Historical Overview
June 9, 2008
Women...An Emerging Force in Philanthropy
Presentation by Sondra Shaw-Hardy, co-founder, Women’s Philanthropy Institute, Sponsored by the EMU FoundationMid-2008 through Mid-2009
Conversations take place between various individuals at the EMU Foundation (Jill Hunsberger, Laura Thomas, Kelly Quilter, Susan Rink) and EMU women (Jaclynn Tracy, Karen Paciorek, Donna Schmitt-Oliver) about the possibility of initiating a philanthropic group of women focused on EMU. August 27, 2009
Conference call with Discovery-Ball State University, a women’s philanthropy group affiliated with Ball State University. EMU participants: Jackie Tracy, Karen Paciorek, Susan Rink, Laura Thomas, Kelly Quilter, and Donna Schmitt-Oliver. September / October 2009
EMU participants from conference call contacted various EMU women about their interest in forming an EMU Women in Philanthropy group. October 28, 2009
The first formal planning meeting for Women in Philanthropy at EMU was held with the following participants: Linda Pritchard, Margo Dichtelmiller, Laura Thomas, Jackie Tracy, Karen Paciorek, Kelly Quilter, Jill Hunsberger, & Donna Schmitt-Oliver.
A mission statement was drafted, strategies for inviting people to become founding members were initiated, and a timeline for developing a critical mass established.
December, 2009. April 5, 2010
Four formal meetings of the planning/steering group were held: December 2, 2009; February 15, 2010; March 15, 2010; April 5, 2010. Specifics about the purpose and functioning of the group were determined and a public announcement “roll-out” date of April 19, 2010 was chosen to coincide with EMU Campaign Kickoff event. The target of 33 charter (founding) memberships was set for the group to provide a total gift of $100,000 for the university campaign. April 19, 2010
Women in Philanthropy at Eastern Michigan University made its first public announcement and pledge of $105,000 from 35 charter memberships (including one dual membership), and one ex-officio membership, for a total of 37 individuals. (Charter memberships’ names are listed on the attached brochure.) April 28, 2010
Planning committee meeting held to finalize plans for Inaugural Membership meeting. May 8, 2010
Inaugural Membership meeting and announcement of the first cycle of grant applications was held. All charter members invited to serve on the Executive Committee or serve on one of the committees. A volunteer executive committee for the group for the first year until a formal constitution is approved:
- Co-chairs: Jackie Tracy & Donna Schmitt-Oliver
- Secretary: Kelly Quilter
- Treasurer: Bernice Lindke
- Awards’ Comm Co-chairs: Linda Pritchard & Margo Dichtelmiller
- Outreach Comm Chair: Karen Paciorek
- Program Comm Chair: Laura Thomas
- At-Large: Nina Contis & Lynette Findley
June 8, 2010
A presentation on the group's formation and goals was given at the Michigan ACE Network for Women Leaders in Higher Education conference held at MSU. Panel members were: Jackie Tracy, Linda Pritchard, Donna Schmitt-Oliver and Kelly Quilter. June 9, 2010
Inaugural meeting of the Executive Committee was held. Major tasks to be accomplished in the next few months including:
- Development of Constitution and By-Laws’ documents for the organization;
- Enactment of the 2010 grants’ application and awards process;
- Increase in membership numbers;
- Publication of efforts across the campus, both via print and electronic media.
June 23, 2010. August 11, 2010. September 1, 2010. September 22, 1010. October 20, 2010. November 9, 2010. December 2, 2010
Meetings of the Executive Committee held.
October 15, 2010
Deadline for first cycle of grant applications
November 16, 2010
Membership/Fall Dinner meeting featuring presentation by Tracy Gary, author of Inspired Philanthropy, followed by roundtable discussions on how to maximize our impact.
Announcement of the first grants awarded by the organization: 10 grants totaling $41,000. (See attached list of grants.)November 17, 2010
Keynote address by Tracy Gary for membership and invited guests: AAUW, EMU Women’s Commission, EMU Foundation, Michigan ACE group, others. December 16, 2010
Presentation on the group was given to the EMU Board of Regents by Awards’ Comm Co-Chair, Linda Pritchard. January 26, 2011. March 2, 2011. April 6, 2011
Meetings of the Executive Committee held. May 5, 2011
Spring Membership meeting held. June 8, 2011. July 27, 2011. August 24, 2011. September 29, 2011. October 27, 2011. December 13, 2011
Meetings of the Executive Committee held. October 15, 2011
Deadline for second cycle of grant applications November 17, 2011
Margo Dichtelmiller, Karen Paciorek, Linda Pritchard, Donna Schmitt-Oliver, and Jackie Tracy were recognized at the National Philanthropy Day Dinner by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit Chapter as a Distinguished Volunteer in 2011 (as nominated by Women in Philanthropy at EMU). November 29, 2011
Fall Membership meeting held at the University House, EMU.
