There’s a brand new club in town. Its official name is Altrusa International, Inc. of Golden Valley.
What a great way to think of Santa Maria: “Golden Valley.” We won’t be surprised if the Chamber of Commerce borrows this moniker from time to time for promotional materials.
Bruno Brunello, husband of club co-founder Jackie Brunello, gets credit for suggesting the new name.
This marks Santa Maria Altrusa club No. 3. The new group will meet on Thursday mornings at 7 a.m. at IHOP. The other organizations meet at noon and at night. For hobnobbing purposes, this can be thought of as the Altrusa “breakfast club.”
Myself, I think of the local Altrusa clubs combined as being “Powerhouse International.”
It takes 20 people to start a new club. Golden Valley corralled a whopping 40 members for their beginning.
On a recent Saturday evening, Altrusa higher-ups from Anaheim, Monterey, Phoenix, Colorado, and Florida filed into the Radisson Hotel to join Golden Valley in celebrating and officially chartering the new club.
Golden Valley was organized and developed by two nighttime and noontime Altrusa alumnae, the energetic Sylvia Ng and the inimitable Jackie Brunello. These two ladies have worked hard for many months to get it all together.
Among charter members at the dinner were Dr. Daniel and Priscilla Ng, Dr. Ron Ng, Dr. Lynda Gantt, Rosy Encinas-Mendoza, Guille Nava, and Terri Zuniga.
County supervisor Steve Lavagnino and city councilman Mike Cordero made remarks at the podium about how service clubs like Altrusa are so important in this lean economy, when city and county governments are forced to make painful budget cuts that adversely affect those in need.
The generosity of the service clubs (like Altrusa, Rotary, Kiwanis, and Lions) alleviates some of the sting of lost money.
Sixty-four people were present at the delightful dinner to celebrate the induction of charter members into the fledgling organization. Jimmy Enos entertained with piano music before dinner.
Visiting Altrusans—the international president and international president-elect and the District 11 governor (Santa Maria’s Sandi Miller) and past District 11 governors—made remarks and presented certificates of membership and plants that represent the growth potential of Altrusa.
Girl Scout Troop 767 distinguished itself with an honor guard, bringing the flag into the dining room, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Five scouts posed as characters from the Wizard of Oz and presented an adorable skit that brought many laughs.
Charter member Sister Janet Corcoran gave one of her great invocations. She got a huge laugh when she said, “Now that I have the mike, I should pass the collection basket.” She also brought to mind Mother Teresa in saying “Love gives; it does not measure.”
Charter member (and vice president) Roy Reed was a most congenial master of ceremonies.
So what does this group have in store for Santa Maria? Will we have another dazzling Christmas tree event like the ones at the Elks Club and the one at the mall? Jackie told me the club is tossing around ideas of programs they want to pursue.
Anyone who can’t resist the temptation to join this illustrious group can call Gina Rodriquez at 922-6224 for membership information.
If you want to hobnob with Helen, you may contact her at helenthom232@yahoo.com.
This article appears in Jul 14-21, 2011.