Happy Holidays!

The Boston Alumnae Chapter wishes you all a fun and happy holiday season!

Giving Back to AOII

This holiday season you may be thinking of ways to be charitable and give back. Alpha Omicron Pi has given many of us so much: Great memories, a strong support system full of sisterhood, wonderful experiences, leadership development, and so much more. For many of us, AOII has helped shape who we are. This holiday season, please consider giving back to AOII. There are lots of ways you can support the mission of AOII, "Women Enriched Through Lifelong Friendship".

Make a Donation to the AOII Foundation to support our Foundation programs (Scholarships, Endowment, Arthritis Grants, Ruby Fund, or Education and Training Grants)

• You can give online by visiting www.aoiifoundation.org

Volunteer to serve as an adviser for a collegiate chapter
The following opportunities are available for Boston Alumnae Chapter members

• Delta Chapter at Tufts University in Medford, MA. Contact Amber Countis at amberaoii@gmail.com for more information.
• One of our newest colonies at Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. Fill out the Alumnae Interest form here or contact Kathleen Donohue at kathleen_niple@yahoo.com.

Get involved in the Boston Alumnae Chapter

• Become a dues-paying member
• Volunteer to serve on a committee to plan or assist with an event or support member outreach initiatives

Happy Holidays to All!

-The Boston Alumnae Chapter Exec Board

New Volunteer Programming Chair Positions!

As our Founders imparted, “the greatest honor that Alpha Omicron Pi can bestow upon us is the opportunity for larger service to our Fraternity and the ideals for which it stands.” With the spirit of service in mind, you are encouraged to share your specialized gifts and talents in support of AOII’s membership and chapters by applying for the newly created Programming Chair positions.

The Programming Chair positions - Alumnae Advisory Committee, Finance, Membership, and Alumnae - have been created by the Executive Board. These volunteer positions are key in our overall structure because they will provide the lateral coordination and leadership needed for the specialized areas of our Fraternity. They will provide support, direction, and strategies for Network Specialists of Leadership, Finance, Recruitment, and Alumnae in their specific area of programming and achieve the strategic initiatives set forth by the network and the Fraternity.

Please click on the links below for the Position Description for each role:
Programming Chair – Alumnae Advisory Committee
Programming Chair – Finance
Programming Chair – Membership
Programming Chair – Alumnae

Click here for the Volunteer Application.

The Programming Chairs will attend Leadership Institute and Convention with expenses for room and board and travel allowance covered by the Fraternity. The Programming Chairs will also collaborate with the Education Committee to identify gaps and share training and education ideas that are needed in our collegiate and alumnae chapters. The term for these positions is 2 years, beginning January 1, 2012 and expiring December 31, 2013.

Please email applications to the Human Resources Committee at hrc@alphaomicronpi.org by December 16, 2011. Add your name (Last Name, First Name) to the document name prior to saving it and emailing it for submission. (This application also includes the opportunity to express other areas of service interest in addition to this role.) The selection of candidates will occur during the month of January.

We are also seeking applications from volunteers who may have not previously served in a Network role, but have the desired skill set. This is an open application process so all are invited to participate. This is an exciting time to be involved in AOII as a Programming Chair and share your skills with members of the Network Specialist teams.

Please feel free to contact HRC with any questions!

Founders' Day and Ruby Fund Message!

Read This Courtesy of the AOII Foundation!

Alpha Omicron Pi was founded on January 2, 1897. Because that date presented difficulties in gathering members for celebrations due to the holiday season, Founders' Day was officially changed to December 8, at the 1921 convention. That date coincides with the birthday of Founder Stella George Stern Perry. Early on, the AOII founders cautioned that Founders' Day was not intended to honor them, but to be a time to stop and measure how closely the fraternity had come in actively performing the tasks each member had accepted when she was initiated into Alpha Omicron Pi.

