District Conference 2010 Day 4

Now, I see why Altrusans love Conference!  Even as we began the day memorializing our deceased members, we laughed!   Altrusans Laureene (Laurie) Manseau, Eliza (Liz) Cason, Pauline Burke, Lucille Risk, Lorenne Sterling, Mary Dougherty, Catherine McNamara, June Lucas, and Marie Widmer were all remembered as we gathered in the Queen Mary Chapel.

After final reports were given, Santa Maria gave us a rousing Call to Conference 2011.  If those gathered don't remember anything else, we won't forget the wine!

District Conference 2010 Day 4

District Conference 2010 Day 3

Friday was a hectic day for Altrusans.  The day began at 7:00 for the Foundation Fun Run/Walk participants.  They had just enough time to grab a quick cup of coffee and get changed before elections at 8:30 and workshops at 9:00. 

The Foundation Luncheon was a dynamic session, with Director & District Foundation Liaison, Melanie Hodges (Cinco Ciudades), announcing winners of the silent auctions and raffle prizes.  Tammy Fournier (Santa Maria), Literacy Chairperson, was proclaimed Queen of Diamonds, raising over $1500 for the Foundation and earning new diamonds for her Lamplighter pin.

Altrusans clean up nicely!  Everyone looked stunning at the Captain's Banquet, where award winners were announced to the cheers of delight from the respective Clubs.  The dinner entertainment was provided by Marci Ford and her accompianist, Vern.  After dinner, we were, literally, dancing in the aisles to Milele.

District Conference 2010 Day 2

Today was another exciting day for District Eleven Altrusans!  After First Timers and Delegates received their instructions from Denice Gilb and Judy Sorensen, respectively, everyone gathered for the Opening Session.

We were led in the Presentation of the Flag and the Pledge of Allegiance by the Boy Scouts of America.  They couldn't have been more adorable.  Long Beach Woodrow Wilson High School Girls Ensemble did a wonderful job singing our National Anthem.

Guest speaker, Dr. Ginny Baxter, entertained and enlightened us with her discussion of "President's Wives and Volunteerism".  She restrained herself and limited her discussion to only three of our nation's First Ladies -- Lou Hoover, Jackie Kennedy, and Eleanor Roosevelt.

District Conference 2010 Day 1

Altrusans from District Eleven convened for the 55th Annual Conference aboard the Queen Mary in Long Beach, CA.  Along with Belinda Berry, Conference Co-Chair, Anaheim Altrusans manned the Registration Desk and welcomed attendees. The day's events included workshops led by Denice Gilb for incoming Presidents; Rosemarie Hudson for new Treasurers;  and Carol Latham conducted the orientation for Expediters at this year's Conference.  After all the business of the day was handled, everyone had a chance to relax, greet old friends, and make the acquaintance of new ones.

District Eleven Altrusans Welcome International Representative to Conference 2010

Chris Mouter, Director

Altrusa International, Inc.

District Fifteen

Altrusa International, Inc. of Nelson, New Zealand

District Eleven is pleased to have Chris Mouter join us at our upcoming Conference in Long Beach, CA.  Everyone will have a chance to meet and welcome Chris during the Captain's Reception on Friday evening and throughout the Conference.

Chris has been a member of Altrusa since 1992. She has served in various positions at Club level including Club President.

At a District level, Chris has served as Leadership and Training Chair + Strategic Planning Trainer; Conference Chair; 2nd Vice Governor; 1st Vice Governor; Governor-Elect; and Governor, October 2005 to May 2009, her theme being “Raising the Bar for Altrusa”.

On the International level, Chris was Vice-Chair on the Service Committee 2005-2007 and was installed as a Director at the 2009 International Convention in Indianapolis.

Chris has lived in New Zealand for over 30 years and in Nelson for most of those. She originally came from the UK to New Zealand as a nurse in 1974. She enjoys traveling, listening to music, reading and gardening. She is also an avid “tramper” (hiker) and loves to explore the many beautiful National Parks in New Zealand.

Altrusa is a big part of Chris’ life and she thoroughly enjoys her involvement in her Club as well as at the District and International levels. Chris’ full time employment is with the Nelson Marlborough District Health Board as a Quality Improvement Advisor, which involves a wide range of activities including policy development, customer surveys, audits, project work and risk management.

Chris has also been actively involved with the local branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society and has been honored with an award for outstanding voluntary service.