As you can see from the enlightening photo above, we were recently at MICROSOFT
offices in Washington, D.C.! The reason for the visit was that Microsoft, our
first official Tiffany Circle National Sponsor, generously hosted our Tiffany
Circle National Council Meeting.
Microsoft has played an integral part in the creation of our very own Tiffany
Circle web networking portal and while at the meeting, the National Council
members were treated to a sneak peek of this technology. Once fully activated in
early 2011, this site will enable our members to directly communicate and
interact with one another and to access all information associated with the
Tiffany Circle program. Thank you Microsoft!
This edition of the TORCH is
packed with information including minutes from the National Council meeting.
Please take time to read the TORCH and please be sure to click on the links
provided to read about the amazing TC events and stories taking place around the
country, including a recent article
about women in philanthropy featuring a mention of the Red Cross and the
Tiffany Circle!
Best wishes for a
HAPPY HALLOWEEN!
Julia Bianchi and Elaine Lyerly, Tiffany Circle National Co-Chairs
The Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders of the America Red Cross is a program that serves as a testament to the collective impact women today can make in the lives of those in need though the donation of our time, talent and treasure. Annually our members gather together at a Summit to celebrate our success and to share the joy of philanthropy.
Our Tiffany Circle Summit Honorary Chair will be representative of the principles of contributing her time, talent and treasure to the mission of the American Red Cross.
Honorary Chair of the Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders of the American Red Cross
1. Tiffany Circle Guidelines specify identifying an annual Summit Honorary Chair. This woman will make a gift to the ARC in the amount of $100,000 in recognition of this status.
2. The Honorary Chair should optimally be viewed as a woman who has a connection to the ARC and who has a passion for its mission.
3. As the Honorary Chair, this woman will receive special recognition by being profiled:
- In a personalized video presentation to be shown at the Summit opening dinner. This video will be posted on the ARC web following the Summit. The scripted presentation will be a narrative of this member's philanthropy and legacy.
- In the Tiffany Circle Summit program book
- On the Tiffany Circle website
The Honorary Chair will also receive:
- Recognition as a member of the Clara Barton President's Circle (TBD)
- A special charm designed by Tiffany & Co
- Recognition in all Summit materials
- Recognition at the Bonnie McElveen-Hunter Lifetime Member reception during the 2011 Summit
- Priority seating and invitations to family members to attend the Summit
- Special recognition by the Board of Governors Chairman and President of the American Red Cross
- Special name tag ribbon
- Complimentary Summit hotel accommodations
- Special priority transportation
4. Process and Guidelines for Annual Honorary Chair: - Publicize a call for Honorary Chair in the Tiffany Circle communication vehicles The Torch, The Window and the TC website and publicize, if necessary, in all Summit promotional materials.
Honorary Chair must make a pledge of a one year $100,000 donation to the American Red Cross separate from other gifts made by the Honorary Chair to the American Red Cross in that fiscal year.
- Pledge must be fulfilled by the end of the current fiscal Red Cross year.
- Payment of pledge is to be made as cash contribution or through the transfer of stock. In- kind donations will not be considered as a payment option.
If you
or someone you know is a candidate for this incredible commitment, please let us
know!
Calling all Sponsors!
We know that our
Tiffany Circle members have their own amazing network throughout the country!
The Tiffany Circle National Council is calling out any interested individuals
with a special access to companies who may have interest in becoming a Tiffany
Circle Program or Tiffany Circle Summit Sponsor.
Contact
Information
For more details, please contact 2011 Tiffany Circle
Summit Host Committee Co-Chairs Suzanne Detlefs at shdetlefs@gmail.com and Erika
Millet at Erikamillet07@aol.com or contact Vernon Rose, Director of Major Gift
Programs at 202-303-8370 or rosev@usa.redcross.org.
