President’s Message

2002-2003
International President
Beatriz Doran-Scoop

February 2003

Dear Fellow Quotarians,

If it is February, it is time for a celebration—the 84th anniversary of Quota International's founding on February 6, 2003! It is an occasion to commemorate our existence as a viable service organization. This "old lady" we call "Quota" has come a long way, and we should marvel at all the things we have accomplished together over the years.

Quota has continued to evolve with the times with this one exception: our members have always put the interest of others before their own, and we have unselfishly served our communities all over the world. I am convinced that we will continue to find avenues to make life and it's conditions much easier for those in need.

February also marks St. Valentine's day, another occasion to celebrate friendship, belonging, and love. I am sure that many clubs will plan to mark this day with festive activities for their members.

The calendar change, which was supported by a majority of members and implemented by the board of directors, requires that we all consider which practices need review and how to adjust our customary handling of things. Our governors will be looking at how the change in district conference dates will affect the way districts have been operating until now. As usual, you can count on our capable staff to assist in any query you might have.

I'd also like to update you on new information we have received regarding the proposal for switching to a system of biennial conventions with a service meeting held during the non-convention year. When we conducted our strategic discussion at district conferences around the world, we found there was strong support for the concept of switching to a biennial convention. However, at those conferences board members learned from anecdotal comments made by some district conference participants in person and on response forms that area meetings with a service component were strongly supported by those members as a better alternative than holding two service meetings during the non-convention year.

Because of the board's awareness that district conference members may have considered the proposal of biennial conventions with two separate service meetings as a total package and yet there appeared to be considerable interest in a different alternative, it was decided to discuss the matter with the leaders attending our North American and South Pacific Governors Seminars. The board asked for their advice on how to proceed regarding the matter of holding two international service meetings during non-convention years.

What we learned was that 100% of our South Pacific Governors Seminar participants and 71% of our North American Governors Seminar participants preferred to hold a COMBINED service and area meeting rather than holding an entirely separate service meeting in non-convention years.

As a result of this clear direction, the board has included this change in the rationale for the proposal to switch to a system of biennial conventions that voting delegates will consider at Convention 2003.

It is interesting to see how our thinking about this issue is evolving.

Hoping your plans for Quota Cares Month are flourishing and you are having fun in preparing them. May you enjoy Making Your Dreams Come True this Quota year.

Beatriz Doran-Scoop
International President

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