Announcement of the second group of grants awarded by the organization: 13 grants totaling $47,644.15. (See attached list of grants.)
The Constitution and By-Laws for the group were formally adopted by the membership.
January 18, 2012. February 15, 2012
January 18, 2012 February 15, 2012
February 21, 2012
Membership invited to EMU’s Women’s Basketball game vs. U of Toledo, Foundation Suite. The Women & Philanthropy leadership team from the U of Toledo was invited to join us. March 14, 2012
WIP @ EMU donated a $110 purse for fundraiser, Power of the Purse, for the United Way of Washtenaw County, which purse raised over $300. March 21, 2012
Meeting of the Executive Committee held. The phrase Strengthening, Educating, and Giving to the EMU Community was officially approved as the tagline for WIP @ EMU.
Nominating committee for May election was appointed: Jill Hunsberger, Linda Polter, and Nancie Loppnow.
April 11, 2012
Meeting of the Executive Committee held.
May 17, 2012
Spring Membership meeting held.
The By-Laws were amended to modify the voting processes used for election of officers.
The first formal election under the Constitution resulted in the following officers and their terms:- Co-Presidents: Jackie Tracy & Donna Schmitt-Oliver, 2012-14
- Vice President: Anne Balazs, 2012-13
- Secretary: Kelly Quilter, 2012-14
- Treasurer: Bernice Lindke, 2012-13
- Program Committee Co-Chairs: Glenna Frank Miller & Grace Stevick, 2012-14
- Awards Committee Co-Chairs: Margo Dichtelmiller & Linda Pritchard, 2012-13
- Outreach Committee Chair: Karen Paciorek, 2012-14
- At-Large Representative: Lynette Findley, 2012-14
- At-Large Representative: Nina Contis, 2012-13
- Liaison to the EMU Foundation: Laura Thomas.
May 22, 2012
Presentation made about WIP @ EMU by panel of the Board at the Michigan ACE Conference in East Lansing, MI
June 20, 2012. August 15, 2012. October 17, 2012
Meetings of the Executive Committee held.
October 15, 2012
Deadline for third cycle of grant applications
November 14, 2012
Nina Contis, Lynette Findley, and Bernice Lindke were recognized at the National Philanthropy Day Dinner by the Association of Fundraising Professionals Greater Detroit Chapter as a Distinguished Volunteer in 2012 (as nominated by Women in Philanthropy at EMU). November 27, 2012
Fall Membership meeting held at the University House, EMU.
Announcement of the third group of grants awarded by the organization: 11 grants totaling $50,050. (See attached list of grants.)
December 19, 2012
End-of-the-semester gathering held; Marriott, Ypsilanti.
January 16, 2013
Membership invited to EMU’s Women’s Basketball game, Foundation Suite.
February 4, 2013
Conference call by Jackie Tracy, Donna Schmitt-Oliver, Kelly Quilter, and Laura Thomas with Jenni Marsh at Ball State University to follow up with progress made by their women’s philanthropy group, Discovery, in the 4 years since our initial discussion with them.
February 20, 2013
Meeting of the Executive Committee held. Bernice Lindke resigned as Treasurer and Rhonda Longworth was approved to fill the position until May elections.
Nominating committee for May election was appointed: Nora Martin, Nancy Halmhuber Navarre, and Nancie Loppnow.
April 17, 2013
Meeting of the Executive Committee held.
May 16, 2013
Spring Membership meeting held
A discussion was held regarding the desirability of establishing an endowment fund for the organization
The following officers were elected for positions that were due:- Vice President: Anne Balazs, 2013-15
- Treasurer: Rhonda Longworth, 2013-15
- Awards Committee Co-Chairs: Margo Dichtelmiller & Nina Contis,
- 2013-15
- At-Large Representative: Judith Mich, 2013-15.
June 19, 2013
Executive Committee meeting held for incoming and outgoing members.
July 23, 2013
Meetings of the Executive Committee held. Major items of discussion were a marketing plan and the development of a proposal for an endowment fund for the organization.
September 25, 2013. October 23, 2013
September 25, 2013 October 23, 2013
October 15, 2013
Deadline for fourth cycle of grant applications
December 5, 2013
Fall Membership meeting held at the University House, EMU.
