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Your Monthly PIX News & Upcoming Events
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In this issue: A letter from the President; Upcoming Events - Alpha Honors 100 year old Golden Honorary Active Member and Kentucky State Meeting; News from Theta Tau of Midland, Michigan; Convention Clues & Cues; News from the Indiana State Association; Volunteer Opportunity with The Riley's Children's Foundation; News from Hear Indiana; Notes from the Editor's Desk; Presidents Directory Reminder; Fallen Petals and a link to the Newsletter Archives.
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Notes from the Phone Booth
I added a "widget" to my cell phone, with a countdown until 9 am on Saturday, June 25th. Less than five months remain until the gavel will be struck, opening our 113th National Convention. Ladies, I am SO EXCITED! The new membership certificates are almost "flying" out of the office. Your hard work and dedication is shining in your communities and others are looking to join you in your endeavors. National Council and I are so very grateful to you for all your efforts.
The Project Screening committees (both national and Indiana state) met on January 9th at the national office. Look for this information in the next several weeks. The office is a very nice facility, allowing us to invite others in and meet in a very comfortable environment. Soon we will have been at this location for five years.
Thanks to Theta Tau, Midland MI, for sharing news of their chapter events this month. Earlier in the year I introduced a contest for chapters that submit articles to the newsletter. I will draw in June from those who submit articles. The winner will receive a $25 voucher good in the Sales Room at convention.
As we begin looking even closer to convention plans, I would like to SALUTE those chapters, who, year after year, often bring the majority of their membership to our national convention. Speedway, St Joseph, Illinois, Van Wert, Ohio, Madison and Beech Grove come to mind first. Thanks so much ladies! Grand Rapids and Kalamazoo, Michigan often book multiple hotel rooms and bring multiple carloads as well. Ask these chapters why they do this and what they are able to take back home to their chapters and their communities because of their attendance and dedication to convention.
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Upcoming Events
Alpha to Honor 100-Year-Old "Golden Honorary Active" Member, Betty Kendall (This is an excerpt from Alpha's newsletter, "Alpha Bits." Betty is still active, attending several meetings this past year. She has been a Psi Ote for 68 years!) Dear Friends, In celebration of Betty Kendall's upcoming 100th Birthday on February 14, 2016, we are excited to be part of honoring Betty by establishing as a "Living Tribute" The Betty Kendall Ladyslipper Orchid Collection. Hopefully you will share in our excitement and will help make the "Living Tribute" come alive! Establishing this collection is fitting because Betty is a high-heeled lady, lover of learning, and she will leave a legacy of growing friendships. Betty fondly recalls travels with the Pineapple Group. Plus, Betty sure enjoyed wearing, a beautiful fresh orchid lei received from a dear friend during a previous birthday celebration. This Special Collection will be part of the Wheeler-Thanhauser Orchid Collection and Species Bank housed in the new (2014) Dr. Joe and Alice Rinard Orchid Greenhouse. Ball State University is proud to have the largest collegiate orchid collection in the United States. Adding a concentration of orchids from the Ladyslipper species will further the education, conservation and research components of the collection. When we shared our plans with Betty, she was deeply pleased and humbled. Then she remarked that the idea was "just perfect because of its educational value." The Betty Kendall Ladyslipper Orchid Collection will serve a conservation role as a repository for uncommon and unusual wild-type orchid species; as a Species Bank for protecting the genetic diversity of species orchids; as an education center for Ball State students and community; as an opportunity for student-based research, hands-on learning opportunities and for all visitors to learn more about our natural world. We would appreciate your contribution in any amount to The Betty Kendall Ladyslipper Orchid Collection Fund. All donors to the Fund by February 1st 2016, will be recognized in a Birthday Card to be given to Betty during the month of February. Please mail your check to the Ball State Foundation, Attention: Kassie Cosgrove; 2800 W. Bethel Avenue, Muncie, IN 47306. On the memo line, please indicate Betty Kendall Orchid Collection. Also, please enclose a note on the name(s) to be listed on the Birthday Card. Kentucky State Meeting
Theta Nu Chapter
Would like to invite you in Celebrating Turquoise & Gold
At the
Kentucky State Association Spring Meeting
March 5th 2016
March 12th 2016 (alternate date for bad weather)
Location: The Lexington Hearing and Speech Center
350 Henry Clay Blvd, Lexington KY 40502
Registration: at 9:15 am (Fee $15)
Meeting starts at 10:00 am
Lunch will be served at 12:00 pm
RSVP BY FEBURARY 24TH to PHYLLIS CUNNINGHAM
phyllis.cunningham@kctcs.edu (will need list of names)
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Chapter News
from Theta Tau
I am happy to contribute some updates from the far north to share! In addition to sharing with our communities, we have committed every month to sharing our love of literacy with each other through different monthly themes. From our favorite Summer Reads in September, to our Favorite poems and poets, we are examining all the wonderful ways in which the printed word expresses language at its best. We even found a cheese mite poem written many years ago by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle in time for cheese ball-making! (Click Here for Cheese ball making photos) Theta Tau members will continue this monthly literacy theme in January with Favorite biographies and writing Valentines for Veterans in February. The first photo shows our two newest members, Beth Dewyse and Fabienne Zielinski who joined our chapter in October of 2015-we are thrilled to have them!
