Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What is Make A Difference Day?

A. USA Weekend Magazine created Make A Difference Day as the most encompassing national day of helping others.  This is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October

Q. Is this confusing, or is it just me?

A. Let’s review the steps.

• Save October 23, 2010, for doing your Make A Difference Day literacy project.
• Select a project...review the ideas supplied or design your own.
• Do your project on October 23, 2010.
• Report the results of your Make A Difference Day literacy project by November 1, 2010 to Altrusa International, Inc.

Q. Must the project be done on October 23, 2010?

A. Yes. The only exception is for a religious observance, then the project can be done the day before or the day after. Some projects take more than one day, for example, building  book cases. Just plan to deliver the bookcases on Make A Difference Day.

Q. Why does it have to be a literacy project?

A. The delegates at the 2001 Dallas  Convention adopted a resolution to  make literacy the major service focus for Altrusa International, Inc., and for many years, the Letha H. Brown Literacy Award has recognized outstanding literacy-related accomplishments of clubs at both the District and International level. Also, literacy continues to be a major focus of the grants made to clubs by our International Foundation. Literacy is one of the most popular areas of service for clubs in all parts of the world, so by adopting literacy as the "theme" for our "Make A Difference Day" entry, the opportunity to participate is open to many clubs.

Q. Why must the final report be submitted by November 1, 2010?

A. USA Weekend Magazine requires that all entries for make A Difference Day be received by November 16, 2010, so International needs time to summarize all of the Altrusa Club literacy service projects in order to submit Altrusa’s entry by their deadline.

Q. Can I complete the form on-line?

A.  Yes.  Go to www.altrusa.com and click on the Make A Difference Day logo on the top left side of the home page.

Q. Who do I contact if I have any questions on participating in this year’s Make A Difference Day entry?

A. Contact Bill Howard, Member Services Associate, at the International Office in Chicago at telephone: 312/427-4410; fax: 312/427-8521 or e-mail: membership@altrusa.com.