CLUB OF THE WEEK: Women's work never done

Whether it be hosting a camp for deserving children or selling raffle tickets, the women of Altrusa Tauranga do it all.
Members are actively involved in community service and often go unrecognised for their valuable community work.
Altrusa Tauranga is part of Altrusa International Inc, a global organisation that focuses on the needs of local communities. One of the organisation's aims was to improve literacy in the community and throughout the world.
Altrusa Tauranga is part of District 15 and is one of about 22 clubs operating in New Zealand. The club has about 32 members, ranging in age from 40 years up.
Since it was established in 1995, Altrusa Tauranga has made significant contributions to many not-for-profit groups, organisations and worthy people in the local community.
Most of what the club does incorporates fund-raising activities, and money raised is returned to the community. Some of these activities include movie nights, selling raffle tickets and bunching daffodils for daffodil day. The club also sponsors a blind dog.
Club president Christine Dean has been involved in Altrusa for about seven years, first with Altrusa Mount Maunganui, then with Altrusa Tauranga.
For her, being involved in the club was a way to escape the pressure of everyday life and give back to the community.
"I've always wanted to contribute to the community and this was my opportunity," she said.
"There are a great deal of ways you can be involved and there's a lot of variety in the things we do."
At present, club members are involved in the Altrusa Great Read - to celebrate and raise awareness of literacy needs on International Literacy Day, on September 8.
From this date onward, the first 40 babies born in Tauranga Hospital will be presented with a goodie bag created by members of Altrusa Tauranga.
Inside the bags are gifts for the baby and black-and-white books, which Mrs Dean said would help promote the importance of literacy to new parents.
Altrusa Tauranga had been involved in a wide range of community activities, which was one of the reasons people continued to be involved year after year, said Mrs Dean.
"Because we do a lot of things, people don't get bored," she said.
"We're doing things to make a bit of a difference and if everyone does a little bit, it all adds up."
Club member Margaret McDonald has been involved with Altrusa Tauranga since the club began 15 years ago - one of the club's 20 foundation members.
She got involved after her children left home and she found herself with spare time on her hands.
"In 1995, my children were disappearing and I realised it was my time to look around for something to do for myself," she said. "I've met a lot of new people and it's great being able to give back to the community."
Mrs McDonald said being involved in Altrusa offered many rewards. "I've gained some really lovely friendships over the years, and it's rewarding when we raise funds and see these funds go back into the community."
Altrusa can involve men and women, however the Tauranga club is women-only. Mrs McDonald said: "We can have a lot of fun without men and it gives us some time for ourselves. It's our escape."
Mrs McDonald said being involved in the club could sometimes be time-consuming, but members gave what they could.
"The club does not put pressure on people ... some have full-time jobs and they do what they can, and there are others who don't work and they are happy to do more," she said.
Membership is by invitation, however if you would like to get involved, visit the website or phone Pam Crossman on 544 2754.
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THE DETAILS
Name: Altrusa Tauranga
Number of members: 32
How long it's been going: 15 years
How often it meets: Second and fourth Tuesday each month
If interested to join: Contact can be made via the website or by phoning Pam Crossman on 544 2754