ABOUT US

WHO ARE THE RURITANS?

What do we do?

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, work, and raise families. 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. We do this by organizing ourselves into several Community Service Committees, each with specific areas of interest. Every club member serves on one or more committee.

Recent Club Events

Club News

Abingdon Ruritan Club Award Winner! Each year, Ruritan National conducts a competition of Websites in clubs, zones, areas, and districts. Certificates are awarded to the top three websites. Abingdon’s Website (abingdonruritanclub.com) received the Number 1 award two years in a row. The content includes information for the public on the twice a year Seafood Festival, Banquet Rentals, and Scholarships. It also has a “members only” section that has a membership directory, governance policies and procedures, and forms. The 2025 Award was presented to the Club at the August Membership Meeting by 2017 National President Danny Privott, on behalf of David Thompson, current National President. Shown in the photo from right to left are President Antonio Donald, web page consultant Sid Dugas, web page consultant Yvonne Scales, web master & Board member Betsy Tuttle, Danny Privott and Vice President David Bowles. Photo by Mary Lou Privott.

New Members

Ruritan Sunday

Ruritan Sunday

“Except for my family and church, Ruritan is most important to me.”
This expression is heard frequently when Ruritans meet and reflects the kind of persons that make up the membership of Ruritan Clubs. Most are solid citizens with deep religious convictions. When Ruritan started in Holland, Virginia on May 21, 1928, the leaders of that small community gathered with the hope that the fellowship at the monthly evening meal would lead to a spirit of goodwill between the “town folk” and the farmers; i.e. urban and rural. The motto, “Fellowship, Goodwill and Community Service” indicates a growth in the concept of the club purpose that caused its ideal to grow from the original fellowship to become the most active civic service organization in America in terms of service to the community.
Much of the community service provided by Ruritan Clubs
during their history has benefited churches; particularly small and beginning churches.
It is appropriate, therefore, that this day of worship be designated as “Ruritan Sunday” in honor of these thousands of dedicated persons who have given of themselves to make the churches stronger and the communities better places in which to live and
work.
CREATING THRIVING COMMUNITIES
ACROSS AMERICA

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