Sharing Reports - Sept/Oct - 2012
The end of summer was a sad time for the sisters of OLT when one of our
sisters passed away. Marcia was one of the early members of OLT. I write
the sharing report from the minutes of our meetings and saw that Marcia had
signed in for our August meeting. She will be dearly missed. OLT is doing
a donation to the Beta Sigma Phi Scholarship Fund in her memory. Many
have donated in addition to the donation from OLT. My husband and I feel
blessed that we were able to visit Marcia a few summers ago.
OLT is discussing ways to implement our theme. Will share with the cc
when we have finished the discussion.
We have gone back to the way we used to do book reviews. Those who wish,
read the same book and have brief discussions. We had gotten away from
that format when we started just posting about a book that we had read. We
started with Book 1 of the #1 Ladies Detective Agency, Scarlet Nights by Jude
Devareaux, and just finished Harlan Coben's The Woods. You can find our
books at our web site _http://roxlucas.webs.com/_ (http://roxlucas.webs.com/)
. Also learn more about OLT at our web site.
Like most of the on line chapters, we click daily at the breast cancer site
_http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2_
(http://www.thebreastcancersite.com/clickToGive/home.faces?siteId=2) All of us
participate with our clicks numbering in the thousands each month.
OLT is considering doing our Founder's Day different next year with having
regional meeting such as all of the Florida girls getting together, etc.
There will probably be 4 groups. Of course, every thing is still in the
'how do we do it stage'.
We are looking forward to a wonderful year under our president, Roxanne.
She has already been doing an outstanding job by starting monthly executive
board meetings.
.
You are among friends,
Arlene Fox, OLT
You are Among Friends,
(Krissie)
Cyber Council Rep for Online Xi
As births & deaths are an integral part of life's journey numerous members
of OLD have been doing it tough with dealing with parting with people who
have been so special in their life. Along with others dealing with younger
family members whose lives have not had those fairy book stories in the
middle chapters. The main aspect of being a BSP is there has been honest
sharing and spontaneous support. What would we do without our wonderful
sisters?
Our chapter voted and installed new officers for the coming year:
July brought our election and installation of Officers for 2012-13: President-Rose ; VP-Cheryl; Rec Sec-Kathy ; Cor.Sec-Jean ; Treas-Marcia
OnL ine Kappa (OLK) officers are elected for a two year t erm; we find it difficult to have enough volunteers for the officer positions each year . The officers for 2012-2014 are President, Marilyn ; Vice President, Nancy ; Recording Secretary, Michelle (she was appointed, and later installed, after our RS resigned); Corresponding Secretary, Bonnie Weaver; Treasurer, Carrie. With the exception of our RS, these also were the officers for 2010-2012.
Officers are:
Many of our members have been on the move over the past few months with
vacations to all sorts of exciting destinations and have had us sharing
. the fascination of members exploring Sri Lanka with their elephant
orphanages and tea plantations,
. Prague via London from Australia
. Macau and Hong Kong with their fantastic shows and harbour,
helping a son and his young family move into their first home of their own,
. Italy with its incredible history and fairy tale places like the
great lakes, Venice and the Isle of Capri
. Cruises from New York to Bermuda and down to the Caribbean
. To spend time with family members travelled to Paso Robles.
Minnesota, Spokane, Manitoba, Nags Head-North Carolina and Sevierville,
Tennessee
Book reviews - we were fascinated to find that two of the books chosen had
different titles in the northern and southern hemisphere -
. "Someone Knows My Name" by Lawrence Hill in the southern
hemisphere and in the northern hemisphere as "The Book of Negroes".
. Kate Morton's publication of "The House at Riverton" in northern
hemisphere and The Shifting Fog" down under.
. "The Art of Racing in the Rain" by Garth Stein was another book
reviewed
. In July members chatted about their choice of a book about "A
Person in the Arts"
. "The Water is Wide" by Pat Conroy is the book for review in
August- In Australia the only way to get a copy was to ask the National
Library in Canberra for a copy. I have also managed to get a copy of the
movie "Conrack" downloaded from cyber space.
Coffee Klatch - topic have included -
. How We Celebrate Founders Day. It was great to hear how Chapters
around the world celebrate our special day.
. Vending machines
. What your favourite childhood author or book was OR th book you
and your children enjoyed together
Service
. Food Bank Contribution
. My husband Glen and I, receive lots of coupons in the mail and in
our Sunday paper. When we have the ones we want, we take the other ones to
the store and put them on the shelf next to the items. Helping others save
for the week
. click on
Programs
. What Beta Sigma Phi Means to Me", when we joined and why.
. Friendships - Childhood, High School and Lost friends
. You are a Special Friend
Socials
. Evelyn transported us all to Istanbul for one of the most
spectacular socials we have had yet. We sure needed a few days to recover
and reflect on all the fun we had together
. Gina took us to play with Hobbies, Crafts and Cooking
General
. Karon Cowan has done a sterling job in finding a suitable free NEW
WEBSITE for us and of creating OLD's new website. The previous OLD website
was deleted at the end of April. See our new one at
. WOMAN OF THE YEAR honours were shared by our President and Vice
President for 2011/2012
. FOUNDER'S DAY: had all our members travel on our magic carpet to
attend our celebrations and enjoy the big event in an Australian country
town.
. Evelyn officiated for A GOLDEN RITUAL CELEBRATING FIFTY (50) YEARS
OF MEMBERSHIP which we celebrated for Jan Riley. Fifty years of membership
is an amazing accomplishment and we are all proud of Jan.
