 75th Anniversary Commemorative Issue International Altrusa1992
511Strategic Plans2007-2010
510Strategic Plansundated
518Surveysundated
110Tenth Annual Conference and President's Workshop (Winnipeg, Manitoba)1966
556Thank You - Boys and Girls Clubundated
13Third Annual Conference and President's Workshop (Milwaukee, WI)1959
21Thirteenth Annual Conference and President's Workshop (Waterloo, IA)1969
34Thirtieth Annual Conference (Lincoln, NE)1986
312Thirty-eighth Annual Conference (Burlington, IA)1994
39Thirty-fifth Annual Conference (Oshkosh, WI)1991
35Thirty-first Annual Conference (Beloit, WI)1987
38Thirty-fourth Annual Conference (Winnipeg, Manitoba)1990
313Thirty-ninth Annual Conference (Fond du Lac, WI)1995
36Thirty-second Annual Conference (Iowa City, IA)1988
311Thirty-seventh Annual Conference (Fargo, ND)1993
310Thirty-sixth Annual Conference (Grand Island, NE)1992
37Thirty-third Annual Conference (Escanaba, MI)1989
55Toys for Tots Literacy Program UPS2008
423Treasurer Receipts2006-2013
725Treasurer's Report2017
618Treasurer's Report2011-2016
112Twelfth Annual Conference and President's Workshop (North Platte, NE)1968
28Twentieth Annual Conference and President's Workshop (Janesville, WI)1976
32Twenty-eighth Annual Conference (Wausau, WI)1984
213Twenty-fifth Annual Conference (Fond du Lac, WI)1981
29Twenty-first Annual Conference (Rapid City, SD)1977
212Twenty-fourth Annual Conference (Fargo, ND)1980
33Twenty-ninth Annual Conference (Thunder Bay, Ontario)1985
210Twenty-second Annual Conference (Council Bluffs, IA)1978
31Twenty-seventh Annual Conference (Ames, IA)1983
214Twenty-sixth Annual Conference (Sioux Falls, SD)1982
211Twenty-third Annual Conference (Green Bay, WI)1979
422Wild Game Dinner2003-2006

Administrative Information

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open to researchers without restrictions. The materials in the Archives do not circulate and may be used in-house only.

Researchers conducting extensive research are asked to make an advance appointment to access archival material. Please call or e-mail prior to visiting the collection and indicate as much detail as possible about a particular topic and intended use.

South Dakota State University supports access to the materials, published and unpublished, in its collections. Nonetheless, access to some items may be restricted as a result of their fragile condition or by contractual agreements with donors.

Copyright note

Copyright restrictions apply in different ways to different materials. Many of the documents and other historical materials in the Archives are in the public domain and may be reproduced and used in any way. There are other materials in the Archive carrying a copyright interest and must be used according to the provisions of Title 17 of the U.S. Code. The Archive issues a warning concerning copyright restrictions to every researcher who requests copies of documents. Although the copyright law is under constant redefinition in the courts, it is ultimately the responsibility of the researcher to properly use copyrighted material.

Arranged and Described by

Crystal J. Gamradt, 2009 September 15.