Paint Bar Fundraiser

Hello Boston Alumnae! We are excited to announce a fundraiser on January 27th at the Paint Bar. Part of the proceeds will benefit the Arthritis Foundation, and if you've never been to the Paint Bar, GET EXCITED!!! Bring your friends, have a few drinks, and de-stress as you paint with us (see picture above).

Here are the details:

Date: January 27th
Time: 1pm-4pm (or whenever we finish)
Cost: $35
Registration:   https://www.thepaintbar.com/quick-signup.php?eventid=1309
*Note: when you and your friends register, you MUST indicate that you are attending the AOII Fundraiser. This is how we're tracking how many people attend on our behalf vs. general class attendees.

Sign up before November 1st becuase this class will fill up FAST! Feel free to pass this along to anyone and everyone you know. Friends, boyfriends/girlfriends, family members, etc. are all welcome.

Paint Bar provides all the materials, so all you'll need to do is show up. We hope to see you there!

A Recipe for Sisterhood - Our NEW Cookbook Project

 Hello Ladies!

This year we’ve been trying to find ways to make membership dues go further, and to ensure that we can continue to do this for years to come we are kicking off a new fundraising effort.

Now--this e-mail is not one asking for donations! What we actually need from you is your favorite recipe!

We’re working to create an AOII Boston Alumnae Chapter cookbook, featuring favorite recipes from all of our members. Once we collect your recipes, we’ll compile them and turn them into a professional-looking cookbook that you can order for yourself, your friends, and/or your family! It will make a great gift AND you’ll know the recipes are delicious because they’ve come directly from your sisters who have tried them out.

By October 21, 2012, please consider sending us:

•     Your favorite recipe (or even your top 3)
•     If the recipe is adapted from another source, such as a cookbook, magazine, or website, please include the source title, web URL, and/or issue date (if applicable)
•     A story to go along with the recipe (not required, but we want to make this personal and fun!)
•     A picture of the recipe, of you with your cooked dish, or just of your beautiful face
•     Your name, collegiate chapter of initiation, and initiation year

All recipes, stories, and pictures can be sent to Lauren Simpson, our fundraising chair, at L.Simpson714@gmail.com.

Thanks in advance for your participation!

AOII Helps at the Life is Good Festival!

AOII volunteered at this year's Life is Good Festival in Canton, MA featuring Dave Matthews Band!

This festival raises money to provide continuing education, resources and support to teachers, social workers, child-life specialists, and others dedicated to ensuring that children grow up in safe    environments. 

We were trained on serving beer, wine, and other drinks at the beverage station and in addition to our free time we donated, all tips we raised also went to the children! 

Life really is good when you volunteer!

Boston Alumnae Walk Out Arthritis!

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported the Boston Arthritis Walk!

Our alumnae team raised $470 for arthritis research! If you still want to donate, click here to give a general team donation!

And based on the walk's sign, we are the AOII Boston Alumnance Chapter! Maybe that means we should prance or dance a little more to keep moving and continue to strike out arthritis?           We think so! 

Stay tuned for what AOII is cookin' up next! 

September Events for AOII!

1) AOII Happy Hour at Dillon's Restaurant:

When: Wednesday, September 12th, 6:30-8:30pm

Where: Dillon's Restaurant on Boylston Street in Boston

Why: To hang out and meet new AOII sisters!

2) Boston Arthritis Walk:

When: Sunday, September 16th, 1pm start time (the walk should last about an hour)

Where: DCR's Artesani Park in Brighton

Why: To support AOII's signature philanthropy, The Arthritis Foundation. There is no entry fee, but donations are encouraged. And please feel free to bring children, friends, family and significant others! 

Click Here to Sign Up or Donate to Our Team!

3) Life is Good Festival (Fun Volunteer Opportunity!):

When: Sunday, September 23rd

Where: Canton, MA

Why: Programming Chair Lauren Barron has arranged a volunteer opportunity for us at the Life is Good Festival! We will be assigned a volunteer responsibility and also will be able to stay and enjoy the festival and concert for free! Learn more about the festival here: http://www.lifeisgood.com/festival/

To Sign Up: Email Lauren at: lauren.m.barron@gmail.com

So come and hang out with us! 

Boston AOII Alumnae Chapter Membership

We are now accepting dues for this year's membership! You may have already received an email about it, but if you'd like to pay via Pay Pal, please see the link below.

