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Contents
Messages from National Council
2013 Convention
PCR
Supplies
Chapter Highlight
Dates to Remember
And MORE!
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Message from our National President - Kim Crawley
Leaving a Positive Legacy from the Beginning.
Our natural tendency is to begin to think of our legacy at the end of a situation, what mark will we leave when changing or losing a job, a decision that may impact a lot of lives, or when we die? Why do we wait and is it too late to create something positive to be remembered by?
As I think back 18 years ago at the birth of our first child, a daughter, I thought "how will I impact this little girl throughout her life?" And, I began at that moment trying to create a positive, lasting legacy from the beginning for her. We teach them right and wrong, safety, we teach them to read and write and many other tasks to help them to grow and become independent individuals, but what legacy do we leave for our children or teach them?
Have we taught them to give back to the community, that there are those less fortunate, and needy. That it really isn't all about them?! I can say that I haven't always been the ideal parent-those of you who have teenagers can attest, that you have been pretty dumb, unlike all the other parents and that probably like me, you have won the "worst parent contest" like me several times!
 | | Kim and Jenna Crawley |
But, I can say that although I have made mistakes in my life as a parent one thing that I have taught my children and that they will remember me by I think is to give back to others especially with my service in Psi Iota Xi. Even though they have grumbled occasionally by having to be part of the Sigma Chapter fundraisers and because of my roles within National Council they have learned about giving and being devoted to something and to do it passionately!
Read More
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Message from National VP - Marcia Mohre
By Laws Changes
Your National Bylaws Committee worked hard this year as is evident by the number of proposed bylaw amendments that you will be receiving after April 1st. Please review each of these and discuss them with your chapter so that your Convention Delegates are prepared to vote on them at convention in June.
If you have any questions please contact me at marciamohre@gmail.com. Many thanks also to all of the chapters who submitted proposed changes for their chapter bylaws by the April 1 deadline.
Your National Vice President and Chair of the Bylaw Committee, Marcia Mohre |
Message from National Treasurer - Susie Lewis
Greetings from your National Treasurer!
 Chapter Treasurers and Presidents, you will soon be filling out the annual Pre-Convention Report (PCR). PLEASE NOTE the following important information: On the annual PCR, your chapter must report ALL accounts connected to your chapter. Accounts are considered connected if they use the same tax ID, called EIN (electronic identification number), as the chapter. Common examples are checking, savings, other bank accounts such as a raffle account, CDs, and investment accounts. Examples of specific, less common instances may be, but are not limited to: (1) an inheritance left to the chapter and administered by the chapter, where the funds are under the same tax identification number, (2) a project managed by the chapter, possibly for their community, when a separate bank account is set up by and maintained by the chapter, (3) an account maintained from a previous convention, (4) project profits earmarked for future use. Remember, National Council recommends that chapters bond their Treasurers. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at 765.238.0300. Loyally, Susie Lewis
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Message from Conductress - Georgiann Coons
It's Time for Spring Cleaning!
As you might know, when we moved our National Office last year, we began to save a substantial amount of money on rent. Our office is in a bright, shiny, secure building, and we have access to conference rooms for our National Council and Indiana State Board meetings.
However, our office space itself is much smaller than before. Our secretary, Liz, has space for her desk, a copy machine, two bookshelves for important historical records and Helicons, and a little room left for storage.
 So, in order to keep our office neat and tidy, National Officers have collected many of the items that have found their way to the office - candlesticks, Initiation robes, vases, etc. - and will be offering them for sale at the "Yellow Rose Boutique" - a special sales table at Convention. The best part? All proceeds from the Yellow Rose Boutique will go toward our National Long-Term Project!
Are you doing spring cleaning, too? Does your chapter have any items in your ritual box that you don't use? Extra candlesticks, pin boxes or flower bowls? Do you have members who store things at their homes because no one wants to get rid of them, but yet no one in your chapter has a special attachment to them? Maybe another chapter or sister would just love to have that item!
Would you personally like to donate any Psi Ote things to our boutique? While much of my Psi Ote memorabilia is precious to me, I have some yellow rose teacups and vases I bought a few years ago on Ebay that I will be donating. We also thought we would offer some space for Psi Ote clothing, as well - while you might not wear some of your Psi Ote t-shirts any longer, maybe another sister would love those shirts, not just to wear, but maybe to make into a special Psi Ote quilt or pillow!
