The Hofstra University Office of Event Management welcomes all new readers of the "Eye on Events" E- newsletter! We encourage you to share your ideas and questions. For inquiries and questions about event planning at Hofstra University, contact us in the Office of Event Management for assistance.

About the group: Athletes, their coaches and families will come from around New York State to participate in three wonderful days of competition, socializing opportunities and interaction with the Long Island and Hofstra community. The New York Special Olympics (NYSO) management team led by Peter Lawrence, Director of Competitions, is highly skilled and involved with the athletes to provide the best possible experience for all involved in the event.

Goals for the event: "The opportunity for our students to work on an event of this magnitude is one that we feel very privileged to offer. The NYSO volunteer staff of 2000, many of whom are from our own community, will provide our students with an incredible opportunity to network and experience the excellence of this event. The NYSO athletic coaches provide our students with another model of service and dedication." The organization provides an opportunity for challenged, both mentally and physically, people to compete and work towards their goals of "being the best" just as the World Olympic Games. NYSO encourages fans, who do not want to participate as volunteers but would like to support the event, to attend as many events as possible. There are also many funding opportunities, such as "Sponsor an Athlete" which provides an athlete without the means of otherwise being here the chance to participate.

Unique event ideas: - "Special Olympics brings about 40 regions to campus and so last year we decided to do something special to involve students and administrators with individual participants. We assigned our hosts to meet with the coaches when they arrived to help them navigate the campus, escorting them to their housing and parking areas, welcoming them on the bus intercom and to demonstrate the use of keys and registration materials. After going over the schedule with each group, answering questions about where facilities were and how to get there from other locations, they then escorted the group and joined them for dinner before the Opening Ceremonies in the Hofstra Arena." A goal of NYSO and the Office of Conference Services was to involve as many people as possible in the Opening Ceremonies, which gave the Hofstra athletes who volunteered their time the opportunity to greet and sign autographs. They then escorted every team through the doors of the Arena to cheers, lights, sounds and drama that is seen only at the Olympic Games. "The ceremonies are all about the athletes! It is an awesome experience."

Planning the event: Several meetings take place about once per month from January, or about five months prior to the event. The Local Organizing Committee consists of an equal number of Hofstra and NYSO staff, with NYSO reporting on progress in all areas of planning and Hofstra actively involved in the suggested plan of action. "The organization of our staff working with theirs has been a key to the success of the 2003 games and has only improved this year!"

For more information: The public is welcome to attend the event, no tickets are needed and plenty of free parking is available. "The Opening Ceremonies at 8pm on Thursday June 17 will make you a fan forever!" says Jo Ann Felix. Hofstra University hosts this annual event for the second time June 17-20. Those interested in becoming a volunteer may call Kathleen Dwyer at x34067 or complete forms (with types of opportunities listed) that can be given to NYSO or brought to Room 140 in the Student Center.

For more information go to the New York Special Olympics website »

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About the group: The 11th Airborne Division Parachute Training Center of Yamoto, Japan have been holding a reunion, with 172 men attending, since 1984. One of the 36 remaining members, Chuck Churchill is a former Hofstra University administrator, who served as the Director of Residential Life and Director of Operations for the University for 29 years before retiring in 1998.

Goals for the event: "In 1991, I got a phone call from someone who had noticed my name and address in one of our airborne newspapers. When they asked my wife and I to join them, I said "We'll be there!" The group enjoys the chance to gather, relive memories of days when they were part of a close-knit unit.

Unique event ideas: "We are offering a fifth day activity, a Broadway play, because some of our people have never seen one. I asked everyone to let me know who is interested what type of show, drama or musical for example, they would like to see. I will find out when they arrive how many would like to go and we'll figure out the transportation and order the tickets. Also, we have everyone bringing a raffle prize, as is our tradition, and everyone wins a raffle prize at the Hospitality Suite after the final banquet." The meeting is being held on a University campus for the first time, allowing the visitors to enjoy the campus and the chance to meet other visitors and Hofstra students and staff!

Planning the event: "I was competing against a bid from the California group members. On the last day of each reunion, we meet to talk about where we will go next year. If there is anyone who would like to host, or has never hosted before, then this is the time to speak up!" There are lots of decisions that need to be made, and research to be done. Most of the members are in their 70's and some are in their 80's so for our group, transportation and cost are important. Our group also is interested in activities and so I had no problem there." Chuck had several ideas, such as visits to the Cradle of Aviation Museum, Sagamore Hill, Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, the Air and Space Museum and an ending banquet at the Hofstra University Club. School bus and coach bus transportation will be used depending upon the time of day and distance of the trips. The cost of housing, banquet, transportations and trips, along with the schedule of events were put together to make the proposal. "I know my group and I know the area so it makes sense that the meeting is planned by the local person or people." The registration cut off was March 15th, and at that time we had 29 people registered and paid. I also gave them all of the alternatives for getting in and out of New York and to Hofstra, and even to the location of our accommodations. The Office of Event Management is also giving me folders with local information."

