Thanksgiving
Though it’s Spring, This Is ME is celebrating thanksgiving. More than ever, we have so much to be thankful for.
We are grateful that friends of This Is ME have kept us close to their hearts during tough times. Since January, we’ve received a number of notes of encouragement and kind words acknowledging our work. We’ve added more new names to our list of friends than ever before (in addition to 300 members on Facebook!), welcomed several amazing volunteers, and been amazed by the financial generosity of our
supporters.
More than 50 people responded to our first-ever direct solicitation, raising over $2,000. Our new friends at Second Unitarian Church pooled about $1,000 in addition to inspiring a $400 donation from the Riverwoods Charitable Contributions Committee of CCH, a Wolters Kluwer business. Jody Guidi gathered a group of friends for a small mani-pedi fundraiser in the hopes of raising $250, and nearly doubled that.
These numbers may sound small to some, but they add up to allow This Is ME to expand programming while many other organizations are cutting back or shutting down. In our last newsletter, we announced a new program for 7th grade girls at Saint Andrew. And now, we are so excited to say that we also started a program for 6th grade girls at the same school. In early April we began the Music Exploration Program, featured on page 3. The Program Committee is also considering offering our now monthly Logan Square program twice each month and adding a new school to our list of sites.
We couldn’t do this without the financial generosity of our supporters. Equally important has been the tireless dedication of our volunteers. From hosting our annual inspiration brunch to re-designing our website; from tailoring curriculum to meet our girls’ needs to entering data; from shopping for snacks to revising policies, our volunteers have been largely responsible for This Is ME’s organizational development and our participants’ individual development.
In the second article of this issue we feature just one member of our amazing volunteer team. We are also so very thankful to Jen C, Katie, Jen O, Erin, Natasha, Amy, and Lauren for the countless hours they have put in since the beginning of the year.
Megan Renehan
Feature Volunteer: Megan Renehan
Megan Renehan has been a part of This Is ME since July of 2008, when she joined the Board of Directors. Since then, Meg has served as the Secretary to the Board, as well as served on the Development Committee and the PR/Marketing Committee. She has also been instrumental in redesigning our website and designing this newsletter.
Originally from a small town in central Illinois, she has lived in Chicago for 9 years and is a graphic designer at the American Osteopathic Association. She also owns her own business, specializing in print and web design services for organizations that serve the community. Before moving into graphic design, Megan worked at the University of Illinois at Chicago doing Public Health research. Many of the projects she was involved with were community-based, and she fell in love with community work. After a while, though, she began to realize how much she wanted to be creative in her work, as well, and that’s when she switched to graphic design. By specializing in design work for social service organizations, Megan is able to satisfy her need to work for the community as well as her need to be creative, and she’s loving every minute of it!
During the period when she was shifting careers, Megan stopped volunteering in the community for a while until she had more time to devote. Once she had established her new direction, she immediately began looking for volunteer opportunities again, and that’s how she found This Is ME. Megan was immediately impressed with the mission of the organization and, after meeting with the Executive Director at the time, she jumped in with both feet. Since then, Meg has been a great asset to This Is ME, and has lent her time and skills whenever and wherever she can. We’re lucky to have her on board!
Music Exploration Program
This Is ME’s second six-week exploration program this year began on April 7th. Ten girls have been attending the program, which focuses on music. As always, we welcome a different outstanding woman each week to present her musical background and introduce girls to new concepts and skills.
Week 1 was a get-to-know you week led by Heather Sattler to talk about different styles of music and what the girls currently know and like.
During Week 2, participants created their own shakers and drums for use in the drum circle on May 5th. They also met and heard the amazing story of Rita Simo, a musician who founded the only free community music school, The People’s Music School.
Week 3 participants are learning how their favorite songs are actually put together, what is unique about song forms and lyrics, and what it is that draws people to a song. The session, The Making of my Favorite Song, features special guest Sara Sobiech-Johnson.
The following session, Drums Around the World, will be led by Denise Motiel. Girls will explore drumming as an integral part of cultural expression including music, celebrations, prayer, healing, communication, and mourning. They’ll see a demonstration of different drums and beats used in various cultures, learn a basic beat, and participate in an interactive drum circle.
Musical Improv happens in the fifth week with Karen Mooney and Sue Dunmore. They’ll teach girls how to create improvisational harmonies and music through musical games, chants, folk music, and a drum circle. Girls will learn how to listen to one another to create singing harmony and show their style.
The final week offers an Introduction to Strings with the Sleeping Bear String Quartet. Girls will hear demonstrations of different types of string quartet music (from standard to classic rock) and talk about the string instrument with the quartet members including, Katie Dixon, who also happens to be This Is ME’s board President.
The This Is ME Programming Committee did a phenomenal job putting this line-up together. Special thanks to Jennifer O’Grady and Erin Garrity for co-facilitating the program.
7th Annual Silent Auction Introduces Proxy Bidding
We hope you can join us at our 7th Annual Silent Auction on Friday, May 1st at Adobo Grill in Wicker Park. You can still purchase tickets online at www.thisismeinc.org or at the door the night of the event.
In addition to great food, drinks, and music, we'll have entertainment this year along with our amazing auction featuring items such as unique art pieces and handmade jewelry; gift certificates to some of Chicago's best restaurants; salon and spa opportunities; sports tickets; and super-fun stuff like a tattoo, trapeze lessons, and gift baskets of all kinds.
