Since the organization’s beginning in 1928, Ruritan Clubs have served America with Fellowship, Goodwill, and Community Service. Ruritan is a civic service organization made up of local clubs in urban areas, small towns and rural communities. Ruritan's purpose is to create a better understanding among people and through volunteer community service, make America's communities better places in which
to live and work. The slogan of Ruritan is "Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service." Club membership represents a cross-section of the community in which the club serves, and is not restrictive with regard to occupation, social position, or any other specific criteria. Unlike most civic service organizations, Ruritan rarely has national programs. Rather, each club surveys its own community as to the needs of that community and then works to meet some of those needs. Nearly all clubs work locally with FFA, 4-H and other organizations serving youth. Nearly one in every three Ruritan clubs sponsors a Boy or Girl Scout unit. For a complete list of Ruritan Partners, click here
Many clubs provide and supervise community recreational centers, sponsor Little League and other athletic programs, involve themselves in anti-litter campaigns, help the sick and needy, and perform a wide range of services to help their communities. Sixteen members are required to form a Ruritan club, usually with the assistance of an existing club. When a club applies for membership in Ruritan, it submits a charter application along with a charter fee. Upon chartering, the club receives supplies and assistance necessary for its organization and continuance. Ruritan has three membership categories:
•Regular,
•Youth and
•Associate. Associate Members pay their dues annually; regular and youth members pay different rates but they both pay their dues quarterly through their clubs. There is also a lifetime membership payment plan called Ruritan Forever. Of special interest to young people are three growing, expanding Ruritan programs: The Ruri-teen Club, the Ruritan Student Program and the Ruritan National Foundation Scholarship programs. The Ruri-teen Club is a club formed only with teen members, ages 14 to 19. Some Ruri-teen clubs meet in the local high school and others meet after school in other locations. Peer members meet together to carry out the mission of Ruritan and to also assist with community service projects within their community. In the Ruritan Student Program, many Ruritan clubs select two or more high school students and pay their entire membership (including meals) in the club for one year. The purpose of the Ruritan Student Program is to introduce students of all ages to the Ruritan spirit of Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service. The Ruritan National Foundation each year provides scholarships as financial assistance to students to further their education past high school.