If you would like to donate items, you may simply bring them to Convention with you and add them to the Yellow Rose Boutique table in the sales room. Or, you may bring them to the Indiana State Meeting and give them to one of our National Officers. Please make sure all of your items are related to Psi Otes in some way (with our crest, logo, name, yellow rose, etc.), are clean, in good repair, and marked with a suggested selling price. At the end of Convention 2013, unsold items may be discarded (because of that storage space issue!) but if your items are unsold, you are welcome to re-claim them!
Please call or e-mail me if you have any questions about this project. This will be a fun way to share a little of our history, clean out our closets and make some money for the long-term project! Happy cleaning, sisters!
Peace,
Georgiann Coons/National Conductress
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From National Project Chair - Brenda Bonner
Your Two Cents is Worth More Than Ever!
By now each chapter should have received the list of proposed projects, (if not please email me ASAP!)
You may be surprised this year as you read over the proposed projects. Some near and dear favorites are what?.... gone! And what's that...a NEW project?? That's right sisters! I hope that each one of you take the time to read over every proposed project and let your delegates know how you feel when it comes time for them to vote at Convention. It is a big decision giving away all this money!
One of the most enlightening things about Convention is to hear the project reps talk about what they hold near and dear to them. It is very informative and interesting to find out where our money could go and how many people it may affect. It's not a vote to be taken lightly!
So, if you have not seen the list of proposed projects or your chapter isn't one to discuss them, let your voice be heard! I hope everyone who leaves Convention will think hey, I helped fund that project with all those cheese balls I rolled or cookies I baked or flowers I sold, and so on.
Know that you made a difference with your vote. Make it count. Know that your two cents is worth more than ever!
Long Term Project; is it in YOUR Budget?
The delegation voted on a new Long Term Project at Convention last June. We pledged $100K to the University of Toledo Foundation for Multifaceted Stuttering Services.
This is the third Long Term Project for our sorority with Riley being the first (created a "Professorship" Chair through the Riley Children's Foundation, at Riley Hospital for Children), and Cleft Palate Research for Children being the second, each reaching a goal of $100,000 or more.
As budget time rolls around, is a donation to the LTP in your budget? How about designating money from that hat you pass around at each meeting or a percentage of a fundraiser? Every dollar counts!
All gifts should be made payable to The University of Toledo Foundation. Put Multifaceted Stuttering Services Fund #2402049 on the memo line and mail your check to National Project Chairman, Brenda Bonner at 990 E. 50 N. Flora, IN 46929.
Let's all join together and make this goal a reality!
Here's a wonderful letter from one of our scholarship recipients, Tanisha Russell:
Dear Ms. Bonner and Psi Iota Xi members,
How can I begin to thank you!? I would like to thank your prodigious organization for the recent Psi lota Xi scholarship. I am incredibly appreciative of this kind of gesture as it will help finance my undergraduate education at Gallaudet University.
Your generous donation will enable me to continue dancing with the Gallaudet Dance Company while pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Deaf Education. My ultimate goal is to become an itinerant teacher for the deaf and hard of hearing children and have my own dance studio to teach dance for all students. Dance has given me so much joy and confidence. I want to be able to inspire other deaf and hard-of-hearing children so they too can become successful. Thank you for your everlasting support and generosity.
Again, thank you!
Sincerely,
Tanisha Russell
Peace,
Brenda Bonner
National Project Chairman
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Convention Miscellaneous
Convention Teaser Ts
Get your own commemorative convention T-shirt in a great summer color of ocean blue-torquioise. Sigma chapter members will be wearing the hot pink version during Convention. Pictured here is Paula Sibbitt wearing the commemorative T. Order Form
Awards - Don't Leave Them Behind
This is a reminder for all chapters who won awards last year at convention. Please remember that you need to bring your award with you to Convention this year. We ask that you return them in the same condition as you received them - polished, cleaned, etc. Thank you in advance!
Remembering our Sisters and Others
- Memorial Fund Donations--complete the form here to donate to a Psi Iota Xi fund.
- Memorial Service Reminder --If your chapter has lost a member this year, please complete one of the memorial forms and follow the directions on the form.
