MARIJAYNE’S MESSAGE The years that we spend in college are often important years, ones that help us to determine what we believe in and who we want to be. They are years that take us away from the familiarity of our family and expose us to new people, new ideas, and new ways of thinking. We begin to create that second family, not the one we were born with, but the one we choose. I feel very fortunate that Alpha Gamma Delta and the sisters I have met through our fraternity were along for that journey. Little did I know when I joined Alpha Gam as a fairly naïve college freshman how important those women I was meeting would become to me. Often as I’ve gone through life’s ups and downs, it is sisters to whom I have turned to share exciting news, grief, frustration, and joy. This summer I sat at Convention with Delta Alpha Amy Zimmerman, a recipient of the Distinguished Citizen award at this year’s Convention, as she told me about a conversation she’d had with her wife Kathryn as she got ready that morning. Kathryn had not joined a sorority in college and didn’t completely understand the affinity that Amy felt for Alpha Gam. Amy explained that while her time as an Alpha Gam collegiate was just three years, they were significant years, years that have had a lasting impact on her. Another school year is here, Recruitment finished, and a new groups of young women are about to become the newest members of our sisterhood. I encourage you to get involved and show these women all the wonders that sisterhood in Alpha Gamma Delta holds and that it doesn’t end when college is over. Our ties and the impact of sisters that embody our Purpose on a daily basis through their lives continue on throughout our lives. Loyally,
Marijayne Wallace Stegman
A PUBLICATION OF THE LOS ANGELES AREA ALUMNAE CHAPTER OF ALPHA GAMMA DELTA Delta Alpha – University of Southern California Delta Epsilon – University of California, Los Angeles LAAAC Editor – Shari Koss Delta Alpha Collegiate Publications Coordinator – Julia Poe Delta Epsilon Collegiate Publications Coordinator – Leah Malecha
INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Marijayne’s Message ......................... 1 Convention 2016 ............................... 2 Collegiate Updates ............................ 3 Rosevines........................................... 4 From the Foundation......................... 4 Calendar of Events............................. 5 Nominations Ballot ............................ 6 LAAAC Officers ................................... 6 Annual Support Fee ........................... 6
Congratulations… …to the 2016 IRD Committee on receiving the 2016 International Reunion Day’s Best Use of Theme Award. From the letter from Kelly Cornett, Fraternity Programs Specialist – Celebrations, “Your unique presentation of the “Endless Possibilities” theme demonstrated your desire to help our members grow as women through their years with the Fraternity. Your integration of “Oh the Places You’ll Go” by Dr. Seuss was very creative and thoughtful.” Good job Terri Green, Amy Beard, and all of the others that made this possible.
LOS ANGELES AREA ALUMNAE OF ALPHA GAMMA DELTA
CONVENTION 2016 - “IMAGINE” - ORLANDO, FLORIDA The 2016 International Convention was held July 13-16 at the Hilton Orlando Bonnet Creek. In addition to Fraternity business, Convention includes educational speakers and workshops on a variety of subjects from leadership to recruitment. Recognition of achievement is given through International Fraternity awards. Ritual services, music, ceremonies, banquets and fun times provide all attendees with inspiration and a true sense of international sisterhood. Fraternity Awards: • Joy of Service Alumnae Award – Orange County Alumnae Chapter • Outstanding Communications Chapter and Club Award – Los Angeles Area Alumnae Chapter (2nd Convention in a row) • Outstanding Support to a Collegiate Chapter Award – Los Angeles Area Alumnae Chapter (2nd Convention in a row) • The Circle of Excellence Award – Delta Tau Collegiate Chapter • Responding Cheerfully Award – Delta Tau Collegiate Chapter Foundation Awards • LAAAC & OCAC made honor roll for Best Financial Support • LAAAC & OCAC made honor roll for Most Improved Financial Support • OCAC recognized for Creative Fundraising Event • Best New Chapter Support of Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation– Delta Epsilon Collegiate Chapter with $6,082 • Honor Roll for Best New Chapter Support for Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation – Delta Alpha Collegiate Chapter • Creative Fundraising Event – Orange County Alumnae Chapter Distinguished Citizen • Delta Alpha Amy Zimmerman was recognized as 1 of 3 Distinguished Citizens (Second Convention in a row a Delta Alpha has been named Distinguished Citizen. (Delta Alpha Terri McKeever was recognized at the last Convention) Honors of Epsilon Pi • Received at Convention – Arc - Amy Blake (DT), Arc with diamond - Susan Vessels (DA), Arc with Diamonds and Pearls - Jackie Yudkin (DE) • Received at Lighting of the Tapers – Arc - Mandy Adams (C),Arc with Diamond Kelly Bass Seibel (DR), Francine Restivo Cafarchia (DA)
Amy Zimmerman (DA) was one of three members named a 2014-2016 Distinguished Citizen at Convention. Amy is a nationally respected, talented and honored executive in national sports television broadcasting, sports facility management and public relations. With more than 25 years of experience, Amy has won every major award associated with television and horse racing for her documentaries, many of them depicting the human interest side of racing. As a staff member of Santa Anita Race Track in Arcadia, California, since 1986, Amy serves as the track’s Vice President of Business Coordination and Director of Broadcasting, concurrent with her position as Executive Producer of HRTV network. Amy has been the Executive Producer of the network since its inception in 2002. Amy has produced 22 Eclipse Award Winning television shows; received three International Simulcast Awards, two national Emmy Awards, and 12 Regional Emmy Awards for original productions on HRTV, including one as program writer.
