Founders Day -- February 12th

Our Founders Day plans have been finalized! We'll be celebrating at Maggianos at the Park Plaza on Saturday, February 12th. The cost will be $30 ($25 for dues paying members). Hope to see you all there!

Let's Get Crafty! Sunday, Nov 14th from 12p-1:30p

We will be making holiday gift tags at Paper Source in Brookline. The cost is $30 per person and includes all supplies and instructions. You may pay by cash or check at the event.

Paper Source
1361 Beacon St
Brookline, MA 02446

Pleases RSVP by noon this upcoming Thursday, November 4th so that the appropriate amount of supplies will be reserved for us. Didn't receive the evite but want to attend? Contact Christina at Christina.Pastorello@gmail.com to be added to the evite or if you have any questions/concerns.

Hope to see you there!

November Book Club

The first novel of this year's book club is Up from the Blue by Susan Henderson. We will be meeting on Sunday, Nov 7th to discuss the book and enjoy tasty treats. An evite will be sent to those on the book club elist closer to the date with details about time and location

We usually aim to read about a book a month, so please me email me at Christina.Pastorello@gmail.com if you would be interested in joining the book club elist and if you have any ideas for future books. Happy Reading!

Movie Club - Sunday, 10/17

Let's plan to see Waiting for "Superman" at 4:25 pm at the AMC Boston Common. Let's meet in the lobby around 4:10. If you think you'll be able to make it, please let Koren know at kaphillips@gmail.com.

Looking forward to seeing you all this weekend!

Dinner Club - 9/28

The Boston AOII Dinner Club will be meeting at Vapiano (191 Stuart Street, Back Bay) on Tuesday, September 28th at 7pm. The restaurant is cafeteria style, so we'll just find a table to catch up with each other. No need to RSVP or confirm, just come out and join us if you'd like!

Vapiano

If you'd like to receive emails about future Dinner Club events, please email us at bostonaoii@gmail.com.

Not from Boston? Not alone!

Have you been in town a while, but think that the Boston Alumnae Chapter is just comprised of women who went to school here? Are you new to the area, but are unsure of joining us for an event?

As of September, we are a group of women who represent 12 different collegiate chapters spread across the states and provinces of New York, Colorado, Illinois, Ohio, California, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Nebraska, and Ontario. And we know that we have additional representation out there!

Please come join us for an event! We also could also meet up one on one for coffee or drinks before an event, so there is a friendly face when you come meet the group.

bostonaoii@gmail.com

Did you know???

AOII has been invited to make a formal presentation for extension consideration to Worcester Polytech on September 15, 2010. Colonization is targeted for January 2011. Information about the community may be found at www.wpi.edu. If you are interested in helping with this opportunity, contact AOII Headquarters at 615-370-0920.

Local collegiate chapter looking for advisers!

Our local collegiate chapter at Tufts University is looking for advisers. Some adviser roles can be done from long-distance, via email or phone, and don't require a significant time commitment. There is something for everyone! Additionally, many of the international volunteers that work with this chapter are local, so there will be support for any questions you encounter along the way.

If you are interested in learning more about the opportunities available, please contact Delta's Chapter Adviser, Lauren Simpson, at l.simpson714@gmail.com or via phone at 630-730-5628.

2010 - 2011 Event Schedule

Next year's calendar has been announced! If you did not receive the email with the calendar and membership information, please email us at bostonaoii@gmail.com to be added to our list.


Wednesday, September 1st

7pm – Hosted by Lacey Bowman

Business Meeting and Education Session (accompanied by Make Your Own Sundaes and Pizza!)

Come join us to hear about our introduction of affinity groups to our calendar of events, hear details about Leadership Institute this past summer, and learn about our fundraising and philanthropic programs. We will also hear an insider’s view about the International Executive Board nominating process and how all members can be involved!