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From the Editor's Desk
The 2013 Helicon: Your chapter will receive a copy of this letter soon requesting their article. This letter also contains instructions that will help me to keep your articles organized as they come in. Your Chapter's article is to reflect the summary of your activities and accomplishments from Convention 2012 to May 2013
. Please e-mail your article to Heather
no later than May 10.
The website: Sign up, Log-in, Stay Connected! If you have any trouble signing up let me know.
Heather Mitchell, Zeta Theta -Niles, MI
Interim National Editor
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Another Psi Ote Rose Petal Falls
 Sigma lost a lovely sister March 25. Wilma Wanetta (Netta) B. Hornberger, left us at age 87. We will sadly miss Netta's sweet personality and eagerness to serve the community. She touched many lives with her kindnesses. After living a life of faith, gratitude, and trust in God, she passed away peacefully March 23, 2013. She was a 1943 graduate of Greensburg High School. On July 7, 1945 she married Howard "Foxy" Hornberger in Greensburg, and he preceded her in death Oct. 30, 1998.
Wanetta had been a member of First Christian Church of Greensburg since her baptism May 31, 1942. She was also a past member of Sigma Chapter Psi Iota Xi, Department Club, Christian Fellowship of Women, Child Study Club, and the Greensburg Country Club. She will truly be remembered for the laughter and beauty she brought to the lives of others. Memorial contributions may be made to First Christian Church, Our Hospice of Decatur County, or the Alzheimer's Association.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.gilliland-howe.com. *Please help us keep our National Council records accurate and acknowledge your passing sisters by sending death notifications to your District Officers and National President. We'll include them in the following newsletter once we receive the information. |
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Indiana State Meeting
April 20th is fast approaching, and we'll be welcoming you to Fort Branch for the state meeting.
We'll have projects and bylaws to approve, good food to eat, friendships to renew, and maybe a little shopping along the way. The jeweler will be here so you can pick up your pins and any other items you might need. Liz will have your orders filled if you order before hand. You can save postage by picking it up at the meeting.
We're looking forward to showing you some southern hospitality.
Mo Dix and Zeta Gamma Chapter
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Kentucky State Meeting
 Thirty one Psi Otes attended the Kentucky State Association spring meeting on March 2, 2013 in Louisville, KY, to discover whether they were "On the Right Track." We were honored to have 10 members from National Council to attend the KSA meeting. The meeting started with a hilarious skit performed by Zeta Iota members about "Training To Be A Member." The meeting also included a presentation by the Hearing Loss Association which was followed by a delicious lunch catered by two Zeta Iota members. After a brief business meeting, we heard from National President, Kim Crawley and guests. The meeting ended on a "fun track" with raffles.
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A Membership Drive
 | | Women Helping Women Win |
Eta Eta President, Debe Meyer, attended a
Women Helping Women Win meeting March 7at the La Porte Swanson Center. She promoted Psi Iota Xi to the women in attendance, passed out our chapter flier and made several possible membership contacts as well as enticed an Eta Eta alum and her daughter to join Eta Eta's March meeting.
The evening was hosted by local Mary Kay consultants and directors. It was a wonderful evening of networking with local business women and learning about their business ventures. While Debbie explained we did not have a "product" to sell, she shared that PIX certainly has a service and needs more women involved in enriching the lives of those in need. As a side note she reminded those in attendance that Psi Iota Xi is known as the "cheese ball ladies" and made numerous contacts for our sale of cheese balls in November.
Seek out a local Mary Kay consultant to see if they will be sponsoring a Women Helping Women Win event in your area. This was the first one in La Porte County Indiana but these events are being held all over in Michigan, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky and Ohio --- what better venue to talk about our Psi Ote passion! Events like these are perfect for growing Psi Iota Xi!
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The "Love Gift"
 Our Michigan Psi Otes have found a wonderful way to help one another and spread camaraderie and commitment. The "Love Gift" is a Michigan project intended to encourage and promote a Michigan chapter in its community. Each year one chapter announces its "Love Gift" project, and the other chapters each make sizable donations toward that project. The "Love Gift" rotates among the chapters. When the Michigan State Association disbanded, we decided to continue this project, presenting our love gifts at an informal Spring luncheon at a place designated by the recipient chapter. Our hope is that this will keep our chapters connected and networking, feeling less isolated by our distances. The 2013 Spring luncheon is scheduled for April 27 from 12 - 3 pm at Arnie's Bakery & Restaurant, 34 Squires Street, Rockford, Michigan.
