Clubs

Most clubs around the globe have consistent meetings or events at the same venue each year. While predictability is key to membership continuity, some clubs have chosen to mix it up a bit so that their activities do not become too stale. In addition to some of their annual events, clubs also sponsor outings to a theater, museum or sporting event. But how does one easily organize a group of people coming from various locations going to a large public establishment where one has little control of the venue?

The Dartmouth Club of Eastern New York organized several successful outings this year. Most recently they invited members to watch a Dartmouth mens hockey game preceded by a sandwich and salad buffet in a room within the sports complex. Club treasurer Sarah Metzgar Boggess '86 says she "e-advertised the event and set the price to include both the game ticket and the pre-game buffet. Participants made reservations and simply paid me at the event." During the summer the club reserved a block of tickets for a performance of Mark Twain's Adam and Eve Diaries, a two-actor play starring David Birney '61. Club members purchased their own tickets at the box office. Following the performance Birney came out and met with the local alumni to discuss the play and how Dartmouth influenced his career choice. Club president Robert Conway Jr. '73 says, "The teaching point of these special outings is that you get participation from alumni who never go to the club's traditional events."

The Dartmouth Club of Cape Cod hosts monthly luncheons where local luminaries are invited to speak. They have changed that pattern on two notable occasions this year. "Jim Taylor '57, our fresh blood program guru, decided that breaking the mold could be intellectually stimulating and fun," says club president John Trimble '58. The first of these programs was a trip to the John Adams National Park, where professor Jere Daniell '55 attracted 48 club members for a bus adventure and docent tour of the park. The second was a ferry trip to Nantucket with a talk by Nathaniel Philbrick, author of In the Heart of the Sea and Sea of Glory. The talk was combined with a stroll and a tour of the island. Trimble adds: "We've broken the mold in other ways by interspersing a couple of dinners instead of the usual lunch. In doing so, we've attracted new attendees and in all cases larger audiences than normal."

Leveraging connections inside your membership also leads to some exciting results. Dartmouth Club of Dallas president Greg Waller '94 shared with us one of their outing experiences from this past spring: "Ken Johansen '60 and his wife, Ruth, recently hosted a nature walk for the club at the nearby Heard Natural Science Museum & Wildlife Sanctuary, where they volunteer. Club members representing classes from '47 to '01 were treated to beautiful wildflowers, abundant wildlife and great camaraderie. The event was enjoyed by all and has become an annual fixture on the club's calendar."

The Dartmouth Alumni Association of New York City takes their members all around Manhattan, even though they own and share a beautiful facility with the Yale Club.

Club secretary Barry Weeks '72 rattled off some events: "We've had such outings as concerts in Central Park, attended by more than 100 people, the first ever Dartmouth tent at the Columbia game, a couple of canoe trips in Pelham Bay with 20 people each time. The rugged individualists signed up and sold out this event within 10 days of each e-mail announcement."

Moving? Going somewhere on business? Take a look at the Web sites of clubs across the world: www.dartmouth.org/about/clubs.

If you have any comments about the Club Notes section or would like to share news about your club or its members, please contact me.

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