Amendments to both the Constitution and the By-Laws were approved. These established an endowment fund for the organization and also allowed members to apply for grant awards.
Announcement of the fourth group of grants awarded by the organization: 9 grants totaling $35,862. (See attached list of grants.)
December 18, 2013
End-of-the-semester gathering held; Marriott, Ypsilanti. January 22, 2014
Meeting of Executive Committee held. January 26, 2014
Membership invited to EMU’s Women’s Basketball game, Foundation Suite. March 12, 2014
Meeting of Executive Committee held. Nominating committee for May election was appointed: Anne Balazs, Nina Contis, and Jill Hunsberger. April 30, 2014
Meeting of Executive Committee held. Margo Dichtelmiller resigned her position as co-chair of the Awards’ Committee and Linda Pritchard was selected to complete the term. May 22,2014
Spring Membership meeting held.
The following officers were elected for positions that were due:- Co-Presidents: Jackie Tracy & Donna Schmitt-Oliver, 2014-16
- Secretary: Nancy Halmhuber Navarre, 2014-16
- Outreach Committee Co-Chairs: Karen Paciorek & Nora Martin, 2014-16
- Program Committee Co-Chairs: Glenna Frank Miller & Kelly Quilter, 2014-16
- At-Large Representative: Heather Neff, 2014-16.
July 21, 2014
Retreat & Planning Meeting was held by Executive Committee. Major items of concern were increasing membership, marketing, grant workshops, and website development.
September 17, 2014
Meeting of the Executive Committee held. Major planning was done for the 5th anniversary celebration of the organization to be held in spring, 2015.
September 29 & 30, 2014
Karen Busch provided grant preparation workshops for those interested in applying for WIP grants.
October 6, 2014
K. Paciorek and L. Pritchard from the Executive Committee participated in a roundtable discussion sponsored by Denise Illitch and the Ambassador Magazine in Detroit regarding the topic of Teaching People to Give/The Importance of Philanthropy.
October 10, 2014
L. Pritchard made a presentation to the EMU Foundation Board about WIP and its accomplishments since its inception.
October 12, 2014
Deadline for fifth cycle of grant applications
October 22, 2014
Meeting of the Executive Committee held. Plans for the development of a short video on the accomplishments of the organization to be used as part of the 5th anniversary were made.
December 2, 2014
Fall Membership meeting held at the University House, EMU.
Presentations from 3 grants from the current year were made.
Announcement of the fifth group of grants awarded for the coming year by the organization: 10 grants totaling $43,840. (See attached list of grants.)January 21, 2015
Meeting of Executive Committee held. Much discussion of the 5th anniversary event. Sondra Shaw-Hardy will be the primary speaker. An additional Wednesday event on May 13, 2015 Spring Membership meeting in addition to the special 5th anniversary date of May 14, 2015 as planned.
January 31, 2015
Membership invited to EMU’s Women’s Basketball game, Foundation Suite.
March 11, 2015
Meeting of Executive Committee held. Nominating committee for May election was appointed: Jill Hunsberger, Chris Karshin, and Jackie Tracy.
April 29, 2015
Meeting of Executive Committee held. Final plans for 5th anniversary completed.
May 13, 2015
Spring Membership meeting held.
The following officers were elected for positions that were due:
- Vice President: Anne Balazs, 2015-17
- Treasurer: Rhonda Longworth, 2015-17
- Awards Committee Co-Chairs: Nina Contis & Linda Pritchard, 2015-17
- At-Large Representative: Judith Mich, 2015-17.
Sondra Shaw-Hardy, J.D., spoke to the group about sustainability of our efforts.
May 14, 2015
Fifth Anniversary Celebration
WIP member along with EMU and community guests met for brunch to celebrate WIP’s accomplishments of the last 5 years: over $260,000 given to EMU, 71 past and present members, 53 grants given to EMU faculty, staff, and students. A short video summarizing these accomplishments was shown.
A presentation was given by Sondra Shaw-Hardy entitled “We Are the Generation of Women the World Has Been Waiting For” that summarized current sociological development in the area of Women and Philanthropy.
July 23, 2015
Retreat & Planning Meeting was held by Executive Committee. Major topics included membership status and numbers, operating fund levels, written report form for grants, review of information from the 5th Anniversary celebration, determination of goals for 2015-16, and the meeting schedule for the coming year. Rae Ann Yuskowatz was welcomed as an ex-officio member of the group representing the EMU Foundation.
