Women’s Association of the
Northwest Indiana Symphony Society
Mission Statement
A variety of events have evolved throughout the years to financially benefit the Northwest Indiana Symphony Society (NISS). To promote musical education, the Edith Root Youth Scholarship Fund was established to provide summer music camp experiences to Youth Orchestra members. This subsidiary of NISS is an affiliate of the Volunteer Council of the American Symphony Orchestra League, with emphasis on strengthening and enriching the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra which performs seasonally at the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville, Indiana. The Orchestra is now in its 66th season and June of 2007 marks the 45th Anniversary of the Women's Association.
At present we have approximately 209 members. Our membership chair-person is Jeanette N. Giragos, Vice-President Membership. Other than the one general membership meeting, all membership entails is being willing to volunteer. When becoming a member and filling out the membership form, there are suggestions a person may check to indicate where they would like to help. Some ways to help are with mailings for the various events, being a docent and going to a variety of schools to give students a preview of the concert their school is about to attend, helping with some events by being on committees- decorating, being a hostess, etc. Some members just attend concerts and spread the word about our great orchestra. We are happy for that too! We have one or two get-together parties a year. There is a get-acquainted membership tea and annual holiday luncheon for the full membership.
For information on becoming a member, please contact the symphony office at (219) 836-0525--OR—simply fill out the membership form, click HERE to download a .pdf file and print out the form. Please fax to (219) 836-0690.
The Women's Association shall act as a subsidiary of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Society. It shall pledge annual financial support, and promote Symphony activities. It shall foster music appreciation and education.
History
Organized in Gary in 1962, the Women's Association launched the organization with receptions after concerts, fashion shows and held meetings with musical programs. Activities to benefit the orchestra financially were developed and, in 1975, they became the Women's Association of the Northwest Indiana Symphony Society (WANISS). WANISS provides opportunities for members to organize major fundraising projects as well as assist in the area of music education.
Membership
Membership is open to all interested women and membership represents all of Northwest Indiana and beyond. The amount of dues paid shall be defined on the membership form. Membership dues for 2006-2007 are $30 per person. Dues are payable each year on June 1 for inclusion in the following fiscal year's membership directory. All shall be encouraged to purchase NISO season tickets. Each dues paying member shall have one vote at membership meetings. There is one general business meeting in June of each year to which the general membership is invited and encouraged to attend to know what is going on. An annual report of activities is given by the president and officers for the new year are presented and elected.
Development
There is a Board of Directors governing the fund-raising events and the volunteer opportunities of WANISS. The board meets once a month from September to June and is subject to called meetings if necessary. There are, at present, three main events that are regularly scheduled: a yearly Gala planned with the Symphony Board involving a silent auction and a dinner/program evening; The Festival of Trees luncheon featuring designer-invited tree displays held at the Center for Visual and Performing Arts; a May Wine brunch, lately featuring a hat contest open to all attendees - location varies. Other fund-raising events that could occur in the near future are receptions before or after concerts honoring guest performers, Antique Appraisal Fairs, BookFair, and Decorator Show House.
Education
Volunteers are ALWAYS needed throughout the year at the many Educational Events offered to the community. These events usually need ushers- you need only to give some of your time to help promote music to many of the school groups, family concerts, and such programs as "Toot 'N Doodle" where school children come to the Center for Visual and Performing Arts and are introduced to the various instruments of the orchestra to encourage them to, perhaps, play one someday. Docents go to a variety of schools to give students a preview of the concert their school is about to attend. These are very rewarding activities that only take a few hours to do and make one feel like they have contributed to a very worthy cause. The Edith Root Youth Scholarship is one of the special events of WANISS. Edith Root was instrumental in developing our Youth Orchestra and, in her honor and memory, this scholarship was developed through donations. Each spring, at the youth concert, several students are presented with a scholarship to go to a summer music camp of their choosing. All members of the orchestra are eligible to apply and a committee from WANISS makes a selection(s). The number of scholarships given varies from year-to-year depending on the amount of money currently in the fund. For information on WANISS events please contact the symphony office at (219) 836-0525.
Long Range Planning
The WANISS long range strategy focuses on:
WANISS Board of Directors
President
JoAnn Chandler
Vice President Administration
N. Ruth Duncanson
Vice President Membership
Jeanette N. Giragos
Vice President Marketing
Camille S. Mann
Vice President Development
Charlotte Strowhorn
Vice President Education
Joyce Smith
Recording Secretary
Tresa Radermacher
Corresponding Secretary
Margo Powers
Treasurer
Sandy Becker
Assistant Treasurer
Cindy Ault
Immediate Past President
Maryanne Battistini
Board of Directors
Sarah M. Boyajian
Margaret M. Christenson
Linda Eisenhauer
Renee J. Giragos
Lois Mitchell
Antoinette Nissan
Carolyn Ropa
Gretchen Stangl
Maggie Reister Walters
Merrill Yalowitz
Pauline M. Burelli
Joanne Connelly
Cynthia Myers Fitzsimons
Marge Kerr
Melissa Neff
Barbara Rivera
Kathy Spencer
Jill Vandervort
Gloria Gray Weissman
For information on WANISS events or to become a member,
please contact the symphony office at
(219) 836-0525
--OR--
to simply become a member, click HERE to download a .pdf and print out the form.
Please fax to (219) 836-0690
(You will need Adobe Acrobat to download the form. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, click HERE to download a free copy.)