The Springfield Hospitality Club is an independent membership organization created in 1996.  Members of the Acquainters Club, formerly the Welcome Wagon Club, and the Newcomers Club voted to merge the two similar organizations.  In the spring of 1997 club membership voted on the balloon as the colorful, uplifting symbol to identify the Springfield Hospitality Club.  Balloon pins were designed and when worn by our members out in the community attracted a record number of new members that year.  Pins are available to members for $5 through the membership chairperson.  The logo led to the club by-line, “Up and away with food, fun, and fellowship.”  (Now necessarily in that order.)

The purpose of the club is to encourage fellowship among members through various activities; to provide members with helpful information about the community; and to participate in charitable projects as chosen by our membership.  The activities function independently with groups setting their own schedule.  The monthly luncheons’ feature are speakers and entertainers.  Each year members support a cross section of humanitarian agencies – from the Newborns in Need to the Ozarks Food Harvest.

Club membership is open to anyone moving into our community within the last three years or less.  Membership dues of $15 are due by/on February 1st of each year payable to the Membership Chairperson.  A copy of our monthly newsletter is mailed to each member.

HISTORY OF THE BALLOON LOGO

The 1996 members of the Acquainter Club and Newcomers Club voted to merge the two similar organizations.  The first Executive Board of the Springfield Hospitality Club was a combination of the two clubs.  It was a “foundation” year combining the by-laws and the constitutions of the two organizations.

In the spring of 1997 when the second Executive Board met for a planning session, it was still a divided organization.  The focus of the second board was uniting the group.  The idea of the “logo” or means of identification for the members and the community was brought to the planning meeting.  The membership voted on the balloon as the colorful, uplifting symbol to identify the Springfield Hospitality Club.  Balloon pins were designed and when worn by the members in the community attracted a record number of new residents that year.  The addressed another goal of more aggressively reaching our to the new resident of the area.

Our by-line became “Up and away with food fun, and fellowship.”  (Not necessarily in that order!)  This is why the balloon appears in our newsletter, directory, and all things associated with the Springfield Hospitality Club.