History

Quota International was founded by Wanda Frey Joiner (1882-1968) in 1919 as one of the first service clubs for women in the US. The goal of this organization was to establish a female-run and managed service organization (similar to Kiwanis and Rotary) that could benefit those in need but also provide a path for employment and personal growth for its members.

At its peak in the 1990s, Quota International had nearly 20,000 members, with hundreds of local clubs in more than 14 countries working hard to provide much-needed services to people in their local communities. Quota International of Tacoma was established in 1939. In 2000, the organization filed for and achieved its non-profit 501(c)3 classification which remains in place today.

Sadly in 2019, Quota International made the difficult decision to dissolve as an entity. This left the local clubs which operated under the Quota International name to decide their individual fate. Without the requirement to pay dues to the international organization, Quota of Tacoma was able to narrow the focus of its mission and reduce the cost of membership. Ultimately, our local group hasn’t missed a beat and has continued to provide vital services to those in need in Pierce County.

2024 Golf Tournament

“We meet the second Thursday of each month and we would love to have you join us!”

Marie Ostlund | President

Club Activities

We interact with our community in three primary ways: by participating in hands-on & gifting activities, by conducting fundraisers, and by awarding scholarships.

Our service events are usually conducted in conjunction with another non-profit organization whose focus is supporting people in need. Recent activity includes:

• Family Renewal Shelter - landscape cleanup at intake house
• Tacoma Rescue Mission - preparing and serving meals, Diaper Drive (filling an entire SUV!)
• Raising Girls - creating toiletry kits for homeless teens
• Toy Rescue Mission – participating in back-to-school preparation event, seasonal gift baskets for children and elders
• My Sister’s Pantry - bagging groceries and serving food for the working poor
• Emergency Food Network – re-bagging bulk supplies into family-sized packaging
• Parkway Community Services – staffing holiday toy giveaway
• Catherine Place – painting and refurbishing

Helping with Quota Kent Valley Western Days

Donating to Raising Girls

Backpacks for homeless and foster kids with Girls Inc.

Kid’s Health and Safety Fair with Toy Rescue Mission

Membership Opportunities:

Business meetings are held on the second Thursday of each calendar month.

Our annual dues are $50. Our fiscal year begins October 1 and runs through September 30. The dues cover administrative costs for banking, legal, and office supplies.

Members are invited to participate in one or more of the committees that have been developed to support our mission.

Our Committees:

● Budget and Finance - Ensures accuracy of accounting records and use of organizational funds.
● Bylaws & Rules of Procedure – Establishes, clarifies, enforces, and manages the club’s operational practices.
● Development & Growth - Plans and executes recruitment activities and member development opportunities.
● Community Service – Plans and executes the giving plan, including organizing volunteer activities, arranging speakers for meetings/special occasions, and building contacts/relationships with new and existing partner organizations.
● Scholarship: A subset of Community Service, plans and executes any scholarship awards the club may elect to give.
● Ways and Means – Plans and executes fundraising activities, including budget, facilities, and vendor management.
● Records Management - Captures, assembles, and preserves records of activities and achievements, including safe storage of artifacts and records (physically and electronically)
● Publicity/Social Media/Photography/Promotion/Website - Responsible for the public image of the club, including any press, signage, flyers, hand-outs, or communication.
● Roster - Production of the annual roster, with updated Bylaws and Rules of Procedure.
● Sunshine - Highlights member achievements; acknowledges birthdays, anniversaries, and other life events.

WANT TO GET INVOLVED? We are always open to having you join us. We invite you to learn about Quota, meet some of our members, and attend one of our upcoming business meetings soon!

Board of Directors

Marie Ostlund

President

Lis Young

President-Elect

Lis Young has been a member of Quota since 2022. She is currently president-elect. She became a member after hearing from a fellow member what a wonderful organization Quota is but above all how wonderful the people are. After one meeting, she was convinced. Needing somewhere to put her energies, the Quota mission was just the ticket.

