Beta Sigma Phi Cyber Council


Sharing Reports - September/October - 2017

On Line Delta

Programs

August 

Our theme this year is “In touch with tomorrow” so I was thinking it would be interesting to see how “In touch with tomorrow” we have been.

When you were a child (say 7-12) what did you want to be when you grew up? – and what did you end up doing? – do you still sometimes wish you could have done what you wanted to back then?

What do you think the biggest change has been over your lifetime – it could be something technological, social, political, medical, or something entirely different.

What do you think the biggest change will be over the next 20-50 years? Are we ready to be “In touch with tomorrow”?

September

History of Kites

The earliest known kites date back more than 2000 years. Though the exact origin is debated, it's believed the home of the first kite was Shandong, the eastern most province of China. 

As with any new invention, kites were used for good and bad.   kites were made useful in a new arena: the field of science.

If you want to see an expert kite flyer, check out this video or Ray Bethell, a multiple kite flying champion from Vancouver, B.C. 

www.youtube.com/watch?v=E69flRylQRo

Have you even flown a kite?

Would you consider flying one if you never have had the opportunity to fly one?

Have you ever been to a kite flying festival? Share your experience.

What did you think of the video of Mr. Bethell?

Service

July

Sisters, these next few month’s service projects are in keeping with this year’s theme “In Touch with Tomorrow”.  

We are going to touch the past.  For July I will ask if each of you will visit a local nursing home and visit with a veteran.  Let him or her tell you their story.  It will touch them deeply to know someone cares.  You might even check ahead of time with the administration and ask to visit with someone who rarely has visitors.  It will mean ever so much to that person.  In the next few months I will offer you suggestions to touch others who have given us our “tomorrows.”  

August

Sisters as August is fair time in many areas I would like to mention a service related activity that you might participate in.  Many fairs offer special days where admittance is reduced or free if you bring in a requisite number of dried or canned foods.  These usually go to Food Banks or other charities in need of food stuffs.  If your area has this program please be sure to participate generously.  A case of Top Ramen is light and easy to transport if you have lifting restrictions.  I am sure the organizations will be thrilled to receive whatever items you may have.  I never use the dry pouches found in many hams so I save them to give each year along with other cases of canned goods I purchase while on sale just for this purpose.  If your area does not participate in this program perhaps you could mention it to them and help get it started.  Happy harvest to all you sisters.  Our love shines through when we think of others.

Membership

2 members asked for a leave of absence.  No new members at this time.

Socials 

August

We will be taking whatever mode of transportation you prefer in keeping with our 2017-2018 theme…  “In Touch With Tomorrow”.I am not a science fiction kinda Sister, all those disclaimers at the end of “Twilight Zone” made me a non believer.  I did however, really enjoy the Back To The Future movies. I could really get into THAT CAR.  Which brings me to the theme of our August social…..which movie best describes your “TOMORROW?While you are thinking about that please enjoy a sampling of my out of this world munchies.  I prepared Mars Rocks and Moon Craters. They look a lot like Christmas rock cookies and oatmeal no bake cookies.   What did you bring with a futuristic taste?

Book Club

July

"Lab Girl" by Hope Jahren

An illuminating debut memoir of a woman in science; a moving portrait of a longtime friendship; and a stunningly fresh look at plants that will forever change how you see the natural world.  Acclaimed scientist Hope Jahren has built three laboratories in which she's studied trees, flowers, seeds, and soil. Her first book is a revelatory treatise on plant life - but it is also so much more. Lab Girl is a book about work, love, and the mountains that can be moved when those two things come together. It is told through Jahren's remarkable stories: about her childhood in rural Minnesota with an uncompromising mother and a father who encouraged hours of play in his classroom's labs; about how she found a sanctuary in science, and learned to perform lab work done "with both the heart and the hands"; and about the inevitable disappointments, but also the triumphs and exhilarating discoveries, of scientific work. Yet at the core of this book is the story of a relationship Jahren forged with a brilliant, wounded man named Bill, who becomes her lab partner and best friend. Their sometimes rogue adventures in science take them from the Midwest across the United States and back again, over the Atlantic to the ever-light skies of the North Pole and to tropical Hawaii, and recently Norway   Jahren's probing look at plants, her astonishing tenacity of spirit, and her acute insights on nature enliven every page of this extraordinary book. 