If you cannot join us, we are offering a free proxy bidding service so you won't miss out on a chance to win some of our most exciting items. Volunteers will be assigned to watch your item throughout the night and enter bids for you accordingly. Your bid will be anonymous, just like all other bidders. Your assigned volunteer will abide by all auction rules and do his or her best to win the item for you. If you are interested in this service, please contact heathersattler@thisismeinc.org or by phone at 773.991.1194. She will send you further instructions leading to a volunteer to do your bidding for you. If you win, you will be notified within 48 hours of the auction. Payment and pick-up is expected within 7 days. Thank you and good
luck!
Finally remember that you can purchase Windfall Raffle Tickets for $50. We will only sell 100 tickets, so your odds are pretty good for the first prize of $1,000 or second prize of $500.
Items Currently Included in Proxy Bidding:
Field Box Cubs Tickets: Four tickets to Cubs vs. Dodgers on Sunday, May 31st. Seats are awesome (Aisle 130, Row 3, Seats 1-4) and include admission into the Stadium Club at Wrigley Field. (Estimated Value over $300)
Field Box Cubs Tickets 2: Four tickets to Cubs vs. Reds on Sunday, July 26th. Seats are awesome (Aisle 130, Row 3, Seats 1-4) and include admission into the Stadium Club at Wrigley Field. (Estimated Value over $300)
Tattoo by renowned tattoo artist, Brian Inzerello of Perfection Dermagraphics: he will ink the tattoo of your dreams (up to $200). Perfection Dermagraphics is located in nearby DesPlaines and maintains the highest standards: safety, honesty, and integrity in concert with the finest tattooing found anywhere. (Estimated Value $200)
“Bags” Bean Bag Game: One handmade and custom designed set of regulation size boards with matching bags of regulation weight. (Estimated Value $100)
American Girl Doll: 2009 Girl of the Year Chrissa doll & paperback book. The Chrissa doll is 18 inches tall with a soft cloth body, blue eyes, and dark-brown hair with highlights. Her movable head and limbs are made of smooth vinyl. The Chrissa book is the first story about this friendly, creative girl who finds the courage to stand up for herself and others. (Estimated Value $95)
Ask Heather if you would be interested in seeing the full list of items.
Resources for Girls
Here we offer just a few resources for diverse interests to help you connect with, guide, and advise the girls and young women in your life.
Government, Politics, and Leadership: Girls in Government
www.girlsingovernment.org
Girls in Government is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that promotes, broadens, and cultivates civic engagement and leadership among girls of all ages.
Math, Science, and Technology: Girlstart www.girlstart.com
Girlstart is a nonprofit organization created to empower girls to excel in math, science, and technology. Girlstart has quickly established itself as a best-case practices leader in empowering, educating, and motivating girls to enjoy and become more proficient in math, science, and technology.
Media Literacy: The Girls, Women + Media Project
www.mediaandwomen.org
The Girls, Women + Media Project is a 21st century, nonprofit initiative and network working to increase awareness of how pop culture and media represent, affect, employ, and serve girls and women---and to advocate for improvement in those areas.
Music: Girls Rock! Chicago www.girlsrockchicago.org
Girls Rock! Chicago is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering girls’ creative expression, positive self-esteem, and community awareness through rock music. Through their music education programs for girls ages 9-16, they are committed to educating girls about the musical, technical, and creative aspects involved in musicianship.
Outdoor and Experiential Education: Girls Outdoor Resources
www.girlsoutdoorsresources.org
This website provides an up-to-date listing of loads of outdoor programs across the country geared toward girls ages 8 to 18.
Reading: Once upon a Heroine: 450 Books for Girls to Love by Alison Cooper-Mullin
Your local bookstore or amazon.com
This guide recommends over 400 books that nurture every girl's spirit of independence, competence, and self-esteem. The authors suggest special books that provide role models for girls and allow them to imagine themselves as heroines of their own lives.
Science: Project Exploration – Discover Your Summer 2009
www.projectexploration.org/dys
This free resource guide lists summer science education opportunities for middle and high school students. The guide highlights 175 science programs-primarily in the Midwest-and offers tips on completing applications and preparing for interviews.
Self-esteem: New Moon Girls Magazinewww.newmoon.com/magazine
New Moon Girls magazine is about helping girls discover and honor their true selves, engage in meaningful pursuits and dialogue, and express their voices in ways that matter. Best for girls ages 8-12.
Sports: Women’s Sports Foundationwww.womenssportsfoundation.org
The mission of the Women’s Sports Foundation is to advance the lives of girls and women through sport and physical activity. Their website includes tips, news about women and girls in sports, scholarship information, and GoGirlGo!
Fundraiser Corner
Empower a Girl, Empower Our World
Please join us for our 7th Annual Silent Auction on Friday, May 1st (6-10PM) at Adobo Grill in Wicker Park. Tickets are $55, and Windfall Raffle tickets are $50. See item details.
Have you seen our new website?
Please check us out at www.thisismeinc.org
4315 North Richmond, #1S · Chicago, IL 60618
Phone: 773.991.1194
info@thisismeinc.org · www.thisismeinc.org