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Chapter Highlight
Beta Tau - Monticello, Indiana
The Alpha, Muncie, IN chapter was chartered September 19, 1897. The chapter has 156 members which is made up of 74 Active members, 19 Honorary Active, 60 Sustaining and 3 Temporary Inactive. Alpha is led by Cindy Davis as President and this year will mark 116 years of service to the community!
 | | Alpha's Bargain Box |
Alpha is a very busy chapter running a business (The Bargain Box) that raises thousands of dollars each year that they give away in community grants. Opened in 1962, the Bargain Box is a shop that provides quality merchandise from clothing to toys to housewares, books, and linens-at reasonable prices to the general public. Open four days per week, from August through May, the Bargain Box is operated through volunteer hours of Alpha Chapter members. The Bargain Box is located at 607 East Charles Street in Muncie. Please visit their website to learn more about this project: http://www.psiiotaxialphachapter.org/bargain-box-home.html
One of Alpha's volunteer projects is "Women in Business Unlimited", last year's event was "Catalyst for Empowering Women". The seminar featured several sessions on woman in business including success as entrepreneurs, empowering you, social media, finances, public customer relations, marketing and stress management. Any woman who registered for this event was given the opportunity to shop the Bargain Box and acquire appropriate business attireclothing and accessories at greatly reduced prices. Several members of the chapter also assisted these shoppers in selecting their purchases.
Alpha's largest annual volunteer effort is the "Candy Cane Lane" project, last year they volunteered over 173 hours and donated over 250 toys to this project alone. This event is held in conjunction with Cornerstone Center for the Arts in downtown Muncie. Candy Cane Lane is a free event that is open to the public but targets children of lower economic status. Cornerstone Center for the Arts is transformed into a magical wonderland with a gingerbread house, many decorated trees, sparkling lights, a red and white lane bordered with large candy canes, and of course Santa. Children create crafts, play games, enjoy refreshments, and have their photos taken with Santa. Each child, with the help of an elf, gets to choose his or her own toy.
Alpha also trustees an Endowment Fund that enables them to give several grants worth $10,000 or more each year. This endowment fund alone has enabled Alpha to give away over $1,000,000 in grants since 1984. They have sponsor 6 scholarships each year through Ball State University Foundation. These scholarships encourage BSU students pursuing education in areas of Art, Literature, Music and Speech and Hearing.
The chapter finds time to have social times at every monthly meeting but their volunteerism provides the cohesive element to making friendships and getting to know people you might not have met in any other settings. This chapter is about making friends and doing good work for the community.
Highlight Your Chapter
What do you and your sisters do for your local community? What special events do you have scheduled in the upcoming months? Did your group just celebrate a significant milestone? Is one of your sisters being recognized by the local community for something?
Task someone to take photos and right after the event send us all the details and include a photo or two of your sisters doing what your chapter does best. Please also identify whomever is in the photo, including their job title if they happen to be receiving a check or hold a leadership position. Describe what's happening in the photo and tell us why it's significant for your chapter. Send to heliconheather@hotmail.com Heather will compile everything she receives and get approval from National Council to include in an upcoming newsletter.
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PCR Packets Sent
Attention Chapter Treasurers
You should have received your PCR packet with a hard copy PCR or electronic PCRs by now. As April is winding down, close your books and have them audited. Remember a Psi Ote member or their family member is not to audit your Chapter books. Remember the date to have them returned to your District Officer is May 10 - either postmarked or e-mailed.
Kaye Robison, past Northeast District Officer, and currently our PCR specialist, has worked hard over the past few years to provide a wonderful electronic PCR for you as Chapter Treasurers to use. They are very user friendly. Enter your information and the figures are automatically totaled for you-so much easier and faster than in years past. Also much easier for your District Officer to check and compile her reports for the rest of National Council which are due by May 24. Modern technology is really great!! Out of 125 Chapters under 30 hard copies of the PCR were sent out this year. So we are making progress!
Indiana Chapters again need to complete the NP-20 form for the Indiana Department of Treasury.
