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2012 Volunteer Luncheon Honors Bradie James
Bradie IV (Ace), Bradie and Star James
Friday, March 30th, the Bengal Belles held their annual Volunteer Luncheon at the Hilton Capital Center in downtown Baton Rouge. Aimee’ Simon, Bengal Belles president, welcomed a group of 100 members and guests to celebrate the conclusion of another successful year for the organization. Simon spoke about the Belles celebrating their 16th year and the contributions and support that the Belles have given to the LSU student athlete and the Cox Communication Academic Center for Student Athletes. 
Aimee' and Whitney Vann
The Bengal Belles reached a milestone of 1,000 members this season and recognized Whitney Vann as an honorary member for her help in getting new members.
Andrew Donovan, Director of Compliance/Education and Communication updated the Belles on the new NCAA rules concerning student athletes. A prospect for LSU athletics is defined as a ninth grade student until they enroll at LSU or attend practice for the first time. Boosters may not have recruiting contact with these prospects during this time. 
Bradie James, former LSU tiger football player and current Dallas Cowboy’s linebacker was honored for his unwavering support of LSU and the Bengal Belles. As a student athlete, James spoke at Bengal Belles luncheons from 1999-2002 and has been giving back to the community in honor of his mother Etta James who died of breast cancer when James was a sophomore at LSU. James gifted the Bengal Belles with a check for $25,000 to continue their support of student athletes like himself. Bradie’s wife Star was awarded an honorary Bengal Belles membership.
Sylvia Duke, DD Breaux, Bradie James, Aimee' Simon and Debbie Heroman
Kenneth Miles, Director of the Academic Center for Student Athletes, reviewed the improvements in the Center and was awarded a check for $120,000 from the Bengal Belles for the communications lab. He also introduced Alex Russian, one of the recipients of the Bengal Belles Tiger award at the Sports Gala last month. Alex, a long-snapper on the football team, spoke of the impact the Academic Center had on his undergraduate and graduate and graduate performance.
Kenneth Miles and Alex Russian
Kathy Miles, First Lady of LSU Football, thanked the Belles for their support of the football program and all their commitment to program. She also spoke of visiting with Terry DiNardo, founder of the Belles, who is surprised about the growth of the Belles, but not the passion of the women at LSU.
Kathy Miles and Aimee'
Exciting News.
The Bengal Belles were featured on The Weather Channel on October 19th. The national Weather Channel filmed at the Belles' Kentucky Luncheon and also at Aimee's tailgate before the Kentucky game. The segment was a countdown of the Ultimate Football Fans and also for the top tailgating spots around the country. We were the # 3 Ultimate Fans but did not make it into the top for tailgating. We will just have to work harder in both areas. Click here to view the Bengal Belles on The Weather Channel.
MEMBERSHIP REGISTRATION ONGOING
President’s Message Membership 2011
BELLES Monetary Contributions
Since the Bengal Belles inception in 1996 to the present close to $700,000.00 has been contributed to LSU Athletics and the Academic Center for all Student Athletes. Because of your consistent support, it is estimated that in the very near future the Belles can become a “MILLION DOLLAR” donor to LSU. That really says a lot for operating on a three month time frame - September, October and November.
Membership Dues & Luncheons
Complete membership costs $200.00 with $50.00 dues and 5 luncheons@ $30.00 for all Baton Rouge meetings.
The Shreveport luncheon is listed below the Baton Rouge luncheons on the membership form. Last year many included the Shreveport luncheon on their membership form by mistake. Please sign up for the Shreveport luncheon only if you plan to attend. NOTE: You may join the Belles for $50.00 and pay for only luncheons that you choose to attend. We are also encouraging new groups from the Thibodaux/Houma area, Lafayette/Lake Charles area, New Orleans/Northlake Area to join and we will honor their groups at separate meetings recognizing them. Mini sign up meeting in their individual areas are planned to promote their membership.
