Juliann Poff was elected Ruritan District Governor during the New River District Convention held in October at the V.F.W. Post in Pulaski.
Poff is a member of the Belmont II Ruritan Club and has served the district as district secretary, publicity and public relations chair, and directory chair.
On the local club level, she has served as club president, vice president and treasurer.
Poff’s goal is to strengthen the clubs in the district. She intends to the research communities in the New River District that would benefit from a Ruritan Club, then start the process of forming a club in those communities.
“I hope, through calls, emails and social media to increase communication among the clubs and club members in the district to help support each other and increase awareness,” Poff said.
Clubs raise funds through various means such as raffles, fish fries, working concessions at VT football and basketball games, holding BBQ dinners, making apple butter, and supporting fourth of July festivities.
Ruritan funds go to communities in the form of scholarships to graduating high school seniors, swim lessons for elementary school students, and summer school programs, donations to local fire, rescue and police departments, backpack programs.
“Each club determines the needs in their local area,” she said.
Also taking office in January are Lt. Governor Bonnie Westpfahl, District Secretary Nola Elliott and District Treasurer James Tabor, Jr.
The name “Ruritan” comes from the Latin words “Rus” (“country” or “farm”, from which we get the word rural) and “Urbs” (“city”, from which we get urban). Both Latin word feature in the logo.
“Ruritan Clubs improve communities and build a better America through fellowship, goodwill and community service,” Poff said.
Today there are more than 900 clubs in 24 states across the United States. The Ruritan National Home Office, the headquarters of Ruritan, has been located in Newbern, Virginia since 1965.
Contact Juliann Poff at 540.382.0125 for more information about Ruritan membership or upcoming Ruritan activities.
–Liz Kirchner