Tiffany Circle of the Mile High
Chapter Enjoys a Night of Nature and Art at the Denver Botanic
Gardens
Tiffany Circle Society Members Annie Bridges, Co-Chair Donna Kusuda, Lois Saul, Colleen Sandrin (Chief Development Officer for Mile High Chapter and Tiffany Circle Society Member), Donna Winter
September 14, 2010 (Denver, CO)- On
a beautiful September evening in the Mile High city, over 70 Tiffany Circle
Members and guests gathered at the Denver Botanic Gardens to recognize three new
members and enjoy some beautiful scenery and art. The Henry Moore exhibit,
“Moore in the Gardens”, is in Denver through January 2011. The sculptures’
convex surfaces and concave interiors play against the texture and scale of the
natural beauty provided by the serene setting of the Denver Botanic Gardens.
The event was a huge success largely in part to the intimate setting which provided the opportunity for Tiffany Circle Members and guests to gain a deeper understanding of the mission of the American Red Cross while getting to know one another personally. Attendees enjoyed refreshments, food, as well as a private tour of the exhibit by Denver Botanic Gardens CEO Brian Vogt. The event was emceed by Donna Kusuda, Tiffany Circle Society Co-Chair and Francis Owens, former First Lady of Colorado and Tiffany Circle Society Honorary Co-Chair. Multiple speakers shared stories and personal testimonies regarding the importance of the American Red Cross. Speaker Chris Wuebben, a pizza delivery man and local hero, spoke in honor of National Preparedness Month sharing a personal story of how he preformed lifesaving CPR on a customer during a routine pizza delivery and stressed the importance of getting CPR and First Aid certified.
Sisters Lois Saul and Donna Winter, as well as former Red Cross nurse Jean McCammon were recognized as our newest Tiffany Circle Members. Lois and Donna stepped up as Tiffany Circle Society Members in honor of their parents, who supported the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter during their lifetimes. Betsy Black, the daughter of Jean McCammon, accepted the Tiffany Circle Membership Bracelet on behalf of her mother who was unable to attend the event. Jean McCammon, 96 years old, is a lifelong American Red Cross volunteer. Jean was one of 50 American Red Cross nurses who was deployed for a year to Hawaii in 1942 to care for the families of military personnel after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. Jean McCammon wrote, “I’m proud to have been a Red Cross nurse and can honestly say, once a Red Cross nurse, always a Red Cross nurse”. Sixty years later, Jean is still supporting the American Red Cross by becoming a Tiffany Circle Society Member for the Mile High Chapter.
We have several strong Tiffany Circle Society prospects as a result of this wonderful event. Melanie Sabelhaus and our Tiffany Circle Society Co-Chair, Donna Kusuada, have been very instrumental in following up with each of them personally.
Our Tiffany Circle Members are very excited about our next event coming up on November 11, 2010 at the Tiffany & Co. Store in Denver, CO featuring the unveiling of the new Tiffany Yellow Diamond Collection.
October 21, 2010 SEATTLE (AP) — Women across nearly every
income level gave significantly more to charity than men, nearly twice as much
in some cases, according to a study by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana
University.
Nonprofits have long suspected that women were the driving forces behind many
of the gifts they receive, but they haven't had much proof. But the results of
this study are so decisive and consistent, they can stop wondering, said Debra
Mesch, director of the university's Women's Philanthropy Institute. Read
more
Betsy Wills (Nashville, TN) and Judy Beck (Santa Monica, CA) Tiffany
Circle National Council Members
October 5, 2010 (Chevy
Chase, MD)- Without hesitation, Betsy Wills came to Judy Beck's rescue
through a real-life application of her Red Cross training! During the Tiffany
Circle National Council dinner on October 5, Judy began to choke and Betsy
performed
the Heimlich Maneuver
and successfully dislodged the cause of choking.
Be sure you're
prepared! Click
here to find out how you can be trained by the Red Cross in your community.
Thank you to everyone who was
able to join us for the October 6 National Tiffany Circle conference call! After
two full days with the National Council, Elaine Lyerly and Julia Bianchi
presented a wide variety of new program information.
