BRIEF HISTORY OF BEALETON-REMINGTON RURITAN CLUB

We were organized and have remained intact since 1936.  The membership report to Ruritan National for the meeting of
September 11, 1936 noted the election of officers on August 11, 1936, with September being the second meeting with
42 present and a “special meeting” Charter Night with 39 present.  Our Charter No. 26 is dated September 16, 1936,
and could well be the “Special Meeting” at which the charter was presented.
From the beginning the club began to function with the appointment of a finance committee which reported in December
to raffle a radio and hold a box supper and bingo party.  Also, delegates to the National Convention were appointed
which signaled the early participation of the Club in the National organization.
The year 1937 began with 25 members attending the National Convention in Richmond with no local meeting being
held.  Members returned with Ruritan National Objectives to support Rural Electrification, Rural Education and Rural
Churches. Projects completed were the purchase and planting of 100 trees along the highways at Bealeton and
Remington and the erection of “Welcome” signs in both communities to recognize our organization.
Efforts on behalf of Agriculture were the highlight in 1938.  The first pig chain followed in 1939, and also saw the
formation of a Men’s Chorus and a joint meeting of the three (3) clubs, Bealeton-Remington, Marshall (1st) organized in
February 1937; and Catlett-Calverton in 1938.  The Fauquier Forum was begun with the cooperation of other
organizations in 1940, and also with the beginning of work in Welfare, health and youth.
At the District Convention a resolution was passed to delete the words, “County Club” from the name of any Ruritan
Club.  As one looks back, this decision has resulted in Ruritan’s conception as being a rural organization able to serve
more communities within a county.
With the end of World War II and the return of members from the Armed Services, the Spirit or objective of Ruritan
Community Service, Fellowship and Goodwill, was rekindled with all those who had been involved during the formative
and World War II years.
Ruritan National in the 1946 Convention had adopted as standard the following  committees:  Membership, Program &
Entertainment, Fellowship, Finance, and the following 10 Rural Needs Committee – Welfare, Health & Sanitation;
Recreation & Community Goodwill; Economic Opportunity for Youth; Agriculture; Rural Church; Rural Utilities; Public
Highways, Streets, Buildings, Education; Industry and Business Methods; and The Home.
Since the first Club, Holland in 1928, there were only 39 Clubs in January, 1938, and 61 by January, 1939, Ruritan had
spread from Virginia to thirteen (13) other states by 1948, but there were still only 189 clubs.  This was rather slow
progress.  However, this served as a challenge to the early pioneers of the movement and new members that followed to
the 1950s and 60s who caught the fever to spread the word “Ruritan.”   The challenge was accepted by the Bealeton-
Remington Ruritan Club both from the standpoint of external expansion in introducing Ruritan to other communities and
internal development within the club and in assisting civic-minded people in chartering new clubs.  Our club was the
leader in expansion for new clubs in the Rappahannock District and the newly formed Rappadan District.
Individual participation through the 10 Rural Needs Committees has resulted in many contributions to all phases of
community life in the areas served by the club.  Committee work and good attendance have been the keys to the
internal development of the club; whereas, the desire of wanting other communities and individuals to share the Ruritan
experience and efforts and participation in District & National activities has furthered expansion throughout the county,
state and nation.  In a desire for change Ruritan National has realigned and condensed the Rural Needs Committee to 6
– Transportation, Human Development, Social Concern, Public Service, Business and Professional and Environment,
leaving out the Church, the Home, Education, Youth and Agriculture.  
It is not possible in this program to list even a few of the numerous community projects, both small and major, which
have carried out the Objectives of Ruritan.  However, we invite you to peruse the following pages and note the
Accomplishments & Awards of the Club and Leadership qualities of individuals who have rendered dedicated service.