Sunday, September 19th

10am – Artisani Park, 1234 Soldier’s Field Road, Brighton (Note location change from prior years)

Arthritis Walk

Join other area AOIIs as we support our international philanthropy partner, the Arthritis Foundation, with their annual Arthritis Walk. Sign up for our team here! There are also great incentives, specific for AOIIs, when you reach certain fundraising levels.

Saturday, September 25th

9am – Depart Boston for Mohegan Sun – we’ll organize carpools from the city

Mohegan Sun Fun with fellow Northeast AOIIs

Choose your own adventure as we journey to Mohegan Sun and join our sisters from Connecticut and New York for activities at the casino. We’ll have time for spa, shopping, gaming, and (my favorite) people-watching! We’ll join up for a group lunch at one of the casino’s renowned restaurants and return to Boston late afternoon.


Monday, October 18th

6:30 – 8pm – Cass Flowers, 531 Mt Auburn Street, Watertown

Floral Design Workshop

We’ll learn how to arrange roses in an Asian Contemporary method, and take home our arrangements at the end of the workshop! The cost for this workshop is $35 and you must sign up online at http://www.cassflowers.com/wedafwor.html. Sign up early before the event sells out!

Sunday, November 14th

Paper Source, 1361 Beacon Street, Brookline

Let’s Get Crafty!

We will be making holiday gift tags at Paper Source in Brookline. Cost for this event will be between $20-30, includes all supplies and instructions, and can be paid at the event.


Sunday, December 5th

Holiday Open House

2pm – 5pm – Hosted by Koren Phillips

Participate in our annual cookie swap as we enjoy each other’s company and take a breather from our hectic holiday schedules! We will also be assembling exam bags for Delta Chapter at Tufts.

Saturday, February 12th

Founder’s Day

Please join us for our annual Founder’s Day ceremony and brunch. Location has not been finalized as of yet.


Saturday and Sunday, March 5th and 6th

AOII Northeast Weekend

Our sisters from across the Northeast and Eastern Canada will be traveling to Boston for this weekend filled with education and friendship.


Saturday, April 9th

9:30am – Noon – Greater Boston Food Bank, 70 South Bay Avenue, Boston

Volunteer Event

Looking to volunteer in the community? Ever wonder what it looks like inside the Greater Boston Food Bank’s new building? Come join us as we sort and pack food, which is then distributed to local shelters and pantries.

Saturday, April 30th

Delta Chapter Alumnae Transition

We will welcome the graduating seniors from Delta Chapter at Tufts to alumnae status.

2010-2011 Membership and Event Information...and Red Sox tickets!

For those who are excited about next year's Membership Information and Event Calendar, I'll be sending it out in a few weeks. I have some super-fun (at least I think so!) new events planned, and some oldies-but-goodies. We'll be volunteering and crafting and celebrating, oh my! We also have a couple of new initiatives to announce.

Additionally, we're down to our last handful of Red Sox tickets for the 8/23 game. If you are interested in joining us, email bostonaoii@gmail.com!

Lacey

Recruitment Recommendations!

Summer is here, which means that fall sorority recruitment is right around the corner. For many colleges, sorority recommendations serve as an introduction for incoming freshman to the sorority chapters on their campus.

If you are an incoming college freshman from New England and are attending a school where sororities suggest an alumna recommendation for recruitment, please email us at bostonaoii@gmail.com. We ask that you contact us well in advance of the collegiate chapter/university deadlines so that we have adequate time in preparing the recommendation.

While it is not the norm for Northeast schools to require recommendations, we recognize the importance of these recommendations in other regions of the country. We are happy to help out and hope that everyone has a positive recruitment experience.

Lacey -- Boston Alumnae Chapter President

Get ready for the Boston Arthritis Walk!

Our team has been formed for the Boston Arthritis Walk on September 19th. I encourage you all to join our team and start fundraising this summer for our international philanthropy, Arthritis Research. Our team can be found here: Boston AOII. Family and friends are welcome, so encourage them to join you. There are numerous incentives to raise money for this cause, including special AOII prizes for giving levels of $250 or greater.