International President Rie Gerah Hoehner, Amy Zimmerman, International VP Alumnae Melissa Jacobsen James
She was recognized by the California State Legislature as an Outstanding Woman in California Thoroughbred Racing in 2004, as the inaugural recipient of the honor. In 2011, she was the winner of the prestigious Penny Chenery Distinguished Woman in Racing Award, selected and presented by the owner of Secretariat. Amy also was honored with the Old Hilltop Award for covering Thoroughbred racing with excellence and distinction, in 2014. Amy was among the first group of Thoroughbred Times “Women of Influence”--Top 25 in 2010, is a voting member of the National Racing Museum Hall of Fame, a member of the selection committee for the Secretariat Vox Populi Award, and is a member of the Board of Directors of the California Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Foundation.
LOS ANGELES AREA ALUMNAE OF ALPHA GAMMA DELTA
DELTA ALPHA COLLEGIATE UPDATE The sisters of Delta Alpha are enjoying a busy first semester of the 2016-17 year. We welcomed our Fall 2016 Pledge Class this year and celebrated Big/Little Reveal with a night of go-karting, mini golf and arcade games at Mulligan's Family Fun Center. This fall's activities have included tailgates, weekly movie nights and a trip to the pumpkin patch. We also had a blast at a "Dynamic Duos" themed Date Dash and our "Paradise" themed invite! The annual "Mac N' Cheese with AGD" fundraiser raised thousands of dollars for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. This semester is off to a great start, and the women of Delta Alpha can't wait to see what the rest of the year has in store for them.
DELTA EPSILON COLLEGIATE UPDATE The Delta Epsilon Chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta kicked off the school year with recruitment in full swing! We welcomed over 50 new women into the sorority and cannot wait to get to know them better. The women enjoyed a retreat at Dockweiler Beach, playing fun games and bonding by the campfire. We embraced fall by visiting a pumpkin patch in Santa Monica and picked out the perfect pumpkin to carve for Halloween. October and November are busy months for the sorority and the members are excited for Presents where the pledges are presented to their parents as members of the sorority. The women are looking forward to all of the social events this quarter as well and love the ever-growing family at UCLA.
Recruitment Volunteers
LOS ANGELES AREA ALUMNAE OF ALPHA GAMMA DELTA ROSEVINES NEWS Congratulations to Virginia Hooks Wood (DA) on receiving a Widney Alumni House Volunteer Award. The award recognizes volunteers for their loyalty, support, and dedication to the University of Southern California. Pam Forgatach Kikkert (DA) retired in 2015 just in time for the birth of her second grandchild, the wedding of her younger daughter and to celebrate the life of her father, Joe Forgatch (95 years). CHAPTER GRAND Ursula Kahle Heath (DE), Initiated 10/25/40, Entered Chapter Grand 12/29/15 at age 95. Donations can be sent in her memory to Planned Parenthood or NPR. Donna Isbell Morton (DA), Initiated 2/27/1960, Entered Chapter Grand Unknown Ardes Howland Schwerdt (DA), Initiated 4/25/46, Entered Chapter Grand 10/31/15 Janet Kelley Sloan (DE), Initiated 11/21/46, Entered Chapter Grand Unknown Virginia Sitterle Sekerak (DE), Initiated 5/23/41, Entered Chapter Grand 7/2013 at age 92 Ardes Howland
SYMPATHY TO Schwerdt (DA) Kathleen Burns Campos (DA) on the death of her mother Mary Katherine Burns on September 23, 2016. Phyllis Clement Campbell (DA) on the passing of her daughter, Janice Elaine (5/20/1950-1/11/2016). She was the inspiration for the founding of the Glendale Association for the Retarded, now renamed the Campbell Center, in her honor. She increased happiness in countless lives and raised awareness of a better perspective of special needs children and adults and their lives. Annice Pelentay (DA) on the passing of her sister Stephanie after a long battle with cancer. Vicki George Surges (DA) on the passing of her husband of 33 years, David Surges, due to complications of Agent Orangeacquired Parkinson’s. She hopes to testify in front of Congress about this and the plight of medical care for U.S. veterans.
