SOM Alumnae Association
SOMAA Open Volunteer Positions 2008-2009
Volunteering with the School of Management Alumnae Association is a great way to stay connected and/or reconnect with the SOM. It is also a wonderful way to meet new people and build long-term relationships. By volunteering your time and skills, you can help the SOM and its Alumnae Association better serve the alumnae community.
Please contact Lisa Krassner at lkrassner@mfa.org or 617.821.5472 to learn more!
Marketing & Communications
Photographer: SOMAA hosts a number of events and we want to be able to capture these events through images. If you enjoy photography or looking to enhance your photography skills, we would welcome you to take pictures at our events!
Contributing Writers: Writers needed to contribute a variety of articles to Enews and Alumnet. Attend an event or have a topic that SOMAA should feature — choose to do one or many.
Events and Programs
SOMAA Speaker Series Committee Members: Help us brainstorm topics under the "Green" theme for upcoming year, identify speakers and/or panelists, and assist in organizing these events.
SOMAA Drop in Night Ambassador: Help get the word out about the new SOMAA Drop-in Night events. Greet people at the door, make introductions, and '"work the room" during the evening to make sure people are connecting and having fun.
Alumnae Engagement
Class Agents: Want to get your class more involved with the SOM and the Alumnae Association? We are looking for representatives from all years to join SOMAA in providing networking, professional development, and social opportunities to the alumnae community. Be a voice for your class and help SOMAA engage more alums in our programs.
Regional Reps: Do you live outside New England and would like to help coordinate events and programs for SOM alumnae in your area? We are looking for alums in NY, FL, IL, and elsewhere to work with the SOMAA and the Simmons Office of Alumnae/i Relations.
SOMAA Membership Dues Officially Gone!
You don’t have to pay your School of Management Alumnae Association dues this year! At this year’s annual meeting on June 16th, the board announced its decision to eliminate the organization’s membership dues structure. The board reached this decision after extensive consultation with members of the SOM alumnae community, former members of the board, Dean Deborah Merrill-Sands and Lorita Williams, Executive Director of Alumnae/i Relations at Simmons College. The board also researched how other alumnae/i associations are structured and sought legal counsel regarding the organization’s 501(c)3 status. Simmons College Office of Alumnae/i Relations (OAR) will financially and operationally support SOMAA’s programs and activities; thereby enabling the Board to focus more of its time and energy on alumnae engagement and advocacy and play a strategic role in aligning the needs of the SOM alumnae community with the school. The board recognized the impact the dues structure had on the organization and the alumnae community and is excited to put their energy into better serving the SOM alumnae community.
The SOMAA will, however, maintain its non-profit status as an independent organization but will not utilize dues to support its operations. Dean Deborah Merrill-Sands congratulates the SOMAA board on its extensive consultation with stakeholders and the thoughtfulness with which the board made this decision and is looking forward to working with the board it this newly configured partnership. SOMAA President Joan Tomaceski '91, and members of the board believe that this move further demonstrates the Dean’s commitment as well as the College’s to serving the needs of the SOM Alumnae community. "At the center of all of our discussions with the Dean, OAR staff at Simmons College, and our fellow alumnae, was a focus on strengthening alumnae engagement and preserving the unique voice of SOM alumnae," noted Tomaceski on the decision.
SOMAA Launches the SOMAA Award for Principled Leadership
Starting this year and for the next ten years, a $1,000 award (divided between a day and an evening student) will be given for students best exemplifying the values of Principled Leadership, as nominated by their peers and faculty. This award is a wonderful recognition of the school’s commitment to principled leadership and the strong relationship between the SOM and the Alumnae Association. This award will be given at the Dean's Reception the night before graduation. We are proud to announce that this year Class of 2008 awardees are Erin McFee and Heather Jean MacNeil.
Purpose of the Award
The purpose of the SOMAA award for principled leadership is to support the mission of the School of Management and recognize two students who through their school and work activities demonstrate the core components of principled leadership.
Criteria for Award
Nominations should include details about how the nominee has demonstrated principled leadership through involvement or success at the SOM, professional work, and/or volunteer commitments. The following areas are just some of the ways in which nominees may have shown principled leadership:
• Courage in making difficult decisions and choosing an ethical course of action for her organization or within the SOM
• Leadership in integrating social responsibility and business strategy and practice
• Leadership in social and environmental concerns at the SOM or outside
• Commitment to “green” initiatives, such as energy and water conservation, use of recycled materials
• Fostering equitable and inclusive workplaces that address gender and diversity dynamics
Plan an Event in Your Region
The Simmons School of Management Alumnae Association encourages alumnae to network in their regions. Please contact us at somaa@simmons.edu if you are interested in sponsoring an event in your area.
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The Simmons SOMAA’s goal is to ensure all alumnae maintain a sense of community and have opportunities to continue their personal and professional development. We look forward to serving you this year.
You can contact the SOMAA directly by email at: somaa@simmons.edu.
Sincerely,
SOMAA Board of Directors
Joan Tomaceski '91
Sherri Schwaninger '97
Tricia Spellman '96
Mercedes Forcier '04
Lisa Krassner '98
Maicharia Weir Lytle '05
Andrea Pokladowski '82
Susan Richards '91
Dianne Savastano '99
Irene Sitbon '00
Grace Velardi '05
Gina Westcott-Abudi '95
Anne Denna '05
Susan Grealy '98
Jennifer Albert '08
Heather Lantz '08
Posted on September 14, 2008 3:06 PM
