Fall Get-It-Together Meeting September 10, 2012

It's that time of year--time to get back into a routine with school, enjoy the changing colors and get re-connected with Alpha Chi Omega!  We will be having our first meeting of the year on Monday, September 10, 2012 at 6:30pm at Brenda Griebahn's home at 3590 Utah Ave NE, Iowa City.  We will be finalizing our calendar for the year and dusting off our lyres to let them sing for the coming year.  Dessert will be served to entice you to join us and there will be plenty of sisterhood to fill you up.  Looking forward to seeing you all there!

A Weekend at Mt. Olympus:AXO Convention in St Louis

Real.  Strong.  Women. 

The National Chapter Meeting

If you ever wondered why our Fraternity has that slogan, you would understand after attending a National Convention.  I had the pleasure of being at the 2012 Convention in St. Louis, Missouri this summer with almost 1000 women who know that Alpha Chi Omega is alive and well and thriving in America.  What adjectives can I use to describe this 4 day adventure?  Amazing.  Inspiring.  Challenging.  Stirring.  Triumphant.  Awakening.  The theme for this year's Convention "Meet Me at the Arch" was a fitting title as we watched the

Sharon Kay Stang and Sarah Griebahn
 at the National Chapter Meeting

soaring structure of the Jefferson Expansion Memorial from our hotel gleaming in the sunshine by day and standing as a beacon shining out in the night sky.  Fitting because the Arch was built using the strongest structural design know to man and the women at this meeting are some of the

Melissa d'Arabian, Alpha Chi Omega
Star on The Food Network

strongest women I have ever met.  Our own Marsha King Grady, National President, inspired us with her vision of what Alpha Chi Omega can be to future generations.  Melissa d' Arabian, an Alpha Chi Omega who now stars on The Food Network on her own show "Ten Dollar Dinners" had us laughing and crying with her testimony of the power of sisterhood in her life.  And all the women who are the members of the new National Council, the Foundation and the National Housing Corporation were able to share with us how when we all work together toward a common goal we can be a powerful force for positive change in the lives of women across the nation.  Changing lives, changing the conversation about what being a member of a sorority means in America today.

The Sigma Reunion at the Reunion Dinner

Oh, did I mention the fun?  Women of all ages, cheering, singing, and learning together.  Not only did we discuss the business of the Fraternity, but there were great opportunities for learning new ways to be involved in Alpha Chi Omega, as well as new things to help individual members grow.  Protecting yourself on the Internet, "The Happiness Project", and discovering the frog within, were just some of the sessions that were available for members to attend and find new Heights to reach for.  We all came away with great new ideas and the revival of ideals that we want to share with our alumnae chapter and a recommitment to engaging with our beloved collegians at Sigma.  We were all proud of our Sigma President, Jacklyn Gelman, as she received the honor of wearing the Centennial sash for the Chapter, and we were so excited to see Molly Schuneman, Sigma, serving as a page at the Convention.

All dressed up for the Formal Banquet
Molly Schuneman, Karen Daubenberger, Brenda Griebahn
Jacklyn Gelman, Sarah Griebahn, Sharon Kay Stang

If you have never attended a Convention before, I want to encourage you to try it--you're going to love it!  The convention is open to all Alpha Chi Omega women, and is held every other year in various locations around the country, so there may be one close to you in the future.  The 2014 convention will be held in July 2014 in Palm Desert, California.  I can't wait to see you there!

Spring 2012



A great send-off for the soon-to-be alumnae

Hall of Commitment Brunch at Sigma

Whew!  Where has the time gone! Spring has come and gone and summer is rolling by quickly.     After a long winter's nap and a lot of time in warmer places, our chapter welcomed 14 collegians into the Hall of Commitment at a brunch held at the Sigma Chapter house on April 29, 2012.  A lovely buffet was provided for the soon-to-be alumnae by the members of our chapter and the Hall of Commitment ceremony was performed with the help of all attending.  Alumnae in attendance included Dee Thayer, Karen Daubenberger, Sharon Kay Stang, Jane Harbit, Brenda Griebahn, Anne Dierking, Tami Lyvers, and Marsha Grady.



The Sigma Seniors

Seniors attending the ceremony were Megan Anderson, Traci Bauer, Sam Debernardis, Daniell Faubert, Kelsey Fillman, Kathryn Gernes, Katie Kluge, Kimberly Laws, Dina Mandell, Morgan Mills, Andi Ricciardi, Lauren Scaletta, and Samantha Westerhof.

We also held a brief business meeting to discuss plans for the next year, our delegation attending Convention in St. Louis and some program ideas for the 2012-2013 year.

Happy New Year from Alpha Chi!

Merry Christmas from Alpha Chi Omega!

Welcome to 2012!  We hope you all have the best year ever and that you experience sisterhood in 2012!  Our alumnae chapter is excited about the upcoming year and all it promises.  We closed out 2011 with a wonderful afternoon Christmas party at the Brick Arch Winery in West Branch.  Fourteen alumnae gathered together and we spent a very enjoyable time, snacking on great appetizers that everyone shared, wine from a splendid winery and learning a new craft!  Brenda Griebahn taught everyone how to fold origami cranes--it was great fun and we had a lot of laughs while we were learning the ancient Japanese art of paper folding.
     We're looking forward to our spring events:  Fine Arts Event in February for McDowell Month,  an alumnae supper at the chapter house, Hall of Commitment with our graduating collegiate members.  Look for more details as event dates draw near.  And be sure to consider attending Convention in 2012!  It will be just down the road from us in St. Louis , MO on July 13-16, 2012.  We can show support for our province and sisters in the St. Louis alumnae chapter as they host this event.  Hope to see you all in 2012!

