Sharing Reports - May, 2008

It is with a heavy heart that I write this month’s sharing report. Shirley, a long time member of OLB passed away this morning. She had a massive coronary on Monday and had been in a coma since. She will be missed by all.

OLB welcomed three visitors making up meetings for their land chapters at our April and May meetings. Our guests were from FL, PA and TX. We welcome sisters who are trying to maintain perfect attendance. We highly recommend that anyone needing to make up a meeting not wait until the end of the year to do so since space is limited.

We celebrated Founder's Day on Wednesday, April 30th. Here is the link to our cyber celebration:

http://www.cawamn.com/OnLineBeta/foundersday/fd08welcome.html

Our Program Committee has continued their quest to educate us. Our March program was reading and discussing the book by Suze Orman, “WOMEN AND MONEY”. We learned that some of our members are already doing a lot of the things outlined in the book and others picked up ideas of changes they could make in financial record keeping. Our Program for April was about computer tips and tricks. We received lots of useful info and links, such as "Time for an update? Scrub your old data." "Is my favorite Website safe?" "The text is TOO SMALL!!" And last but not least, "How do I translate a foreign language online?"

Our Service Committee shared ways for us to Go Green in March and examined ways to be kind to our planet. In April several sisters shared their stories about rescue dogs for our service to animals theme. Many of our sisters are visiting The Animal Rescue Site and clicking daily to give free food and care to our furry friends.

April saw many pictures of grand babies, children, legacies, and scary weather formations (tornadoes and hail). We sent prayers and blew bubbles of good wishes for doctor's visits and surgeries for sisters and their families. We sent birthday and anniversary and special day greetings.

We also had some thought-provoking discussions on tattoos and body piercings, and on whether or not anyone has had a lifetime dream come true?

OLB is also proud to announce that Irene has been named the “Online Roving Reporter”. Cyber Chapters have been allotted a 2-page spread in the Torch. Please send any articles and photos to Irene at the following address: VirtualNewsline@aol.com .

Beta Hugs,

Dianne
OLB Rep

The OLK new officers for ensuing year 2008-2009

President - Carrie
Vice President - Nancy
Treasurer - Judy
Recording Secretary - Elizabeth
Corresponding Secretary - Bonnie

We have 3 guests at our May 2008 meeting.

The April program was presented by Mary on the origins of April fool's day. The history of April fool's day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (New Year's week) to January 1, but Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Others who were more rebellious refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1. These people were labeled "fools" and subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them.

This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere like to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April fool's day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way.

The April program was presented by Mary on the origins of April fool's day. The history of April fool's day or All Fool's Day is uncertain, but the current thinking is that it began around 1582 in France with the reform of the calendar under Charles IX. New Year's Day was moved from March 25 - April 1 (New Year's week) to January 1, but Communication traveled slowly in those days and some people were only informed of the change several years later. Others who were more rebellious refused to acknowledge the change and continued to celebrate on the last day of the former celebration, April 1. These people were labeled "fools" and subject to ridicule and sent on "fool errands," sent invitations to nonexistent parties and had other practical jokes played upon them.

This harassment evolved over time and a custom of prank-playing continue on the first day of April. This tradition eventually spread elsewhere like to Britain and Scotland in the 18th century and was introduced to the American colonies by the English and the French. Because of this spread to other countries, April fool's day has taken on an international flavor with each country celebrating the holiday in its own way.

Karen Asplen and her land chapter were our hosts for our Founder's Day celebration. Celebrating the 77th Anniversary Founder's Day of our wonderful sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, we gathered at the Springhouse Tavern and Inn in Springhouse, Pennsylvania.

After dinner we recite the Founder's Day Pledge and heard a message from International and Laura Ross Wingfield. She expressed that for so many years we have been the largest unknown organization in the world. We need to work to make that change. We need to tell all the women we know what it is we do two nights a month. We need to tell them of our friendships, of the love our sisters show us. We can't expect other women to seek us out and find us; we must seek them out and find them. Then we must give them a reason to want to be like us. We can do that by Singing our Song of Sisterhood. Karen then shared with us the 2008-2009 Theme: REKINDLE THE TORCH OF FRIENDSHIP.

Karen thanked everyone for coming to the Founder's Day celebration and hoped that we enjoyed the food and companionship of fellow sisters. As with many of our land chapters and city council, there were chapter highlights from each of the chapters. Each chapter also did a gift basket to raffle off with all proceeds going to the Special Olympics. At the end of the evening the granddaughter of one of their members sang a few songs for our program and entertainment. Before the chapter highlights, each chapter did announce their Woman of the Year (Karen's land chapter still has not announced theirs).

At this time she turned it over to Carrie to make the announcement of our Online Kappa Woman of the Year. Our Woman of the Year certainly deserved the honor. Not only did she work hard to make lots of things happen in our chapter, but she served as our President for the past two years too. Congratulations to OLK's Woman of the Year, Nancy. (copied with permission)
Barbara Gingrich OLK CC Rep.