Tiffany Circle National Conference Call Elaine Lyerly and Julia Bianchi, Tiffany Circle National Co-Chairs
Wednesday, October 6, 2010 2:30pm, Eastern Time
Staffing Updates
1. Vernon Rose, formerly Senior Major Gift Advisor for Division 6, has taken on a newly created role: Director of Major Gifts Programs. The Tiffany Circle is one of the primary areas of focus for Vernon, and she will be working closely with all of you as the program continues to grow and expand.
2. Roger LaGreca, formerly the Senior Director, Major and Leadership Gifts, has been named Vice President, Major and Leadership Gifts. In his new role, Roger will continue to play a critical role with the Tiffany Circle.
3. Additionally, we are pleased to share with you that Kara Praed has joined the Major Gifts Program Team, where her primary focus will be the annual Tiffany Circle Summit, and other program related event management. Kara was a key member of the 2010 Summit planning team and has many years of Red Cross experience.
New Tiffany Circle National Council Committee Structure
Communications Committee One of the newly created Committees of the National Council is focused on Communications. On behalf of this committee, we would like to offer a continued reminder to share the Official National E-Newsletter of the Tiffany Circle “The Torch” with every member in the country. These monthly updates provide a wide variety of program related information, and we rely on our local volunteer and staff leadership to distribute this information to every member of the Tiffany Circle.
The Communications Committee will continue to work on improving this newsletter platform and in tandem with the Best Practices Committee, collect and share creative ideas that are happening around the country.
The Communications Committee is also becoming involved with an exciting new venture, in partnership with Microsoft, that will really bring the Tiffany Circle up-to-date with our own Tiffany Circle Online Networking Portal. We saw a demo of this new online social community on October 6, and although we’re still in the product development and testing phases, we will continue to provide updates and may be looking to you and your chapter to participate in a pilot program this spring. Stay tuned!
International Committee As many of you know, the Tiffany Circle program is Going Global! We continue to work with the British, Canadian and Mexican Red Cross Societies as they begin to implement Tiffany Circle programmatic elements in their communities. Most recently, Vernon Rose spent a day and a half with Canadian Red Cross staff member Diana Borowski to further strategize this exciting new venture.
Membership Committee The newly created Membership Committee will be hard at work this year developing special member retention and acquisition strategies, while simultaneously tracking membership statistics and identifying ways they can work closely with the Best Practices committee.
(Planned Giving) Some of the potential opportunities the National Council has discussed this week are the fulfillment of the Tiffany Circle membership donation of at least $10,000 annually through Endowment Gifts, Charitable Lead Trusts as well as Charitable Gift Annuities. The complete details of how the annual membership obligation can be fulfilled through these vehicles will be shared with in the near future.
(Lifetime Membership) As you all know, the Bonnie McElveen-Hunter Tiffany Circle Lifetime Membership has grown significantly over the past year. This membership initiative has proven to be a huge success and we’re proud to report this group now represents 126 women! (Tiffany Circle Ambassadors/Divisional Volunteers) Looking to the Tiffany Circle Members around the country, we’re going to begin to recruit volunteer representation at a more regional level. Matching with the Red Cross Divisional structure, we will be seeking dynamic leaders around the country to work with our Major Gift Advisor team in each of the 10 Red Cross divisions. (Referral of Prospective Members) If you as a volunteer chapter chair have friends, family or corporate connections you wish to connect with the Tiffany Circle, but they live outside the reach of your Red Cross chapter, please be sure we help connect the dots and embrace these prospective Tiffany Circle members. Email RoseV@usa.redcross.org with this information and we’ll help you strategize to make the connection.
(New Survey) We want to know who you are! The Tiffany Circle “member profile”, the statistical analysis of who we are as a group is extremely valuable information, and as a new survey is developed, we will look to you to lead the effort to collect as much information as possible. We are making every effort for this process to be as user friendly as possible.