Congratulations, 2010-2011 Officers!

The following slate was approved by the membership at last night's meeting:


President: Lacey Bowman (Chi Delta, University of Colorado)
Vice President: Christina Pastorello (Delta, Tufts University)
Treasurer: Melissa Faubert (Delta, Tufts University)
Secretary: Laurel Zeidman (Delta, Tufts University)
Collegiate Liaison: Margi Scholtes (Delta, Tufts University)

We look forward to bringing future success to the chapter.

Summer Fun!

Laurel and I are scheming up some summer fun as our last hurrah as this year's Programming Co-Chairs! So far we've planned an evening of delicious ice cream at the Jimmy Fund's annual Scooper Bowl at City Hall Plaza (Tuesday, 6/8 from 6-8 pm). What else would you like to see us do this summer?

- Koren, Programming Co-Chair

Announcing the 2010-2011 Boston AOII Slate!

We are pleased to announce the 2010-2011 Boston AOII Alumnae Chapter Officers!  Please join us in congratulating the following sisters:

• President: Lacey Bowman (Chi Delta, University of Colorado)
• Vice President: Christina Pastorello (Delta, Tufts University)
• Treasurer: Melissa Faubert (Delta, Tufts University)
• Secretary: Laurel Zeidman (Delta, Tufts University)

You might note that we have not slated a Programming Chair.  Worry not, the new executive board will be formulating a great strategy to make programming a collaborative effort across the board.  We are exited for another wonderful year!  Roses to all.

- Koren, Programming Co-Chair

Exam Bag Ideas?

As we prep for Exam Bag stuffing at our next event, the question poses itself: what would you have loved to receive as a pre-exam treat? Recent bags have included Easy Mac, goldfish, Nutri Grain bars, jelly beans...


Let us know in the comments!

Our New Network Volunteers!

Below are our 2010-2012 Network Volunteers for the Northeast!

Amber Countis - Network Director
Melissa Faubert and Kathleen Niple in the area of Recruitment
Kelly Manuel and Jen Thompson in the area of Leadership
Nicole D'Amato in the area of Finance
Kay Welsh and Koren Phillips in the area of Alumnae

Fraternally, Lacey

Elections Time!

Hello Ladies,

It's elections time again! All 2009-2010 dues-paying members should have received information about the election process this past week. As a reminder, if you'd like to be considered for an officer role, please email us (bostonaoii@gmail.com) by April 9th. The offices available are President, Vice President, Treasurer, Programming, and Secretary/Historian/ MIF Chair.

Additionally, we decided at our last officer meeting to create a new officer role for the 2010-2011 year. To further enhance our relations with our local collegiate chapter, we have created a Collegiate Liaison. This office is open to a 2010 graduate of Delta Chapter at Tufts University, who is interested in joining the Alumnae Chapter executive board while maintaining relations with their collegiate chapter. They will help plan joint events and keep communication lines open between the two chapters. We are very excited about this new office!

Fraternally,

Lacey Bowman, Alumnae Chapter President

Join the AOII Foundation Garden Party!

Sisters, we encourage you to make your $48 gift to the AOII Foundation to join the AOII Garden Party!  Your gift with this donation is a charming little AOII umbrella - which would have certainly been useful this weekend!



Roses,

Koren
Programming Co-Chair & AOII Foundation Marketing Committee Member

April Book Club

The alumnae chapter book club is always looking for new members! We are a small, informal group which meets on Sundays once a month in a sister's home or at a local restaurant.

Our April meeting will be Sunday, April 25 and we'll be discussing The Help by Katheryn Stockett. If you are interested in participating, and please do so, let us know!