For more information: To find out more about group meetings and reunions at Hofstra, contact Jo Ann Felix in the Office of Conference Services at x36631.

Click for the Office Of Conference Services Website »

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About the group: "Our group is social as well as spiritual. We really have fun. We sing at people's events and in churches, and invite others to sing with us. This year, I volunteered to be the president because we needed one and no one else stepped up. It was an adventure. I found people who helped me and now I can do next year right."

Goals for the event: "Getting our signature event, Joy Night, off the ground was our first priority this year. We wanted to reestablish our connections with the gospel community and to give our members a sense of the group. We also had to build ourselves up as a group. We are all definitely friends with everyone; we confide in each other, we are like a family. The music really brings about a positive influence in our lives. It's not about putting on a show, it's about letting God have his way in us."

Unique event ideas: "Joy Night was the best! The event actually ended almost two hours later than we planned for. I plan on scheduling Joy Night now for next year, to make sure the date is in and there are no other major student events that are happening at the same time. I am working on having an "alumni night" of members since the group was started in 1976. We have graduates who became bishops, pastors, recording artists and we want to reach out to them in a personal way."

Planning the event: "We had the format but we didn't know how to plan, what the deadlines were, how to do it. We had no experience and we needed someone to show us the way. But we were busy, dealing with our school work, and I wanted to do things the right way. I have learned this year what I need to know. No excuses." Stephen acknowledges the help of their former president, Melane Rochford, and their advisor Michelle Hall, the group's advisor and former member, to help them through it all. The result of hard work and commitment of a new president and his team? "Our group works together and they bring what they can to the table every time. We have close to 20 members, a focused group of great people, to not only sing with but socialize and worship with. They just bring the right atmosphere to what we are trying to do."

"I am very confident that I can put an even better plan together for next year. This year I learned how to handle myself when things don't go according to plan. I had to learn how to go and talk to people and what to do when things didn't go right."

Contact Stephen Phifer through the Office of Student Activities at x3-6914.

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About the group: "Part of being there for the Jewish students is educating everyone about who we are and that we're around. We just want to get the word out." Hillel, The Foundation of Jewish Campus Life, an international organization with chapters in colleges and universities around the world, provides Jewish students a wide variety of opportunities to discover, learn about, and celebrate Judaism and Jewish life.

Goals for the event: The Hofstra students and staff wanted to provide a fun way to celebrate the anniversary of Israel's independence, to educate others and to involve them in some way with the group. Said Lori Glatt, a member of Hofstra Hillel's staff and one of the program's coordinators, "The celebration was a perfect engagement opportunity to explain our perspective and to educate everyone about the Jewish experience." The goal of Hillel programs is to strengthen understanding of and involvement in Jewish life. "Everyone that comes understands and respects other opinions. We are largely educational, with a strong social element, recognizing the need to reach out to others."

Unique event ideas: "We wanted people to have fun. By focusing on a holiday, we created a fun celebration to help us attract all kinds of people. We had free falafel sandwiches, guava drinks, chips, and pots with dirt to decorate and plant seeds in. We also had the 'Western Wall' mural for personal messages and prayers that would be brought to Israel and placed in the Western Wall in Jerusalem. The group sat in the Atrium on Friday to let people know about the celebration on Monday." The group planned a follow up event that evening, "Israel at Heart", with dinner and three students from Israel who came to talk about what life is really like for young people there."

Planning the event: "We were supposed to be outside, with lots of tables, 50 balloons, big speakers with music blasting- and then it rained! But we had a back-up plan and Event Management was there to help us to put it in place without a hitch." Members plan as a group and take on responsible roles in the work that needs to be done. "The funny part is that there is no such thing as a member of Hillel- we encourage participation of anyone who wishes to attend events, and students who want to be informed about activities can receive email newsletters and flyers. We have over 500 people who have expressed interest in staying informed by filling out our yellow cards. We promote events with flyers, phone calls, email, sign-in sheets at each table when we have an event, tables in the Atrium, and with one of the best ways --- word of mouth. People feel free to invite their friends and we always have new people!"

For more information: Contact Hofstra Hillel - The Center for Jewish Life on Campus, in the Student Center 213-A, 463-6922. For more information about International Hillel, go to the Hillel website...

Click Here for the Hillel Website »

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