Remember to return the NP-20 form completed along with the 2 original signature sheets which must be signed in blue ink by the current Chapter President and Treasurer as well as the person who completes the audit on your Chapter books.
You will note that the Chapter Information page has been changed to "Bright Ideas of the Year" and is in a different format. Have other officers help fill this page out while you are busy with the PCR. Information the District Officer gleans from this page will be used in the District Meetings to give awards-formerly called "Button Awards." Chapters do many wonderful things throughout the year for their communities but also for the members of their Chapters. Give yourself a pat on the back and complete this page; you all deserve it.
For current treasurers and incoming ones, a few years ago Kaye Robison designed a monthly Treasurers Report and an overall ledger sheet which is easy to use and very helpful to use when it is PCR time. I have been using it since she presented it, and it is very user friendly and VERY helpful during PCR time. If you are interested in knowing more about this information, contact your District Officer, and she will get you in touch with Kaye.
Happy PCRing!
Nancy Ricketts, Senior District Officer
Southeast District Officer
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Got Supplies?
This is the time to think ahead of what you will need this spring as far as supplies from the National Office. Look at the supply list form that is located on the website under members only. Think what your new officers or new members will need.
Note there are starred items* and those can be ordered from the office and emailed to you at no cost. Some items are even free from the website-so, check it out! You still have the option of the printed versions mailed or brought to you at the IN State Association meeting or National Convention in June. Soon more and more items will be available by email and/or online.
You can also make copies of the order form and mail it to the office with your check, or you may order in advance and pay at the IN State Association meeting or Convention. Whichever is most convenient for you or whomever is ordering the supplies for your chapter. You may also pre-order by email.
There are no shipping charges for orders delivered to the state meetings or Convention.
Note-We will no longer supply the little blue books for your chapters since most chapters are going with the larger binder for their information.
Come visit with me at the National Office Table at Convention. I would love to match faces with names!
Loyally, PIX Administrative Assistant
Liz Dale,
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Please Don't Forward the Newsletter
 Most of you receive this newsletter because you'd previously provided your email address to your chapter president who gave it to National Council. A database full of emails was uploaded to our website and carried over to our 3rd party email company, Constant Contact, so that we could send you our monthly newsletter and other Psi Ote communications.
Each month, when the newsletter lands in your inbox full of the latest highlights and upcoming events, many of you are tempted to share the newsletter with your fellow sister Psi Otes. Like many emails you receive, many of you click "Forward" and proceed to send away. Then, you get replies from your sisters that say, "hey, there were no photos in that email you sent." or "it was a bunch of jumbled up words that I couldn't read" or maybe "I got the photos, but I didn't see any words." Of course, that's frustrating because you know it was there when you got the newsletter, right? Indeed, however, the newsletters, with all their awesome news, are not meant to be forwarded, and they won't look the same when your sisters receive one from you. So how do you share them with your sisters?
You get them to register on the website so that their email is included within the Constant Contact database. That's right, it's as simple as that. Sister Psi Otes register for the website, and their email is held safe and secure within several layers of online protection. Plus, all emails are now held within Psi Iota Xi's master database and Constant Contact to keep you all informed of all that's essential to being a valuable Psi Ote. Newsletters will be sent out each month, and everyone who's registered will receive their copy automatically.
Consider this: If you have your sisters' email addresses, why aren't they registered on the PIX website? Why are you forwarding something they should already be receiving themselves? Instead, discuss the convenience, and importance, of registering online during your next chapter meeting. Everyone who has an email address should be registered. It's win-win for you and Psi Iota Xi.
Got questions regarding website registration? Do you have suggestions and/or ideas about the newsletter? Contact your National Editor, Heather Mitchell.
Your Web Gurus,
Tony & Donna of Aradise
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Back Issues
Have you missed previous issues of our electronic newsletter? If so, click below and find a complete listing of our previous issues. Be sure to share this link with your other sisters who may not be opening their newsletters.
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Psi Iota Xi Upcoming Events
Mark Your Calendar Today
April 1 - Chapter By-Laws Approval Deadline
April 20 - Indiana State Association Meeting
April 30 - All Chapters Close Books
May 10 - PCRs due to District Officer
May 15 - Convention Registration Deadline
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