Dues are:

$50 General Member
$34 Life Loyal Member
$15 "First Year's On Us" (New Alumnae members graduating 2010-2012)

Please note that if you pay via Pay Pal there is an additional $2 processing fee.

After you have paid, please take a minute to fill out our Membership Information Form and email it to bostonaoii@gmail.com

We look forward to seeing you at our first event! Remember, if you pay dues before or AT our kickoff on the 21st then your dinner is on us!

Membership Types

General Membership$52.00 USD Life Loyal Membership$36.00 USD "First Year's on Us" Membership$17.00 USD

Congratulations to the New Officers for 2012-2013!

The slate for the 2012-2013 Boston Alumnae Chapter officers passed!

Congratulations to our new officer AOII stars:

President - Laurel Zeidman

VP Membership/Education - Christina Pastorello

Secretary - Sarah Gaither

Treasurer - Lauren Simpson

Programming Chair - Lauren Barron

Thanks to everyone who voted and to all of the past officers for all of their hard work!

Last Week!

This week is your last chance to shop Stella & Dot and help support AOII!

Celebrate AOII's newest chapter at Bryant University!

Bryant University's Installation will take place on April 14th at 10am in their Interfaith Center, followed by a Rose Reception at 5pm on campus! All initiated members of AOII are invited to participate in the Initiation and Installation Rituals welcoming this group of new members into our Fraternity. If you are planning to attend the installation and are interested in serving as a sponsor during the installation ceremony, please email Molly Fenton at mfenton@alphaomicronpi.org. An e-vite with details surrounding the exact time and location of the Rose Reception will soon follow.

Check out AOII International's new website!

The new AOII International website at www.alphaomicronpi.org is up! Take a look and get acquainted with everything it has to offer, including news, resources, and interactive features. If you have any questions, please send them to aoiionline@alphaomicronpi.org.

Style for a Steal!

Ladies, if shopping Stella & Dot to support our March fundraiser is still on your to-do list, check out some of the great pieces that are 25% off! March's "style for a steal" promotion has lots of fun turquoise that's great for spring/summer!

Remember: All of my stylist proceeds in the month of march benefit AOII and help make it even MORE fun to be an alumnae member! Shop through my website or use my stylist number 137538 at checkout.

For the Panda Pals...

If you've signed up to be a Panda Pal, below is a way for you to make your $5 contribution.

Be a Panda Pal for Bryant University!!

If you are looking for a great way to get involved, the new AOII colony at Bryant University in Rhode Island is looking for alumnae women to serve as Panda Pals for colony members during the new member period!

To participate, contact Kathleen Donahue to complete an easy 5-question survey and you will be matched with one of their fabulous colony members!

WHO: They are looking for alumnae women living in Network 1 (ON, QC, ME, VT, NH, MA, CT, RI, NY, NJ, PA, DE) to volunteer to serve as Panda Pals for the 37 new colony members at Bryant University.

WHAT: Panda pals will donate $5 towards the purchase of a panda pal gift for the colony member (viewable here:
http://www.forever21.com/product/product.aspx?br=f21&category=acc&productid=1000007459) and write at least 2 letters or postcards to their assigned colony member. Letters ideally would focus on telling a story reinforcing the idea of AOII for a lifetime. The first letter would be delivered during the new member period and the second would be delivered prior to initiation.

WHEN: Please mail a $5 check made out to AOII and your first letter and have it postmarked by Tuesday March 20th.Your second letter to be distributed before initiation should be postmarked by Tuesday April 3rd. All letters/postcards should be mailed to Amy Simonini, Colony Adviser, 43 Monticelli DR W. Kingston, RI, 02892.

I hope that many of you will wish to participate!

Shop Stella & Dot

Ladies, it's not too late to shop Stella & Dot and support our March fundraiser! Check out my website and place your orders OR think about hosting your own trunk show (I have thousands of dollars in free jewelry to give away to my hostesses!). All of my stylist proceeds go to AOII this month, so you'll be shopping for a great cause and supporting future member programming.

Officer Elections 2012-2013!!

Hard to believe, it is election time again!

For 2012-2013, we will use an officer slating process. Any dues-paying member is eligible to serve as an officer (and we encourage those who haven't served before!). Interested members will submit their name to the Slating Committee by March 15, and an officer slate will be formed from the interested candidates.

Then, members will vote on the slate!

We are currently looking for 2-3 volunteers for the Slating Committee. To participate, you must be a dues-paying member, available the week of March 16-23 to prepare the slate, and not running for positions for next year. If you can assist, please email us at bostonaoii@gmail.com

Below are some Q&A to give you better insight into officer responsibilities. Please let us know if you have additional questions that are not covered by the information below.