. OUR FIRST TORCHBEARER: I am happy to report that the Niagara
Region honoured Brenda Navin with the Torchbearer Degree at their Founder's
Day Celebration on April 24, 2012. As a bit of trivia for all, along with
her friend, Ruth, Brenda was one of the first to receive the Master's Degree
in Brampton, Ontario, Canada. Now Brenda has another honour --- she is the
first OLD member to receive the Torchbearer Degree! Congratulations Brenda!!
. Bev Robertson has moved up to Master's degree and Gina Taylor
along with Val Jerram are now Preceptor members
. Membership
With a cap of 45 we now have 36 members
1 Ritual of Jewel
1 Exemplar
7 Preceptor
13 Laureate
13 Master
1Torchbearer
We would be delighted to hear from any sister who know of anyone interested
in joining an OnLine chapter. The new website is up at
The shared responsibilities for our chapter are being carried out by
President - Bobbi Torchia, Vice-President - Sue Robinson, Secretary - Gina
Taylor, Program - Theral Crutchfield, Service - Ellen Jeffes, Social -
Evelyn Brandby, Sunshine - Linda Frederick, Book Club - Sue Robinson, Cyber
Council Reps - Brenda Navin and Val Jerram, Koffee Klatch - Judy Rosefield,
Pin Guardian - Harlene Annett, Yahoo Group - Nola Riggs, Web Mistress -
Karon Cowan
Gina's response to Question of the month has already been submitted
I Googled "You are Among Friends" and found that a book has been written by
Lindsey Markel, aimed at young women aged 10 - 30 years but a reviewer says
" it's inspiring and honest and fresh and REAL for every woman. Would that
anyone had told me these things when I was younger."
Any other suggestions which may be submitted by our members will be shared
when they come to hand.
We are among friends,
Val - Cyber Council Rep
Tanya - Moderator/President; Cherie - VP; Hollie
-Sec ; Julie -Treas
Members signed up for programs for the coming yr with Program chair Ingrid
Hartman. Ingrid asked us to think about using the BSP theme
And tie in also something "odd, unusual or unique" for our programs. There
will be a program of the yr with a prize. She will do the first program
for us this weekend. We will have discussion following the program.
We had discussion about creating a Facebook page for our chapter to be able
to introduce rush ideas and get some new members. We have 10 members active
now. Some members do not want their names or info put up on Facebook.
Others will participate.
Our special sister program chair Michelle G asked for the names of those
participating so she can make the prs by the next meeting.
We all were relieved to hear the news that our member Hollie, who lives in
New Orleans, did not have any significant damage from Hurricane Isaac and
only lost power for a short time. Prayers were sent for other sisters that
may have suffered greater damage around the country.
You're Among Friends,
Beta Hugs,
Cathy
We also, celebrated On Line Psi’s twelfth birthday July 12, 2012.
The programs were all signed up for the coming year.
Our service project is clicking all the sites at the Breast Cancer Site for Free Mammograms for those in need as well Animals. Some or most of us click daily on all 8 of the sites there.
Our Reading club is reading for Sept: John Grisham’s, ‘The Litigator’s’. Aug was the book by Marie “Ree” Smith, ‘The pioneer woman, from heels to tractor wheels & July was "I Got This" by Jennifer Hudson.
One of the ways we can use our theme is to use it as a signature closing.
You're Among Friends,
Marcia Hamm
Our other Cyber Council reps are Karen and Mary .
Currently, we have 18 members, with a cap of 25 - 1 Pledge , 3 Ritual of Jewels , 6 Exemplar , 4 Preceptor , 3 Laureate , 1 Master; o ur chapter is a composite of young moms, profess ional women working away from home, professional women working from home, grandmas and even one great-grandma.
We have two programs each month, followed by a wonderful social, and our meetings are nearly always attended by 100% of our members. Our programs during the last few months have been Peaches in Texas; My Taekwondo Journey: Finding Friendship, Confidence and Fitness; Long Distance Friendships; the War of 1812. I read with interest one of Val's program topics, "What Beta Sigma Phi Means to Me", when we joined and why. This was a thought-provoking question sent out to our membership, since International asks this question of members, too. It wasn't as well-received by a few of our sisters as I had hoped, and shortly thereafter, two members resigned. But they have moved on to another online chapter, where I'm sure they hope they're not again asked this question .
Our socials have taken us to such places as St. Louis, MO; the Oregon coast; Crater Lake in Oregon; a tea-house in Kansas City, MO; a train trip to Reno, NV; a limo ride to a wine festival on the California coast - most all of these included great pictures and we all felt we were right there enjoying our time with our sisters.
Kappa and Beta Hugs,
Marilyn
Sunni - President
Cindy - Vice President
Elise - Recording Secretary
Regina- Corresponding Secretary
We have 25 members and our mascot is the Swan.
Recently, we have been discussing ways to become closer. Some of our
ideas are to do a "day in the life", doing pictures and sharing
what a typical day is in our life. We can take that information and put
it into a "yearbook" of sorts to share with the group.
Additionally, one of our members mentioned screen printing shirts for us
and another wants to do a "pen-pal" of sorts. We have a handful
of international members so doing it quarterly would save on postage
costs.
Finally, we have a Facebook page that we are active on that is just for
OLO.
Toni Online Omicron Rep