About the ClubHistoryTraditionsPast PresidentsResources/Links
About VOS Active 20-30
The Valley of the Sun Active 20-30 Club is a community service organization providing women with an
opportunity for personal growth, friendship and leadership development while improving the quality of
life for the special needs of children in the community.
Valley of the Sun consists of professional women between the ages of 20 and 39. The club was established
in 1988 and is a regional division of Active 20-30 International.
Valley of the Sun members are committed to supporting local children’s charities in two ways. Each member
raises funds throughout the year for the club’s 501(c)(3) philanthropic arm, Valley Kids Foundation. Valley
of the Sun members also participate in monthly planned “hands-on” activities with children involved in local
charity groups.
Today, there are more than 50 Valley of the Sun Active 20-30 members who make a difference in children’s lives
within the Valley on a daily, monthly and yearly basis. Since its conception in 1988, Valley of the Sun has
raised more than $500,000 for children’s charities.
The Active 20-30 National Office is located in Sacramento, California, and supports fund-raising efforts on
behalf of child abuse charities and non-profit organizations. There are four Active 20-30 Clubs in the
Phoenix area: the Valley of the Sun Chapter is the only club to admit women to its membership.
Focus/Goals
The primary emphasis of Valley of the Sun Active 20-30 Club is fundraising and organized hands-on activities
with charity and nonprofit organizations. The Club's current beneficiary is Florence Crittenton, a shelter
for teen-age girls.
To raise money for its charities, the club organizes fundraising events each year. To learn more information
about our upcoming annual events, visit the Events page or, to see any general upcoming
events, visit the Club Calendar.
Mission
"Providing young adults an opportunity for personal growth, friendships and leadership development while improving
the quality of life for the special needs of children in its community."
Motto
"Youth, to be served, must serve."
Slogan
"One never stands so tall as when kneeling to help a child..."
Realizing The Need
Active 20-30 International had its beginnings in 1922 when young men in two widely separated communities of
the United States saw the need for a service club for young men. They found that established service clubs
were dominated by older men, run by older men, and whose officers were invariably much older men.
This realization led those groups of ambitious young men to stray away from existing groups and organized a
club of their own. These clubs shared the ideal that young men would have a chance to engage actively in
service to their communities; where young ideas, backed by enthusiasm and the energy of youth, could share
in civic responsibilities on an equal basis with clubs composed of older men.
These pioneers of young men’s service clubs simultaneously created two virtually identical clubs: the Active
International, located in Aberdeen, Washington, and 20-30 International formed in Sacramento, California.
Both the International and Active International Associations were charter members of the World Council of
Young Men’s Service Clubs (WOCO). John Armenia, Joe Crowe and Arnie Scheldt of Active and Dr. James Vernetti,
Henry Heyl and Ray Fletcher of 20-30 were among those who fostered the World Council movement up to its formal
beginning in 1945.
Merging Ideas & Resources
In 1959, President Norm Morrison of 20-30 and President Ken Helling of Active, exchanged a letter renewing
the long standing proposal that these two identical young men’s service clubs should merge.
Between 1959 and 1960, meetings were held between the two groups, culminating in the proposed Constitution
and Resolution to be presented to the 1960 Conventions of each organization. In addition to Morrison and
Helling, Jack Kummert, Doug Martin and Clint McClure of 20-30, and Victory W. "Bill" Smith, Owen Barnes
and Jim Robertson of Active participated in the early negotiations.
In 1960, the 20-30 International Convention was held in Santa Cruz, California. The delegates unanimously
adopted the merger proposal and the Constitution. One month later, the delegates at the Active International
Convention in Calgary, Alberta, also unanimously adopted the propositions. Therefore, on August 1, 1960, Active
International and 20-30 International became the Active 20-30 International.
While the mechanics of the merger were being formulated, each organization maintained its separate administrative
structure, officers and National Office through its convention year. In October 1960, the first combined magazine,
Active 20-30 made its appearance. The first convention of Active 20-30 International was held in Tucson, Arizona,
July 10-14, 1961, where the Constitution and bylaws were officially adopted.