(Una Award) Lastly, we always want to find unique and meaningful ways to thank our members for their dedication to the Red Cross. Named in honor of one of the female figures detailed in the Tiffany windows are National Headquarters, the Una Award will recognize an outstanding Tiffany Circle Member whose behind the scenes contributions to the mission of the Red Cross and the Tiffany Circle brings meaningful and positive change to the lives of those we seek to serve. Nominations will be held and after the selection process, this individual will be honored at the National Tiffany Circle Summit each year.
The Membership Committee will be busy this year, but please be sure to watch for all of these important announcements and changes over the coming months.
Best Practices and Awards Committee Another critical area of focus is Best Practices and Awards. Sharing top-quality, highly successful program elements across the network of Tiffany Circle chapters has been a key to success and will become increasingly important as more and more chapters become involved.
(new chapter awards) This year, we will focus on 4 specific chapter awards, to be presented at the National Summit that will evaluate specific criteria and be tiered to account for city size. Evaluations of chapters will be handled by the Best Practices and Awards Committee, so please be sure to participate if and when a request for this information is made.
(chapter and volunteer training) As part of the Best Practices Committee focus, we will again be offering Tiffany Circle Chapter Staff and Volunteer training in Washington, DC in 2011. This will be held on January 18 & 19 at the JW Marriott – available for brand new Tiffany Circle chapters (volunteers and staff) and existing chapters wishing to send new staff. The hotel rate is $119 per night – we are expecting only 1 night stay will be necessary (depending on flight schedules). Registration information will be distributed in the coming weeks.
Summit Host Committee A signature highlight and benefit of Membership with the Tiffany Circle is the annual Summit in Washington, DC. As you know, the 2011 Summit will be June 5 & 6! Work on the 2011 Summit began almost before the 2010 Summit had finished, starting with the commitment of two National Council members, Suzanne Detlefs and Erika Millet, stepping up to the plate to serve as 2011 Summit Host Committee Co-Chairs.
With Suzanne and Erika’s leadership, this committee has been hard at work over the past 2 months, starting the planning process sooner than ever before.
Here are a few highlights we can share with you to-date:
1. Bonnie McElveen-Hunter Lifetime Members Early Registration, to begin in late January 2011, following chapter/volunteer training.
2. Official Host Hotel – Mandarin Oriental! $345/night Tai Pan rooms (club level) and $245 deluxe rooms. Full access to Hospitality Suite for the duration of the Summit.
3. Honorary Chair(s)
4. Sponsorship- Call for access to Sponsors! We need your connections around the country to seek and secure support for the Tiffany Circle Program and the Annual Summit.
5. Speakers- Call for access to Speakers!
6. Tiffany & Co. bracelet and charm distribution update. Because of the enormous growth of the program, and logistical challenges in presenting these special items at the Summit, all chapters will place their orders online and each individual order will be delivered to chapters prior to the Summit, for ceremonial presentations at the local level. We will be working with the best practices committee to identify a great event format for making this presentation as special as possible.
7. We will also be asking chapters to not bring any more than 1 (one) chapter staff representative to the Summit. We’re continually challenged by space limitations, and we want there to be space for as many Tiffany Circle members as possible.
8. Registration Fee- $495 for every individual that registers to attend, including members and staff. We are making every effort to make the 2011 Summit self-sustaining, and alleviate any financial burden on the Red Cross.
Governance Committee Call for three additional national council members. For an application, please contact TiffanyCircle@usa.redcross.org 1. 3 slots for rest of this fiscal year 2. 7 new 3-yr slots opening for June, 2010
Greater Houston Area Chapter (Houston, TX) August 24, 2010
Tiffany Circle Founding Chair, Melanie Sabelhaus, traveled to Houston and met
with prospective Tiffany Circle Members at a dinner hosted by the Chapter Chair
Bobbie Nau. Bobbie hosted a lovely dinner in her home and 4 new members signed
up that evening. Pictured (from left to right) Melanie Sabelhaus, Founding
Chair of the Tiffany Circle, new member Beth Williams Lee, Houston Chapter Chair
and Bonnie McElveen-Hunter Lifetime Member Bobbie Nau.
