Canisius College

Attendees:  Kayla Boorady, David Borchard, Jen Chianta, Ron DiGiore, Bob Kennedy, and Rachel (Voerg) Flammer (from Canisius)

Excused:  Diane Burkholder, Michael Davis, John Kalinowski, Laura Pillich, Dave Schofield, Joyson Thomas

We welcomed Rachel Flammer, our contact form the Alum Office at Canisius College and new committee member, Jen Chianta ’01.

We reviewed the events for FY ’10:
 
- Happy Hour to honor the 2009 grads into the NYC Alum Chapter, Sept. 30, 2009
  One of the best events with 35 total attendees (19 alums)
 
- Community Service (Food Pantry), Nov. 14, 2009
   Piggy-backed with Alpha Sigma Nu alums; 8 total attendees (5 alums)
 
- Mass for Immaculate Conception, Dec. 8, 2009
   6 total attendees (6 alums)
 
- Retreats, Nov. 2009 and Apr., 2010
   John was not present for the actual number attended.
 
- Fordham Young Alum Happy Hour, Mar. 12, 2010
   5 alums attended
 
- Sabres/Devil Game, Apr. 11, 2010
   This event was in lieu of the opera event with 33 total attendees (15 alums)

Asked if anyone was interested in helping to co-chair the chapter with Bob, Kayla Boorady stepped up to the plate and was voted unanimously as co-chair.  Thanks, and congratulations, Kayla.

Then we discussed plans for FY 11.
 
Rachel explained that the alumni office was contacted by St. Bonaventure and Niagara U to invite Canisius alums (and friends) to participate in their annual 2-hour boat cruise on Sat., Aug. 21, from 3 - 5 p.m.  The cost is $53 per person which includes food, beer, wine and soda.  The committee agreed that this would be a great event to try, especially since there is very little effort, and no cost to Canisius.  Furthermore, it was decided that this would be the event to invite and honor the 2010 grads.  So we will hand-write the invitation notes at the beginning of August.  If we have any events with dates secured, then we can create a save-the-date postcard to hand out on the boat.
 
Dave was emphatic that we should have one big event for the FY so as not to water down attendance with too many smaller events.  So, it was agreed that a visit from the new president, John Hurley, would be the main event.  If, perchance, he is not visiting NYC in the winter or spring, then we will substitute his visit with a cultural event (e.g., opera, ballet, Broadway show) or lecture by a Canisius professor (or well-known alum) or career workshop.
 
In an effort to bolster the committee, it was agreed to have a "networking" reception in late fall with, perhaps, wine and cheese to get more alums involved in the chapter planning.
 
It was agreed to maintain the Immaculate Conception Mass and Reception on Dec. 8.  Jen offered to have the reception at her place.  And the two retreats (one in the fall and one in the spring) will be included this fiscal year.
 
As far as community service, the committee agreed to help in any way possible when Fr. Bucki brings Canisius students to NYC for their volunteer work in January.  We will send an email to the entire NYC chapter to see if anyone is interested in housing students during their stay.  Rachel also recommended that we could help in other ways; e.g., to sponsor the opening dinner the week of New Year's Eve.
 
The Food Pantry at St. Francis Xavier is glad to have us whenever we can help.  And the Cancer Society contacted Bob directly about needing help at Hope Lodge where family members of patients stay when they come to NYC.  They need people to be helpful during their stay.  Bob was to find out more details about actual number of volunteers needed and when.
 
There was also a discussion about getting other regions represented within the NYC Chapter, but outside of the 5 boroughs of New York City.  For example, we could host a theater event in Long Island (an alum is connected with a theater there); a wine tour/tasting in Long Island or Connecticut; or The Hunt in New Jersey.  While no event was planned for this fiscal year, it was agreed that if we do, only one of these would be tried.
 
Thanks to Kayla we continue to be represented on Facebook.

Congratulations to Ron who is getting married on May 29, 2010 in New Orleans.

The next meeting will be held on Thurs., Sept. 23, 2010.  Until then, have a great summer!