President’s Message

2007-2008
International President
Daryl Perrine

January 11, 2008

Dear Fellow Quotarians,

It's a great day in my neighborhood! The sun is shining; it's warm and breezy (by Ohio standards); and we have a new kid on the block. I've just arrived at the office after chartering our newest club, Quota International of West Salem. This charter represents several firsts for me: the first club I've had the privilege of chartering as your international president; the first branch my club has given wings to, and—probably a first for any Quotarian—the first charter party ever held at 7:30 a.m.!

Eighteen months ago, my fellow club members joined me in welcoming Quota International of Wooster's West Salem branch. Launched in a nearby community, we hoped that someday branch members would choose to become a club; but were just pleased to introduce Quota caring and service to a new population.

Past District Governor Pat Kanehl, who served as the mentor of the West Salem branch before it chartered as a club, introduced me at the start of the ceremony.

Here I am addressing the group. One member’s eight-month-old grandson joined us for the morning charter festivities!

Today we celebrated as our branch blossomed into a club. And just like any young adult, the group wants to do things their way! They meet at 7:30 a.m. in their own Quota room in the village community center. (Most of my club members would vote to turn in our charter if we made them get up that early!) And they are dedicated to providing service to their village, making new friends, and sharing a laugh or two along the way.

Quota International of Wooster got hooked on new club and new branch development years ago when we co-chartered Quota International of Orrville in Ohio. Now, our membership views new club and branch organization as a "special service project." I will admit that some feared chartering a club just a few miles from us would impact our membership recruitment outreach or our fund-raising capacity or worse…we might lose our own members to those new Quota clubs. Today, however, I believe that every Wooster Quotarian can be compared to a proud parent, pleased that our "children" have come of age.

Speaking from experience, organizing a new club or branch is very rewarding, and I encourage each of you to consider expanding Quota in your own or a nearby community with a new club or branch that meets at a different time or that focuses on a specific constituency different from yours. Yes, some of your members may decide that the "new kid" better meets their current needs than your own club does, but what a family legacy you are creating! And please don't be hurt or distressed if some club members do choose to leave. It gives you both a chance to experience Quota in the way that works best for each of you. Just as pruning a plant can leave it more beautiful in the long run, so can the cuttings root and grow.

I wish each of you a Happy New Year and thank you for continuing to explore the many ways in which you can Create a Chorus of Caring.

Yours in Quota,

Daryl Perrine
International President

(click here for the previous President's Message)
(click here for the next President's Message)

Home / Join / Help / Marketplace / Contact Quota / Site Index