Archive for July, 2009

School is out and summer is here!  The Giving Circle is wrapping up a great year, and work is already underway to start anew.  There are a variety of volunteer activities coming up this summer and fall and some of these are very flexible.

Mark your calendars for our Fifth Anniversary Gathering, tentatively scheduled for November 4 at 7:00 pm. Building our membership is essential to everything we do and, even now, Sue Setliff and the membership team are planning for the coming year.  For questions about joining this group, contact Sue Setliff.  To join, complete our online membership form.

In just a few days my role in the Giving Circle changes; in fact, by the time you receive this note, the transition will be complete. On July 1, Peggy Morrison-Curtis takes the lead as the President as I take my position on the Board of Directors — President Ex-officio (sounds very distinguished.) In our almost five years – the Giving Circle will have seamlessly been lead by 3 women – Karen Devlin, myself and now Peggy – and there are many other talented and dedicated leaders who I know will come after us. Our mission draws women to invest in the Giving Circle; the results of our investment inspire others to assume the leadership jobs that make sure we continue to thrive and assure success for Alexandria’s children. I want to personally thank Karen for rallying us around a strong mission, vision and brand — creating a strong foundation from which to grow. In our year of working side by side, Peggy, has inspired me with her ability to identify new opportunities and connect people and organizations. Her skill and insights will strengthen us and the entire community – I look forward to supporting her and learning from her.

I will continue to invest my philanthropy – financial and time – in the Giving Circle. We each contribute what our time and resources allow. Together, we have not only created a new and thriving form of philanthropy in Alexandria – a giving circle, but our shared investment, of over $332,000 and countless hours of service, is helping to build a multilayered support system for families – resulting in children who are happier, healthier, ready to learn and confident.

So I hope you will join me and continue to invest in our work together. I spent 18 years working for women-led community building organizations, I did not mean to make it the focus of my volunteer life as well – but I guess that I am meant to spend a significant amount of my time in the company of good women doing good. With our Circle’s INVESTMENTS, by our ENGAGEMENT, we are enriching the lives of others. I believe that our Circle is unbroken and the change we inspire in our community comes home to each of us and our families. Our Circle is philanthropy at its best….it is Giving Full Circle.

Thank you for the opportunity to work with you — inspiring change and making new things happen in Alexandria.

Holly Sloan
Past President (Go Peggy)

We are looking for volunteers for several events from July through October 2009:

Ongoing: Support when you can the collection efforts identified in weekly emails from “ACTNow”.  Find out more about this effort on the Alexandria ACT Now web site.  If you are not already receiving ACT Now requests, update your profile to put yourself on the list.

Ongoing: Support the playgroups that are part of our city-wide pilot project.   Contact Carri Stoltz for information about the times and days.

Sunday July 19, 2009 – Picnic for families and friends of children in foster care in Alexandria.  Contact Margaret Rizzi.

Late July/early August 2009 – Giving Circle Families event(s) to support the Campagna Center’s school supply drive.  Contact Margaret Rizzi.

September 19, 2009 – Center for Alexandria’s Children 2nd Annual Family Fun Day.  Contact CAC Program Manager Susan Kennedy.

Fall 2009 – Celebration for Healthy Families Alexandria.  Contact Tracy Nickelsburg.