Dear Quota Members,
Today, September 5, is the United Nations (UN) International Day of Charity. The UN recognizes that eradicating poverty is one of the world’s greatest global challenges and calls for a spirit of strengthened global solidarity focused on the needs of the poorest and most vulnerable.
Quota International has been contributing to the betterment of our world for 100 years, and for many of those years, our beloved organization has worked as a partner with the United Nations.
After the United Nations’ founding in 1945 with a goal to promote international cooperation, Quota leaders participated in UN conferences addressing foreign policy, worldwide economic and social concerns, and the formation of UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization. In 1975, Quota was formally affiliated with the UN as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO). “NGOs” are local, national, and international nonprofit organizations which focus on specific charitable and political issues. Since then, Quotarians have passed a resolution supporting the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF – in 1984), supported a UNICEF immunization effort in Uganda (1985), and provided oral rehydration therapy sponsored by UNICEF to children in Bhutan, in the Himalayas (1988).
Through Quota’s own Hand-in-Hand World Service Program, now in its 36th year, Quota members come together to impact lives of impoverished people in developing countries via projects run by Quotarians living in those communities. Our donations provide teachers, medicine, and needs as basic as a toilet in a school. In both 2000 and 2001, the UN honored this program (then known as Club-to-Club World Service) with its Blue Ribbon of Excellence, a very great honor for our organization!
In 2005, Quota International and 2005-2006 President Carolyn Rice received a United Nation’s award for contributions to human rights for two separate Quota initiatives: our Quota-organized Hurricane Katrina relief effort and our Hand-in-Hand program. Then, in September 2006, President Enid Croes-Marugg attended the annual NGO conference at the United Nations Headquarters in New York City, USA, which focused on the UN’s Millenium Development Goals targeting societal problems ranging from extreme hunger to reducing child mortality and improving maternal health. The event strengthened partnerships between NGO’s of all sizes - local groups and global institutions. Finally, from 2008-2012 then Deputy Executive Director Nancy Fitzpatrick (now Executive Director) represented Quota International on the Executive Committee of the United Nations Association of the United States, whose members are US-based NGO’s. This collaboration opened doors to promoting Quota and our service work across America.
As Quotarians, we work at both the micro and macro levels. We help our own communities and we help people in need in other parts of the world. We change lives. This official International Day of Charity is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the service you provide, the people you help, and the lives you change. Why not share your most meaningful Quota service moment on Quota International’s Facebook page? How did that Quota moment change your life and the lives of those in need? Let’s use technology to talk together, to share the extraordinary service moments we have each experienced.
As Mother Teresa said, “Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same – with charity you give love, so don't just give money but reach out your hand instead.”
Thank you for reaching out your hand in Quota’s name and changing lives around our world for the better.
Sincerely,
Emilie Simon
2018-2020 President