Oakland, CA -- October 3, 2003 - Volunteers of America Bay Area, a not for profit headquartered in Alameda, California is pleased to announce the election of Ruthie Norton as the new Board Chair.  A Lafayette resident, married to Bernard Norton and mother of four college students she is a Vice President of USI, a national insurance brokerage firm.  She currently sits on two other non-profit boards and has worked with Volunteers of America for the past 6 years; the last two on their Board of Directors.

"Volunteers of America is truly blessed to have Ruthie Norton as our new board chair. We are facing challenging times that require creativity. Ruthie is an enthusiastic and energetic leader with years of not for profit experience," said John Bailey, President & Chief Executive Officer of Volunteers of America bay Area.   

Volunteers of America is a national, nonprofit, spiritually based organization providing local human service programs, and opportunities for individual and community involvement.  Last year the organization served 1.4 million people. To learn more about Volunteers of America Bay Area, please contact us at (510) 473-0500.