Nearby alumnae and collegiate chapters often join together in these celebrations. At the close of each Founders' Day celebration, sisters traditionally join hands around the room and sing the "Epsilon Chapter Song." The lyrics are, "Alpha Omicron Pi, Friends as the years go by, Loving sisters are we, Loyal forever, Alpha to thee."

Link to Official Founders' Day Message

Link to Official Ruby Fund Message

Want to Advise?

Do you LOVE AOII?
Do you LOVE volunteering?
Do you want to help out a local AOII chapter?

If so, you might be a great adviser! The Delta Chapter (Tufts) is looking for new advisers in the Boston area. Please contact L.Simpson714@gmail.com if you're interested.

I look forward to hearing from you!

AOII to Colonize at Bryant University!

Please read the following message from Carrie Youell, Director of Extension, about one of the newest additions to our AOII family! If anyone is interested in getting involved with the chapter they can contact Carrie Youell at cyouell@alphaomicronpi.org.

Hello everyone,

It is with great excitement that we share AOII is continuing to grow!! We will be colonizing at Bryant University in Smithfield, Rhode Island in February 2012. AOII will join a growing community of Delta Zeta and Sigma Sigma Sigma. Please help me thank the presentation team of Kaya Miller, Julie Anne Hughey, Nicole Claudon and Carrie Youell as well as the many staff members who work tirelessly behind the scenes for Extension.

Please look forward to receiving more information in the near future.

Best,
Carrie

Support the AOII Delta Chapter In Their Strike Out Arthritis Poker Event!

Please read the message below from Delta's Alumni Relations Chair Celina Garza about their upcoming Strike Out Arthritis Event to see how you can help out!

Hello,

My name is Celina Garza and I am the Alumnae Relations Chair for the Delta Chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi at Tufts University. The entire chapter is currently in the midst of planning our fall philanthropy event of the semester. We will be hosting our very own Poker Night on December 1^st which will be full of games such as Blackjack, Texas Hold’em and other fun Casino games. All proceeds will be donated to AOII’s national foundation -the Arthritis Foundation.

Our first Poker Night was held last year and it turned out to be a great success but we are looking to have an even more successful event this year, and we can only do that with the help of the community! This is where we’d like to personally reach out to anyone that would like to participate and help us fundraise for the Arthritis Foundation! Last year our grand prize was a Nintendo Wii and we are looking to have more grand prizes that will get the campus and community excited for Poker Night.

We would like to be able to offer prizes for the tournament such as gift cards to popular local establishments, concert tickets or sports tickets for local teams such as the Red Sox, Patriots, Celtics, or Bruins, or any other kind donation. We would also like to reach out to the greater Boston area through corporate sponsors that would be willing to fundraise for this great cause. Because the Arthritis Foundation is a 501(c)(3 ) organization, all donations are tax-deductible and many businesses will match donations through their HR departments, sometimes even 2 to 1, so that is also an option! We welcome any and all donations, and credit will be given to donating establishments in all of the advertisements for the events. Please note that all donations are tax deductible.

If you would be interested in contributing to this event or would like some more information, please con

tact me (Celina.Garza@tufts.edu) or our Philanthropy Chair, Amy Calfas (Amy.Calfas@gmail.com) by November 11^th. Thank you for your time!

Sincerely,

Celina Garza

AOII Delta Chapter

Alumnae Relations, VPE

Tufts 2013

Thanks to everyone who came to our Ring Out Arthritis Event! We had a lot of fun and will be able to make a great contribution to the Arthritis Foundation because of you.

I want to also thank our generous donors:
Petit Robert Bistro
Berryline
JP Licks
Taza Chocolate Factory
Museum of Science
F1 Boston
Koren Phillips (donated Marc Jacobs Bag)
Lauren Simpson (donated Boston Bruins tickets)
Lacey Bowman (donated two gift certificates)
Bell in Hand Tavern

Ring Out Arthritis Happy Hour on October 20

We're looking forward to seeing you all at the happy hour at Bell in Hand on October 20th. Bring all of your coworkers friends! The event is not exclusive to AOIIs, but remember, if your an alumnae chapter member you AND a friend will get in for the price of one.