-Laurel, Programming Co-Chair

Spring Arthritis Foundation Events in Greater Boston

Each fall, members of the Boston AOII alumnae chapter participate in the Boston Arthritis Walk downtown, alongside members of Delta chapter at Tufts University.

But there are also some great Arthritis Foundation events in the greater Boston area which happen in the spring, namely the MetroWest Arthritis Walk on Sunday, May 16, and a Wiffle Ball Tournament on Saturday, June 26.

If you are interested in participating in either of these events, please email us and let us know.

-Laurel, Programming Co-Chair

Less Than 10 Tickets Left for April Red Sox Game!

That's right! Anyone who has been holding out, contact Lacey at bostonaoii@gmail.com to place your order before it's too late. Remember, dues-paying members receive $5 off per ticket ($30 vs. $35 for non-paying members).

Plenty of tickets are still available for the August game, but we anticipate they will sell out quickly as we get closer to the date so I encourage you to plan ahead and reserve your tickets now!

-Laurel, Programming Co-Chair

Reminder: Alumnae Event Tomorrow 3/4/10

We'll be meeting at the Charlesmark lounge at 7pm.

Contact info can be found in the Evite sent to the Boston AOII Alumnae mailing list. If you did not receive the Evite or would like to be added to the mailing list, please let us know!
-Laurel, Programming Co-Chair

Farewell, AOII InCircle!

As you may have heard, AOII InCircle will cease operations on March 15th.  For many of us, InCircle has been a unique and interesting way to connect with sisters across the country.  I know that I am personally very sad to see it go! 

According to the email announcement from HQ, in the fall, new AOII technology initiatives will offer an additional tool for social networking with our sisters! It will offer the following features:

 

Custom Profiles – All members or associated members have their own profile complete with pictures, biographies, and other items you wish to display.

 

Message Boards – Threaded discussions allow your members to be better informed about topics and tracking messages.

 

Groups, Committees and Boards – With just a few clicks, you can organize and create unlimited groups from your list of members.  Allow your members to communicate freely using the networked calendar, group forums, and email tools.

 

In the mean time, be sure that you are connected to Boston AOII's Facebook Page and stay tuned for even more news on our blog.

Roses,

 

Koren 

- Programming Co-Chair

AOIIs at Cuchi Cuchi Happy Hour!

Pics from our happy hour at Cuchi Cuchi in Cambridge!

Network Job Descriptions & Apps Now Available!

In a previous post, we talked about some of the revamping of the AOII Network Structure.  We are moving to a geographic structure where each region will have 6-8 assigned specialists.  The terms will begin in June 2010 and run through June 2012.  Each specialist will have a specific area of expertise, including:

• Leadership
• Recruitment
• Alumnae
• Finance

To see the formal announcement with the description of each role and the application, please contact us at bostonaoii@gmail.com!

- Koren, Programming Co-Chair

Behind the Scenes of the Boston AOII Alumnae Chapter!

It's been a busy year for the Boston Alumnae Chapter! In addition to the many social events we've held, there are many things that you may not have heard about.

• In December, our Alumnae Chapter adopted a family through Reach Beyond Domestic Violence and provided gifts for a boy and his mother to brighten their holiday season.
• Each semester, we provide the opportunity for parents of Delta (Tufts U.) collegiate members to purchase Exam Bags full of snacks and treats to get them through their finals. The proceeds from these bags are then donated to the AOII Foundation. Come to our International Potluck on April 24th and help prepare the bags for the Spring semester!
• We are teaming up again with the other Boston Alumnae Panhellenic member chapters to present a dues scholarship to a NPC collegiate member in the Boston area. Our own Jessica Snow (Tufts U.) received this scholarship in Spring 2009!

What can you do to help?