Lis is single and has two grown children and two grandchildren. She has spent 38 years as a neonatal intensive care nurse in a variety of roles and retired 3 years ago.

She keeps her sanity by being an avid exerciser and walking her dog Kami. Loves to be outdoors and working in her yard.

Amy Rhodes

Secretary

Amy has been a Quota member since 2016. She joined the organization looking to contribute to the community and eager to share some creative ideas for FUNdraising. She’s stayed in Quota because of the wonderful members that have become family. Her enthusiasm is contagious and her passion has been put to work in a variety of leadership roles over the years. She’s a past Club President (2018) and has co-chaired the Ways & Means Committee for several years.

Currently, Amy is a Program Manager at the Washington State Department of Labor & Industries. Her background is in organizational change management, communication, and learning & development. She lives in Edgewood with her fiancé, his two sons, and their two dogs. Amy is an adventurous traveler and enjoys crossing things off her long and ever-growing bucket list.

Brenda Ballinger

Treasurer

Brenda retired from a 30-year career at Russell Investments, a global investment management firm founded in Tacoma in 1936. Her journey there included many roles ending as the Director of Financial Planning and Analysis. While employed at Russell, she participated in many events focused on serving the Tacoma Community. She is also a Board member and the Treasurer of The Tacoma Little Theatre. Brenda’s inspiration for contributing time and effort to support Quota since 2021 comes from her late Mother’s passion and focus on community services throughout her lifetime.

In Memoriam

In Memory of Bev

We recognize the July 2023 passing of Beverly Marcelia, a 50-year member of Quota. Bev joined Quota of Tacoma in 1973 and provided a strong connection to our parent organization, especially while she served as President of Quota International from 1992-1993. Bev was a huge advocate for Quota's community service work. Her passion for Quota was contagious and helped her recruit many members who are still with the organization today.

Because of her many contributions to Quota, a bench has been established in Bev’s name at Merrill Gardens in Tacoma, with a dedication ceremony on July 13, 2024.

Debi Perry and **Pattie Mhoon** (at podium), Installing Officer in 2006
Also pictured, side/back view - Ruth Anderson (has also passed away and was Pattie’s best friend and Quota member; to the right of the podium - Charleen Kenyon, former member.

In Memory of Pattie

An inspiring member of our club, Pattie Mhoon served as the Tacoma President, a District Governor, and a West Area Director.

Pattie had a degree in business administration which served her well in her early career. She traveled to many countries during that period and met her good friend Ruth Anderson through associations with service ministries. Back in the US she decided to embark on a legal career at age 46, and practiced appellate law for 13 years, retiring in 2005. By then she had joined Quota and brought Ruth into the club as well. Pattie passed away in 2017.

In Memory of TC

Theresa “TC” Ceccarelli was a member of Quota in the 1980’s; a Past President, with a talent for both fundraising and enlisting new members for the Quota missions of service. She was instrumental in the Quota of Tacoma Celebrity Fashion Show and Election Night Party Fundraisers. Her chosen career was sales (printing) and she was extremely influential with local and state politicians. She was instrumental in Bates Voc-Tech being accredited as a vocational college.

In Memory of RUTH

Ruth Anderson was a nurse by profession and was in overseas ministries in several African States, Belgium and Switzerland. She shared stories of very interesting experiences in her overseas career. After returning to the US, she and Pattie Mhoon were roommates for the rest of their lives, living in Tacoma. Ruth loved doing service, and everyone in Quota loved her quick wit and generosity.

Ruth Anderson (left) and **Mary Ann Parks** (right)

In Memory of Mary Ann

Mary Ann Parks was a 55-year member of Quota. She passed away in 2010, but always loved Quota and its impact on our community. The Scholarships we gave were her passion, along with other community services being important to her. She was always a person who took the time to do that “special little extra” that someone wasn’t expecting – vases of flowers on the tables at meetings, personal cards when she felt someone needed one, yet unassuming and gracious. She partnered with her husband in Kay Parks Auto Rebuild for their entire careers, and they loved ballroom dancing at the Tacoma Elks Club.