Click Here for $5,000,000

A few weeks ago, our friends at Chase launched the Chase Community Giving program.

Through this program, they’ll be giving away five million dollars to charities that tally the most votes on Facebook. GOTO is one of the charities vying for those millions.

Check out this link to vote for GOTO and help us raise more money for our awesome scholars. Think of it like a charity popularity contest. If you like us – vote for us. And you do like us, don’t you?

You have until this Friday (December 11th) to register & vote.

So register and vote right now. Our kids are counting on you …

GOTO Board Transition

Today, GOTO hosted our 2009 Fall Volunteer Conference. In addition to regional updates, financial updates & karaoke with a few GOTO scholars (more on that soon!), we also unveiled our new-look Board of Directors.

Retiring immediately from regular Board duty is outgoing Chairman, Jason Liddell. Stephen Moeller (Treasurer and Director of Finance) & Geoff Adamson will be transitioning off of the Board in early 2010.

With these changes, GOTO's founding Directors (pictured in super-serious volunteering mode back in '03 above) have completely given way to an exciting new team of leaders (led by new Chairman & Executive Director, Rainah Berlowitz).

GOTO owes a lot to the contributions of Steve, Dana Deluce, Cam Snaith, Danny Salmon, Jason & Geoff (not pictured). But the future looks really bright in the hands of Rainah, Jon, Mel, Dave, Christine, Kelsy & Matt.

Below are the slides detailing the transition.

Thanks again to the founding Directors. And a hearty congratulations to the new Board!

Halloween 2009 Guide - New York Magazine

There are still a few more weeks to get your costumes in order for the New York & Boston Halloween Costume parties.

And in case you're still in need of more ideas & inspiration, here are a few Halloween costume recs courtesy of New York Magazine.

Lady Gaga & Michael Jackson anyone?

The Sports Guy's Halloween Costume Advice

Author, ESPN.com & ESPN the Magazine columnist, 'podcaster' and now costume consultant? Bill Simmons has some advice for all of you who are still searching for that perfect costume for GOTO’s Halloween Costume Ball.

He recently answered the following question from one of his readers:

I'm a 24-year-old female looking for a Halloween costume that (a) isn't skanky (does that exist anymore??) and (b) will piss off as many people in NYC as possible. I'm from MA and it goes without saying a huge NE sports fan and somehow got sucked into living and working in Times Square for the past two years so I'd love a costume that would further alienate myself from the people in this city. Suggestions??

Check out the Sports Guy’s latest column (and scroll to the bottom) for his four suggestions.

Come to think of it, maybe his suggestions are better suited for our Boston Halloween Costume Ball ...

GOTO Boston Goes to Camp

A few weeks ago, four carloads of GOTO Boston volunteers caravanned past the blueberry patches of Washington, Maine and down a long dirt road, to visit their scholars at Camp Med-O-Lark.

They toured the campground, which was dotted with red cabins donning names like "Hotel California," and along the way spotted their campers dancing, fencing and acting with friends new and old. Whether they were exploring their creativity in the Art Barn, mastering their cooking skills, or just lunching with friends at the picnic tables, the GOTO scholars were thriving in their activities and having a ball!

The GOTO Boston crew wants to send a big thank you to all of their donors and volunteers for making the summer of '09 possible. They sent 20 deserving GOTO Boston scholars - the largest group ever - to learn, grow and accomplish their artistic goals in picturesque Maine.

Here are more pics from the big day ...

Cocktails for a Cause: 07/30/09

July 30th, 2009 is a big night for GOTO.

In addition to GOTO New York's Rock the Boat Basin, GOTO Boston will be hosting their own fundraiser that evening: Cocktails for a Cause.

Held in the outdoor courtyard of Beacon Hill's Liberty Hotel - one of the Leading Hotels of the World - Cocktails for a Cause will be a great event for GOTO supporters new & old.

And if you're one of the scores of GOTO New York alumni who have traded in GOTO committee meetings for HBS case studies, here's your chance to reconnect with us. You've been missed.

Tickets will be sold at the door. $20 suggested donation.

See you there...

GOTO Boston Scholarship Outing

Our volunteers in Boston recently got together with their scholarship kids for a sporty outing in the park.

Here's the Flickr album of the day's events:


http://www.flickr.com/photos/28099412@N08/sets/72157619457372618