Promoting Healthy Habits in California

Incentives Increase Club Spirit

Different Clubs, Different Areas, Same Quota Caring

Promoting Healthy Habits in California

Working with youth is always a GREAT IDEA, because it helps the community in the present and lays a foundation for the future. The Gridley Quota club in California, U.S.A., tapped into grant monies to implement a program in their community to teach kids about making choices.

Club member Christine Michelet found out about a grant program called Health Rocks, sponsored by the National 4–H Council. Some 32 communities throughout the United States were selected to receive funding to help young people.

Gridley Quota members used the funds to set up a program in the local county housing project, the most impoverished area of their community. A series of sessions were designed to help kids aged 8 to 12 learn to make healthy choices about alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs.

The program included media education to teach participants how to deal with advertisements and images that promote tobacco and to encourage them to choose not to smoke. Another session allowed kids to envision their futures and draw pictures to signify their lifestyles as a result of healthy choices. One dreamed of becoming a teacher, one a fireman, and yet another a prom queen.

Christine, who wrote the grant proposal and organized the project, says, "I know we had a wonderful time, but we hope that we were able to make a difference in the lives of these disadvantaged kids by encouraging them to think about what they want to do and set some goals for the future. The odds are against these kids in the projects, but we hope they learned that they have the right to make healthy choices."

Incentives Increase Club Spirit

The Atascadero Quota club in California, U.S.A., generates healthy camaraderie among members with an annual recognition ceremony for outstanding contributors to the club.

Members look forward each year to the naming of the club's "Quotarian of the Year"—someone who works hard to keep the club running well. When winner Peggy Cote passed on the award plaque to her successor, she noted Corresponding Secretary Sylvia Biddle's quiet dedication:

"She's always working behind the scenes. She does so many things we aren't even aware of: taking minutes, getting the programs together, making tickets, brochures, invitations, and whatever is needed for instruction. She has graciously opened her home for any social function, and we've had a lot of nice ones at her house! She's a true Quotarian, never looking for recognition, but only doing the best for Quota."

Another highly anticipated award goes to a club friend who offers outstanding assistance but is not a club member. The Good Egg Award receives an egg trophy to keep throughout the year and then pass along to the next recipient. Member spouses are often winners of this coveted award.

The club also recognizes perfect meeting attendance with certificates and applause.

This California club has celebrated member success for decades. The gratitude of leaders for member contributions and participation keeps clubs, like Atascadero, healthy and strong.

Different Clubs, Different Areas, Same Quota Caring

Two Quota clubs—one in North America, the other in South America—created similar service projects that tapped into members' generosity without taxing club funds. The results benefited families in both communities and generated Quota enthusiasm for service, which strengthened each club. For the story, click here.

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