 That same meeting also brought our chapter together to help out the local Diaper Alliance with 594 diapers, 8 packs of wipes and 48 women's adult diapers. In September, several chapter members also volunteered at the Saginaw Run For Your Heart event. In November, chapter members worked together to create a Gingerbread-themed Christmas wreath to donate to the Saginaw Jr. League's Annual Fundraiser-The Festival of Trees. In November we also made almost 2,000 cheese balls by hand at Arthur Hill High School in Saginaw, Michigan. It was a team effort with members and volunteers throughout the snowy, blustery day and everyone made it home safe and sound despite the difficult weather. We also donated approximately 200 food items to the local emergency food pantry in Midland at our November meeting, along with an end of the month emergency donation of $400 to local students who desperately needed warm clothing.
In December, Theta Tau celebrated with a wonderful dinner meeting in Auburn, MI and members made sure to bring many fun and fabulous toys for the Toys for Tots Campaign donation.
All in all, it has been a wonderful beginning to our 2015-2016 year and we are excited to begin our next half!
With Best Wishes for a Happy New Year,
Joanne Tickner
President, Psi Iota Xi-Theta Tau Chapter-Midland, Michigan
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Convention Clues and Cues
Our National Council wants you to be as informed as possible about all of our events, so I decided that I would give our membership some information about conventions in general. Having good information is the key to success for every event. Be thinking who and how many can go to Convention this year. Registration packets will be coming soon!
This month I will focus on Convention costs. We sometimes hear from our membership in surveys about cost and the differences in cities.
The reality is that the costs are similar most places, but may appear to you as chapters differently.
* For instance, in a smaller market city (such as Ft. Wayne) the meal cost was just the meal cost, so it appears that you are spending less. But somewhere the room rental for those large rooms must be covered. In Ft. Wayne, there was a rebate program by the hotel that gave to the Convention chapter so much per room that was rented. This, in turn, covered the rental of those huge Convention meeting rooms.
* In a larger market city (such as Indianapolis), the meal cost is higher because in those facilities, the room rental is incorporated into the meal cost.
THEREFORE, chapters are paying Convention costs either way, but it appears higher on paper.
BOTTOM LINE: Trust that your National Council and Convention host chapter are doing the best they can financially with your $$$$$$. Know also, that we are listening. Make sure to complete a convention survey and share your opinion. Feel free to contact a member of National Council with your questions or concerns.
Cathy Etzler
National Advisor
P.S. - Be thinking how your chapter can be helping in a small way with Convention 2016.
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Greetings from the Indiana State Association Your Indiana State Board met on Friday January 8th in Indianapolis for our Winter meeting. This is our first time to really spend time getting to know each other and then conducting business too. One of the great accomplishments of this meeting was voting to transfer $2,500 from our general fund to the project fund. The Project Screening Committee met on Saturday morning of the 9th at the National Office. They heard from many of the wonderful Project Representatives and there was lots of discussion on deciding how to distribute our Indiana Project money. With the transfer of the money to the project fund this gave $10,000 to be distributed to projects that will be voted on at the State Meeting in April. Information on projects will be coming to chapter Presidents in February. Registration packets for the 2016 State Meeting are nearly ready to mail. Please keep a look out for them and if Chapter Presidents don't receive them by Feb 5th, please contact President Mickie Hansen at oct41992@aol.com or 317-402-6409. Registration information will also be available for viewing on the Indiana and National websites. April 23, 2016, "Celebrating Psi Ote Success," Greenfield, Indiana, hosted by Upsilon, Greenfield
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A Great Volunteer Opportunity
from our Riley Foundation Representative, Kate Bonner
Greetings and Happy New Year!
The WFMS Indianapolis (95.5 THE Country Station) Cumulus Riley Radiothon is taking place Friday & Saturday, February 26 & 27, and we'd love to have you join us!
We are recruiting volunteer support to help callers make an important pledge during the radiothon. These pledges will support the most critical needs at Riley Hospital for Children.
**The event most likely will be held at WFMS' station at 6810 North Shadeland Avenue. If you are interested in volunteering, please email me to secure a shift, and I will let you know as soon as we confirm the broadcast location.
