First National Alumni Summit: August 3 - 4, 2007

A Family That Has Become a Community
by Alexandra Petek, San Francisco Alumna '04

Two hundred Summer Search alumni traveled from across the country to San Francisco for the first ever National Alumni Summit, Where Change Continues. The weekend featured alumni planning workshops, a networking fair, and inspiring speeches delivered by alumni, staff, and guests.

Christine Capacillo '95 hosted Friday's dinner with speakers Sasha Kovriga '90, a current member of the San Francisco board, and John Osterweis, founding Summer Search board chair, who together pledged to match every dollar donated to alumni up to $30,000. Also that evening, Carol Tolan, a long-time Summer Search supporter, and alumna Hoa Phan '94, an outgoing Summer Search staffer, were honored for their significant contributions. And, as the evening came to a close, Warren Brown and Gina Falsetto stepped up with an additional $10,000 match to encourage alumni giving.

Founder Linda Mornell began Saturday by asking alumni to carry on her legacy. Throughout the morning we heard from an inspiring panel of professionals who spoke about finding their careers, taking risks, and gaining internally from what they are giving to others. Opening the afternoon was Summer Search CEO Jay Jacobs, who spoke about discovering his own path and motivations for giving back. The afternoon panel of Summer Search alumni spoke about their hope for fellow alumni to actively participate in shaping the future of Summer Search.

By next year's Alumni Summit, this year's attendees hope to see a Summer Search Alumni Board in each office, an Alumni Development Committee within each baord, and updated contact information for the 1,800 alumni at large.

The first National Alumni Summit was a historical moment, inviting alumni participants to increase their role as compassionate leaders in the future of Summer Search, in our nation, and throughout the world!