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

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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

ANCHOR meetup -- July 22, 2010 6:00 PM

You are welcome to come whenever you can get there - wear an ANCHOR so we can find each other!

• WHAT: Young Alumnae Happy Hour at the Arlington Cafe
• WHEN: Thursday July 22nd, 6pm till 8pm
• WHERE: Arlington Cafe 1975 Henderson Rd Columbus, 43220.
• WHO: ANY DG ALUMNAE!!!  Bring your date, friends, spouse, DG or non.
• HOW MUCH?: Happy Hour drink and pizza specials available till 7pm. (no purchase necessary to hang out!)
• RSVP: not  necessary... join us!!!

ANCHOR meetup -- June 24, 2010 6:00 PM

You are welcome to come whenever you can get there - wear an ANCHOR so we can find each other!

• What: Cocktails at the Conservatory, Franklin Park Conservatory -- Meet at on the rooftop gardens for a casual evening out! Music from local DJ’s... networking... sisterhood... and FUN!
• Where: 1777 East Broad Street Columbus, 43203
• Who: DG alumnae 21 and over!  Bring a date/ friends/ spouse (DG or non-DG)
• How Much?: The Conservatory charges $10 minimum - you get tickets to purchase selections from a menu of a botanical themed cocktails, full bar selections, and small plate hors d’oeuvres. PARKING IS FREE!!!
• RSVP: Piper Wright [piper.wright@yahoo.com or 614-283-0260]

OSU Panhellenic Networking Event - May 29 1-3 PM

May 29 1-3 PM

Great Meeting Hall Room 3

Ohio Union on OSU Campus

Please RSVP by May 14 via email to Dessa Hornung at hornung.11@buckeyemail.osu.edu

This event is an opportunity for collegiate women to meet recent graduates and other Panhellenic Alumnae to discuss the professional world outside the Greek Community. As the Director of Alumni Relations for the Panhellenic Association, my purpose is to prepare our members for professional experiences inside and outside of the Greek Community. As Panhellenic women who have undergone the transition from the collegiate world to the professional world, we know that our graduating women would benefit greatly from your advice.


The event will consist of time for attendees to get to know each other through discussion and light refreshments. As many of you may know, the new Ohio Union recently opened on March 29, 2010. As a token of our appreciation, I have organized an exclusive tour of the Ohio Union for all women in attendance.


Please bring a business card if you would like to be contacted by any of the women you meet at the event. My hope is that you may serve as a mentor and provide professional advice or support. If you are comfortable speaking to the group, I will email you one or two questions to address during the discussion. (These questions will be submitted from each chapter and will be given to you in advance, so that you will not be put on the spot with a “Q” and “A” session.)


Because this event has limited seating available, I will be accepting reservations based on a “first-come, first-served” basis. If you are available to attend, please RSVP via email to: hornung.11@buckeyemail.osu.edu. ...please reply no later then May 14. I look forward to hearing from you!


Sincerely,
Dessa Hornung
Director of Alumni Relations
Panhellenic Association

Founders Day - Saturday April 17th, 2010 - How to RSVP + Details...

Saturday, April 17th, 2010
Muirfield Village Golf Club
5750 Memorial Drive Dublin, OH 43017

Registration begins at 10 AM, Luncheon at 11:30 AM (A short program will commence during the luncheon. The Epsilon House Corporation meeting to be held at the same location, beginning at 2 PM)

We will be having our annual basket raffle this year so please bring cash or checks to purchase tickets. Half of the money donated in the selling of tickets will be donated to the Delta Gamma Foundation and half of the money will go towards the Columbus Alumnae Chapter operating expenses. Tickets will be $1 each or 6 tickets for $5.

The menu includes ice tea, lemonade, Coca Cola Products, assorted artisan rolls and butter and a choice of entree salad: Muirfield Club (Chopped Iceberg and Romaine, Cured Ham, Roasted Turkey, Swiss Cheese, Hard Cooked Egg, Cucumber, Red Onion, Bacon and Tomato, Balsamic Vinaigrette and House Made Ranch on the side) OR Grilled Salmon and Baby Spinach Salad (Baby Spinach with Asparagus, Toasted Pine Nuts, Chickpeas & Roma Tomatoes with Lemon and White Balsamic Vinaigrette.) A vegetarian option is available upon request. Lunch will also include a dessert which we are still working out the details on.

Dress is business/church attire. No jeans, shorts, mini skirts, or tennis shoes will be permitted.

Valet parking and coat check for all guests is provided and part of the included cost.

RSVP Details
RSVP to our vp finance, Piper Wright, at piper.wright@yahoo.com . Please include each guest's full name, chapter, initiation year, and preference for lunch entree (either the Muirfield Club salad, Grilled Salmon and Spinach salad, or vegetarian option.)

Cost is $30 per alumna and $25 per collegian.

Checks can be made out to Columbus Delta Gamma Alumnae and mailed with RSVP information to:
Piper Wright at
7080 Maynard Place
New Albany, OH 43054

RSVP information and checks need to be received by Sunday, April 11th, 2010.

How can you help...
We are 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 16th, 2010.

We are also looking for women to help with a couple of readings during the program. Please email Nicole Tankovich at nicoletankovich@gmail.com if you would be willing to do a reading during the program. There are a couple left to participate in!

Friends and Family Bowling Extravaganza POSTPONED

In light of the recently unpredictable winter weather, we have decided to reschedule the bowling event previously planned for this Saturday at Sequoia Bowl.

A new date and time will be announced shortly.