September 16, 2015
Meeting of the Executive Committee held. The needs of the Operating Fund were discussed. The group voted to make annual support of the Operating Fund one of the expectations for those serving on the Executive Committee.
September, 2015
Karen Busch provided two grant preparation workshops for those interested in applying for WIP grants.
October 11, 2015
Deadline for sixth cycle of grant applications.
October 21, 2015
Meeting of the Executive Committee held. Thirty-five grant applications were received for the sixth cycle.
December 3, 2015
Fall Membership meeting held at the University House, EMU.
Announcement was made that Charter Member Margo Dichtelmiller has become the first individual to become an Lifetime Member of WIP by making a contribution of $10,000 to the Endowment Fund of WIP.
Presentations from 3 grants from the current year were made.
Announcement of the sixth group of grants awarded for the coming year by the organization: 11 grants totaling
$45,095. (See attached list of grants.)January 20, 2016
Meeting of Executive Committee held. Discussion of how to use info and recommendations from Shaw-Hardy workshop last May was held.
February 20, 2016
Membership invited to EMU's Women's Basketball game, Foundation Suite.
March 9, 2016
Meeting of Executive Committee held. Nominating committee for May election was appointed: Jill Hunsberger, Diane Winder, and Nancy Halmhuber-Navarre.
April 27, 2016
Meeting of Executive Committee held. Plans were made to honor M. Dichetmiller at the Spring Membership meeting.
WIP was awarded an EMU Program Enhancement grant of $2000 to be used for operating expenses.
May 12, 2016
Spring Membership meeting held.
The following officers were elected for board positions:
- President: Anne Balazs, 2016-18
- Vice President: Jackie Tracy, 2016-17 (complete unexpired term)
- Secretary: Sally Rosales, 2016-18
- Outreach Committee Co-Chairs: Karen Paciorek & Nora Martin, 2016-18
- Program Committee Co-Chairs: Glenna Frank Miller & Kelly Quilter, 2016-18
- At-Large Representative: Peggy Liggitt, 2016-18.
The first Lifetime Member of WIP, Margo Dichtelmiller, was honored by having one WIP grant each year named in her honor, beginning with the next (7th) cycle of grants for the year 2017.
June 20, 2016
Retreat and planning meeting was held by the Executive Board. Topics included: development of sponsorship membership categories, growth of the endowment category, creation of three new subcommittees – strategic planning, outreach & networking with other WIP groups.
September 14, 2016
Exec Bd. Mtg, Karen Paciorek reported reported 73 voting members since WIP inception, 42 current voting members, 3 non‐voting members & 28 former members. Grant evaluation committee scheduled meeting. Publicity posted on OrgSync & with student organizations in addition at the faculty development center – thanks to Sally & Peggy, and to Anne for development of the WIP poster. Grant application platform/process to be transferred. Grant workshops under leadership of Linda, Nina & Anne.
October 26, 2016
Exec Bd Mtg ‐ Two successful grant workshops in September. 42 grant applications received, 14 from student orgs. Presentation of new donor categories by strategic planning committee: Platinum $1000 or more, Gold $500–$999, Silver $250–$499, Bronze $1–$249. Other recommendations to be considered as part of the upcoming university capital campaign. Utilized new grant platform for applications & voting. Process to be integrated for next cycle.
December 1, 2016
Fall, 2016 Membership Mtg – Voted to amend bylaws & constitution to reflect new donor categories. President Smith’s wife, Dr. Connie Ruhl‐Smith addresses the membership. Door prize proceeds for the operating fund successful ‐ $485. Announcement of 10 new grant awards totaling $40,235.
January 24, 2017
Member Molly Motherwell offers to fulfill the remainder of Judy Mich’s at large position on the Exec. Bd. Four new members announced.
February 15,2017
EMU Foundation hosts WIP for EMU women’s basketball game.
March 15, 2017
Announcement of passing of WIP charter member Judy Mich. Bd members attend Memorial. Nominating committee for 2017–18 Exec. Bd. Election named.
April 26, 2017
2017 Grant Workshop dates announced along with Awards Comm mtg times, Oct 23 or 24, voting to take place Nov 3–13. WIP receives second year of 5 year EMU Enhancement Program Grant award of $2000 designated for operations.
May 10, 2017
Spring Membership Mtg held at McKenny. Announcement of 2nd Endowed Lifetime Membership – Dr. Linda Pritchard! Acknowledgement of Donna Schubert’s service as WIP accountant for past 6 years & Tracy Pytlak’s service to the grant application transition process.