MEMBERSHIP FORM AVAILABLE ONLINE! Be sure to check out the new Bengal Belles website managed by TAF. As a Tiger Booster Club, the Bengal Belles have joined other LSU Booster Clubs online and will now have registration available online through the TAF Donor Net secure payment process. We encourage everyone to register online this year by visiting www.bengalbelles.org and visiting the Membership page. Once you are on the membership page, you will see the link to click to log into the TAF Donor Net page. If you have never logged into the TAF Donor Net system before you will need to create a user name and password. If you have logged into the TAF Donor Net before, please use your existing username and password. Online you will be able to register for your 2011 Bengal Belle membership and sign up for tickets to all of the luncheons. We encourage everyone to register online this year by going to www.bengalbelles.org.
Facebook is also a new way to join. How it works?
- We set up a Bengal Belles page. It doesn’t cost any money, it truly is free advertising!
- People who are FB members can “like” the page and then it spreads like wildfire. After someone “likes” something, it is posted on the wall of his or her friends. This way, many people see it.
- It can be used to attract new members, along with keep people up-to-date on what is going on with Bengal Belles throughout the year.
- A link can be set up on the page for them to print up membership forms, too.
- Pictures can be posted after each meeting, showing the coaches and players that attend. We can also post small video clips of the interviews and dancing! The more people see what goes on, the more attracted they will be to become a member.
- FB has a very large community and many people are connected through LSU and LSU athletics. Although many people know about Bengal Belles, this would reach an entire new community of potential memberships.
- The Internet is a “FREE” tool that can be utilized to take Bengal Belles to a new level!!!
Payment & Renewal Deadline
Dues payment deadline is August 25th only for 1st meeting. The membership is ongoing and you can sign to join throughout the season. Payment can be made in the form of one check written out to Bengal Belles or credit card. Deadline for Guests at senior luncheon is ongoing as long as space is available.
Schedule of Meetings
BATON ROUGE: All Baton Rouge meetings will be at the River Center. The food was wonderful and it seems that everyone agrees that the buffet is the way to go. The staff at the River Center has been very accommodating and responsive to all of our requests. We are expecting another great year in downtown Baton Rouge.
IMPORTANT INFO: For those of you working, please note the meetings will start at 12:00 Noon and end at 1:15. Doors will open at 11:30 and this will give everyone time to eat before we start at 12:00. The coaches will be invited to attend for 12:15 and Players usually arrive at 12:30. With wrap up and raffle the meeting will end at 1:15.
SHREVEPORT: Shreveport meeting will be at Sam’s Club Ballroom with a seating capacity of 800. This meeting, on an open week, will be very successful as the Shreveport committee has plans to make this a meeting to remember.
Sponsors, Vendors & Raffle
The raffle will continue weekly. The vendors and sponsors generously donate some great items throughout the season and allow the raffle to be a success, as well as, add so much fun to the atmosphere. Diane McGowan mcgowandm@cox.net oversees the reservations for vendors. There will be extra space for vendors at all the River Center meetings. Please contact her if you are interested as a vendor.
Belles on The Field
Auburn game on October 22nd is the confirmed date for Belles on the field. Again a lottery will determine what remaining Belles get to go on the field this year. More information to follow as the event draws nearer. You will be e-mailed if you are chosen before the Auburn game.
Thoughts from Aimee
There will be much enthusiasm as we enter the 2011 football season. The ranking of our Tigers shows there is great talent and a much energized coaching staff promising a great season. With our space at the River Center we can accommodate many more new members, so please encourage new membership whenever you can. Keeping up with the times, the Belles are now equipped to receive membership online as well as using Face book to generate new membership. So many ladies and men think they have to be invited to join the Belles and we want to insure that across the state all Tiger Fans are welcome to join this unique organization. Let’s give it our best shot to recruit and bring our membership level to 1000 members this 2011 season. Just remember that with more members our operating budget allows for exciting and improved meetings.
See you on Thursday, Sept. 8th at the River Center.
Geaux Tigers, Aimee
GEAUX TIGERS!!!
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BECOME A MEMBER OF THE BENGAL BELLES
BY COMPLETING THE 2011 BENGAL BELLES MEMBERSHIP ON-LINE FORM BY CLICKING HERE
DOWNLOAD A MEMBERSHIP FORM BY CLICKING HERE
DEADLINE FOR 2011 LUNCHEONS IS AUGUST 25TH.....DON'T BE LATE
YOU WILL NEED TO CREATE A NEW ONLINE ACCOUNT IF YOU HAVE NOT LOGGED INTO DONOR NET BEFORE.
