Let me begin by saying that the Georgians for Nebraska board members, volunteers and I are fully committed to making 2010 the greatest year ever for alumni and fans of the University of Nebraska in Metro Atlanta.  What we have found and continue to find every day, is that although the feelings and opinions regarding the University of Nebraska and Husker Athletics may differ from person to person, it has one common theme and purpose.  The passion for Nebraska is unmistakable and everyone wants what is best for the university, the athletic program and the state, regardless of where we now call home.  Football is by far the biggest connection and focal point between all Nebraskans, but it is much more than that.  When the game goes to commercial, half time, pre and post game, the conversations at watch parties are about more than football.  It's about Runzas and not having to drive in the snow; It's about where you went to high school, what the school used to be called and what it is called now. For example, we have all had the experience like I did this weekend.  I was at the JC Penney in the Mall of Georgia.  The cashier (in her mid 50's) was ringing up my merchandise, looks over at me and sees the small Nebraska Helmet attached to my zipper pull tab and says “GO BIG RED”.  She was from Omaha and  knew little to nothing about GA4NE.  We not only want to make more people aware of Georgians for Nebraska, but want to bring more Nebraskans together.  How do we do that?  One way is by creating more opportunities to bring Nebraskans together.

Starting with this email, you will start to hear about the exciting events we are planning.   Not all events may interest you, fit into your schedule or be cost effective for you; but you will have the opportunity to meet and mingle with more Nebraskans than ever before.  You will have more than just football watch parties from September-November and the occasional December and soon to be January event (Yes I am predicting the BCS in the Husker future).

So here we go.

GA4NE Board Meeting, Sunday, February 21st, 2:00 pm at TJ's

This is the first face-to-face meeting of the board members and volunteers of GA4NE for 2010.  This meeting is open to EVERYONE interested in getting first-hand information of what we are planning this year, our goals for 2010 and next steps as we move forward as an organized group.

Topics to be discussed:

• · 2010 GA4NE Membership

o New Membership Ideas, Cost, Benefits, Why be a member?

• · Nebraska Alumni Association

o GA4NE Affiliation, Benefits, What are they doing for us?

• · Scholarship

o How does it work and why?

• · Events, Watch Parties and much much more

We invite and encourage your input and feedback.  If you have any contribution to the topics above that you would like to share with us prior to the meeting, please do so by emailing me or one of the board members.  This will give us the opportunity to better address those points at the meeting or make sure that it is addressed if you are not able to attend.

We are not and will not ask you to commit anything to GA4NE by coming to the meeting.  You don't have to be a current member of GA4NE to attend the meeting.  Please invite anyone you know to the meeting.  We will not discount any ideas you may have if you don't come to the meeting.  We want to make GA4NE bigger and better.  Your input will help us do that.

Other GA4NE Information:

Events

Later today and in the days to come you will begin getting info on some events we have planned for 2010.  Again, we are looking at anything and everything.  Any ideas you may have, please pass them on.

Calling All Nebraskans

If there is anyone you know that doesn't know our website www.ga4ne.com or Facebook page, tell them about it.  If you know someone that doesn't receive our emails, give them my email khemmer@emory.edu or pass them on to me so they can begin receiving correspondence from us.

Thanks again for your dedication to the University of Nebraska and especially GA4NE.  We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you at our 2010 upcoming events.

GO BIG RED!!!  GROW BIGGER GA4NE!!!