An orchestrated effort
Photo by Becky Stinehour
Linda Moore’s leadership skills were honed at a young age, largely through her involvement in 4-H. That background serves her well as the 2017-2019 governor for Altrusa International District Nine.
Moore is the governor for a district that includes 36 Altrusa Clubs. From Lubbock and Abilene to Wichita Falls and Dallas, from Houston to Orange and Nacogdoches, Moore said visiting the clubs is one of her most important duties.
“I make several club visits each year to make sure the clubs have what they need,” she said, adding that Texas is the only one-state district because of its size. “I attend meetings on projects, meet with the board of directors and give them an update on the district.”
Moore, who lives in Hewitt, was born in Temple and attended Temple schools through her freshman year before transferring to Belton High School. She grew up in the country and learned about leadership through 4-H projects, raising heifers and steers. In her high school FFA club, she raised a Brahma and a Black Angus steer.
She stayed with 4-H for nine years. She attended a leadership conference in Washington, D.C., with 40 other kids and adult chaperones.
“In D.C. we met with legislators, we got to see the Senate at work and be involved with what our representatives were doing,” said Moore, who was 16 at the time. “It was good to know what was going on and to know you have a voice.”
On another trip, they visited the University of Iowa for a national leadership conference.
Those experiences have served her well — personally, professionally and as a volunteer leader.
Moore joined the Temple Altrusa club in 1999. She was a young wife and mother working at a local bank when her boss suggested she join a service organization. She chose Altrusa.
“Back then service organizations were primarily men,” she said. “Altrusa was a woman’s organization and I had friends that were already Altrusans.”
She was reluctant to join because of her young children and dedication to her family. However, she was encouraged by her husband, Joe, and her mother, Mary Stanford, to do something for herself.
“Mom was very instrumental advising me to stay involved, stay enthusiastic, and excited,” Moore said. “She said to use my enthusiasm to help others.”
She started as a member and worked her way up the club ladder, serving on committees, as club treasurer, vice president, president, committee chair, projects, and in a mentor role.
Her neighbor and friend, Kathy Folley, past president and governor, encouraged her to serve on the district level. She saw Moore as “a perfect example of an Altrusan.”
“She takes charge if there is a need; she’s out there and doing it. She loves Altrusa and her passion shows. She is the first one to step up if there is an issue and gives guidance,” Folley said. “When you find the people that exude this passion, those are who you want to push through into leadership roles because we know they will keep our organization strong.”
Moore splits her time between her job at Pro Ventures, spending time with family, working on philanthropic projects and visiting Altrusa clubs across Texas.
The clubs vary in size. One may have three to four members while another may have 120. “Members come from all walks of life, backgrounds and nationalities,” Moore said.
For example, in Wichita Falls, the club is represented internationally with members that are Scandinavian, Pakistani and Hispanic. “Different cultures make us that much stronger and helps us reach people outside of our own box,” she said.
Once a woman-only organization, Altrusa now welcomes men. “We are an inclusive group,” she said.
Closer to home, Temple’s Altrusa organization is involved in several community projects. The main fundraiser is the annual Taste of the Holidays. The money is used to help in local schools and scholarships.
Each year Altrusans volunteer to work at Camp Dream Catcher in conjunction with Baylor Scott & White McLane Children’s Hospital. Camp Dream Catcher is for kids with blood disorders and cancer.
Temple Altrusans also work on Project Apple Tree with Jeanette Kelly, putting together hygiene boxes and backpacks with clothes and school supplies for 1,500 homeless children.
“The definition of homeless has changed,” Moore said. “Growing up it was someone who lived on the streets, who didn’t have a home. Today, it’s not necessarily people living under a bridge or in a car. They might be living with an aunt or sleeping on a friend’s sofa. This program is a club favorite.”
The club also reached out internationally through the Kids for Hunger Program, packing meals for families in Haiti still affected by the earthquake. One package contains six meals of rice and protein mixture.
They also work with the Ralph Wilson Youth Club and The Well for women at Feed My Sheep.
“This year the club has taken on a project with veterans,” Moore said. “Altrusa is contributing money for books, toiletries and clothing to the residents at the Domiciliary Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program.”
“They are building an outdoor gym and we are also contributing to that,” Folley said. “We are also supplying them with journals so they can cope with some of their issues if they can write it out.”
Moore said she never thought she’d get elected governor.
“I’m honored that they entrusted me to lead the district,” she said. “I love this country and everything it stands for. The freedoms we have here, the opportunities we have here — some people take that for granted.”
