Anne Banning Leadership Award Presented to Vickie Theis

On August 28, 2024, Vickie Theis was named recipient of the Anne Banning Leadership Award for Assistance League® of Indianapolis. The remarks below were given by past president, Sharon Gleason.

It has been my privilege, as President from 2022 – 2023, to chair our Anne Banning Leadership Award committee. Vickie Theis was to be honored with this award this past May, but life threw her a bit of a curve ball. Vickie unfortunately had to have surgery to repair a severely broken wrist the day of our presentation, so we did what we do best, pivoted!

Although the presentation had to be delayed, it is no less exciting to finally honor Vickie for all she has done throughout her many years of sustained and distinguished service to Assistance League of Indianapolis.

When I think of our Anne Banning Recipient, I think of leadership, service, and commitment to Assistance League. I reflect on her sustained enthusiasm and guidance. When I asked Vickie what she loves about Assistance League, her answers were quick and to the point:
Loves the Mission
Loves the Programs
Loves the Diversity
Loves the People

She probably did not need to tell me all those points. Her love for all we do and those we serve, both current and past members and friends of Assistance League shows through the minute her face lights up to talk about her history. What an impact she has had through all these years!

Vickie joined Assistance League in the summer of 1991. She had to have a sponsor to become a member. Members at this time were provisional members until they had more experience.

However, she accepted Membership Chairman (now VP of Membership) in December 1991 when a member had to resign. This was a full 6 months after she joined! She continued in the position during the years of 1992 through 1993. Her goal was to make Assistance League of Indianapolis a strong, independent chapter and to meet National’s requirements.

From 1993-1994 Vickie was Provisional Training Chair. This would be equivalent to our Orientation Chair. What was key in this position: she developed our Chapters first training/orientation manual for new members.
​
In 1994 – She researched a new fundraising idea that Assistance League of St. Louis was undertaking. She thought it could work for our Chapter as well. After putting together details and presenting her idea to the Board and Membership, she and member Penny Fisher became the first Chairs of the I Wish campaign. This fundraiser is now known 30 years later as our Operation School Bell © Mailer campaign.

Our recipient in 1994 had now been a member for 3 years. With her enthusiasm and leadership skills, she becomes President Elect for 1994 – 1995 and President 1995 – 1996.

During her years as President, a few of her accomplishments:
1 st Board Training for the Chapter.
1 st Speakers Bureau.
1 st Long Range Planning (now: Strategic Planning).
1 st Holiday gathering for members, at her home. This event was encouraged by her husband, Jim. He wanted to meet the ladies who kept calling the house!!
New Philanthropic Program: Caps for Kids. This program was originally called Riley Caps for Kids. It helped children who had lost their hair due to illness or injury. The program ran from 1995 to 2009.

 New Board positions were developed:
Donor Database: Nancy Farris, Chair
 Community Newsletter: Judy Tomke, Chair
 1 st Spring Fest (now: Placement Committee)
I need to chat about this one for just a minute. The flyer for this event, has the
letters of Spring Fest down the side and a description of what each letter means.

It truly speaks to Vickie’s enthusiasm for Assistance League and how she shows
an example of comradery for all our members:

S – Social Event for all members.
 P - Placement – Sign-up sheets available.
 R – Rejoice in this year’s accomplishments.
 I – Interaction and conversation with friends.
N – New Members will be present. Let’s get acquainted!
G – Good time guaranteed to all who attend
 F – Food all day – Brunch, lunch, and sweets to munch!
E – Everyone is invited!
S – Stop by anytime 10 am – 2:30pm OR 7:00pm – 8:30pm.
T – Thursday May 7 th
(Please note: This event was held at her HOME! 86 of 110 members attended
this event! Once again, Jim, her very supportive husband, got to meet the ladies
she spent so much time with!)

After Presidency, she certainly did not rest. She has been:

1996-1997: Fundraising Chair (now VP of Resource Development).
1997 – 1998: VP of Membership. She was also, our first Social Chair.
1998 – 1999: Chaired expansion of Operation School Bell into Lawrence Township as well as Bylaws Chair.
1999 – 2001: Developed the Long-Range Plan, a two-year process.
2002 – 2004: The Chapter was strongly encouraged by National to start to write down our rules and processes for governing.  Our recipient reached out to contacts in 3 other chapters and asked for their policies. She wrote some example policies for us.  Then she formed a committee and spent the next two years leading and guiding this committee to write and develop our Chapter's first Policies.

A few other positions:
Chair of Hygiene kits.
Chair of the Day for Operation School Bell.
Chaired luncheon for IPS Social Workers at SCIPS.
Co-Chaired Community Donor Open house at Operation School Bell.
Chair of Nominating Committee 3 times.
A big one – Chair of 25 th Charter Anniversary Celebration. The scrap book to this event is up here today. If you get a chance, please look through it. The details for the day are simply amazing. But what truly touched me, was the way she reached out to members, especially ALL Past Presidents and alumni to be sure they could try to make the event.
Did they have trouble getting there that day? No worries, she would arrange
transportation for them. It was such a celebration of our Chapter on a grand scale. If you do not get a chance to see this scrapbook today, the next time you are at the office, glance through this book. You will see the 25 th celebration of our chapter come alive in its pages.

We have heard so many accolades of our recipient today. Honestly it is humbling and inspiring to be able to present her accomplishments on behalf of all of US!
What I would like to say on a personal level, Vickie embodies kindness, warmth, welcoming, encouragement and true listening. She is a one-of-a-kind woman for others.
​
All of what she does for us is only second to taking care of her loving, beautiful family! Taking on leadership roles is not an individual, isolated undertaking. It takes the support and generosity of spouses and family as well. Her husband, Jim, has been an unwavering supporter of Assistance League throughout all these years. Together, they support all our fundraisers, not only by attending, but by filling a table with their friends. Recently, as Vickie was getting ready to sell her home, she showed me which closets and rooms had been used in the early years of Assistance League as storage for records and Operation School Bell inventory. As you can see, her giving to Assistance League has been a family affair! Vickie’s daughter Stephanie is also here with us today. Son John and daughter Michelle could not make the trip in town. To Jim, Stephanie, and to your entire family, we are so very grateful!!

Vickie, thank you for your dedication and 33 years of service and commitment to Assistance League of Indianapolis. We are so grateful and honored to have you as a founding leader.
Congratulations!

Sharon Gleason, Chairman
Anne Banning Leadership Award Committee