November Book Exchange Meeting is a Big Hit!

Our gathering at The Java House on November 10, 2011 was a success!  We had 8 members in attendance, and conducted two business meetings for the price of one. 
       First, the short House Corporation meeting was held to resolve and vote on changes to the By-Laws.  The issues that were approved by a vote of the members attending were 1) increasing the level of expenditure that does not require Board approval, so that maintenance costs can be quickly paid when due, 2) including a "whistle-blower" clause, as recommended by National, and 3) adding a Disclosure clause, regarding possible conflicts of interest, as well, also recommended by National.
      Secondly, we conducted a regular business meeting of the Alumnae Chapter.  We discussed the possibilities for a Career Day, with the active chapter, and it was decided that we will set our sights for next year in the spring of 2013.  We also discussed doing a finals week service project for the live-in members of Sigma.  Sara Hektoen and Sarah Griebahn volunteered to coordinate with the housemother and deliver care packages to the live-ins, while others volunteered to help with the items to be included.
      We finalized our plans for the December meeting, our Annual Christmas Party, which is having a make-over this year.  We will be meeting at The Brick Arch Winery in West Branch, on Sunday, December 11, 2011, from 2-4pm.  Those who will be attending are asked to bring an appetizer to share, and beverages will be provided.  We will also be gathering donations for the Domestic Violence Intervention Project, so please bring a paper product that can be used at the shelter, as well as any hotel soap, shampoo, etc. that you may have collected and are willing to share.
     We concluded by sharing our gathered book selections for some great winter reading:  there were wonderful new novels to explore, some fun light-hearted coffee table books and recipe books were included,  as well as some great mysteries and romance novels.  Everyone agreed it was a swell evening with sisters.  We hope you can all join us for more fun in December!

Great Turnout at Annual House Corporation Meeting

The Annual Meeting of the House Corporation was held on October 10, 2011.  It was great to have so many in attendance and we added the extra bonus of an Alumnae Chapter meeting before the House Corps meeting began.  14 alumnae and 2 collegiate members were in attendance.  We were happy to welcome Kristina Sosa (Bradley University) as our newest alumnae member.

In Alumnae news, we reviewed this year's program, and changed the date of our next meeting to Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 7pm at The Java House located at 713 Mormon Trek Blvd in Iowa City.  We also approved the motion to raise the annual dues for membership to $25.00 to help defray the costs for some of our events and allow us to pursue some philanthropic ventures.  Please send your dues to Elsie Foerstner at 8 Glendale Terrace, Iowa City, IA 52245.  We will be having a membership drive phone-a-thon in November (time to be announced) and we are looking for members to help with a Career Day of workshops for the collegiate members that will be in the spring of 2012.

The report from the House Corporation Board was very encouraging.  Officers were elected:  Leslie Soule has joined the Board for 2012-2013.  The Chapter House has full occupancy and our financial obligations are stabilizing after the construction of the new house.  For more complete information, feel free to email Karen Daubenberger at karenkd5@msn.com.

Sigma Centennial a HUGE Success!!

September 30-October 1, 2011 was a wonderful weekend of celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Sigma Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega.  We had a wonderful reunion of members from every decade since the 1930s and it was an awesome experience to see two 75 year members receive recognition from our National President.

Registration at the Chapter House

The weekend began with registration at the Chapter House.  Many of our sisters had not been back to Iowa City in a long time, and the new house that was built after the tornado was the Main Attraction.  We had over 150 attendees at our Friday night Welcome Back Reception at the Old Capitol.  It was a delightful fall evening in Iowa City, and the setting was perfect for a gathering of old friends.  The IMU caterers and the staff of the Old Capitol made it all a wonderful experience for everyone.

Buffet at the Old Capitol Reception

On Saturday, there was a great turnout at the Chapter house for house tours and campus tours.  We raised over $5000 for the Sigma Rebuilding Fund from the proceeds of our Silent Auction and mostly from donations to our Star Booth.  A really big THANK YOU to everyone who honored their sisters and who helped out Sigma at the same time!

Our 75 Year Members enjoying the Old Capitol

Dee Huber Thayer greets friends at the Banquet

The Celebration Banquet

Friends from the 1960s at the Old Capitol

Some of the men who love Alpha Chis!

            The Celebration Banquet on Saturday night was a lovely way to end a fabulous weekend.  After a wonderful dinner, we were all treated to the musical serenades of the Collegiate Members and everyone joined in with some favorite Alpha Chi songs.  The video presentations were a chance to see our history in pictures and everyone was delighted to have a chance to remember their time on the University of Iowa campus.  Marsha Grady, National President, and Traci Bauer, Sigma Chapter President, addressed the crowd of about 350 people and spoke to all our hearts of Alpha Chi Omega and our traditions, values and responsibilities.  The highlight of the evening were the pin ceremonies for our 50, 60 and 75 year members.  What a delight to have these women with us!  Delores Pechman Wakefield and Dee Huber Thayer were both honored as 75 year members from the 1930s.  We are so glad everyone could join us for this once in a lifetime experience.