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Lead. Inspire. Change the World...Again.

Finding Solutions for Community Needs

through Volunteerism

In this issue:

Meet RSVP Tulsa’s New Executive Director

Champions Of Health Award

Somewhere in Time Gala

Leading through Education

As I see it. . .

Page 2 Lead. Inspire . Change the World . Aga in . Fal l 2013

Board of Directors President

Alexis Higgins Tulsa Airport Authority

1st Vice President Shanann Passley Eller & Detrich

2nd Vice President

Shondel Bennett Senior Star Retirement Centers

Secretary

Deanna Holman Indian HealthCare Resource Center

Treasurer

Patti Denton The Nordam Group

Members

JeanE Bailie RSVP Volunteer Bruce Burns Investment Professional Pam Chronister RSVP Volunteer Connie Doverspike RSVP Volunteer Mark Fulton Cherokee Nation Entertainment Leisa Gebetsberger Oklahoma Tax Commission Eddie Kirkland Retired Law Enforcement Kieran Major American Airlines Lisa McLarty Bank of Oklahoma Clark Miller INCOG Area Agency on Aging Christine Rainey RSVP Volunteer Sarfraz Shaikh MESA Mark Whitmire Tulsa Community Foundation Suanne Wymer, Past President Tulsa City County Library

Staff

Tonnie Dosser, Executive Director

Diana Askins, Office Manager

Jerry Casey, Records Clerk

Sherry Clark, RSVP Programs

Diana Cooper, Wagoner County

Cindy Davison, Communications

Karen Dills, Volunteers

Ann Dougherty, Washington County

Penny Woolery, Creek County

Welcome to RSVP’s new quarterly newsletter. We are

very excited to bring you news, resources, and volunteer

opportunities in this new format. 2013 has been a year of

new beginnings here at RSVP.

Along with our new newsletter format, we are in the process of

completely redesigning our website. Be sure to visit www.rsvptulsa.org

in November!

We received a grant from the Downtown Rotary Club and worked with

501TechNet to purchase new computers, monitors, software and all

things “techy” for all staff members.

We debuted our new fundraising event, Somewhere In Time Gala,

with this year’s theme “A White Night in Moscow.” We are already

working on next year’s event theme, “Springtime in Paris.” Be sure

to mark your calendars for Saturday, June 28, 2014, at the Hard Rock

Hotel and Casino Tulsa. This promises to be a fantastic and

memorable event!

We just hosted our annual fundraiser for the Tulsa Area United Way

Campaign. Renamed RSVP’s Fall Festival, our parking lot bazaar

featured craft booths by our own RSVP volunteers as well as vintage

finds, items for upcycling or just needing a new home, a yummy bake

sale, and some of Tulsa’s best food trucks!

We are very honored to have been awarded the 2013 Champions of Health

Award in the senior division. This prestigious award recognizes those who

make a difference in the health care needs of seniors in Oklahoma. At

RSVP we know the positive impact volunteering adds to our health and

well-being. We are thrilled to have been chosen as the 2013 recipient!

This award will help us to increase awareness of RSVP’s mission and

goals in our communities.

I want to thank everyone for helping to make our many transitions during

this year smooth and welcoming. You are a wonderful group and I count

myself truly blessed to work along-side you – impacting lives of those we

serve.

Best regards,

Tonnie Dosser,

Executive Director

RSVP of Tulsa was recently named a recipient of the

2013 Oklahoma Champions of Health Awards. The

special award honors a program for their success in

meeting the health care needs of Oklahoma seniors.

As an award recipient this year, RSVP will receive a

$5,000 grant for its organization to help continue

meeting seniors’ needs.

From 1990 to 2002, Oklahoma was recognized

as the only state in the U.S. which had experienced

a significant drop in the overall health of

Oklahomans. Enter The Oklahoma Caring

Foundation and the launch of the Champions of

Health Awards in 2003 . . . because Oklahoma could

do better and Oklahomans could live more healthy

lives if encouraged to do so and how to do it. The

awards program has sought to recognize those

individuals and/or organizations over the past ten

years who have made a difference in improving the

overall health of Oklahoma.

Since 1971, RSVP Tulsa has served the health needs

of those Oklahomans age 55 and over by matching

their time, talents and interests with volunteer

opportunities in the community, not only benefiting

the individual non-profit agency with increased

support to carry out its mission, but also benefiting

the individual volunteer with improved physical

stamina and positive mental health outlook.

