QI Clubs in the Netherlands: Rotterdam, Zeist and Zutphen

Branch Rotterdam, Branch Amsterdam

Quota International is the oldest service club for women and men in the world. A businesswoman in New York State founded QI in 1919. Its members are women in business and professionals in a worldwide network of service and friendship. These members use their professional acumen and "know-how" for the benefit of projects in need of financial or practical assistance. The business and objectives of its members are to unite businesswomen and professionals for service, and more particularly, to serve country and community, to promote high ethical standards, to develop fellowship and friendship, to emphasize the intrinsic value of all occupations and to advance ideals of righteousness, justice, goodwill and international understanding.

Quota International commenced its activities in Rotterdam during the month of October 1992 and was chartered in April 1994. The activities generated by the Rotterdam establishment constituted the first representation of Quota International in Europe at the time. Since October 1999 the Quota club of Rotterdam belongs to District 42, together with Aruba, Curacao and Surinam, later St. Maarten became also part of District 42, all part of the worldwide Quota organization with its headquarters in Washington D.C.

The Netherlands is a relatively small country (only 41,526 square kilometers), very densely populated (nearly 16 million inhabitants, i.e. around 460 inhabitants per square kilometer) with a working population of some 6,800,000 people (in 1997) and a 3.2% rate of unemployment. The country's current import and export figures are f 154,248 million and f 166,323 million respectively.

Quota International in the Netherlands follows the same objectives as its international partners, is socially active and supports a variety of service projects designed to meet the current needs in the local community and to improve the quality of life for citizens of any age. Over the years Quota International of Rotterdam has supported several service projects, including the following:

1993

A contribution towards the Center for Service Foundation for Homeless people by means of a Christmas Benefit Concert.

1994

The purchase of an adapted minibus for homeless adults and children popularly called the "soup-coach", delivering meals, blankets, and medical assistance on behalf of the Mobile Service Center of the Salvation Army in Rotterdam. An amount of fl. 60,000 was raised through a couple of benefit concerts, an art auction and a joint action for the sale of Christmas cards.

1995

Financial support of the Ron Wichman Foundation, where AIDS patients can stay and receive medical and mental care. The activities include selling sandwiches during the Queen's Birthday celebrations, a bridge drive and another Christmas concert.

1996

Purchase of two ponies for the "Riding School without Thresholds". This stable is, in fact, an institute where severely disabled patients, as part of their therapy, may ride specifically trained ponies, while lying on a special bed stretched between the two animals. The money was raised with traditional Quota vents, including a Christmas Quiz.

1997

A contribution of Fl. 62, 000 towards a Crisis Center for Homeless Youth between the ages of 12 and 18. The usual fund raising events included new initiatives through a fashion show and a benefit play at the Maas Theatre.

1998

Customary activities enabled the club to provide financial support to another relief center for very young children (aged 0-6 years).

1999

The Salvation Army was the beneficiary again, this time to the tune of f85, 000 in support of a home for girls and teenage mothers. Fundraising included a "Fin de Siecle" Ball.

Quota International (The Netherlands) is going strong and continues to reflect the dynamism of the city of its headquarters: Rotterdam, the largest port in the world.

2000

Family home Daniel den Hoed, Rotterdam
For the half price of the actual running cost, this home offers shelter and care to family members of patients of the Daniel den Hoed Clinic and also for patients who are in day care. The amount of Fl 11.500,- was collected by the following series of activities:

• sale of sandwiches, hotdogs and bottles of wine in Kralingen on the Queens Birthday;
• a benefit bridge drive in the fall;
• throughout the year the Quota members sold bottles of wine (with Quota logo);
• a 1st price won by the Rotterdam Club during the Princes and Princess “orange-cocktail” party (held by the Kiwanis Club Rotterdam) on the opening day of the Parliamentary season (Prinsjesdag).
  

• in January, during the new years meeting of Quota International Nederland, Rotterdam, money was raised, also by sale of the work of the Rotterdam artist Anton Geerlings;
• in April 2001, a festive evening with a dinner took place in ‘Cabaret/Restaurant Schellings’ Delfshaven, Rotterdam, in order to celebrate the 7th anniversary of Quota International Nederland, Rotterdam. A sale took place of two air line tickets to Bonaire;
• sale of sandwiches and hotdogs in Kralingen on the Queens Birthday;
• a benefit bridge drive in the fall.

• Hitland golf;
• sale of a gospel-CD;
• a 2nd price won by the Rotterdam Club during the Princes and Princess “orange-cocktail” party (held by the Kiwanis Club Rotterdam) on the opening day of the Parliamentary season (Prinsjesdag).
  

• a benefit concert in February in the Adriaen Jansz church in Oud-IJsselmonde;
• sale of sandwiches in Kralingen on the Queens Birthday;
• 1st price won by the Rotterdam Club during the Princes and Princess “orange-cocktail” party (held by the Kiwanis Club Rotterdam) on the opening day of the Parliamentary season (Prinsjesdag);
• a benefit bridge drive in the fall.
  

• lustrum celebration;
• sale of sandwiches in Kralingen on the Queens Birthday;
• a benefit bridge drive in the fall;
• a concert.

• a benefit bridge drive in the fall;
• a prize won by the Rotterdam Club during the Princes and Princess “orange-cocktail” party (held by the Kiwanis Club Rotterdam) on the opening day of the Parliamentary season (Prinsjesdag);
• sale of sandwiches in Kralingen on the Queens Birthday;
• the spring district conference.