American Red Cross of Santa Monica (Santa Monica, CA) April 17, 2010
December 12, 2007. Red Cross worker Patsy McKenna talks with Haley Evans
as she holds her son Braylon during the filming of an American Red Cross video
reenactment of a house fire in Sandusky, Ohio. (credit: Daniel Cima/American Red
Cross)
Tuesday, October 12, 2010 — The weather is beginning to turn
cooler across much of the country and people are starting to turn the heat back
on. In addition to their main source of home heat, almost half of the families
in the United States use alternate heating sources such as space heaters,
fireplaces, or coal or wood stoves to stay warm. Read more.
October 28, 2010: Mile High Chapter (Denver, CO) – Volunteer Recognition Reception at the Denver Zoo
November 4, 2010: Greater Cleveland (Cleveland, OH)- Service to Armed Forces Day & Holiday Mail for Heroes Card Signing Event
November 8, 2010: Metro Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)- Tiffany Circle/Board CPR Training
November 10, 2010: Greater Cleveland (Cleveland, OH)- Veterans Hospital Visit & Distribution of Comfort Care Kits
November 10, 2010: Southwest Florida (Sarasota, FL)- Tiffany Circle Event with Melanie Sabelhaus November 11, 2010: Greater Indianapolis (Indianapolis, IN)- Tiffany & Co. Store- New Member Cultivation with Julia Bianchi
November 11, 2010: Cincinnati Region (Cincinnati, OH)- International Services Tiffany Circle Event with David Meltzer
November 11, 2010: Mile High Chapter (Denver, CO) – An Evening of Legendary Style in Honor of the Tiffany Circle Society of Women Leaders, Tiffany & Co. Store. Preview of the newly launched Yellow Diamond Collection. November 16, 2010: St. Louis Area Chapter (St. Louis, MO)-Tiffany Circle Event with Melanie Sabelhaus
December 1, 2010: Louisville Area Chapter (Louisville, KY)- Tiffany Circle Event with Julia Bianchi
December 2, 2010: Louisville Area Chapter (Louisville, KY)- Holiday for Heros, Tiffany Circle Mission Project
December 6, 2010: Cincinnati Region (Cincinnati, OH)- Tiffany Circle Luncheon with Julia Bianchi
December 8, 2010: Metro Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)- Tiffany Circle Service Project—Military Card Project
December 9, 2010: Greater Cleveland (Cleveland, OH)- Holiday Luncheon & Presentation of Greater Cleveland Tiffany Circle Member
Appreciation Plaque
January 19, 2011: Metro Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)- Tiffany Circle New Member Orientation
February 2011 (date TBD): Mile High Chapter (Denver, CO) – Members Only Event – Volunteer Project & Spa Day February 9, 2011: Riverside County Chapter (Palm Desert, CA)- Tiffany & Co. Store Event March 29, 2011: Metro Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)- Tiffany Circle Appreciation Luncheon
April 14, 2011: Metro Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)- Tiffany Circle CPR Training/Recertification
May 2011 (date TBD): Mile High Chapter (Denver, CO) – Tiffany Circle Reception at a Private Home – Canvas & Cocktails
May 2011 (date TBD): Metro Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)- Tiffany Circle Pre-Summit Event
June 8, 2011: Metro Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)- Red Cross Volunteer Recognition Dinner
We want to know
about your Chapter's Tiffany Circle Events! In future issues of "The
Torch" we will share upcoming events around the Country happening within
all of our communities. If you have an event coming up, please email TiffanyCircle@usa.redcross.org.
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter Tiffany Circle Lifetime Membership
At the 2009 Summit, Tiffany Circle Lifetime Membership ($100,000 pledge payable over 10 or fewer years) was announced and warmly received. Throughout fiscal year 2010, many more women have made this monumental commitment, and we are moving forward with recognition plans for this group of Founding Lifetime members.
Below is the current list of lifetime members. We are still compiling results from the Summit and will be reaching out to chapter staff representatives multiple times over the coming weeks to finalize and proof this list of distinguished individuals. Please let us know if you have a lifetime member involved at your chapter so they can be added to this list. The names below will be included on a permanent recognition plaque at National Headquarters. All lifetime members receive a personal thank you call from one of the National Co-Chairs, Julia Bianchi and Elaine Lyerly, and letter from Bonnie McElveen-Hunter.