Numerous studies on aging populations have

shown that there is a significant connection

between volunteering and good health. The

results of one study indicated that volunteers have

a greater life expectancy, higher overall functional

ability, with lower rates of depression and less

incidence of heart disease.

“Our goal is to provide opportunities which truly

re-energize and keep our volunteers engaged,”

said Tonnie Dosser, Executive Director of RSVP

Tulsa, “so that they are able to reap all of the

social and physical health benefits available

through volunteering.”

Dosser added that it is such a great honor to be

recognized for this achievement by the Tulsa

healthcare community. “It validates the importance

of RSVP’s role in the community and the impact that

volunteering does provide for Tulsans to remain

active and healthy throughout their lives.”

Page 3 Lead. Inspire . Change the World . Aga in . Fal l 2013

RSVP: Champion of Senior Health

The setting was a hot summer evening in Oklahoma,

however, sponsors and guests of RSVP Tulsa were

transformed to a glittering, snowy scene right out

of Dr. Zhivago for RSVP’s fifth annual fundraising

event.

The theme “White Night in Moscow” had been

selected to kick off RSVP’s new signature event

Somewhere in Time Gala. Guests were invited to

become a part of this year’s theme by dressing in

white cocktail or business attire. The gala was

presented by the George Kaiser Family Foundation

and hosted by Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tulsa on

July 27, 2013. In order to create the elegant,

shimmering setting, Dwayne Craul of Parties Plus

Productions decorated the entire ballroom in white,

then sprinkled tall centerpieces of white trees draped

in crystals throughout the room.

The evening began with attendees

sipping on “Anastasia” cocktails

while trying to outbid each other

on over 100 silent auction items

that had been generously donated

by local businesses such as

Incredible Pizza, Tapestry of

Faith, Star Jewelers, Wild Birds

Unlimited and the Campbell

Hotel. A focal point of the silent

auction was the large snowflake

ice sculpture created by

Millennium Ice Company.

Event chair Stephanie Cobble, MD, welcomed

guests as they dined on Russian cuisine created by

Hard Rock Hotel’s master chef before being

entertained with a modern ballet performance by the

Portico Dans Theatre. The highlight of the evening

was listening to the personal stories from Jai East

Dunn and Norman Simon, MD, two RSVP

volunteers whose lives have benefited from

the

agency’s

services.

Guest

Emcees,

KC Lupp

and

Brittany

Jeffers of

KOKI’s

Fox 23

News, made sure that the evening glided smoothly

along to its conclusion with a spirited live auction led

by Jay Litchfield of BidLoud.com.

RSVP appreciates the generosity of this year’s

sponsors and event donors, and would like to thank

everyone who helped make our new fundraising

event such a huge success this year including The

Gelvin Foundation, Bank of Oklahoma, Accent Realtors,

Eller & Detrich, f.a.c.e.s.-Families & Communities

Empowered for Safety, Indian Health Care Resource Center,

Mr. George Krumme, MESA, ONEOK, Senior Star

Living Communities: Burgundy Place & Woodland Terrace,

VisitTulsa, Harvard Family Physicians, Helmerich &

Payne, St. John Health System, TulsaPeople Magazine,

CommunityCare HMO, Jeff & Tonnie Dosser, Grace

Hospice, Barend & Claudia Meiling, Nordam, Parker

Plastics, and St. Francis Health System. RSVP surpassed

last year’s goal by 5%! The funds

raised will allow the agency to

continue serving seniors with

meaningful volunteer

opportunities while having a

positive impact in the continued

growth of the Tulsa community.

Page 4 Lead. Inspire . Change the World . Aga in . Fal l 2013

Somewhere in Time Glittering Success

Upcoming Events

Page 5 Lead. Inspire . Change the World . Aga in . Fal l 2013

RSVP Board member Lisa McLarty, who is with Bank of

Oklahoma, with her husband Greg McLarty got into the spirit

of this year’s theme for the Somewhere in Time Gala by

dressing in white.

Terry Doverspike (center) with his wife Connie Doverspike (right), who is an

RSVP volunteer and Board member, with the guests of the Gelvin Foundation,

which was a sponsor of this year’s Somewhere in Time Gala.

