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eAVC - The Monthly e-Newsletter for MIT Volunteers

May 2005

In This Issue:

Talking Points

• Message from Beth Garvin, Executive VP & CEO of the Alumni Association
• President Susan Hockfield Inaugurated Amid Celebration and Ceremony
• Past Alumni Association Presidents Gather for Breakfast
• FSILG Toolkit Enhances Alumni Volunteer Services
• New Giving Site Launched!
• View Enterprise Forum's Angel Investing Broadcast June 1
• Plan Ahead--Book Your Room for the Alumni Leadership Conference, Sept. 23-24
• Alumnae Share, Network at Women's Leadership Conference

Club Update

• Say Thank You: Nominate Volunteers for National Recognition
• Host a Summer Send-Off Event

Class Update

• Last Call--Register for Tech Reunions by May 13
• Volunteer for the MIT Tech Challenge Games

Dear MIT Volunteer,

What a week it was! The events surrounding President Hockfield's inauguration showcased the best of MIT and its promise for the future. I could cite many quotes from President Hockfield's remarks, but instead, I urge you to read or view the entire inaugural speech, which included this challenge to all of us:

"So here is our task together--to make our light shine out brightly enough to inspire in the next generation the same love and passion for truth and discovery, for creativity and problem-solving, that brought us all here. We need to help America fall in love all over again with the marvelous possibilities and promise of engineering, and science, and technology....Each of you has your own story, your own inspirations, the people and ideas and challenges that inspired you and carried you here, too. Together, we need to be that inspiration, to reveal those truths and those pathways to the next generation. We need to be the spark that ignites the passion of every child who wants to make the world a better place. We need to reach those young explorers and bring them with us on the great adventure of discovery and innovation that is the soul of MIT."

I look forward to accomplishing this task with you, the vibrant and talented volunteers who continue to embody a passion and commitment to MIT.

Many thanks, as always, and I hope to see you soon.

Beth Garvin
Executive Vice President and CEO, MIT Alumni Association

PS: Thought you'd enjoy seeing the latest hack--Susan Hockfield's image superimposed over the dollar bill mural outside the MIT Cashier's Office.

President Susan Hockfield Inaugurated Amid Celebration and Ceremony

May 2-7 marked the weeklong inaugural festivities for Susan Hockfield, MIT's 16^th President. Relive the events or experience them for the first time with video and slideshow highlights of each day's activities, which included an art installation, symposia, and the ceremony itself.

Past Alumni Association Presidents Gather for Breakfast

Fifteen former Alumni Association presidents met for breakfast May 6 shortly before President Hockfield's inauguration to discuss current initiatives and to honor William J. Hecht '61 and Joe Collins HM for their combined 54 years of service leading the Association.

FSILG Toolkit Enhances Alumni Volunteer Services

Looking for a way to improve your FSILG (Fraternities, Sororities, and Independent Living Groups) chapter? Check out the new FSILG Toolkit, which provides communication services such as listservs, targeted Web messages, and member reports; event planning assistance including accessing MIT resources for chapter celebrations; ways to recognize chapter alumni; and financial guidance in obtaining grants plus a new FSILG Fundraising Guide developed by the Alumni Association.

New Giving Site Launched

The new Giving to MIT Web site puts a refreshing spin on the gift giving process. Learn about the Institute's core priorities, understand the importance of annual giving, and read how students benefit from gifts to the Institute. The site has many added features, including more ways to search and browse for information as well as a new FAQ section and glossary of terms. You can also build an interest list with funding opportunities that make a difference to you. Make sure to update the links from your class, club, or group home page, as the URL has changed to http://giving.mit.edu/.

View Enterprise Forum's Angel Investing Broadcast June 1

MIT Enterprise Forum's Global Broadcast, Angel Groups in Action: Funding Early Stage Innovation, will feature experts helping entrepreneurs and the tech community to better understand the practices and principles of angel investing on June 1, from 7-8:30 p.m. Eastern time. Two of the five panelists are Edward Roberts '57, MIT Sloan School of Management professor and founder of the MIT Entrepreneurship Center and James Geshwiler GM '00, chairman of the Angel Capital Association and managing director of CommonAngels. MIT Clubs and Forum Chapters can organize their viewing sites via satellite or Web cast or receive a recording of the broadcast on DVD. For more information, please contact the Enterprise Forum at 617-253-0015 or mitef@mit.edu.

Plan Ahead--Book Your Room for the Alumni Leadership Conference, Sept. 23-24

The Alumni Leadership Conference prepares volunteers for their communication, outreach, and fundraising efforts. Highlights include the leadership awards dinner, workshops (many led by your volunteer peers), panel sessions, updates from Institute leadership, and networking opportunities. Registration begins mid-July, but participants can reserve rooms now at the Hotel@MIT at a special rate.

Alumnae Share, Network at Women's Leadership Conference

The Alumni Association's Women's Leadership Conference, held April 30, hummed with energy and excitement as MIT alumnae met to discuss the challenges and successes they've experienced both professionally and personally. One of the highlights of the day for participants was bonding with other thriving and talented MIT women. Read about the event and view snapshots online.

Club Update

Say Thank You: Nominate Volunteers for National Recognition

Through the end of June, the Alumni Association is accepting nominations for the Volunteer Honor Roll of Service. The Honor Roll recognizes MIT volunteers who have made a significant contribution to their organization in a specified period of time. Nominations are currently being accepted for service from July 2004 through June 2005. Any club volunteer may be nominated--event and committee volunteers as well as board members. For tips on recognizing and thanking volunteers, see the Club Leader Toolkit.

Host a Summer Send-Off Event

Help welcome the incoming Class of 2009 to the MIT community by hosting a summer send-off event! These gatherings unite club volunteers, local alumni, educational counselors, parent connectors, and current students. For more information, contact Krista McCabe at 617-324-0378 or kmccabe@mit.edu.

Class Update

Last Call--Register for Tech Reunions by May 13

Time is running out to register for Tech Reunions, held June 2-5, 2005. The deadline is May 13, so sign up today. Don't miss popular activities such as the Technology Day program on bioengineering, the 108th annual Tech Night at the Pops with Keith Lockhart at Symphony Hall, Reunion Row, or the Technology Day Luncheon with MIT's new president, Dr. Susan Hockfield. If you're in a reunion class, your reunion committee has planned additional, exciting events just for you and your friends! Register online or call 617-253-8824.

Volunteer for the MIT Tech Challenge Games

Be a part of a time-honored reunion tradition and sign up for the Tech Challenge Games, a spirited competition among teams from the five youngest reunion classes--from 2000 to 1975. You can join the team nearest your class since each team needs many different talents and teammates of every age, kids to seniors. Rather supervise than play? More than a dozen MIT alumni are needed to judge contests and keep score. The pageant begins at noon on Sunday, June 5, at Steinbrenner Stadium. If you'd like to volunteer, please contact Robert Dimmick at 617-253-8225 or rdimmick@mit.edu.

Photo of Women's Leadership Conference by Ming-Tai Huh '03. All others by Justin Knight.

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About eAVC

eAVC, a monthly e-newsletter for MIT volunteers, is available in HTML and text-only formats. To receive the text-only format, please email alumnirecords@mit.edu.

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