Koffee Klatch 

July

How many different modes of transportation have we used during our travels and where have we traveled .

August

I had one prepared on disaster preparedness - but with the Fires in the west, Hurricanes and flooding in the south, earthquakes in Mexico and other stuff happening every day I felt it was a bit tone deaf to post it at this time when people are actively dealing with major crisis.  Please consider it "on the shelf" if one is needed at a more appropriate time when someone can not do it.

OLD Website

http://onlinedelta.weebly.com

Your Sister In OLD,

Submitted by, Evelyn—Cyber Council Representative for OLD  


On Line Upsilon

Opening ritual was recited.

8 members present, No guests

Program: Carrie presented a program on Vitamins and Minerals and what foods to eat.

Beta Sigma Phi Reading- Laura read a brief overview of how Beta Sigma Phi started.  

Communications: We’ve received notice that we were approved as a 3 Star Chapter for 2016-2017, and it is published in Torch. Dora received an Officer's Packet from International, which lists the duties of the officers and chairmen. She also received an application from International for the BSP Memorial & Exemplar Scholarships. Betty Thomas from International has contacted Dora and informed her they are months behind on follow ups.  After our Chapter Membership voted and approved the changes to our bylaws, I sent them into International for their approval, as required.  Ms. Thomas will let Dora know as soon as these changes are approved by International. Dora received word from International on August 10th that they approved our Chapter Bylaws and that they would put them on our permanent record.

Sunshine: Wendy’s Birthday on August 3rd. Joanie’s Birthday on August 5th. Carrie’s 12th Anniversary on August 6th. Patsy’s Birthday on August 13th.

The minutes of the July 2nd, 2017 meeting were read.

Reports:

1.      Executive Board: No report.

2.      Cyber Council: The cyber council met after July’s meeting and installed the new officers for 2017-2018. There were a number of reports about what the chapters are doing, and there was discussion on the question of the month: Who is your favorite author?

3.      Service: Chair Joan--- Service idea for the month is to look around your community and think about how you can make it and keep it beautiful.

4.      Program: Chair Wendy--- Program presenter for August was Carrie. Program presenter for September is Wendy.

5.      Social: Chair Patsy--- August Social will be hosted by Dora. September social will be hosted by Joan. 

6.      Special Sisters: Chair Carrie--- Special sister pairings are Wendy and Beanie, Laura and Joanie, and Patsy and Billie. August’s topic is “Who has been the biggest influence in your life, thus far?  Related to you or not….living or has passed on.”

7.      Yearbook: Chairs Dora & Carrie--- The yearbook will be sent out in an email for everyone. 

8.      Yardstick: Chair Dora--- Approved as a 3 star chapter for 2016-2017 year.

9.      Beta Bookers: no chair--- no report

Unfinished Business: Waiting for International to approve changes we made to our bylaws. Dora received word from International on August 10th that they approved our Chapter Bylaws and that they would put them on our permanent record.

New Business: Next month is the beginning of Rush Season. Please contact Laura with ideas on how to increase our membership.

Social: Dora hosted Beginning Day social.

Meeting was closed on Friday, August 11.

Minutes Submitted by our Corresponding Secretary, Billie Giles

Thank you, 

Dora


On Line Psi

Vice President Ann  introduced a new guest, Carolyn.  Ann also let the chapter know that Cindy has joined a land chapter and has decided to leave our chapter.  Good luck Cindy.

Treasurer Rose gave her report.  The beginning balance was $0.00 and there was no activity therefore the ending balance was $0.00.

Corresponding Secretary Krissy  had nothing to report this month.

Committee Reports:

Service:  Members were reminded to keep on clicking on our sponsored sites.

Courtesy:  The Birthdays, Anniversaries, and Milestones for the month were posted.

Sunshine:  A list of well wishes were sent.  

Cyber Council:  No report

Website: If you want to add photos or any information please contact Rose  or Cheryl .

Book of Beta Sigma Phi:  The review of the Origins of the Mizpah was reviewed.

Social:  Beverly  took us on a fantastic trip to Tangier Island.  Wow

Book review:  No review this month.

Recipe:  Marcia shared a great recipe for Betty Crocker Baked Bean Casserole. 

Program:  Rose gave her program on hydroponic gardening which resulted in a good discussion.