• Become a dues paying member of the alumnae chapter! Gone are the collegiate days of dues that are several hundred dollars a semester! Our dues are only $40/year ($24 if Life Loyal), and they entitle you to many benefits, including discounted pricing to Founder's Day and exclusive access to tickets for our 2 Red Sox games. Member dues go towards such things as supporting the local collegiate dues scholarship and local philanthropies.
• Support our gift card program! Purchase gift cards for places that you frequent every day, and the Alumnae Chapter receives a percentage of your purchase. Visit Shop With Scrip to see all the companies that are offered. Place your order by February 25th, and they will be delivered to you at our next chapter event on March 4th.
• Come and cheer on the Red Sox with us! We've secured group tickets to games on April 21st and August 23rd. Dues paying members have access to an unlimited number of tickets at $30 each. Best of all, $2 of each ticket will support our international philanthropy, Arthritis Research. Not a dues paying member? You can purchase up to 4 tickets for each game at $35 each, with the additional $5 being a contribution to the AOII Foundation.

If you have any questions, or would like to participate in any of the opportunities mentioned above, please contact us at bostonaoii@gmail.com.

~ Lacey (Chi Delta - University of Colorado), Boston Alumnae Chapter President

International Badge Day is coming up!

"Fellowship, leadership, and a lifelong commitment to community service are the daily themes in the lives of sorority women—from our college members to alumnae.

On Monday, March 1, these women who number in the millions will celebrate International Badge Day during National Women’s History Month. On that day, all of us will honor our separate and distinct Greek affiliations by wearing our badges or letters."

I'll be honest, when among non-AOIIs, I am often guilty of trying to downplay my sorority membership and alum involvement. But on Badge Day, I wear my AOII pin with pride. I start off the day expecting strange looks from coworkers, and yes that has happened, but every year I usually find at least one coworker or acquaintance with a "hidden" sorority affiliation - and am always surprised by the great conversations that get started (and compliments) by wearing my badge.

I encourage all Boston AOIIs to wear their badges on March 1, feel free to come back and post a Badge Day story!
-Laurel, Programming Co-Chair

AOII Structure Overview

Some of you may be aware that AOII has been undergoing some major changes in its organizational structure over the past few years.  New regional structure has been piloted in two Beta districts.  According to a recent email from AOII Headquarters, "Our goal is to provide our membership with enhanced stability, while empowering our collegiate chapters to increase growth through fully-supported Alumnae Advisory Committees and strong alumnae chapters working in collaboration within their network to maintain lifelong bonds of friendship."


As a quick overview, the following structure is being proposed:

Today we have 54 Network Specialists (NSs) who work directly with our collegiate and alumnae chapters. We currently utilize 32 Collegiate NSs, 13 Alumnae NSs, and 9 Beta Pilot NSs in addition to our 8 Colony Development NSs. Today’s NSs work with specifically assigned chapters in a generalist role. Our future state will continue to have a Colony Development NS working one-on-one with an assigned chapter; however, we will have 6-8 NSs assigned to each network. These NSs will have specific area of expertise (Recruitment, Leadership, Finance, and Alumnae) and will be deployed as needs and wants are identified. As subject matter experts in their network, they will also be proactive for their area of expertise and collaborate with similar NSs in other networks. We anticipate maintaining the same approximate number of NSs (54).

We will continue to keep you apprised of any further structural developments.  Please let any of the Alumnae Executive Board members know if you have any questions or concerns, or if you'd like to receive the full text of the email message from HQ.

- Koren, Programming Co-Chair

Founders' Day

Hi ladies!  Thank you all very much for a successful Founders' Day yesterday at Skipjack's Restaurant!  It was a wonderful opportunity to get together with our fellow alumnae and collegiate members.  The alumnae chapter recognized Saquora Lowe-McLaurin with our Founders' Day Rose Award, which includes a rose recognition pin and a special crown pearl honor badge.  Saquora was recognized for her outstanding dedication to the Boston Alumnae Chapter and the community.

We'll be posting lots of useful information this site, we hope it's more useful than our last web home.

Looking forward to seeing you all at an upcoming event.

- Koren, Programming Co-Chair