Quota International is an amazing group of intelligent, caring, like-minded women who extend a ‘helping hand’ and a ‘caring heart’ to each other and the people in their community.  Quota also extends a ‘helping hand’ to disadvantaged women and children overseas through the We Share and Club-to-Club Quota International programs.

When I moved to New Zealand from Canada in 1996, I heard about the Quota Club of Whakatane and supported several of their fundraisers.  I was very interested in what Quota did for the community and was pleased to accept an invitation to attend Quota’s change-over dinner in April.  The following years I received an invitation to attend District 37’s Conference and Installation of Officers’ Dinner which was an honour and captured my interest in the clubs.  I met members from clubs all over the North Island and each one was as friendly and welcoming as the next.   When asked to attend a monthly business meeting to find out more, I gladly accepted and joined shortly thereafter!

Now 10 years later I am so pleased I took that step, the friendships are precious and fellowships are treasured and I have to mention the ‘heaps’ of fun we have while fundraising for various charities has been a surprising bonus.  Members work hard for their communities, but they make sure they have lots of fun too!

The theme I have chosen – Quota ‘Helping Hands – Caring Hearts’ represents not only the caring Quota members have for the community, it also includes the helping hand and caring they extend to each other.

Quotarians look after each other, they support fellow members as they step outside their comfort zone tackling president’s and director’s rolls, or taking on new and challenging fundraising projects.  

Quota offers the opportunity for personal growth and development.  Many members have stepped outside their comfort zones and taken on roles they never thought they could do and they’ve done it gaining a lot of confidence along the way!!  

Quotarians like to celebrate with each other in good times and they are there for each other in bad times, offering a, ‘helping hand’ a shoulder to lean on, a cooked meal, a cuppa tea or a listening ear; and sometimes a wine or two……

I am looking forward to my term as District Governor, not only to assist and support the many wonderful fundraising activities; but to assist and encourage members to grow in their own personal development which benefits not only the member in all aspects of their personal lives but also their home club as well.


Karla Hammond QSM
District Governor
Quota International
District 37 – New Zealand