OCTOBER 21 - sign up begins for

Wagoner County Thanksgiving

baskets and Senior Angel Tree

through November 1

OCTOBER 22 - RSVP “Happy Hands”

stitching group begins Head Start

project to benefit Creek County

children

NOVEMBER 15 - Creek County RSVP

volunteers begin gathering items for

annual Christmas bags project

NOVEMBER 18-30 – RSVP “Nifty Needlers” begin distribution of stocking caps to all kindergarteners in Wagoner county

DECEMBER 10 - Creek County RSVP volunteers begin assembling Christmas bags for distribution to homebound seniors during the week of December 17- 20

JANUARY 20, 2014 - Martin Luther King,

Jr. Day of Service

APRIL 6-13, 2014 - National Volunteer

Week

JUNE 28, 2014 - RSVP’s Somewhere in

Time Gala: “Springtime in Paris” at

the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

RSVP volunteer & Board member, Jeane Bailie

(left) with fellow RSVP volunteer Bonnie Clark.

White crystal-laden trees gave an

“icy” feel to the “White Night in

Moscow” theme.

Page 6 Lead. Inspire . Change the World . Aga in . Fal l 2013

RSVP At a Glance

The wonderful staff at Radford gave the RSVP office a much needed facelift with

fresh paint during this year’s TAUW Day of Caring.

RSVP “Knittin’ Kittens” have been knitting purple infant caps to be distributed at local hospitals to educate new mothers about Shaken Baby Syndrome.

Creek County RSVP volunteer bus drivers enjoy serving area residents who need assistance to doctor’s appointments and other services in the community.

Retired Wagoner school teacher and RSVP volunteer Pat Hall loves being a

penpal with the children at Teague Elementary School. The

children also look for her on Fridays at the “Candy Cart.”

Bank of

Oklahoma

volunteers for

the Somewhere

in Time Gala

had a blast

serving along

side RSVP

volunteers

that evening!

KC Lupp (left) of Fox 23 News along with Kevin & Tani Kelley,

David Hogan & June Patton, and Tonnie & Jeff Dosser anxiously awaiting

for the live auction to start at the gala.

Page 7 Lead. Inspire . Change the World . Aga in . Fal l 2013

RSVP Volunteers Lead Though Education

Future . . . Past. Innocence . . . Experience.

These phrases are the key to mentoring in our

community schools. RSVP of Tulsa volunteers are

reaching out to elementary children in Tulsa,

Wagoner, Creek, and Washington counties as

mentors working with children in small groups or

one-on-one, providing class assistance to area

elementary teachers and after-school mentoring in

our local library

systems.

RSVP’s mentor

program is

designed to

bring students

together with

caring adults

who will offer

guidance, sup-

port, and en-

couragement in

their daily lives.

Mentoring

creates greater

self-esteem in children by providing one-on-one

attention, helps break the cycle of poverty by giving

the necessary language and skills needed to further

their education, and creates a desire for learning.

The one-on-one or small group approach creates a

safe environment in which children can feel

comfortable in expressing ideas, questions, and

thoughts without the concern of being judged by

their peers.

The National Center for Education Statistics

(NCES) states that learning to read in the first grade

is paramount to a successful school career. More

and more children are entering the first grade who

don’t even have letter naming fluency or letter sound

recognition skills. By the end of first grade, children

should be able to read 80-100 wpm with 90%

accuracy. Fluent reading is the building block in

which the future grade levels build upon. If a child is

90% fluent in reading at the end of the first grade

year, their chances of future success are very high.

In addition, children who are mentored have better school attendance, better attitudes toward school, a greater likelihood of completing school and less substance abuse than non-mentored students.

RSVP believes that teachers are already stretched as mentors and role models in the schools and need more assistance. Seniors can bring a fresh perspective to our area children plus they have the time and expertise to lend to our schools.

RSVP Tulsa is looking for enthusiastic

individuals whose compassion, integrity and

diverse perspectives will bring enrichment and

inspiration to the lives of our area children. As a

mentor you will be given the tools and curriculum by

the elementary school so you can easily follow the

strategy initiated by the classroom teacher.

Mentoring young students is a wonderful way to

make an impact in a child’s life, help in areas where

assistance is needed, and ensure that the skills and

wisdom you have to offer get passed along to the

next generation.

Non-Profit Org

US Postage

PAID

Tulsa, OK

Permit #1830 Retired Senior Volunteer Program of Tulsa, Inc.

5756 East 31st Street

Tulsa, OK 74135

918-280-8656

Like our page!

www.facebook.com/RSVPTulsa

Volunteerism . . . Parting Words

Provides

a sense of

purpose,

self-worth

and trust

Strengthens

social ties

and protects

against

isolation

Incorporates

positive health

benefits while

making a

difference

in our

communities

and country

Connecting Volunteers 55+ with Meaningful

Community Service Since 1971

www.RSVPTulsa .org