MORAN The Moran Ruritan Club, and its 14 members, probably doesnt toot our own horn loud enough, chapter president Jeff Johnson admitted Monday.
While the organization is responsible for a number of civic activities each year, the organizations numbers have slowly dwindled.
A group of Ruritan members hope to change that.
Johnson was joined by fellow Ruritan officials Mark Warren and Jim Kimball in espousing the organizations benefits at Mondays Moran City Council meeting.
They plan to follow it up with increased public engagement in the near future.
Precisely whats planned has yet to be established, said Warren, a district governor, but he hopes to model it after a recent recruitment drive in Cherokee, in which that community saw its Ruritan numbers swell from three to 16.
It really got the club back on its feet, Warren said. It worked so well in Cherokee, wed like to try it in Moran.
The first step is to reach out to Moran residents to target specific needs.
What does your community need that volunteers could provide? he asked.
Kimball rattled off a list of projects the Moran club has undertaken from placing flags and flag holders at the Moran Cemtery, building a fence around Moran Manor, cutting wood for a local family in need, hosting an ice cream social for seniro citizens, assisting with a health fair at school enrollment and buying books for the Moran Public Library.
Ruritan also sponsors an annual Build Your Dollars Scholarship campaign.
Warren pointed to three benefits of having a thriving Ruritan organization in Moran, the second oldest chapter in the state (behind Bronson).
First, its a certified non-profit organization, which means funds raised or donated are tax-exempt. Secondly, Ruritan has liability insurance coverage to help protect the organization, or volunteers, from costly legal fees if an accident were to occur at a public event.
Lastly, Warren pointed to the human side. One of Ruritans missions is to those in need, particularly after disasters. He pointed to Ruritans willingness to reach out after fires or other natural disasters.
Councilwoman Corky Lynes didnt need any convincing. She recounted two instances in which Ruritan members aided her family, the first after her home was destroyed by a tornado in 1974; the second after her daughter, Brandi, was killed in a car accident in 1999.
Councilman Jerry Wallis, a former member, pointed to the clubs biggest need: young members. He pointed to the 14 full-time or associate members, nearly all of which have retired or are approaching retirement age.
