May 31, 2007

Quota Mourns Death of PIP Joan May

1975-1976 Quota International President

Quota International regrets to announce the death of Past International President Joan May on May 15, 2007, in Canberra, Australia. She was 90 years old. A dedicated Quotarian for almost 50 years and a Life Member, she served as Quota International president from 1975 to 1976.

Joan was Quota's first Australian International President, elected at the organization's convention in Hawaii in 1975. Her presidential theme was "Quota is International—in Concept, in Attitude, in Service."

A warm and gracious woman, Joan cared deeply about expanding Quota's international identity. Her election represented the coming to maturity of Quota in Australia, the country of Quota's most rapid expansion during the decade of the 1970s. During her presidency, Quota expanded from four countries to five—adding Fiji to the list of countries benefiting from Quota's service efforts.

Fifty Australians and six New Zealanders traveled with Joan to Fiji for the launching of this new Quota country. As Joan later wrote, "It takes courage to go into a new country—and this isn't just another geographic area. It involved different cultures, different beliefs, different ways of life. In itself, Fiji is multi-national. And it takes courage to embrace a new international organization; a new concept of service to others; and a further responsibility to one's community, to one's country, and to the wide, wide world."

Joan developed an interest in serving others during her early teenaged years, and at the age of 21 started her first business. That was the beginning of her lifelong interest both in commerce and community. Among her professional activities, Joan served as managing director of Norent Pty. Ltd. Also interested in government, Joan served as an alderman of the Newcastle City Council, where she kept in close touch with community needs and development.

With the permission of her family, and because of her interest in Quota International's development and growth, the Joan May Memorial Fund has been set up; financial gifts to the memorial will support Quota International's Wanda Frey Joiner Development Fund. If you wish to make a donation to this memorial fund, please make your check payable to Quota International and include a note that it is for the Joan May Memorial. Please send it to: Quota International, 1420 21st Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036 or to Beris Pritchard at P.O. Box 205, Margate, Queensland 4019. Credit card donations will be accepted at ingrid@quota.org and berisp@worldoptions.com.au. We will notify Joan's family of your donation.

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