Founders Day is scheduled for April 9, 2011!!!

Founders Day is scheduled for April 9, 2011 at the Ohio Union Performance Hall, on the campus of The Ohio State University (Directions are here; parking info here; building map is here).  Registration and social hour begins at 10 am; lunch will be served at 11:30 am.

Epsilon House Corporation meeting will be immediately following Founders Day, in the same venue.

We are still looking for women or businesses to donate baskets for our raffle to benefit the Delta Gamma Foundation and Columbus Alumnae Chapter. Baskets normally have a theme and can be geared for any age group. Each basket will have a sign recognizing the donor. There is no limit to the amount of baskets donated. Please email Nicole Tankovich at nicoletankovich@gmail.com to sign up to donate a basket. Baskets will need to be received by a member of the board by Friday, April 8, 2011.

Our proposed slate, which will be voted upon at Founders Day, is comprised of:
president    Jessica Gross  
vp finance    Beth Stofko Barrie  
vp membership        Hannah Merrill
vp communication    Shannon Morrison
vp programming [to be appointed]

See you Saturday... don't forget to wear your badge!

A Letter From Your President

As an off-and-on member of the board over the past 8 years, holding the office of president of our "little club" has been a huge honor for me. Being an alumnae chapter president was something I aspired to, even as a collegiate member. As a younger alumna, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know many wonderful women from many generations through my involvement with the Columbus Alumnae Chapter. 

As my term of office draws near to its close, I have been reflecting on the successes and pitfalls we have experienced as an alumnae chapter over the last 8 years.  On one hand, the board has widened our horizons by including different types of events for different members - happy hours, family picnics, volunteer opportunities, and starting the Young Alumnae special interest group.  On the other hand, I worry we may have diluted our efforts to further engage you, our members, by trying to please everyone all of the time.  The extremely low attendance at meetings and events in the past few years, unfortunately, is evidence that SOMETHING is lacking.  "WHAT exactly is that SOMETHING?"-that question has been occupying my mind a lot lately.

At first, my interpretation of our low attendance (as well as many Columbus alumnae) is that we are intimidated by the idea of showing up as "the new girl".  After more thought, however, I understand that oversimplifies it.  We are all college-educated, self-confident women; we wouldn't be Delta Gammas if we weren't!  Not to mention we are all sisters. So why would that be the only thing holding us back from attending events?

However, I don't believe it is enough to ask "What is holding you back?".  So my first line of inquiry to you is this: What can I do to help you get there?  What can we, as officers, do to help you get to meetings and events?  What do we need to do to engage you as a member?

Right now, my perception is that the Columbus Alumnae are content to exist as an association of women who pay dues and consider ourselves part of a group, rather than as a chapter (a group of alumnae who socialize, volunteer, and participate in events as a group).  Both options are valid, as long as we (as your officers) have a clear understanding of what our group needs to be and we clearly define this in our bylaws. So my second line of inquiry to you is this: should we continue the Columbus Alumnae as a chapter, planning bi-monthly events and meetings?  Or should we transfer our energies into an association with less frequent meetings and a fabulous Founders Day? 

Consider this...perhaps it would make more sense to have a few smaller groups spread throughout the Columbus area, since geography and traffic seem to get in the way of attendance at "centralized" group events? In order for our "little club" to move forward we need to hear from you as soon as possible. The board won't know where to steer the ship until you tell us the destination.

I encourage you to consider these questions and to share your thoughts with me in whatever means works best for you - email, blog, Facebook, phone, or postal mail.  [Feel free to post comments here as well!] I look forward to hearing from all of you! Hopefully all 1,669 of you Columbus-area alumnae!

ITB,
Nicole Placek Tankovich, Eta - Akron
President - Columbus Alumnae
Delta Gamma Fraternity
dgcolumbus.blogspot.com
Facebook - search DG Columbus
614-264-5430
nicoletankovich at gmail dot com

Foundation Fighting Blindness Golf Fundraiser -- Friday, September 17, 2010

Dear DG Alumnae,

On behalf of the Central Ohio Chapter of Foundation Fighting Blindness, I am passing on the following information about one of their upcoming events.

The local chapter of Foundation Fighting Blindness (www.FightBlindness.org) is hosting a golf fundraiser Friday, September 17, 2010.  They are looking for golfers to add to their list of those already registered, along with silent auction items and sponsors for holes and beverage carts.

Please consider this opportunity and how you might contribute to Delta Gamma's philanthropic goals via this organization.

ITB,
Nicole Placek Tankovich, Eta - Akron
President - Columbus Delta Gamma Alumnae

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ohio Swing for Sight Golf Classic
Cooks Creek Golf Club
16405 U.S. Highway 23 South
Ashville, OH 43103
September 17, 2010 @12:30 PM

Every golfer will receive the following at the golf course:

• Green Fees & Cart to play a course awarded "4 1/2 Stars" by Golf Digest.  Visit www.cookscreek.com to learn more about this exceptional golf course.
• Access to Driving Range beginning at 12:00 p.m.
• Box Lunch provided at 12:30 p.m.
• Golf Reception & Awards Ceremony following course play including a cookout.
• Beverage tickets provided for each golfer to use during course play.
• The opportunity to tell everyone at work what a great time you had at the 2nd annual Swing for Sight Golf Classic to support leading edge research that will one day result in treatments and cures for all retinal degenerative diseases!

Schedule:

Registration (with Box Lunch) : 12:30 p.m.
Scramble, Shotgun Start: 2:00 p.m.
Cookout Dinner: after course play

(event will happen rain or shine!)

Sponsorships:

Sponsorships are available for holes, silent auction items, and beverage carts. Interested sponsors may contact James Ervin, Event Chair (614-223-9325 or jervin@beneschlaw.com).

More information is available at: https://www.blindness.org/index.php?view=details&id=386%3Aohio-swing-for-sight-golf-classic&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=145