"....to improve the quality of life for children and expectant mothers and those who love and care for them.."*
February 22, 2012
Good morning, Dear Members
I have been without computer access for almost one month. Hence, I have been unable to communicate with all of you. I hope your holidays were filled with joy and that the new year brings you much happiness. Because of the delay this blog will double as the final one of my first year as your president and the first blog as your president for 2012.
Before we abandon the old year and embrace the new one, let’s reminisce a bit.
It has been a year of joys and sorrows with illness and the passing of dear members but we have navigated a remarkable voyage. Here are some of the highlights of 2011:
• LPCH’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
• TEEN VAN VISIT
• NEW VENUE FOR OUR GENERAL MEETINGS
• HOSPITAL TOUR
• HOLIDAY CRAFT BOUTIQUE
• AMERICAN GIRL EVENT
• THE MANY RESTAURANTS WITH HEART
• ESTABLISHMENT OF OUR ASSOCIATION OF AUXILIARIES’
VERY OWN WEBSITE
• OUR INTRODUCTION TO E SCRIP -THAT EVER SO EASY FUND RAISER
We had 7 goals for 2011. Work on these goals was interrupted by the time and energy devoted to working on the magnificent 20th birthday celebration - a delightful and rewarding experience. However, we have either completed or begun work on all of them.
1. TO FIND A VENUE FOR OUR GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
After months as vagabonds going from place to place we now have our permanent venue – the lovely Fireside room at the Lucie Stern Community Center in Palo Alto.
2. TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS: - we created a brochure for PAA distribution
3. TO SELL REMAINING COOKBOOKS: we did not sell them all . Ever since the cookbook committee resigned this will need to be an ongoing goal.
4. TO SUPPORT EXISTING PROJECTS: Tote Bags, Pillows and Blankets, Books and Bears, RwH, and American Girl Fashion Show have done very well. (Tote Bags project could use more participants as does RwH and the Cookbook.)
5. TO DEVELOP NEW FUNDRAISING PROJECTS: we had the very successful holiday boutique, the introduction of eScrip and preliminary work was begun on the theater project.
6. TO REFINE AND MAINTAIN THE DIRECTORY AND INFORMATION THEREIN: we have rewritten the job descriptions to reflect our needs now.
7. TO ENHANCE OUR WEBSITE: we updated the section “about Us” with a quote from Dr. Alexander; we created the photo gallery - which has become our archives
Our expansion of projects has come with no dilution of our expertise, our brand, our focus. These projects are more than an opportunity to enjoy working together while helping children –with these projects we showcase our strengths and our smarts. PAA has come a long way from selling flowers on street corners. Our founders would be thrilled! We are still that ageless, vibrant, undaunted, fun group whose hearts have that native intelligence that enables us to continue to grow. I think we will always be in the business of becoming.
Yes, it has been a year of joys and sorrows and we have seen a few of life’s turns but in our general meetings when I look at you all, your faces reflect women of substance who continue to give joyfully of themselves for so worthy a cause. What remains for me is an appreciation for each of you and for what we do - from which I hope I will never recover.
I hope that this year I have given you a greater understanding of how important our work is and how much more we can do. Thank you so much for this wonderful year.
AND NOW TO THE BUSINESS AT HAND FOR 2012 – PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS FOR 2012
Unless otherwise noted, our GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS are held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 1:00pm-3:00pm in the Fireside Room at the Lucie Stern Community Center, 1305 Middlefield Road in Palo Alto.
FEBRUARY 21
MARCH 20
APRIL 17
MAY 15 this would ordinarily be our Hospital Tour. Because of the construction, no tours will be given this year. However, the Foundation has offered to send us a speaker.
The board has requested and arrangements have been made to have Dr. Gary Hartman, lead surgeon on the separation of the conjoined twins will be our speaker at this meeting.
JUNE 19
OCTOBER – Annual membership Tea – date and place to be announced
NOVEMBER 9,10 – American Girl Event –
OTHER NON- GENERAL MEETING DATES OF IMPORTANCE:
FEBRUARY 27,28: RwH - Piacere in San Carlos
MARCH 25, 26: RwH - California Cafe
APRIL 27: First Annual Meeting and Celebration of the Association of Auxiliaries: Crowne Plaza Cabana Hotel in Palo Alto. All members of all the Auxiliaries will be receiving invitations. Seating is limited so respond early.
SISTER AUXILIARIES EVENTS WE CAN HELP SUPPORT in March and April: Many from our sister auxiliaries support our Restaurants with Heart. Here are events we can return the favor:
MARCH 16, 17: Rummage Sale (CharterAuxiliary)
APRIL 19: A Day at Chicos (San-Mateo Burlingame Auxiliary)
APRIL20, 21: Rummage Sale (Charter Auxiliary)
ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING AT MICHAEL'S:
For those who were unable to attend - just a brief annual report:
- American Girl Fashion Shows held Nov. 11 and 12 realized a profit of $28,3334. Marilyn Rogers,Parent of a lovely participant in the shows, will join PAA and chair the event this year.
- Restaurant with Heart program netted $13,454.
- Copies of Tastes, Tales and Traditions 291 sold netted $6,492. PAAhas sold 8,727 of the 10,000 copies.
- Christmas Boutique Sales netted $1,818. Sharon will chair this event in 2012
- Tote Bags Project donated over 100 tote bags.