FROM THE FOUNDATION - Presenting the New Electronic "2015-16 Honor Roll of Donors"
The Alpha Gamma Delta Foundation is pleased to present its first electronic Honor Roll of Donors publication. This publication recognizes the generosity, dedication and hard work that our alumnae groups and individuals share each year to support Alpha Gamma Delta and our communities. Congratulations to alumnae chapters and clubs who were recognized this summer at Convention for their efforts. They are also listed in this Honor Roll of Donors. In addition, you’ll meet some of the amazing 2015-16 Foundation scholarship and grant recipients. The Foundation has so many sisters to thank for supporting education, philanthropy and leadership training for Alpha Gam women and in our communities. Donors, like you, truly inspire women and impact the world! Thank you. The 2015-16 Honor Roll of Donors is available on the Foundation's website, www.alphagammadeltafoundation.org, under “Announcements” mid-September.
Do you have a change in name, address, or marital status? Please notify IHQ with the information: Alpha Gamma Delta International Headquarters 8710 N. Meridian Street, Indianapolis, IN 46260 Phone: (317) 663-4200, Fax: (317) 663-4210 www.alphagammadelta.org or info@alphagammadelta.org If you would prefer to submit your address change to us locally, we will forward it to International on your behalf. Delta Alphas should contact Di Agajanian at uscdi@yahoo.com. Delta Epsilons and all other chapters should contact Melanie O’Donnell at melanie_odonnell@yahoo.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA ALUMNAE OF ALPHA GAMMA DELTA
CALENDAR OF EVENTS DATE
November 19 November 20 November 22 NOVEMBER 24
TIME 11:30 am - Initiation 4:30 - Feast of Roses 11 am - Initiation 2 pm - Feast of Roses TBD 1-2:30 pm 7 pm THANKSGIVING
EVENT Delta Alpha Initiation Feast of Roses Delta Epsilon Initiation Feast of Roses USC vs. UCLA Squirrel Sing Movie Night
December 3
1 pm – 3 pm
Gingerbread Tea
DECEMBER 24 DECEMBER 25 January 21 January 28
FIRST NIGHT OF HANUKKAH CHRISTMAS DAY TBD Squirrel Sing TBD Oscar Screening Party Medical Professional 9 am – 3 pm Development Workshop
November 13 November 13
February 4 February 12
TBD
House of Ruth
February 25
TBD
Game Night
March 4
TBD
Rededication
April 8 May 6 May 21
TBD TBD TBD
IRD Wine Tasting LAAAC Installation
LOCATION Delta Alpha Chapter House Ackerman Union, Bruin Reception Room Delta Epsilon Chapter House Rose Bowl, Pasadena, CA Delta Alpha Chapter House Delta Epsilon Chapter House Home of Charla Hindley Tindall 1500 St. Albans Road, San Marino
Delta Epsilon Chapter House TBD TBD Home of Marijayne Stegman 244 N. Ivy Avenue, Monrovia Delta Alpha Chapter House Callender's Grill 5773 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles TBD TBD TBD
LOS ANGELES AREA ALUMNAE OF ALPHA GAMMA DELTA
NOMINATIONS BALLOT
It’s that time of year again when we look for nominations for the next group of officers to lead the Los Angeles Area Alumnae Chapter. If you are interested in an office or if you know someone that you think would make a great leader for our Alumnae Chapter, please submit your nomination. Nominations are completely confidential. You may nominate any active member in good standing. You do not need to complete a nomination for all offices. All positions are open for nomination this year including President. All positions except for President are one-year terms. The President serves a two-year term. A brief description of each position is included below. If you have additional questions, please contact Marijayne Stegman at mj.stegman@usa.net. You can also use the online nominations ballot located at https://alumagdla.wufoo.com/forms/snv1ju9007kacs/ . Please return any paper nomination ballots to: Barbara Callard, 33942 Blue Lantern Street, Dana Point, CA 92629. President Leader with knowledge of Fraternity, able to motivate, past experience in alumnae offices VP, Membership Works with area reps to increase and retain membership, chairman of Alpha Gam Always event VP, Operations Coordinates programming with event chairs, assist President and act in her behalf when needed Secretary Takes minutes at meeting, handles all correspondence for alumnae chapter Treasurer Handles all alumnae chapter finances, prepares reports, must be dependable, good record keeping skills Editor Writes and produces newsletter and other alumnae chapter communications Permanent Secretary/Delta Epsilon Maintains all address and Chapter Grand records Permanent Secretary/Delta Alpha Maintains all address and Chapter Grand records