With your $10 cover charge you'll also get a raffle ticket to win great prizes like Boston Bruins tickets, a Marc Jacobs handbag, gift certificates for some great restaurants around Boston, an F1 Racing experience, etc. If this isn't enough to entice you, there will be great food and drinks and lots of awesome people to help you celebrate the end of a Thursday workday!

World Arthritis Day and an AOII Foundation Updates!

CELEBRATE WORLD ARTHRITIS DAY, OCTOBER 12th AND MAKE A HEATING PAD TO HELP THOSE JOINTS!

Follow these easy steps to create your homemade heating pad:

• One pair of cotton tube socks (we used AOII socks, tie-dyed socks are also cute!)
• Put two pounds of rice (do not use instant rice) in each sock
• Cut two 12-inch pieces of ribbon
  
• Take the ribbon and tie a double knot around the top of each sock
• Make sure the knot is tight to avoid any rice from coming out of the sock
• Tie a bow with the ribbon
• Donate to your local Arthritis Foundation chapter, or heat for 2 minutes and apply!

Barbie Chadwick is named Foundation Executive Director!

With over 25 years of experience in the marketing and development field, Barbie formally served the AOII Foundation as the Operations and Technology Manager since 2009. Prior to the AOII Foundation, Barbie owned a professional non-profit consulting company where she advised non-profit organizations on development of capital campaigns, annual giving programs, and other stewardship activities and programs, and other stewardship activities and programs. Additionally, Barbie served three years on the Gamma Phi Beta International Council.

Barbie welcomes you to contact her at the AOII Foundation office at 615-695-2626 or via email at bchadwick@alphaomicronipi.org.

Jana West is the new Director of Development!

With over nine years of experience in fundraising at the United Way, Jana West, Rho Omicron '91, specializes in both training a

nd development. Jana also brings seven years of management experience, as the prior owner of a bridal and formal wear shop in her hometown of Dickson, TN. During her collegiate years at Middle Tennessee State University, Jana served as the Panhellenic President where she received a bachelor's degree in advertising and marketing.

Jana may be contacted at the AOII Foundation office at 615-695-2626 or via email at jwest@alphaomicronpi.org.

Do you have Google Calendar? Boston AOII Does!

Never miss an event again! You can add our calendar to your google calendar -- it automatically updates with our events. Just click the "+ Goggle Calendar" button in the bottom right hand corner of the calendar below. You will be redirected to your calendar where you can add the AOII calendar to yours.

We're always looking for new ways to keep our members informed about what's up and coming! Please send any feedback about the calendar or any ideas you may have to bostonaoii@gmail.com

Read The Piper Online To Learn About Everything New in the World of AOII!!

There's so much going on in the world of AOII--make sure you see the latest news by reading The Piper! To access the document, you can log-in to the My AOII side of the website, click on AOII Today, and The Piper.

For your convenience the link is below:

www.alphaomicronpi.org/AM/TemplateRedirect.cfm?Template=/CM/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=13065

Link to Our New Chapter Newsletter!

Here is a link to our newest chapter newsletter with information about all of our upcoming events including our "Ring Out Arthritis" fundraiser at Bell in Hand on October 20th! For dues paying members this event is buy one get one free admission 2 free raffle tickets!

Read about this event and all of the other upcoming events here:

http://secure.campaigner.com/Campaigner/Public/t.show?NjOo--A1Ye-dK70s8

Sisters Don't Forget To Sign Up for the 3rd Annual AOII Northeast Weekend!

The weekend will take place in King of Prussia, PA on October 22nd and 23rd. Join AOII collegians and alumnae from the northeast and beyond as we gather for a weekend full of sisterhood and education. For more information please visit the event's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/northeastaoiiweekend.

The regular registration deadline is October 1st and the late registration deadline is October 15th. Register early to take advantage of a registration discount!

Thanks For Supporting Arthritis Research! And You Can Still Support it More!

