2014 Small Club of the Year: Dartmouth Club of Eastern Fairfield County
The famous basketball coach John Wooden once said: "Winning takes talent, to repeat takes character." Well, the Dartmouth Club of Eastern Fairfield County must have a lot of character as it was honored as the "2013 Small Club of the Year" and now again for fiscal year 2014.
Not content to rest on their laurels, Club President Sara Burbine Potter '91 and her dedicated Board of Directors forged another spectacular year of warm Dartmouth fellowship. Their engaging event schedule, which was anchored by the very successful holiday party and an annual dinner, included a variety of activities designed to appeal to the largest possible audience. This included monthly luncheons, family hikes, an admissions roundtable and an annual wine tasting event. Their stated goal was to increase attendance at each event, cover a wide area of interests while incorporating learning opportunities, speakers, and entertainment, and attract new faces. They more than achieved their goal.
In addition to providing social activities, the club also engages in philanthropic and recruitment endeavors. Its continued financial support of the Bridgeport Public Education Fund provides $500 in scholarships for students graduating from Bridgeport's three public high schools. Sixteen other students were honored through the Dartmouth Book Award program. The club also completed 100 percent of its assigned admissions interviews. The key to all of these achievements is a comprehensive communications plan, incorporating all aspects of traditional as well as electronic media.
Another famous John Wooden quote is, "It's the little details that are vital. Little things make big things happen." The Dartmouth Club of Eastern Fairfield County, as a small club, certainly makes big things happen for its Big Green community.