Q: What positions are available and what are the responsibilities?

A: President - Serves as the official contact person of the chapter. Responds to chapter emails regarding membership and events. Sends email updates to chapter as needed. Attends 2012 Leadership Institute (June 22-24 in Nashville) as the Chapter Delegate. Participates in Alumnae Network conference calls and remits Standards of Excellence award nomination to HQ.

Vice President Membership/Education - Assists President with duties above. Identifies membership initiatives and educational programming. Collaborates with other officers to execute.

Programming Chair - Surveys the membership on programming requests for the upcoming year. Creates event calendar for the year. Sends Evites for each upcoming event, coordinates with venues, and verifies that there will be an officer present at each event.

Treasurer/Fundraising - Receives membership dues and updates Chapter Register accordingly. Creates budget for upcoming year and updates officers of status quarterly. Promotes chapter fundraising initiatives, such as Strike Out Arthritis and exam bags. Remits payment for dues and reimbursements.

Secretary/MIF Chair/Communications - Sends correspondence to other AOII chapters that are celebrating milestones. Coordinates updates to chapter blog. Maintains Alumnae Chapter Facebook presence with updates, posts, and photos from chapter events.

Alumnae Panhellenic Rep - Represents the chapter at Alumnae Panhellenic meetings. Serves on the annual Panhellenic scholarship committee. Encourages Panhellenic events and action in the community.

Q: I have a family and am involved in a number of other organizations. Is there a huge time commitment associated with being an officer?

A: We hold an officer kickoff meeting to collaborate on ideas for events and membership for the upcoming year. After that, most of our correspondence is via email (3-4 times a month). Most officers do not have any paperwork or reports to file.

Q: If I am an officer, do I have to attend every Alumnae Chapter event?

A: No, officers work together to make sure that there is always at least one officer to coordinate at the event.

Q: I haven't served as an officer before, do I need to have prior experience?

A: Definitely not! We are looking for women with new ideas on improving the chapter and experience for our members.

Q: What is the timeline for elections?

A: March 15 - Interested members must submit their name to be considered and if they have a preference for position

March 16-23 - Elections Committee creates a slate

March 24 - Slate is distributed to all dues paying members

April 1 - Slate is voted on at meeting, proxy votes may be submitted by March 31.

Q: I'm interested in a position, but nothing above stands out to me. What should I do?

A: Let us know! If you have a specific area you would like to pursue, positions can be appointed to capitalize on members' individual strengths and chapter needs: collegiate relations, community service, suburban liaison, these are just a few examples of positions which can be created.

Q: I'm interested in a position, but have not paid my chapter dues for 2011-2012.

A: You can still pay your dues, through March 14. Pay right now via PayPal here: http://bostonaoii.blogspot.com/2012/01/its-not-too-late-join-us.html or contact us to mail in a payment at bostonaoii@gmail.com

Q: I'm interested in a becoming an officer! What's next?

A: Email the chapter email account (bostonaoii@gmail.com) by March 15th and if you have a preference for a position!

Stella & Dot Fundraiser STARTS NOW!

 

Ladies, it's March 1st and that means it's time to kickoff our Stella & Dot fundraiser. All stylist proceeds from any purchases made in march through my website will benefit AOII. So start shopping and feel free to pass around the link/stylist number (137538) to all of your friends and family (even non-AOIIs).


Added bonus: if you place your order with me AT Founder's Day on March 3rd you'll be entered to win a free pair of earrings that YOU pick out! I hope to see you there.

Founders' Day is right around the corner!

Don't forget, our Founders' Day brunch is coming up on March 3rd. You can register/pay via PayPal at:

Price Options

Dues-Paying Alumnae Member $32.00 USD General Alumnae $37.00 USD Bryant University $25.00 USD

Can't wait to see you there!

AOII Is Coming to Bryant University!

It's almost here! Public relations efforts are underway at Bryant University for the upcoming colonization of the university's newest sorority, Alpha Omicron Pi!

With colonization parties taking place February 24-26th, we want to keep you informed of our progress.

After the NPC groups on campus hold their formal recruitment, AOII will begin grassroots public relations through a student-led group, TEAM AOII. Led by AOII's colonization team, these students of TEAM AOII will disseminate promotional material and serve as AOII ambassadors during the colonization period. With flyers, signs, buttons, newspaper advertisements, campus calendar submissions, and other handouts, the university will soon be painted red with AOII.