We wanted to thank everyone who came out and walked or donated or even just thought about Arthritis during our recent Boston Arthritis Walk to Strike Out Arthritis. The sunshine came out and it was great to be active with some of our alums and current Delta Chapter members too!

In case you are in need of a massage as the summer season changes to fall, you can still help out our philanthropy by booking a massage or facial through Massage Envy on October 12th! They have agreed to donate $10 from every massage or facial to The Arthritis Foundation, so what could be a better deal than that? Click here for more information!

And don't forget about Book Club this upcoming weekend and our Apple and Pumpkin Picking Trip on October 1st!

Here are links to both events on facebook, or always feel free to email us too!

Book Club

Apple and Pumpkin Picking

September Book Club

Join us for brunch and discussion of One Day by David Nicholls on Sunday, September 25th at 10:30am at Papa Razzi. Even if you haven't been able to finish the book, we'd love to see you! If you have any questions or if you would like to be added to the book club elist, please email me at Christina.Pastorello@gmail.com

Help the Delta Chapter with Recruitment!

Here is a message from from the Recruitment Adviser for the Delta Chapter at Tufts:

Hey Boston AOIIs!

I am the new recruitment adviser for the Delta chapter. We are already starting to prepare for recruitment. On Sunday, September 11th the sisters of the Delta Chapter at Tufts University will be preparing for recruitment and need the help of local alum rom 5:30-6:00pm at the AOII house at Tufts (25 Whitfield Rd., Somerville, MA )2144). It 's very short but it will definitely help them a ton to have us there. This chapter is already working hard and now they need help from the alum!

Please come if you are free!

Roses,

Susanna

susanna.j.crowell@gmail.com

If that date doesn't work, recruitment will be September 19th-21st at their chapter house and there will be other opportunities then, so feel free to email Susanna for more info there too!

Memebership Form For Your Dues!

Thanks to Lauren, we now have a paypal link set up through our blog for you all to pay for your membership dues for the year! (scroll down to her post with the link!) It can't get much easier than that! And remember you are supporting this alum chapter and foundation all at the same time!

$50 General Membership

$34 Life Loyal Members

$15 First Year's On Us!

If you would prefer to pay by check, click here for our new membership form you can all download, fill out, and mail in for dues too! We will be sure to copies of this form at our Kickoff Event at the Asgard this week too!!

Just a reminder that anyone who pays their dues by the day of our Kickoff Event will be entered for a raffle for 4 free movie passes!

Please let us know if you have any questions at all! bostonaoii@gmail.com

Pay Dues Online

We're excited for a great upcoming year of Alumnae events. If you'd like to join the Boston AOII Alumnae Chapter, you can pay dues online using our secure PayPal account (please note there is a $2 fee for paying online):

Membership Types

General Membership $52.00 Life Loyal Membership $36.00 First-Year's-On-Us Membership $17.00

Where are my dues going?

Although joining the Boston AOII Alumnae Chapter is lots of fun, you may be wondering what your $50 ($34 for Life Loyal and $15 for First Year's on Us). Here's a quick run-down:

• Operating Fees- This part of your dues helps keep IHQ running and providing great resources for all members.
• Education and Training Fees- Wondering how AOII is able to put on awesome events like Convention and Leadership Institute? You're making it possible!
• Technology Fee- As we become less paper-centric, chapters (collegiate and alumnae) have increased technology needs.
• Local Dues- This part of your dues allows us to plan awesome events, give alumnae members discounted prices for things like Founder's Day, etc.

In addition to dues, we supplement the money coming into the alumnae chapter with good, old-fashioned fundraising. You can help by supporting our gift card program: Purchase gift cards for places that you frequent every day (Whole Foods, Target, Starbucks), and the Alumnae Chapter receives a percentage of your purchase. Visit Shop With Scrip to see all the companies that are offered. For more information, email bostonaoii@gmail.com OR talk to someone at one of our next events!

Keeping in Touch with AOII!!

We are planning our 2011-2012 calendar right now and we want to hear from you!!