The major International Projects selected for the new organization were Keys in the Car, Aid to Scouting, Public
Speaking and Rheumatic Fever. During the 1975 Convention in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, the new International
Charity Foundation was adopted to replace Rheumatic Fever.
The Creation of Active 20-30 USA & Canada
In 1981, a proposal was put forth to the membership to allow for National Associations in Active 20-30 International. In 1982,
the Active 20-30 United States and Canada, Inc., was formed with its National office in the building owned by Active 20-30 US &
Canada on 1915 I Street, Sacramento, California. Arnie Krogh of Sacramento served as its first National President. In 1996, the
National Office was moved over to 915 L Street in Sacramento, California, where the Nossaman, Guthner, Knox and Elliott, a
professional association management team, is currently serving Active 20-30 USA & Canada.
International Affiliations
Active 20-30 USA & Canada is also a member of Active 20-30 International and the World Council of Service Organizations (WOCO).
Bell, Banner & Gavel
Every club in Active 20-30 is issued a "club banner", a brass bell and a president's gavel. These are standard items that each club must maintain as an Active 20-30 club and must be used at all official club meetings. However, a tradition among many of the clubs is to make sure that no one "steals" these items from the meeting. Any member may attempt to steal one of these items during the meeting and then it is returned in some most unusual ways. Even members visiting from area clubs may attempt to steal one of these items.
Songs & Pledges
Many of the clubs begin each club meeting with a song or the Pledge of Allegiance and may end each meeting with a song as well.
Badges & Fines
When a person becomes a member of a club, they are issued an official name badge with their name and club name engraved. In many clubs, it is a requirement that each member wear their badge during the meeting. Some of our clubs have a good time during meetings whereby their President may issue fines for violations such as no name badge, excessive talking, not being able to introduce each member at their table, buying a new house or car, etc. These fines are usually taken in good humor and it makes the general meeting more exciting and humorous for all in attendance.
Other Traditions
Each new club is encouraged to create their own traditions which help stimulate camaraderie within the club and help the members begin to know each other not only at meetings but at club projects and fundraisers as well.
VOS Active 20-30 Past Presidents
| 1988 |
Ursuala Conway (6 mo) - Karen Churchard (6 mo) |
| 1989-1990 |
Karen Churchard |
| 1990-1991 |
Abbie Fink |
| 1992-1993 |
Carol Walker |
| 1993-1994 |
Holly Utzinger |
| 1994-1995 |
Mara Weber |
| 1995-1996 |
Jennifer Holcomb |
| 1996-1997 |
Susan Andrews |
| 1997-1998 |
Teresa "TJ" Bresnahan |
| 1998-1999 |
Angie Balboa-Calk |
| 1999-2000 |
Laurel Dotson |
| 2000-2001 |
Bronwyn Milhaven |
| 2001-2002 |
Tiffany Oliver |
| 2002-2003 |
Capri DeModica |
| 2003-2004 |
Karen Mulera |
| 2004-2005 |
Shelly Harris |
| 2005-2006 |
Shelly Harris |
| 2006-2007 |
Kim Carkhuff |
| 2007-2008 |
Julie Graf |
| 2008-2009 |
Ashley Ulinger |
| 2009-2010 |
Shirley Poland |
| 2010-2011 |
Tiffany Temple |
Past Active Life Members
Distinguished members who have been recognized for their dedicated service to the goals and ideals
of Valley of the Sun Active 20-30, and to Active 20-30 International.
- Abbie Fink
- Theresa Holt
- Mara Weber
Additional Resources
Links
President
Coltlee Birkeland
VP of Charities
Carrie Burton
VP of Membership
Alexa Vasquez
VP of Social
Michelle McQueen
VP of Community Relations
Valerie Fuller
Secretary
Mikaela Hudson
Treasurer
Taylor Larson
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Sergeant-At-Arms
Giselle Zagari
Past President
Tiffany Temple
Beneficiaries Liaison
Michaela Hickman
VP of Fundraising
Andi Robbins
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