Other Volunteer Opportunities
Along with the elected offices, we have many other volunteer opportunities. Some are specific to an event while others are ongoing in assistance to elected officers. If you are interested in volunteering or if you know someone you think has talents that could be useful to the fraternity, please let us know in the space below. Name Volunteer area or area of talent 2016-2017 LAAAC Alumnae Chapter Officers President Marijayne Wallace Stegman VP Operations Terri Kaczorowski Green Editor Shari Koss Perm. Sec. - DA Diana Agajanian Philanthropy Chair Amy Beard DA Team Lead Diana Agajanian Ritual Chair Jacqueline Yudkin Panhellenic Reps Glendale Teri Boone Craft South Bay Colleen Shinn Long Beach Margaret Simons
VP Membership Secretary Treasurer Perm. Sec. DE Social Lead DE Team Lead
Lori Rosemeier Cansler Giselle Rocha Milatovic Susan Vessels Melanie Sharon O’Donnell Jasmine Wallace Green Janie White Cushing
San Gabriel Valley Los Angeles
Diana Agajanian Laura Garrigan Gordon
LOS ANGELES AREA ALUMNAE OF ALPHA GAMMA DELTA
ANNUAL SUPPORT FEE The annual support fee for the Los Angeles Area Alumnae Chapter is $30. This fee enables us to put on events such as IRD, Gingerbread Tea, Professional Development Workshops, Rededication and much more. Additionally, this newsletter is provided to you as a member of the Los Angeles Area Alumnae Chapter. Keep up-to-date on the news in Los Angeles Area by supporting the newsletter and our alumnae chapter. We appreciate your generous support and hope you enjoy our efforts to keep you connected to your Alpha Gam sisters. To pay your support fees online, please go to http://www.laaacalphagam.com/payment-page.html If paying by check, please provide us with your name and contact details as we are asked to provide this to International when reporting on our collection of annual support fees. Send your check made out to Alpha Gamma Delta to Susan Vessels, 288 Pleasant Street, Pasadena, CA 91101. Enclosed is my: Annual Support Fee of $30 Contribution to the Alumnae Chapter for (Although your contributions are not tax-deductible, additional donations are greatly appreciated.)
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Interested in being an Advisor? There are opportunities available if you are interested in being an advisor at Delta Epsilon or Delta Alpha. This is a wonderful way to ensure the success of our newly returned chapters and to impact the lives of these young women. If you are interested in advisor opportunities at Delta Epsilon (UCLA), contact Chapter Advisor Missy Morain at missymorain@mac.com. If you are interested in advisor opportunities at Delta Alpha (USC), contact Chapter Advisor Amy Blake at agd.usc.chapteradvisor@gmail.com.
LOS ANGELES AREA ALUMNAE OF ALPHA GAMMA DELTA Kick off your holiday season at the annual
GINGERBREAD TEA Saturday, December 3rd 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. At the home of Charla Hindley Tindall, 1500 St. Albans Road, San Marino We will be honoring our 25-, 50-, and 75-year members. Please bring a new, unwrapped children's book to donate to Children's Hospital Los Angeles. RSVP and pay online at https://alumagdla.wufoo.com/forms/s1b4fm5503sclaf/ Contact Amy Beard if you have any questions at beardac@gmail.com or 323-336-3090.
SQUIRREL SING
With the Delta Alpha collegians Sunday, November 20th 1 – 2:30 pm Delta Alpha Chapter House, 729 W. 28th Street, LA Come spend a fun a fun afternoon remembering all the fun we had singing when we were in school and teaching our collegians our favorite songs. Refreshments to be served. Please RSVP to Di Agajanian at uscdi@yahoo.com or at the event on our Facebook page - https://www.facebook.com/events/267590540290054/
Thank you to those alumnae that supported the LAAAC Recruitment efforts with a donation.
Laura Gilroy Hastings Toby Chaitan Schwartz Kathy Harris Windsor
Maggie Fox Desiree Bedoy Gooch Sally Sutter Kirby Lynette Merriman Jill Hussey Packard Carol Breitkrautz Pangburn Ann Denise Herrera Rice Marijayne Wallace Stegman Julie How O'Brien Jacqueline Yudkin
Silver Level ($100 - $499)
Gold Level ($500 or more)
Rose Level (under $50) Shari Koss Pat Leathers Oslund Sandra Goodwin Streech AnnMarie Blount Thomas
Pearl Level ($50-$99)
AGD Alumnae Club of Palm Springs Area Diana Agajanian Candy Allen Duncan
Cindy Hill Susan Stewart Susan Vessels