Community Service Guides

IDEAS FOR PROJECTS

• Develop a recognition program for outstanding farm and business leaders. 

• Recognize outstanding students and faculty members. 

• Present Rudy Bears to hospitals, fire and rescue, nursing homes. 

• Build ramps for the disabled. 

• Sponsor beautification projects in the community. 

• Provide transportation for the sick and elderly to doctor’s appointments. 

• Donate playground equipment to schools. 

• Hold a community picnic. 

• Participate in Adopt-A Highway Program. 

• Landscape around public buildings. 

• Sponsor parades. 

• Erect monuments to recognize heroes or historical events in your community. 

• Sponsor a photo or essay contest near patriotic holidays. 

• Encourage voter registration and election participation. 

The following questions, informational sources, and ideas for projects may help in planning your work 

• Does your area have an effective planning or zoning commission? 

• Are the local industries interested in improving your community? 

• Are community celebrations and parades held? 

• Are historical markers and monuments in your community properly maintained? 

• Are members of the armed forces given proper recognition and respect? 

• Is littering a serious problem in your community? 

• Are there sufficient trash receptacles available along the highways, parks, and business areas? Are the rivers, streams, and ponds clean? If not, what is the source of the pollution? 

• Are business and industrial areas clean and attractive? 

• What is the condition of Ruritan Road Signs? 

• Do you have a public athletic field for baseball, softball, football, tennis, and track? 

• Is it available for all the children and the people of the community? 

• Are your schools’ physical facilities adequate, safe, sanitary, attractive, well-equipped, and well-lighted?

INFORMATIONAL SOURCES 

1. State Industrial Commission 

2. Chamber of Commerce 

3. Regional and local planning commissions 

4. Newspapers, magazines, TV, and radio. 

5. Retail merchants associations 

6. Better Business Bureau 

7. Local banks and savings and loan associations 

8. State and county extension services 

9. Fire and rescue departments

ORGANIZING YOUR WORK 

1. Each service committee should meet as soon as possible after appointment to review the plans, work, and reports of last year’s committee and to propose ongoing and current projects (with cost) to the Objectives and Finance Committees. 

2. The chair, as a member of the Objectives Committee, will meet with the Objectives Committee prior to the January meeting of the club to review all proposed committee projects. This committee will then select and schedule projects to be recommended to the club at the January meeting. 

3. The chair will list approved projects and as work progresses, a written record will be kept by the chair so that periodic reports can be made to the Vice-President.

4. At the completion of each project, the committee should meet to evaluate its work and summarize projects so that in September the information will be available to the President, Vice-President and Secretary for use in writing the community service reports. 

COMMITTEES

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT 

The purpose of this committee is to assist in providing and maintaining economic stability and growth in production, commerce, and services in the community. The areas for consideration should include: Agriculture, Industry Services, Trades Professions.

ENVIRONMENT 

The purpose of this committee is to improve the environment and conserve natural resources in the community. The areas for consideration should include: Land, Water and Air Pollution, Community Beautification, Conservation of Wildlife, Soil and Water Conservation, Rodent and Pest Control.

CITIZENSHIP & PATRIOTISM 

The primary purpose of this committee is to foster love of our country and pride in being a citizen by promoting activities and philosophies which enable each of us to become more aware of our unique rights and responsibilities which are ours because we are Americans. The areas for consideration should include: Community Pride, Holiday Observation, Voter Registration, Armed Forces, Veterans Day, Flag Display.

SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 

The purpose of this committee is to ensure that the community has facilities and services which will provide for the well being and development of all people with special concern for those with unusual needs. Since the Ruritan club serves the entire community, it is in the unique position to take the initiative in making these facilities and services available through club projects and cooperative programs with other organizations and agencies. The areas for consideration should include: Youth, Health, The Disabled, Senior Citizens, Drug Abuse.

PUBLIC SERVICE 

The purpose of the Public Services Committee is to monitor the services provided by governmental, corporate, and volunteer agencies. This committee must be aware of all public services available in the community, be concerned with their efficient operation and justified expansion, and work toward the establishment of additional services. The areas for consideration should include: Water, Electrical, Gas Supply, Law Enforcement, Buildings, Fire and Rescue Squads, Transportation Facilities, Solid Waste, Telephone and T.V., Cable, Waste Disposal, Cell Service.

The information presented on this page is adapted from the Ruritan Community Service Guide that is published to provide guidance to the club's committee chairmen.  It's good info for all members, too. As members of the Fort Valley Ruritan club, we are all Community Leaders!

Download the Community Service Guide PDF here.