Golden Anchor ProgramGolden Rule, Golden Works

Beta Beta-Alberta

Epsilon Xi-LafayetteEpsilon Mu-William and MaryBeta Nu-Carnegie MelonAlpha Theta-North Dakota

Program Overview .............................................................................................. 3

Finding a Facility ................................................................................................. 4

Initial Facility Visit ................................................................................................ 5

Keys to Successful Programming ...................................................................... 6

Program Ideas ..................................................................................................... 7

CONTENTSTable of

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Golden Anchor Program Overview

PURPOSEThe Golden Anchor Program seeks to support, enjoy the company of and bring joy to elder Delta Gammas and other senior citizens residing in health care facilities throughout the United States and Canada.

PROGRAMThe Golden Anchor Program is compatible with Delta Gamma’s Service for Sight mission and is funded by the Delta Gamma Foundation. The program addresses the need to reach out to members and others in all types of health care facilities (including independent living, assisted living, healthcare and day care). Choose or customize the suggested programs to suit the needs and complement existing programming of the facility. Ask the facility what needs they have and how the volunteers can assist in an ongoing program.

VOLUNTEER SUPPORTCollegiate and alumnae members of Delta Gamma provide support by working through respective chapters and groups. Chapters and groups are encouraged to work together to supply volunteers and determine needs and schedules. At any time, questions can be directed to goldenanchor@deltagamma.org or to your Regional Foundation Coordinator RFNC#@deltagamma.org (# is the number of the region where your chapter is located).

REQUEST FOR FOUNDATION FUNDSRequests for Foundation funds to purchase items to benefit chapters’ Golden Anchor Programs will be considered on an individual basis after the program has been established and the first year has been successfully completed. Requests should be made in writing and sent to the Delta Gamma Foundation Program Specialist at 3250 Riverside Dr. Columbus, Ohio 43221 or goldenanchor@deltagamma.org. The request should include chapter name, project overview, number of participants in the program, financial request and supporting statement. Grants will be considered and awarded as funds become available.

PARTICIPATIONThe Golden Anchor Program is a volunteer service project and is not mandatory. The Golden Anchor Program offers alumnae and collegians an opportunity to work together and develop their own meaningful service project. Collegians should consider working with local alumnae to participate in their Golden Anchor events by contacting the alumnae president and/or presenting the program during an alumnae group meeting.

Collegians can offer the program so members can earn service hours; alumnae may opt to use the program for a “Do Good” event. Flexibility and creativity are the keys to this program. Chapters may participate in total or in small groups. Participation may take place weekly, monthly or quarterly satisfying the required service hours. Remember Golden Anchor Program hours count as service hours.

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Finding a Facility

It is suggested that each participating group select only one facility to serve. Because there are several ways to select a facility, consider all factors and research a variety of sources before making a decision. Investigate to see if another local collegiate chapter or alumnae group is interested in participating. Combine efforts and make the Golden Anchor Program a success! Whenever possible, first consider facilities where Delta Gammas reside. If another facility is more suitable for the needs of your chapter, then it is suggested to make special visits to the Delta Gamma members at another time.

Word of Mouth: Ask Delta Gamma members, family members and friends living in the area to recommend a facility.

Community Services: Check with local, town or city government for senior citizen services. Many communities provide programs and activities for older residents; these services vary by locale.

University Resources: Check with local colleges’ or universities’ leadership and community service offices. Many of these departments also support local facilities with programming and other resources.

Internet: The following Web sites may provide a list of facilities in your area: • www.assistedlivingonline.com • www.nursinghomeinfo.com • www.seniorhousing.net • www.eldercaredirectory.org/nursing-home-directory.htm • www.nasvh.org/StateHomes/statedir.cfm (This is a link to a map of the Veterans Nursing Homes located throughout the country which helps bridge our Golden Anchor and Service for Sight: Joining Forces Programs.) (Please keep in mind that the Web is ever-changing. Conduct a search by city name to narrow the results.)

NARROWING YOUR CHOICESNext, form a a committee to determine the group’s objectives, goals, geographical area and time commitment. With a narrowed list of possibilities, members of the committee need to identify facilities to visit. Contact each facility’s Executive Director or lead administrator. A small committee should visit each location to discuss how your Delta Gamma chapter can get involved with the facility.

Explain the Golden Anchor Program in a flexible presentation, demonstrating to the facility contact you meet what an organized group of eager volunteers will do to help the residents. See the next page for more detailed information about this initial meeting. After committee members complete all visits, reconvene to choose the facility to work with for the calendar year. Choose a site where the lead administrator indicates a willingness to work with volunteers and will assist in developing a program beneficial to all participants.

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Initial Facility Visit

DISCUSSION TOPICSBegin the discussion with a brief overview of Delta Gamma, its “Do Good” motto and Service for Sight mission. Leave any information about Delta Gamma and the Golden Anchor Program with the lead administrator, making sure to include your name and contact information.

