Saturday, October 31, 2009

Happy Halloween


Thursday, October 29, 2009

Evelyn Peters Kyle

Below is an email from Pi Beta Phi Fraternity Executive Director Juli Willeman.

It is with great sadness I share with you that Evelyn Peters Kyle passed away on October 9, 2009, at the age of 98. A resident of Pasadena, CA for more than 90 years, Evelyn lived her last four years at the Marguerite Gardens P.E.O. Home.

When one thinks of a lifelong commitment to Pi Beta Phi, Evelyn’s name immediately comes to mind. Evelyn was initiated into our founding chapter, IL Alpha in 1930 and served the Fraternity in many capacities throughout her life. At the International level she served as Grand Vice President of Programs, Grand Vice President of Philanthropy and Grand Vice President of Alumnae. At the local and regional level, she served as President of the Pasadena Alumnae Club and Province President for Alumnae Clubs in California.

In 1993, Evelyn was named the Fraternity’s Poet Laureate.

She was an avid reader, an accomplished poet, a lover of history and a dedicated volunteer to philanthropic and civic service organizations. Organizations included P.E.O., Pasadena Public Library, Pasadena Historical Society and the Women’s Civic League.

Evelyn leaves no “traditional” family, but leaves a coast-to-coast family of friends and will be greatly missed by her Pi Phi sisters.

A memorial service will be held at the Mountain View Mortuary in Altadena, CA at 1:00 P.M. on November 5, 2009. A reception at the Athenaeum in Pasadena will follow.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts to the Pi Beta Phi Foundation or the charity of your choice will be welcomed.

If you have any additional questions feel free to contact Jean Scott at Jeanwscott@aol.com.

In Pi Phi,
Juli

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Who can pin a Legacy?

As we are planning to attend the initiation ceremonies at the chapters we are supporting please familiarize yourself with the pinning policy provided to by Grand Vice President of Collegians Sue Robinson.

Alumnae are encouraged to attend initiations for new members for whom they have a special bond or relationship. Showing our newest members that Pi Phi is for life is wonderful, especially at initiation. It's important, however, that you know Pi Phi's policies about who can actually participate in the ceremony.
If you are the mother, sister or grandmother of a Pi Phi new member who is being initiated, you are welcome to pin the badge on your legacy. If other alumnae friends and relatives of the new member are present, chapters will do their best to arrange that they have a place at the front to have a good view of the ceremony.
Please understand that initiation is something passed down and performed by our Chapter Presidents with this one exception for pinning legacies by their mothers, sisters or grandmothers. No other Fraternity member (Pi Phi Big Sister, Beta Buddy, aunt, friend of family, etc.) may pin an initiate.
Please be respectful of this policy and if you have any questions, please ask the chapter's alumnae adviser who is present at the ceremony to explain the proper protocol.

Monday, October 19, 2009

Pi Phi Triathlete

Congratulations to Boise Alumnae Club member Katie Bonnette on completing her first triathlon this summer. Below is her recap about the experience.

I ran my first sprint distance triathlon this summer and it was such a great experience! I got my initial inspiration through watching a friend compete in a local half-Ironman triathlon. While watching him I was amazed at how many people of all ages were racing and enjoying themselves, so I decided to give it a try. It was great to have friends already in the sport who gave me good advice. I think the most important advice was to make sure you get the right equipment (road/tri bike, wetsuit, good running shoes). You definitely get what you pay for and the wrong equipment can make a big difference in how you feel about the race and the training that goes into it. For the race day I set what I thought was a reasonable goal of 2 hours to finish the 1/3 mile swim, 13 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run. I ended up finishing in just under an hour and a half - I was so excited! Now I’m hooked on triathlons and am really looking forward to competing in several of them next season!

Katie (in blue) finishing her swim!

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Pumpkin Trifle

Lacey Sears who is a member of the Salt Lake City Alumnae Club decided to share this Paula Deen recipe with us. She said it is perfect for the upcoming holiday season.

Ingredients
2 (14-ounce) packages gingerbread mix
1 (5.1-ounce) box cook-and-serve vanilla pudding mix
1 (30-ounce) can pumpkin pie filling
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1/3 teaspoon ground cardamom or cinnamon
1 (12-ounce) container frozen whipped topping
1/2 cup gingersnaps, optional

Directions
Bake the gingerbread according to the package directions; cool completely. Meanwhile, prepare the pudding and set aside to cool. Stir the pumpkin pie filling, sugar, and cardamom into the pudding. Crumble 1 batch of gingerbread into the bottom of a large, pretty bowl. Pour 1/2 of the pudding mixture over the gingerbread, then add a layer of whipped topping. Repeat with the remaining gingerbread, pudding, and whipped topping. Sprinkle of the top with crushed gingersnaps, if desired. Refrigerate overnight. Trifle can be layered in a punch bowl."

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Leadership and Nominating Committee

Are you a loyal Pi Phi looking to contribute to Fraternity's ongoing success? Do you have professional experience in recruiting or training and development? The Fraternity has a great opportunity for you.
We are looking for qualified candidates to serve on the international Leadership & Nominating Committee. The committee is expanding both in size and scope and we want to hear from you.

What is the Leadership & Nominating Committee?
The Leadership & Nominating Committee is a team of nine dues-paying alumnae who identify and recommend other Fraternity members for appointment or election to volunteer positions within the Fraternity. The committee presents a compelling case to support members’ appointments or elections and facilitates training and development of Fraternity officers.
The committee recently changed names from “Nominating Committee” to “Leadership & Nominating Committee,” taking a page from our chapters. The committee also cultivates leadership as well as identifies potential volunteers to serve in appointed and elected capacities.

Board Qualifications:
Past service as international or regional officer, specialist or committee chairman
Attendance at a minimum of two Fraternity conventions
Broad Fraternity knowledge
Dues-paying alumnae member
Ability to work effectively as a team member
Experience in human resources including talent management, training and development is desirable

Travels includes: Fraternity workshops, events and conventions as needed at the expense of the Fraternity.

If you or someone you know is interested, e-mail a resume to GVPCom@pibetaphi.org. Please respond by October 23, 2009, to be considered for this position"

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Seattle Alumnae Club Co-President Susie Blake Weds

A regal wedding from start to finish! From seeing each other for the first time at a beautiful historic home on top of Queen Anne, Seattle to the Olympic Sculpture Park where they re-enacted his proposal under The Eagle, to the stately Trinity Parish on Capital Hill, then the Rolls Royce to the reception at the elegant Seattle Tennis Club on Lake Washington and finally, topped by the Susie and John Lane Day proclamation from Governor Chris Gregoire, their wedding day couldn’t have been better, or more historical! A warm, sunny day and the fabulous Michael Benson Band added to the well organized event – unlike the haphazard, absolutely-by-chance manner in which the couple met. Apparently, while on a flight, John’s mom happened onto a conversation between flight attendants about the remote Caribbean resort, Turks and Caicos, where John had just returned, so they started talking. One of the flight attendants is Susie’s good friend and she suggested they get together. The rest, as they say, is history!

Monday, October 12, 2009

Holt House Historical Marker

Here is the proof of the Illinois State Historical Marker that was placed on the front grounds of the Holt House on October 8, 2009.