Background
The Notre Dame Alumni Association organized NDSA to serve the needs of senior alumni and friends, ages 55 and older, with particular emphasis on community service activities. NDSA has been organized in a manner such that it is integrated into the Association’s alumni club and class network and fosters renewed commitment from senior members of the Notre Dame family to the Gospel teachings, which are rooted in our Judeo-Christian responsibility and action. The programs and service efforts support and are inclusive of all members of the alumni network regardless of age, race, creed or gender, and in no way are exclusive of this network, or its membership. The Association has found that as alumni enter into the senior age bracket, for a variety of reasons, many tend to become less active in traditional alumni programs. NDSA assists alumni clubs and class leaders in developing events, activities, and programs of special interest to seniors, but open to all alumni and friends.
Goals and Objectives
Engage senior alumni and friends in meaningful community service through club sponsored and class sponsored activities.
Enhance opportunities for senior alumni and friends to reunite with long lost colleagues.
Promote senior volunteer service that creates an awareness of the primary role our Christian faith plays in our lives.
Provide avenues for senior alumni and friends to effect positive change within their communities.
Enable senior alumni and friends to utilize their talents, skills and education to enhance the lives of others.
Encourage senior alumni and friends to engage in the six (C’s) of Alumni Association program development: -Camaraderie -Community Service -Continuing Education -Catholic/Christian spirituality -Current student support -Communication
Respond to the growing population of senior alumni and friends to assure adequate representation within the Alumni Association and active participation in future alumni programming.
Continue to develop programs that remain responsive to the changing needs of the senior population.
In addition, numerous clubs have begun activities, projects and programs which have appealed to senior alumni. Some examples:
-Regular breakfast meetings -Providing architectural services to a local library -Mentoring grade school and high school students -Regularly working at food banks -Preparing meals for the homeless and underprivileged -International group travel -Providing consulting services to the Archdiocese -Providing a life skills course for recovering addicts
Initiatives/Programs
The NDSA Board of Directors has developed details plans and guidelines for suggested programs for clubs and/or classes
In support of the Alumni Association’s God, Country, Notre Dame Initiative, NDSA sponsors the VA and Military Hospital Assistance Program. Through this program alumni volunteers have the opportunity to provide regular visitation, transportation, administrative, professional, and/or other assistance to at least one of the 1,000+ facilities in the U.S. A list of VA centers, Volunteer guidelines and opportunities, contacts and other information can be found at www.va.gov/volunteer . The list of Army and Air Force Hospitals is available at www.theagapecenter.com/hospital/military.htm . Almost all of the VA and Military Hospital facilities actively seek volunteers and make it simple and easy for Clubs to begin an assistance program. NDSA Link http://ndsenioralumni.org/GCND.html
Contacts
If you have any questions, please contact James Krauser, '62 or Jim Gargiulo, '59, or for the NDSA contact:
Tom Monahan
Senior Director, Affinity Groups Alumni Association
100 Eck Visitors Center
Notre Dame, IN 46556
(574) 631-2724 monaghan.1@nd.edu
Save The Date: ANNUAL STUDENT SEND-OFF August 1st!
Annual Student Send-Off Sunday, August 1st, 2010 at 12:30 at the Heritage Bay Golf and Country Club Clubhouse, 10160 Heritage Bay Boulevard off Immokalee Road 1.5 miles east of CR 951 FREE to ND and SMC students!, members and guests $20 per person, high schoolers $15 per person and children 13 and younger $7 per person. Please RSVP Al Stashis phone: 239-455-3186 email: astashis@dwl-law.com
Catch the dream! Direct from Harlem’s world-famous Apollo Theater in New York City comes the sensational new stage production of Dreamgirls. Full of onstage joy and backstage drama, Dreamgirls tells the story of an up-and-coming 1960s singing girl group and the triumphs and tribulations that come with fame and fortune. With music by Academy Award nominee Henry Krieger and lyrics by Tony and Grammy winner Tom Eyen, Dreamgirls features the unforgettable hits And I Am Telling You I’m Not Going, One Night Only and Listen. Broadway director and choreographer Robert Longbottom, along with some of Broadway’s top designers, re-envision this Tony and Academy Award-winning musical so it sparkles like never before!
Lord of the Dance 2/11/11 (Fri) at 8pm
Described by the New York Post as “fascinating, rewarding and above all, entertaining,” and by the Los Angeles Times as “a showpiece extravaganza,” Lord of the Dance is a mesmerizing blend of traditional and modern Celtic music and dance. The story is based upon mythical Irish folklore as Don Dorcha, Lord of Darkness, challenges the ethereal lord of light, the Lord of the Dance. The action is played out over 21 scenes on a grand scale of precision dancing, dramatic music, colorful costumes and state-of-the-art staging and lighting.
Mama Mia 3/29/11 (Tues) at 8pm
Back by popular demand! More than 40 million people around the world have fallen in love with the characters, the story and the music that make Mamma Mia! the ultimate feel-good show. The storytelling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs – including Dancing Queen, Take a Chance on Me, The Winner Takes It All and many others – propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. You’ll have the time of your life at this musical that has audiences returning again and again to relive the fun and excitement.
For information and to reserve your tickets, contact Frank Annese at fannese@annese.com
Game Watches Saturdays at Mr. J's at Wiggins Pass Road & US41 behind the Walgreens on the SE corner: Call Mark Stout 239-821-3258 Email: markstoutcpa@hotmail.com