Founding Members
Bonnie McElveen-Hunter, Chairman of the Board of Governors Gail McGovern, President and CEO Melanie Sabelhaus, Founding Chair
Julia Rea Bianchi, National Co-Chair Elaine M. Lyerly, National Co-Chair
Anonymous Martha Smith Allen Patricia A. Allen Kayrita M. Anderson Susan Atherton Marlene Baker Bunny Bastian Natalie Batchelor Judy Beck Trish Bell Charlotte Lunsford Berry Theresa A. Bischoff Kay Bochert Pendleton Bogache Donna Kay Boortz Barbara Bovender Teresa Buoniconti Mary Burd Eileen Burg Emily F. Canete Rosalie Clough B.J. Coffman Jennifer Cooke Geri Denterlein Swanee DiMare Elena Donahue Carmel Donovan, MD Mary Elcano Janice Ellig Patricia R. Farmer Pam Farr Suzanne M. Fradette Mary-Alice Frank Suzanne Thornton Garrett Joyce Goldberg Eva Sugden Gomez Amy Grant Linda Green Theresa P. Hall Meloni Hallock Dale F. Halton Christina Hanger Michelle Hardesty Katherine Harper Joey Proffitt Harris Paula Heinauer Keeley L. Hennington Lyda Hill Debra Howard Jill Howard Gail Coutcher Hughes Julianne Inozemcev Suzanne Nora Johnson Ann F. Kaplan Ginger Kelly Margo R. Keyes Peg Knight Louise Kohlheim Barbara
C. Kyse Ramona A. LaBoon Kitty Lagareta Laurie Laidlaw Susan Lanigan Kim Leonard Cynthia Lesher Nancy E. Lewis Donna W. Long Betty Lopez-Castro Sarah M. Losinger Emily Lyons Cameron Lind Markley Nancy Peery Marriott Carol B. Maxwell Sylvia McCall Wanda McCall Camille McCormack Judy Boler McCormack Susan McCracken Madeline McElveen Tweed McElveen-Bogache Ellie McGrew Ann W. McKellar Virginia R. Merkel Erika Millet Rita Michel Ellen More Barbara Elizabeth Nau Linda Pfarrer
Nortillo Betty Jean Crouch Ogawa Mary Pang Nancy S. Passanante Robin Patton Carla L. Paulson Carolyn J. Pope Alice J. Puente Elisa Rapaport Lily Z. Rapaport Robyn Redfield Lola Reinsch Billie Leigh Rippey Mary Anne "M.A." Rogers Jean E. Rolles Brittany Schuh Mary Catherine Shea Hellervick Joyce L. Shields Nancy C. G. Snowden Conni St. Angelo Elise Steiner Susan Jane Stewart Dawn C. Tabler Elizabeth Angela Taylor Karen Teller Jill Valenti Janet Wall Dana G. Watkins Colleen Conway Welch Michelle A. Williams Betsy Wills Meredith Ellis Woodworth Barbara H. Wong Jackie Zehner
In Honor and Memory of
In honor of Doris Berkey Anderson, given by the R.E. Olds Foundation In memory of Ruth Munsell and Mildred Loeffler, given by their grandaughter Kelly Loeffler In memory of Mrs. BoHing Chan Tseu, given by her husband Dr. Lawrence K. W. Tseu
Inspired by the Tiffany windows at the Red
Cross National Headquarters, this interpretation of the "Tiffany Torch"
was created by artist Burton Morris. In his post-Pop style, Morris' bold
use of radiant black outlines and vivid colors emil the energy in all
of his artwork which has been featured on the set of the hit television
series "Friends" and in signature images for the Academy Awards, Summer
Olympic Games and Major League Baseball All Star Game. His artwork has
also helped to raise millions of dollars for charities worldwide.
