A Letter from Deborah Meier

October 1, 2009

Dear NDSG Friends,

This year's North Dakota Study Group meeting will be February 12-14, 2010, again at the University of St. Mary by the Lake, Mundelein, IL, northwest of Chicago. Please save the date.

The planning team has, as usual, done an amazing job of pulling together a great program for us where we can all share our stories and re-examine old and new insights. I said this last year, but it is still true: never has there been a time—since we began so long ago—when we’ve needed each other’s wisdom more. There’s no way I could miss our retreat this year.

But--to make sure this year’s retreat carries forward the spirit of past events we need help from those who can contribute. We need additional financial support to insure that we have the kind of gathering we need – to ensure diversity of all sorts, to support those without the means to join us, to invite the guests we need to stimulate our thought, and for those odds and ends that make it possible.

Thanks to an initial $4,500 gift and the donations we have received to match it, we do have a financial aid pool. Last year, we spent well over $4000 on financial aid – more than we received in new donations, even though we received many donations at the end of the 2009 event. We have allocated another $4000 this year – but unless our donations increase, we will be spending down our financial aid money.

So we need to raise $4000. Any amount will help, but the more the better. And remember to save enough so that you can join us too. We are still working on the details, but the costs will be close to last year's.

Please be as generous as you can. Thanks.

Best,

Deborah Meier

Please make your check payable to the Financial Aid Fund, NDSG and send it to NDSG, Buxton School, 291 South Street, Williamstown, MA 01267.