My name is Daniel Lichtenauer, and I am a sophomore at Hamilton College and the National Chapter Correspondent for the Hamilton College Chapter of Operation Smile. We believe it is very important to keep in regular communication with our members, advisors, and regional chapter organizers to provide updates on our chapter’s progress and to ensure a mutually beneficial relationship between everyone involved with this worthy cause. As Operation Smile is a new organization to Hamilton College, it is with great pleasure that I report of our chapter’s success thus far and our plans for the future.
The Hamilton College Chapter has come a long way since registering with Operation Smile on August 29th, 2011. A base of supporters was established via Facebook, and was increased drastically after members manned a table at our campus open house in the beginning of September. There, students can learn about clubs on campus and sign up for those they find appealing. Our table was very successful- over eighty students signed up!
Our first meeting on September 7th was aimed at informing new members of Operation Smile’s mission and goals. Just a few days later, Hamilton Student Activities Board approved the Hamilton Chapter and elections for executive board positions were held. The founders of the Hamilton Chapter, Kara Shannon, ’14, and Leah Krause, ’14, were already established as Co-Presidents, both clearly passionate for the cause. McKenzie Foster, ’14, was elected to Vice President for her outstanding previous involvement and leadership with Operation Smile and other non-profit organizations. Experienced in the management of funds, Amanda Ng, ’14, was elected to Treasurer. Samantha Otis, ’14, an organized and dedicated member of Operation Smile, was elected to the position of Secretary. Isabelle Tan, ’14, was elected to be the Chapter Communications Director for her knowledge of and previous successes with social media. Ren Stern, ’13, a strong communicator and enthusiastic member of Hamilton Operation Smile, was elected for the position of Community Outreach Director. A few weeks later, I was asked by the then established executive board to join them as National Chapter Correspondent based on my previous leadership experience with non-profit organizations.
On September 22nd a fundraising page through First Giving was opened, gaining over $350 before the end of its first day online. Three days later, the $1,000 mark was reached, an astounding accomplishment for such a new club to achieve in only four day’s time. Our first awareness event, entitled “What makes you smile?” successfully spread the Organization’s message through allowing students to write what made them show their pearly whites on a poster, which was then displayed in a high-traffic area on campus. Members from our chapter took shifts by the poster to inform and answer the questions of the many students who participated in the activity. This allowed the campus community to really understand how much makes them smile, and that for a trivial cost, those unable to afford surgery can have their cleft palates repaired, able to smile at the things that make them happy without shame.
Co-President Leah Krause answers questions at the “what makes
you smile?” poster.
On October 29th our chapter held a Halloween-themed bake sale fundraiser, headed by the enthusiastic efforts of freshmen Ashley Carducci and Deanna Cho. The success of this event was an example of the Co-President’s effective management strategy, wherein any member of the chapter has the ability to form a committee to accomplish goals they feel particularly passionate about. This ensures the quality of our events and the enthusiasm of involved members.
Co-President Kara Shannon and involved members Ashley Carducci
and Deanna Cho man the bake sale table.
We have several ambitious plans for next semester focusing equally on fundraising and awareness, including a fundraiser concert by The Girls Can Hear Us, an up and coming house music artist. Also planned for next semester is a day without smiles, where faculty and students can volunteer to keep a straight face all day, followed that evening by a comedy show where smiles will be very much allowed. This will show our campus community that even the ability to smile can be taken for granted, and that we can do something to help those less fortunate than we. Also in the developmental stages are plans to host a guest speaker and to hold candy-gram fundraisers.
Overall, the Hamilton College chapter has had an incredibly successful start, and looks forward to an even more successful future. Our chapter is composed of extremely passionate individuals with the intelligence and focus to greatly contribute to the mission of Operation Smile.
Daniel O’Brien Lichtenauer
Hamilton College, ‘14
Nat’l. Chapter Correspondent, HCOS
dlichten@hamilton.edu
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