History of Pilot International
Founded in 1921 in Macon, Georgia, Pilot International is a volunteer organization of executive, business and professional leaders working together to improve the quality of life in communities throughout the world by serving those with brain-related disorders and disabilities.
The name Pilot, chosen for its meaning, “leader and guide,” is symbolized by the riverboat wheel emblem, which represents a steady course.
Pilot International has approximately 25,000 adult and youth members worldwide.
Members can be found internationally in countries such as the Bahamas, Canada, Japan, Singapore, and the United States.
Pilot International emphasizes a diversified international membership.
Service with a Mission
Pilot’s service focus involves promoting awareness of brain-related disorders, and helping those affected through volunteer activities, education, and financial support. Pilot works closely with national and international organizations that support this focus, including the Brain Injury Association, American Heart Association, Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, Alzheimer’s Association, St. Jude’s Hospital, Alzheimer’s Research Center at Duke University and the National Organization on Disability.
Pilot members participate in fund-raising programs for a variety of causes and Pilot Walks to support programs in the field of brain-related disorders and disabilities. Pilot Clubs participate in Brain Awareness Week, an annual event sponsored by the Dana Alliance for Brain Initiatives, to increase awareness of advances in brain research and their importance to society.
In 2001, Pilot International launched its signature project, BrainMinders™. Funded by a gift to Pilot International Foundation from the estate of Callye Neese, BrainMinders™ is a public service campaign aimed at increasing awareness of brain injuries and ways to prevent them. Pilot volunteers present a program on safety and prevention of Brain injury to children between the ages of four through six years old and seven through nine in schools, libraries, and daycare centers. There are also BrainMinders™ educational programs for teen-agers, seniors, caregivers and families.
One of Pilot International’s new service projects is our association with Project Lifesaver. Project Lifesaver provides training to law enforcement groups for community tracking equipment sponsored by Pilot Clubs for individuals with “wandering syndrome,” a symptom common to many brain disorders such as Alzheimer’s and Autism.
The Pilot Club of Oconee County was chartered March 27, 1979.
Past Presidents:
1979-1980 Geneva Anderson
1980-1981 Helen Parrish
1981-1982 Melba Garrett
1982-1983 Doris Rusgrove
1983-1984 Bette Davis
1984-1985 Ann Giles
1985-1986 Rene Robinson
1986-1987 Nancy Turnbull
1987-1988 Tish Rumsey Daigle
1988-1989 Joy Elder
1989-1990 Pam Gunter
1990-1991 Kathy Craft
1991-1992 Bette Davis
1992-1993 Barbara Burroughs
1993-1994 Ginger Randall
1994-1995 Sandra Glass
1995-1996 Kate McDaniel
1996-1997 Ann Giles
1997-1998 Pam Crawford
1998-1999 Marge Saar
1999-2000 Tina Eades
2000-2001 Faye Phillips
2001-2002 Sandra Glass
2002-2003 Pat McLure
2003-2004 Tina Eades
2004-2005 Donna Wright
2005-2006 Kathy Shelnutt
2006-2007 Joy Elder
2007-2008 Ginger Randall
2008-2009 Rosa Hall
2009-2010 Donna MacPherson
2010-2011 Marge Saar
2011-2012 June McKenzie
2012-2013 Cathy Moorehead
2013-2014 Jan Thomas
2014-2015 Mary Mattocks
2015-2016 Rosa Hall
2016-2017 Donna MacPherson
2017-2018 Judy Marable
2018-2019 Donna MacPherson
2019-2020 Darlene Adams
2020-2021 Rosa Hall
2021-2022 Dr. Cyndee Perdue Moore
2022-2023 Vickie Hammond
Code of Ethics: Pilot International
Realizing that whatever a Pilot touches should be ennobled by that touch, we, as business leaders, are resolved to make our business standards high, to do our work in every place in which we are employed as if it were our life work, never omitting an opportunity of doing a kindness or making a friend; to put into our business dealings a note of sympathy for humanity; to follow truth; to do our best from dawn till night; and so to live in the discharge of our duty, so to take care of every responsibility that comes before us that we shall radiate that which is unselfish, beautiful and true; and when we shall have finished with our tasks we shall have given an upward impetus to human ideals and achievements.
With this resolution before us then, we believe it is our duty as Pilots:
To consider our work worthy and ourselves worthy of our work, exemplifying in it at all times the Pilot motto, “True Course Ever.”
To work each day at that which is before us seriously, vigorously, calmly, cheerily; to improve ourselves in every possible way; to increase our efficiency; to enlarge our visions.
To be ambitious to succeed, but always to be ethical, desiring nothing that is not achieved by justice, honesty and fairness.
To live in the presence of the great eternal laws, which will keep us patient when the task is irksome and calm and unspoiled when we seem to succeed.
To acquire self-control and self-reliance; to be ready to give as well as take; to develop in ourselves an appreciation of the finer things of life; to be honest and generous; to help, not to hinder; to be slow of criticism and quick with praise.
To cherish our visions and our ideals; to cherish the music that stirs our hearts, the beauty that forms in our minds, knowing that on these things we can build our world, for visions and dreams are the seedlings of reality.
To be loyal to Pilot in thought, word and deed.
To see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, think no evil of a Pilot, but to be no more loyal to a Pilot in this respect than we are to every other person, for the genius of Pilot is in its kindness, and justice is the soul and substance of life.
Pearl Sparks
Pilot Club of Florence, Alabama 1926
Sail On International
Sail on International,
With the Pilots at your wheel,
The ship of state needs guiding,
On a true and steady keel,
With your colors: green and gold,
Earnest hearts are in your hold,
Sail on safe to harbor International.
Pilot International keeps a course that’s ever true;
We work and live for others
And we always follow through,
Let’s be faithful to our creed,
Help someone who is in need,
So be true to Pilot International.