What events interest you? Do you have any suggestions for things you would like to do with your fellow sisters?

We are working hard to try and create a new and improved calendar of activities, but we would love your input to make this year as amazing as possible! Email us at bostonaoii@gmail.com or reply to this post on the Blog or message us on facebook to let us know! Or bring suggestions to the Kickoff event at the Asgard on August 31st!

Want to make sure you are getting all of the AOII news you can?

There are tons of ways to stay in contact with your sisters besides just coming to our awesome events! Here are just a few ways to stay in touch with AOII:

1) Become a dues paying member of this chapter and you will be added to our email list for all of our upcoming events! Email bostonaoii@gmail.com for a membership form! Pay by our Kickoff Event on August 31st and be entered in a raffle for 4 free movie passes!

2) Join the Boston AOII Alumnae Chapter Facebook group! Who doesn't want new facebook friends? And we post events and message threads there too!

3) Like the Alpha Omicron Pi official Facebook Page! All of the most up-to-date AOII info from chapter accomplishments and member spotlights are there!

4) For you Twitter fans out there, you can tweet along with AOII too!

5) And you can always read along at the official AOII Blog online! It features all of the stories from our traveling Educational Leadership Consultants and has tons of really fun experiences to read about!

6) For those of you who like the full media experience that AOII has to offer, be sure to check out AOII on You Tube too! There are tons of cool videos from your fellow sisters talking about all kinds of things, so check it out!

Get Ready For a New Year of AOII!

The new year is starting and we have a ton of really fun events planned, so read below for a mini sneak peak of some events we have soon!

Dues for 2011-2012

Be sure to pay your membership dues by our first kick off event on August 31st to be entered in a raffle for 4 FREE movie passes!! As a paying dues members you will have access to discounted events this year, plus you support our alum chapter as well as headquarters, so why not sign up today! Email bostonaoii@gmail.com for more information!

$50 General Membership

$34 Life Loyal Members

$15 First Year's on Us!!

Asgard Kick Off Event!! August 31st!!

Come to the Asgard in Central Square to kick off the year and to meet all of your Boston area sisters with some dinner and drinks! Plus the raffle for those 4 free movie passes will take place here too, but you don't have to present to win :-) RSVP by August 23rd by emailing Laurel Zeidman at bostonaoii@gmail.com so we can add you to the evite, or you can rsvp on facebook too at: Asgard Event on Facebook

Northeast AOII Weekend in King of Prussia, PA October 22-23d!

Join all of your AOII sisters from around the area at this two-day event! More details in the Northeast Facebook Group!

More events in September and October will be announced soon! Hope to see you on the 31st!

Officers for 2011-2012

Welcome to our new officers! Thank you everyone for voting in this year's election.

President:
Laurel Zeidman, Delta - Tufts
Membership & Membership Education:
Kathleen Niple, Epsilon Chi - Elon
Treasurer & Fundraising Chair:
Lauren Simpson, Iota - Illinois
Communications Chair and Secretary:
Sarah Gaither, Sigma - California, Berkeley
Programming Chair:
Christina Pastorello, Delta - Tufts
Alumnae Panhellenic Delegate:
Sabrina Sgroi, Lambda Epsilon - Waterloo

May Book Club, Saturday May 21st at 11am

We will be discussing Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen at 11am on May 21st. The evite for the event has just gone out; if you would like to join us (and wish to learn more details) please let me know at christina.pastorello@gmail.com.

Next Book Club: April 3rd

Hello all! Join us as we discuss David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas on April 3rd during AOII Book Club. We are always looking for new members to join us. If you are interested, shoot me an email at Christina.Pastorello@gmail.com and I will add you to the monthly elist.

Northeast AOII Weekend

Reminder: The early registration deadline is coming up on Saturday January 15th for the Northeast AOII Weekend in Boston on March 5-6! Price is $35 per person, and will increase after this date.

Weekend Agenda:

Registration Form:



Please email Melissa (meliss923@gmail.com) or Kathleen (kathleen.niple@gmail.com) with questions!