Lambs gathered in Scranton, Pennsylvania, in July for the annual convention. While Scranton may not have the glitz and glamour of a big city, it certainly held something very special for our annual gathering!

As evidenced by our large number of registrants, Scranton was a great place to hold a convention. It was accessible by car for many of our sisters, making the job of getting to convention much easier (and more affordable, too). The city of Scranton was friendly and welcoming, and sisters enjoyed the hospitality.

Alpha Phi sisters from Wilkes University served as the host chapter and did a marvelous job. Not only did they assist with the "nuts and bolts" of the meeting, they also served as guides. They were happy and eager to show all of us where to have a good time (in those seemingly all-too-rare free moments).

Our big Lambs night out was spent at the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders baseball game. Our group was warmly welcomed, and Grand President Jenny Brandt even got to throw out the ceremonial first pitch! Those who did not attend the game showed off their artistic skills by painting wine glasses--and I must say that we have some very talented Lambs!

We wrapped up this biennium's WHI topic of substance abuse and addiction with Jake Nichols, a pharmacist who shared his story of becoming addicted to the very medications for which he is responsible. His presentation was moving and challenging. The WHI topic for the next biennium is skin cancer. Watch for social media posts about this subject.

Beginning with a reception to benefit the Educational Trust and ending with a banquet and the installation of the new Grand Council, our closing gala was nothing short of spectacular. What a great evening for everyone!

November 1st was the deadline for paying alumni dues. If you have already paid, thank you! If you have not yet paid, it's not too late!

Thanks to your loyalty and support, Lambda Kappa Sigma continues to thrive as the first (and best!) professional fraternity supporting women in pharmacy. With more than 25,000 initiated "Lambs", our beloved Fraternity remains dedicated to providing lifelong opportunities to all members through professional excellence and personal growth. 

Your continued support allows us to provide amazing opportunities not only to you but to the women following in your professional footsteps!

I am frequently asked by current alumni chapters how they can get new graduates involved with their current alumni. I am also asked by new graduates how they can get involved with alumni chapters. These seem like simple questions with simple answers. But in reality, this gap is not as easy to bridge as it sounds!

There are several obstacles to overcome. When our sisters are in their last year of studies, they are on rotations, often not on campus and not always in touch with their collegiate chapter. In fact, sometimes sisters are completing their rotations in another state or even another country! We are very mobile professionals, and this takes us away from our "roots".

After graduation, residencies are becoming an even more popular option. This often means living somewhere new for only one or two years and then moving on to another area of the country. This can sometimes leave our sisters feeling disconnected and out of touch. There is also a bit of apprehension about joining a chapter that isn't their own--they can sometimes feel a bit like foreigners!

The good news is that LKS is always there for you, no matter where you go! Alumni chapters have been established in many cities across the U.S. You are free to join any of these chapters even if that is not the chapter into which you were initiated. I know that if I were moving to a new area, I would always be an Alpha Zeta sister at heart, but that any other alumni chapter would be there for me. Because at the base of it, we are all sisters in LKS!

How can you find members in a new area? There are many ways!

I have also heard of several alumni chapters that have had success with the transition from collegiate to alumni by including sisters on rotations in alumni activities. Alumni chapters tell me that they don't do anything special, such as collect dues. They simply include the soon-to-be graduates in their activities and communications. This is a great introduction to the alumni world and lets the sisters know they are valued and appreciated.

Many collegiate chapters hold special alumni events as well. The collegiates tell me that they are sometimes frustrated by the low numbers of alumni who attend. Alumni, I want you to know just how much your attendance at these events is appreciated. The collegiates really do want to meet you and get to know you. They value your experience and advice! Please try to attend when you can...you might even have some fun!

If your chapter has had success in recruiting new graduates, email me at GVPAlumni@lks.org. I'll feature your success story in an upcoming Alumni News!

One of the more popular features of our convention in recent years has been Ewe Can Shop, a shopping event like none other! This event is set up like a vendor fair and features a wonderful assortment of goods for sale. Many of our chapters use this event as a fundraiser for their chapter or for one of their philanthropies (such as Project HOPE). A few of our very enterprising sisters also participate in other businesses (even their own!).

At Ewe Can Shop in Scranton, we were really pleased to be able to feature several of our sisters who have their own businesses: Christine Perry (Summer House Hand Stamped Jewelry and Rodan + Fields), Elicia DeParolesa (Arbonne), Amanda Higgins (The Natural Pharmacist), Nicole Lombardo (KEEP Collective) and Dixie Leikach (PEER, a pharmacy ethics and education service).

Great job, ladies! We were glad to have you with us. If you would like more information about any of these businesses or want to know how to participate in our next Ewe Can Shop, email me at GVPAlumni@lks.org.

Our next convention will be held in the wonderful city of Atlanta, Georgia, from August 3 through 5, 2017. There will be a lot more information coming out in the months ahead. But knowing how pharmacist vacation schedules fill up, I wanted you to have the date so you can plan ahead.

There is sure to be lots of fun, education, sisterhood and more...so mark your calendar now!

And be sure to visit lks.org/Convention17 for all the latest.

If something has happened to you (big or small), please let me know. New job? New home? A baby? Engagement? Something serious? Something funny? Email me at GVPAlumni@lks.org. Remember the photo, too!

I am looking forward to hearing from you!