2003 National

Ruritans from twenty-five states gathered in Norfolk, Virginia for their 75^th Annual Ruritan National Convention, held from January 30^th until February 3^rd, at the Waterside Convention Center in Norfolk, Virginia. These Ruritan members and delegates represented more than 33,000 Ruritan volunteers across the nation who gathered to participate in self-improvement workshops, organizational business sessions, and the election of Ruritan National Officers for 2003.

Fourteen members and guests from the Sandy Run Ruritan Club joined in the fellowship along with over thirteen hundred other Ruritans that attended the convention. Eight of the twenty clubs in the Columbia District were represented. Attending from the Sandy Run Ruritan Club were Dave Boney, Kathy Boney, Brad Bozard, Herbert Geiger, Betty Geiger, Gary Hardee, Curtis Lake, Faye Lake, Howard Pees, Sandra Pees, Marshall Stabler, Lena Stabler, Gerald Starnes, and Becky Starnes.

One of the highlights of the convention was the Flag Ceremony held on Friday morning. The incoming 2003 District Governors from the twenty-five states represented by Ruritan presented their state’s flag. Paul Weaver, 2003 District Governor from the Delmae Ruritan Club, carried the South Carolina state flag.

On Saturday, during the awards segment of the convention, Henri Bishop, 2002 District Governor of the Columbia District and a member of the Pomaria Ruritan Club, and Jimmy Bristow, outgoing National Director and a member of the Pineview Ruritan Club from the Columbia District received a plaque from Millard Thacker, President of Ruritan National for their many contributions to the success of Ruritan. The Sandy Run Ruritan Club received three awards in communication. Brad Bozard accepted the Certificate of Appreciation from Millard Thacker for the Columbia District Display depicting photos and events happening in the district for the past year. Becky Starnes accepted a Second Place Award for the Sandy Run club newsletter and Gary Hardee accepted a Second Place Award for the Sandy Run website. Congratulations to the Sandy Run Ruritan Club for winning these awards against very stiff competition.

Dave Boney from the Sandy Run club was a candidate for National Director. Delegates to this convention elected him as one of the seven new directors for 2003. Dave will serve a three-year term as National Director. Congratulations Dave on being elected to this position.

Norfolk, Virginia, site of the 2003 National Convention, is also home to thousands of military families whose loved ones are abroad serving the U. S. Navy or the U. S. Marine Corps. With that in mind, Ruritans donated $8,226.00 to the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society, which exists to help those military families suffering the absence of their loved ones.

While they were in Norfolk, Ruritans donated 360 Rudy Ruritan teddy bears, the mascot of Ruritan Clubs and Ruritan National, to the area fire and rescue squads, law enforcement officials, and the local children’s hospital. Since 1988, Ruritan Clubs have provided more than 62,000 Rudy Ruritan teddy bears to fire, rescue, police, and children’s agencies to comfort children in times of illness, accidents, and other traumas.

The 75^th Annual Ruritan National Convention also featured a range of the finest entertainment and speakers including country performers Thom Shepard and Dakkota, former Miss Virginia, Beverly Cooke Young, inspirational musicians The Millers, and motivational speakers Bobby Staton, Bob Hillman, and David Green.

Ruritan National is the parent organization of all local Ruritan clubs, organizations devoted to improving America’s communities through Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service since 1928

Sandy Run Ruritans attend National Convention in Norfolk, Virginia.