As alumnae in the area, your support is vital! Whether through on-site colonization participation or your assistance spreading our message to friends, we hope that you'll be excited to share our message. Sponsors are needed for asssitance within the Colonization Ceremony. If you're interested in assisting or attending the Colonization Ceremony, please contact aoiibryant@alphaomicronpi.org.

Bryant Colonization Party dates and locations:

February 24th
"Picture Yourself in AOII" at 6pm

February 25th
"A Black Tie Affair" at 6pm

February 26th
"It's Sweet to be an AOII" Bid Day at 1pm

Colonization Ceremony at 6pm in Bello

Open to family, friends, and university personnel

Please RSVP to aoiibryant@alphaomicronpi.org.

We appreciate your thoughts and support to this budding colony at Bryant University!

With updates coming daily, we encourage you to track AOII's progress at Bryant through our social media outlets and websites. Click on any of the images below!

Visit Facebook to Find "AOII at Bryant University, Visit Twitter to Find @AOIIatBryantU, Visit the Colony's Website, Visit the AOII International Website!

It's Not Too Late- JOIN US!

Boston AOII Alums, it's not too late to join the alumnae chapter. You can use the link below to send in dues via PayPal (note: there's a small fee for using PayPal) or come to Founder's Day and join in person.

It's a great way to stay involved and connect with women in Boston. We have a FABULOUS time and would love for you to join us!

Boston AOII Alumnae Chapter Membership

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

Founders' Day

Ladies, it's that time of year! Please join us for Founders' Day on Saturday, March 3, at 11am. We'll be having brunch and celebrating sisterhood at Maggiano's (4 Columbus Ave, Boston 02116) and would love to see everyone there!

For dues-paying alumnae, the event is $30 and for general alumnae it's $35. If you'd prefer to pay via paypal, the link is below (please note that paypal charges an additional fee). See you in March!

Founder's Day- Sign up Now!

Dues-Paying Alumnae Member $32.00 USD General Alumnae $37.00 USD

Happy 2012 and Meet the Board!

Happy New Year From the Boston Alumnae Chapter!

We wish you all the best in this upcoming year and hope to see you at some of our upcoming events!

Click here to get your own copy of our Spring 2012 Calendar of Events!

Get To Know Your

Boston Alumnae Chapter Board Below!

Name: Laurel Zeidman

Board Position: President

Chapter and Initiation Year: Delta, Tufts University, 2000

Current Occupation: eCommerce Marketing Manager

New Years Resolution or Fun Fact: "My new year's resolution is to eat 5 servings of vegetables a day (public school cafeteria pizza doesn't count)...I would not say I am reaching my goal every day, but I am definitely eating more and more variety, than I was before. I just signed up for a CSA for next summer so I am really looking forward to that!"

Name: Christina Pastorello

Board Position: Programming Chair

Chapter and Initiation Year: Delta, Tufts University, 2005

Current Occupation: Graduate Student

New Years Resolution or Fun Fact: "I just ran the Disney Marathon and a Half Challenge in Florida, and I'm excited to be running the Boston Marathon this April!"

Name: Lauren Simpson

Board Position: Treasurer

Chapter and Initiation Year: Iota, University of Illinois, 2005

Current Occupation: Healthcare Consultant

New Years Resolution or Fun Fact: "My new year's resolution is to save more money. So far, I've talked myself out of 3 impulse shoe buys, so I'm on the right track!"

Name: Kathleen Donohue

Board Position: VP Membership/Membership Education

Chapter and Initiation Year: Epsilon Chi, Elon University, 2002

Current Occupation: Data Analyst for a Structured Finance Software Company

New Years Resolution or Fun Fact: "I guess my fun fact is I was a state champion in filed hockey in high school!"

Name: Sarah Gaither

Board Position: Secretary/Communications

Chapter and Initiation Year: Sigma, UC Berkeley, 2003

Current Occupation: PhD Social Psychology Student, Tufts University

New Years Resolution or Fun Fact: "My new years resolution is to try as many new foods and new recipes as possible! (While still trying to motivate myself to go to the gym of course!)"

Name: Sabrina Sgroi

Board Position: Alumnae Panhellenic Delegate

Chapter and Initiation Year: Lambda Epsilon, University of Waterloo, 2008

Current Occupation: Student at New England School of Optometry

New Years Resolution or Fun Fact: "Proud to be a Canadian!"