President’s Message

2005-2006
International President
Carolyn Rice

July 1, 2006

Dear Fellow Quotarians,

As convention looms on the horizon, only three weeks away, I have spent time reflecting on the past 12 months and all that has been achieved by our members, and indeed our organization, Quota International, as a whole.

When I was installed as your international president at a dinner held in conjunction with the July 2005 board meeting in Washington, D.C., my aims for the year ahead were firmly set in my mind—plans, dreams, ambitions, all lofty goals. I was very conscious of the changes our organization was facing, so hence my theme for the year, Reach Out Together, was set. I have always felt that nothing is beyond our reach, if we reach out together.

We have achieved amazing things this past year because, you, Quota's members worldwide, have wholeheartedly honored my theme by reaching out together into your communities and worldwide to support those in need wherever they may be located.

I will share with you some of the issues the board has worked through over this last year:

• Quota International's We Share Foundation created its first-ever, international disaster relief program in response to the horrific damage and suffering in District 21 caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
  
  
• Quota International's Articles of Incorporation were amended to permit Quota International, Inc., to pursue 501(c)(3) tax status.
  
  
• A record number of Club-to-Club World Service projects were approved for the 2006 Quota year: 14 projects in five Quota countries.
  
  
• We engaged in strategic discussions on Quota's governance and future plans for Quota International's fund-raising, development and growth, and financial future directions.
  
  
• The status of the calendar change was reviewed, including the many ways this change has helped Quota International at all levels, saving us valuable financial resources and reducing the time demands of club, district, and international leaders by consolidating meetings.
  
  
• We discussed the importance of district conferences and our desire to encourage as many Quotarians as possible to attend.
  
  
• Q-Mart 2006, our first on-line silent auction, was approved and launched, raising almost U.S.$10,000 for Quota International's Wanda Frey Joiner Development Fund (which supports international development and growth).
  
  
• A new Quota "flag" charm series honoring all Quota countries was unveiled.
  
  
• Area director reports shared all the successes from area meetings held in the new timeframe of September/October/ November.
  
  
• Two Quota International governance task forces—one focusing on Quota International's structure and the other on Quota International voting issues—were launched. These two research task forces officially began operating on May 15.

The calendar change was a major focus for the year as we now conclude the first "full cycle" here at Convention 2006 on the Gold Coast, Australia. I acknowledge your positive response to date on this new journey we are taking, and I ask members to continue to reflect on the reasons why we began this change.

Meeting as many of you as possible at the highly successful area meetings held in the new timeframe of September/October/ November and sharing the celebration of your achievements allowed me to understand the challenges you face in your local communities. Quota has a proud heritage, and this year I sought to continue to support members within their clubs in upholding the tradition of visionary leadership, which is such a part of our heritage.

In addition to my trips to area meetings, I was very moved by my journey to Gulfport, Mississippi, U.S.A., to view damage inflicted by Hurricane Katrina and learn more about the relief efforts that your donations to the We Share Foundation's Hurricane Relief Fund financed. Words cannot adequately convey what I felt or saw during my time in Gulfport. My visit with the members of Quota's Mississippi Gulf Coast club, which is based in Gulfport, was truly an amazing experience to see firsthand. I was horrified by the devastation, but I felt privileged to witness the resilience of the people in the area as they have gone about repairing homes, businesses, and lives.

Members helping people in need—that's what our organization is all about, and I am so proud to be your president at this critical time, when members around the world have been called to action to help fellow members in their hour of need.

My journey to India and the Philippines was incredibly moving. I visited all clubs and all Club-to-Club World Service projects in both countries. I witnessed amazing passion and commitment shown by the Quotarians in both India and the Philippines, not only to their Club-to-Club projects, which you have generously funded this year, but to a diversity of service work, whenever and wherever it is needed in their communities. But isn't this true of all Quotarians?

Your boundless generosity and commitment to service are acknowledged and deeply appreciated. Wherever my travels have taken me—visiting clubs or districts, attending your meetings and your events—it's truly amazing to see the difference you are making in so many lives and situations within your own communities and indeed across our Quota world.

I will be ending my presidential travel by attending the 40th Birthday of the Essenden Club in Victoria, Australia, and look forward to celebrating this milestone with them.

I am an ordinary Quotarian who has experienced an extraordinary journey, and I thank you for the privilege and honor of serving as your president, to witness Quota caring and sharing at its finest. Nothing is beyond our reach if we Reach Out Together.

Yours sincerely,

Carolyn Rice, OAM
International President

(click here for the previous President's Message)

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