- Books and Bears Project donated 93 bears and 75 books
- Pillows and Blankets donated 442 cough pillows and 45 blankets
- Membership numbers at end December 116 active and 93 associate. If you have forgotten to, Please remember to send in your dues.
- Special thank you's to retirees Sarah Beetem will step down as chair of AMGF. $100 will be donated to LPCH in her name. She has requested it be used for the teen van or the school. Sharon Brugos after 8 consecutive years on the board will step down. $100 will be donated to LPCH in her name. She has not requested any special use for it.
- Behind the Scenes workers were recognized: In addition to working on other projects and events, these people are to be thanked for their "extra-curricula" endeavors: Joan Heye - emailing the President's blog and notices for all projects to the members. Stephanie Beach - mailings of blog and notices to those who do not have email. Becky Yung - Organizing cookbook table sales. Bob Stevens - our Webmaster. Karen Stevens - RwH reservations. Deborah Potash - RwH publicity. Roger Potash -Computer Assistant for RwH. Erika Crowley -Cookbook mailings. Mary Hicks -menu planning and food preparations for our Teas and Mary Koeppen for dues and directory
- Sue Hnilo, Associate Director of Auxiliaries Relations is retiring after 14 years. We presented her with a three azalea plants in a lovely arrangement for her garden. At this time she was not aware that all seven auxiliaries donated enough in her honor to purchase 6 iPads for the teen van, her special project.
- Dr. Alexander was presented with our check for $75,000.
1. RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS
2. SELL REMAINING COOKBOOKS
3. SUPPORT EXISTING PROJECTS AND DEVELOP NEW FUND RAISING PROJECTS
Holiday Boutique - eScrip - Theater project
4. SUPPORT AND ENHANCE EXISTING "Hearts and Hands" PROJECTS
More help with Tote Bags, Cookbooks, Books and Bears, Pillows and Blankets and RwH
5. WORK TOGETHER WITH SISTER AUXILIARIES
6. REFINE BYLAWS AND STANDING RULES TO REFLECT NEW MEMBERSHIP EXPECTATIONS
It is with the deepest sorrow that I share with you the tragic news that Dr. Ammerman's wife of 5 years, Helen Martin was killed in a horrendous car accident. This discussed at our February general meeting and we voted to donate $100 in her name to be used for the Teen Van. As you know the Teen Van Project was begun and is run by Dr. Ammerman. It was also so important to his wife. All of us know how dear Dr. Ammerman is to us and how much he appreciate us. PAA has written offering our condolences. Should you wish to send your own personal notes please address them to him in care of Victoria Applegate at 400 Hamilton Ave, Suite 340, Palo Alto, CA 94301. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.
DID YOU KNOW:
- Pat Ogle sent word that Rusty Fulmer's husband, George passed away. Rusty was a server and wedding coordinator in the days prior to the restaurant's closing for earthquake repair.
- Pat Ogle is out of the wheelchair and boot and learning to walk again.
- Primavera has left and Allied Arts Guild plans to close the dining room and use the terrace and patio for what will be know as the Blue Garden Cafe. It's food service will be light fare, prepared by a caterer from Cupertino. Plans are to open the Cafe in early March.
- Holbrook Palmer Park is unavailable for the foreseeable future as the Atherton library is going to be relocated there. They are not taking any reservations for 2012 and 2013. We will need to find a new place.
RESTAURANTS WITH HEART asks for your help. They will send out a separate memo but have asked that I inform you of the different ways you can help:
Please: Attend the monthly dinners and invite family and friends
Help spread the word - tell friends neighbors,etc. about RwH and the purpose of it
Offer to drive members or non-members who wish to attend but need transportation
Help distribute the monthly flyers
Help with mailings
Suggest restaurants we should investigate for participation in RwH
Patronize our participating restaurants.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY WISHES TO:
JANUARY:
Thora Richardson
Marilyn Ellis
B.J. Sorensen
Deborah Potash
FEBRUARY
Marti Deacon
Joan Heye
Audrey Polster
Catharine McMahon
Carolyn Hofstetter
Stephanie Beach
Elizabeth Modena
MARCH
Erika Crowley
Ginny Lee
Lumie Steele
THEATER PROJECT:
Plans are being made for fun in the afternoon! Hillbarn Theater in Foster City is producing the broadway smash hit "The Producers" If we have enough members/spouses, friends interested we can get group rates. Matinee Dates being considered are:
SUNDAY, 2 PM, MAY 6
SUNDAY, 2 PM, MAY13
If you are interested please contact Gerry Nelson (650) 325-9692 as soon as possible
There is always so much to report that it would make an even longer Blog. (I apologize for the length of this one but I had to include two months!) Thus, much is reported and discussed at our general meetings. Please mark your calendars and make the effort to come to the general meetings.
Some of the topics on the March 17 general meeting agenda (besides the usually reports)at Lucie Stern Community Center will be:
"Spring Vintage Lunch"; Theater project; Bylaws and/or Standing Rules; 2011 Tony award winning drama "War Horse" and back stage tours; members requests and concerns and venue for the Tea. It is so important to have you there for your input.
*the above quote is from the LPCH Vision statement. How gentle and caring a phrase in the midst of so erudite a mission, vision and value statement from this internationally known giant of a medical, teaching and research center. Nice, isn't it to be such an important part of it.
As always, please tell me your thoughts and desires for PAA. The Board does act on your concerns and suggestions.
See you on March 20th at Lucie Stern Community Center..
Luisa
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