Women In Animation

WIA’S 2009 Initiative - “GIVING”

President Stephanie Graziano, Vice President Jan Nagel, and Founder Rita Street, were at dinner asking what was lacking in WIA. Besides money, they felt that the members needed to become active - physically active - in the organization. But what would bring out the enthusiasm and drive in our members? What would inspire our members to join in, have fun and feel like they are making a real difference in animation - and possibly the world? “GIVING” was the answer.

WIA is an international organization and in the past we have motivated our members to give to “Crayons for Kosovo,” a program where WIA sent thousands of crayons to refugee camps; “Books to Afghanistan,” where our members donated money so books could be purchased and shipped to a children’s organization in Afghanistan; and to WIA’s own “Draws Well” project created by Sue Kroyer, where we took animation tools and volunteers into Los Angeles Children’s Hospital to amuse and teach animation to critically ill children.

All of these projects brought us closer together and made our hearts full. We have not had an initiative like this in a few years.

At our 2009 Annual Meeting, we will kick off a new “GIVING” initiative. We will be asking chapters and members to come up with local giving projects. And our online members will be asked to participate.
The annual meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 16, 2009 on the Roof Top of Cartoon Network Animation. We will be featuring animation professionals talking about how they give back. We are inviting a senior citizens’ organization and a children’s organization to join us. By putting our collective heads and hearts together, we can use our art, talent, experience and creativity to help the world.

This meeting is going to be special. Bring a sweater, flat shoes and lots of ideas.

Auntie WIA Needs YOU!!