Below you'll find the phone bank volunteer shifts and numbers of volunteers needed. Please confirm your preferred day and shift with me before securing volunteers to ensure we reserve those spots for your group.
Due to the sensitive information collected by our phone bank volunteers we ask that they be 16 years of age or older. Also, volunteers should have basic typing skills for online pledge processing purposes. The program is very user-friendly and volunteers will be trained 30 minutes prior to their shift.
Friday, February 26, 2016
6:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m.: 10 Volunteers Needed 8:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.: 8 Volunteers Needed 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.: 8 Volunteers Needed 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.: FULL 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.: 10 Volunteers Needed Saturday, February 27, 20169:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.: 8 Volunteers Needed 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: 8 Volunteers Needed 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.: 8 Volunteers Needed 3:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.: 8 Volunteers Needed **We ask that volunteers check in 30 minutes prior to their shift for training. Thank you for your consideration! We greatly appreciate the many volunteers who generously give their time to help Indiana's kids have a healthier future.
For The Kids,
Kate
Kate Bonner, Associations & Radiothon Coordinator Riley Children's Foundation 317.808.8560 direct line * 502.641.0308 cellular * 877.867.4539 x8560 toll-free30 S. Meridian St., Suite 200Indianapolis, IN 46204RileyKids.org
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Dear Psi Iota Xi Sisters,
My name is Naomi Horton. Besides being a member of the Gamma Xi Chapter in Crawfordsville, IN, I'm also the executive director for Hear Indiana, a non-profit that has been empowering and supporting children who are deaf or hard of hearing for 45 years! Thank you for letting me share a little bit about one of our amazing programs that is near and dear to my heart.
Hear Indiana offers the only camp in Indiana specifically designed for children who use hearing aids or cochlear implants to communicate using spoken language. While participating in all the typical outdoor camp fun, like swimming, zip-lining, and horseback riding; our campers are also developing crucial leadership skills that we've embedded in each activity. As these young campers connect in friendships and develop life-long advocacy skills, they are supported in their use of modern hearing technologies and their listening and speaking abilities, making their educational and vocational options in our community endless. This summer's camp will be held again at Bradford Woods near Martinsville, Indiana on June 26-July 1, 2016.
We are so appreciative of those chapters that have so generously supported us in the past! For the first time in our camp's history, we had a record camp capacity of 65 campers! We anticipate having a waiting list again this year. Although Hear Indiana's cost per camper is $1000, we are committed to keeping the maximum camper fee at $550. To be able to do this, Hear Indiana is dependent upon grants, sponsorships, and private donations. Because typically about 75% of our campers receive some financial assistance, it is very important to us that we keep camp fees affordable for all. Would your chapter sponsor one low-income camper this year? A full campership (i.e., $550) could help make this happen! Any amount is greatly appreciated. Thank you for your generous support!
If you would like to visit our camp this summer, or schedule a past camper to speak to your chapter, please contact us at hearcamp@heaindiana.org. Your generous donation will forever change the lives of the children who would otherwise not get this camp opportunity. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration.
Loyally,
Naomi Horton, MS, CCC-SLP
PS- Please make plans to join your PIX sisters at our 13th annual Talk Walk Run on
April 30th at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. Visit TalkWalkRun.com
to join the Psi Iota Xi team today!
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Heather Mitchell, National Editor
Zeta Theta
Niles, Michgan
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From the Editor's Desk
New Newsletter format
For this issue I have chosen a mobile friendly format. More and more of us are reading our emails on mobile devices.
Updated Bylaws can be found on the website. Click here to go there now.
Now Available - YourChapter@psiiotaxi.org
Why should YOUR chapter have its own email address?
- All PIX communications will be centralized into one mailbox. ONE dedicated email account for all communications instead of multiple personal email addresses.
- Address will stay the same even when the president and/or treasurer changes. No communications will be lost because National was not made aware of an address change or update.
- Chapter controls password and access so only the president, treasurer and whomever they choose can have access to the chapter's email. The password can be changed when officers change to protect access.
- Streamlines communications from National to all chapters. Nothing will be missed because someone did not read her email.
Contact Heather Mitchell, National Editor, for details about establishing your chapter's new email address.Helicon
Each chapter receives two Helicons. If your chapter would like to purchase more please let me know. The cost is $4 per Helicon.
Thank you to those of you who have supplied me chapter member email addresses to update. If your chapter members are not registered on the website please send me their email addresses and I will get them their log in credentials.
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Please Keep us updated
We know changes are always happening. People move, get new phones, change email, etc. Please forward any changes to the Presidents Directory to the National Editor so the directory is always current. Log in and visit the "Member's Only" section on the website for the most current version of our Presidents' Directory.