Overview and MottoDelta Gamma was founded in 1873 in Oxford, Mississippi, at the Lewis School for Girls near the University of Mississippi. In 1891, Delta Gamma was one of the seven charter members of the National Panhellenic Conference. What began as a club in the South soon became an international fraternity in both scope and thinking as Delta Gamma established itself not only in the United States, but also in Canada. Through the years, goals and achievements have grown as Delta Gammas continue to live by the motto set forth by the Founders, “Do Good.”

Service for Sight MissionAltruistic work during the First World War convinced Delta Gammas that service was an important part of their Fraternity life. Service for Sight was born out of a suggestion in an alumnae workshop at Convention in 1936. The enthusiasm of one particular member, Ruth Billow, Eta–Akron, who was blind herself and spoke from notes typed in braille, was the spark which brought acceptance of Service for Sight as our international project.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONSAsk questions to determine the needs and wants of the facility to ensure a productive meeting.

1. What volunteer programs, if any, are already in place? 2. What needs can Delta Gamma volunteers address? 3. Does the facility have programming already in place that needs assistance? 4. How are the facility’s programs administrated? 5. Is there interest in partnering with the Delta Gamma chapter for volunteer services? 6. What time of day is best for volunteers? For residents? 7. How often do you need volunteers? (Be honest about what schedule your chapter can guarantee, such as monthly, daily or biweekly visits) 8. What is the approximate number of residents who could participate in the program? 9. Are there other activities for volunteers with low-vision residents? 10. Ask to tour the facility

* When visiting a facility, make sure you and your chapter members remember you are representing Delta Gamma. Come to the site prepared, dress respectfully and make sure to keep a professional relationship with the facility.

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Keys to Successful Programming

Choose a site that is conveniently located to the majority of volunteers supporting the program.

Commit! It is suggested both parties make a one-year commitment to the Golden Anchor Program to figure out if the facility and the Delta Gamma chapter are a good fit.

Plan ahead and always include the facility’s lead administrator. He or she can provide valuable information about risk management and liability issues during volunteer activities.

Promote the activities. List program events on the residents’ monthly calendar or, if a calendar is not available, create and distribute promotional materials and flyers at the facility.

Schedule volunteers. Create a sign-up sheet for the calendar of events or times they can go to volunteer at the nursing home. This will ensure you have members committed to volunteering regularly, and can maintain a regular schedule.

Talk about Expectations! If necessary, discuss expectations of volunteering at the facility with your chapter. Some things to consider are dress code, use of cell phones and commitments for signing up.

Enter all planned Golden Anchor events on your calendar in Anchorbase.

Remind members of the time commitment at the facility.

Rotate volunteers to ensure an ongoing program of activities.

Take pictures and send them to goldenanchor@deltagamma.org for publication in the ANCHORA magazine, social media or Delta Gamma website.

Evaluate the success of the program at the end of the calendar year, using the evaluation at the end of this handbook. It is suggested this evaluation be completed annually to regulate the sustainability of your Golden Anchor program.

As you transition officers, make sure to keep the facility updated on who the contact person will be moving forward.

These examples demonstrate the creativity and flexibility of the Golden Anchor Program.

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Program Ideas

Groups are encouraged to develop a program suitable to the needs and talents of all participants, staying within the Service for Sight mission.

• Nu-Idaho played bingo once a week with the residents and had an Easter event where they filled eggs with candy and assisted with an Easter egg hunt for the nursing home.

• Pittsburgh-South Hills alumnae chapter gathered at the apartment of a Delta Gamma alumna residing in a retirement community for afternoon tea. Members helped serve tea and sweets and other Delta Gammas residing in the same retirement community attended. The alumnae residing in the community were given small Delta Gamma gifts and honored for their years in the Fraternity.

• Beta Kappa-Kansas held a Halloween party for the residents and helped decorate the facility for the holiday season.

• Delta Iota-Georgia created a “Cyber Seniors” program to help the facility residents learn how to use the Internet.

• Epsilon Nu-James Madison visited a local retirement community twice a month and enjoyed a variety of activities including giving manicures, baking, arts and crafts, dominoes, trivia questions, songs and readings.

• Palo Alto alumnae chapter worked with various Delta Gamma senior citizens in their homes and retirement communities. Some members participated in pet therapy by visiting residents once a week with their certified pet therapy dogs.

• Eta Theta-St Louis assisted in transporting residents from their rooms to the dining facility while socializing and helping serve dinner. They also made Valentine’s Day cards with raised letters for those residents requiring assistance.

• Gamma-UC Berkeley held a British Tea once a month on Sundays.

• Gamma Iota-DePauw went to a local retirement community once a week, played trivia games with the residents and participated in a fashion show at the facility.

• Houston alumnae chapter drove the residents to DG meetings, took them to get their hair and nails done, to the grocery store and to play bridge.

• Raleigh-Cary alumnae association participated in the Golden Anchor Program along with the chapter members of Eta Kappa-NC State. They helped with a Valentine’s Day party for the residents by serving food and drinks, dancing with the residents and engaging them in conversation.

• St. Louis alumnae chapter created a weekly book club and monthly poetry readings.