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Another Psi Ote Rose Petal Falls
Gamma Beta - Remington
passed away on Friday, Dec. 25, 2015 at White Oak Health Campus, Monticello. She was a resident of Remington from 1946 to 2013. She was born Dec. 2, 1921 in Chicago to Fay and Anne Brown. On Jan. 29, 1944 she married Ralph A. Wagner in Stamford, Texas. He preceded her in death on Nov. 20, 2001. Carol graduated from Fair Oaks, (IN) High School in 1939.
She was the Clerk-Treasurer of Remington from 1964 to 1987 and for her dedicated years of service was awarded the Sagamore of the Wabash upon retirement. She was a member of Psi Iota Xi sorority, serving as President for a term, and was also a member of the, American Legion Auxiliary, Jasper County Republican Women, the Remington Historical Society and the Dorcas Club. As well she was a member of the Altar-Rosary Society of Sacred Heart Church, Remington.
She enjoyed playing cards, reading, and walking. She enjoyed spending her last days with her sister, Essie Nussbaum.
Frances "Betty" Elizabeth Yeager, Iota Tau - Indianapolis passed away on January 7, 2016. She was born March 18, 1934 in Chicago, IL the daughter of Francis and Sarah Hearn. Betty was a graduate of Danville High School and she married Donald Yeager September 13, 1953.
She was employed at the Hendricks County Auditors office for several years. She was a member of the Chapel Rock Christian Church and Bridgeport Chapter of Order of Eastern Star. She was appointed an Eastern Star Grand Representative of Indiana to the State of Texas. She was a member of PSI IOTA XI Sorority, the Indy Women's Connection, and the Red Hat Society.
She is survived by her beloved husband, Donald, her children, Margaret E. (Rick) Daniel and Ella Jane Yeager, her granddaughter, Mary Daniel.
Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday January 14, 2016 in Conkle Funeral Home Speedway Chapel with visitation from 4 to 8 p.m. on Wednesday. Burial will be in West Ridge Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may the made to Cure SMA, 925 Busse Road, Elk Grove Village, IL 60007 or www.curesma.org. Online condolences may be shared at conklefuneralhome.com
Mary Lucile (Fuller) Hamilton, 93, went home to be with the LORD on January 18, 2016 after a short illness. Her family was by her side. Mary Lou was born on July 28, 1922 in Henry County, IN, the second child to the late Orion and Iown (Wright) Fuller. Growing up in the Hartford City-Muncie, IN area, she graduated from Center High School, Delaware County, IN, and Muncie Business School. She was married to Charles O. Hamilton in Mt Pleasant, IN on June 29, 1941. They celebrated 74 years of marriage and lived in the South Bend area since 1945, residing the last 40 years in Lakeville. Mary Lou was preceded in death by her half sisters Virginia Rice (Lloyd) and Cecil Bechtel (William) and by her brothers, Basil O. Fuller (Pauline) and Glen E. Fuller (Nell). She is survived by her husband and their children: D. Kaye Robison; Charles O. Hamilton II (Lucille); Philip F. Hamilton (Mary Beth); Lucinda A. Meade (Joseph); Mary Beth Kaiser (Rock). Also surviving are 14 grandchildren, 10 great-grand children, and a number of nieces and nephews. A member of Lakeville United Methodist Church, she was a talented quilter, china painter, and pianist. She held leadership roles in many volunteer organizations including Psi Iota Xi, the PEO Sisterhood, United Methodist Women, First United Methodist Church Board of Trustees, and Union Township 4H Board. Mary Lou had a wonderful gift of hospitality, and friends and family came often to their home. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, January 21, 2016 at Lakeville United Methodist Church, 610 N. Michigan St., Lakeville, IN. Graveside services and burial will follow at Southlawn Cemetery, South Bend. Friends may visit with the family from 3:00 - 7:00 p.m. Wednesday at Palmer Funeral Home, 314 S. Michigan St., Lakeville, IN and one hour prior on Thursday at church. Contributions in memory of Mary Lou Hamilton may be made to Lakeville United Methodist Church. Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com. |
Newsletter Archive
Have you missed previous issues of our electronic newsletter? If so, click below and find a complete listing of our archived issues. Be sure to share this link with your other sisters who may not be opening their newsletters. Archived Newsletters
Social Media
Are you on Facebook? If so, stop by and say "Hello." We have two pages with two different purposes. Main Page, is public and has posts from Psi Iota Xi that you may comment on. The Group Page is where you can opt in and post questions or ideas and get input from your sisters. On this page, you can also announce events and activities with all of us there as well as recap the fun with photos! Don't forget that you can also add images to your comments! Let us know what's going on in your chapter. Post images from chapter meetings and events. Let us know about significant happenings in your life - new baby/grandchild, new job, promotion, retirement, marriage, engagement, or whatever you'd like to share with your Psi Iota Xi sisters. We'd love to celebrate with you! |
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