Cherly


On Line Eta

Our love and prayers are with those who have faced the storm and/or about to with IRMA.  Our hearts go out to those displaced by fires in Cali and Montana.  Please remember to GIVE to Disaster Relief Fund.  It helps sisters.  It was at $9,000 last count about 5 days ago.

We will be revealing our Members in Pictures email each meeting to "put a face" with all those names in our chapter.  Our minutes always list committees with chairs and members, running roster with email and location, list of programs and so on to keep info in front of members.

Whole land chapters have asked to visit the chapter to greet us and make-up meetings.

90% of Eta members participate with the ongoing roll call that allows for members to post by the 25th each month and tell the chapter what they've been up to.  The spontaneous chatter matters as Bonnie just explained in the Question of the Month.

Now members have been asked to upload their programs in the files section of Yahoo, so others can see what we have done.

July Program

History of ceramic candle houses

As an art teacher, I sometimes find interesting imagery or a fun story that inspires a project, and if the project is successful I continue to do it. Sometimes I do the project for years, even forgetting where the inspiration came from, and then suddenly begin to wonder if there is more to it… perhaps a history of such a thing! Each winter, I make ceramic candle houses with my fourth grade students. I thought it would be a wonderful compliment to their winter poetry unit that they do in their classrooms. They write poems to read during a grade level gathering and display their candle houses. Once all the poetry has been read, the lights are dimmed momentarily to see to beautiful glow of the lit candle houses. It turns out, there is in fact a history to ceramic candle houses… and one I was excited to share with you!

It turns out that Lithuania is known for their ceramic candle houses. Read the short history here:

http://ahouseofcourage. synthasite.com/story-of- courage.php

See examples from the artisans here:

http://ahouseofcourage. synthasite.com/catalog-front- page.php

Karen, Eta Rep.


On Line Beta

OL Beta members have been busy with end of summer plans with their families and of course, all are quite distraught with all the damage & devastation from Hurricanes Harvey & Irma.

Of course, like everything else, unless you have experienced it and Larry & I have as we lived in New Orleans when Katrina hit that area & blessed that our home did not flood or get looted, one really has no idea how their lives will be forever changed.  At this point, they do not know what they will experience after the storm passes.  Even getting supplies will be tough because there is no place to store it.

on a happier note, OLB enjoyed a great program & social in July & August!! 

In July, we had a great program on "The Color Purple" and it was truly all the scoop on the color purple not the movie.  It was amazing how many in chapter of 60+ members how many love that color.

Fitting for July, we enjoyed a wonderful Beach Party.  A social of food, swimming, sand castles and all the fun things that come with summer beach parties.

In Aug, our program was on "Jade".  It is a beautiful gem stone in lots of colors other than green that we normally think of.  Several shared their favorite Jade pieces and the story that went with it.

Our Aug social was a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace.  Who isn't fascinated by the Royal Family?  The tea and all the delicious  fruit, tea sandwiches & sweets were wonderful & they are as much fun virtually as they are in real life.

Wishing you all the very best as our land chapters begin the sorority year or we continue to enjoy doing it all online and sometimes both!!!

OLB Sisters

Sandy, Madonna & Diane


On Line Kappa

Greeting Cyber Council Sisters.   I'm a return New-Bee to the BSP Cyber Council.  It's great to be back.

The Sisters of Online Kappa socialize with each other through our emails of new news, called a monthly chatter note or through responses to each other of new things or follow up pieces of news that happens in our lives.  The socializing starts with the log-in at the beginning of our monthly meeting.  Along with our personal log-in, we type a "welcome" to a guest that is joining us.  Each meeting has a Social along with a Program.  The Social is a Virtual Visionary of a place or an activity we are doing together, ie: visiting a fall craft fair and having lunch.  The greatest socializing in our online chapter is the spontaneous flow of responses like you would have in a face-to-face conversation.  Comments like: "You 're kidding" , "WOW, that is incredible" ,  "Oh heaves no, that's not for me" ,  "Darling picture.  Thanks for sharing the moment" .  The examples can be endless, but I'm sure you get the idea. 

I look forward to learning how the rest of you define and practice online chapter socializing.

Bonnie,  Online Kappa 


On Line Sigma

Evelyn announced that OLS received 3 stars on the chapter yardstick, with 426 total points.

Program/Social Report:  Terry presented an explosive program and had us making homemade fireworks.  She had water hoses standing by and we were in a safe area to try them out.    

Tables, dinnerware and mugs were red, white and blue. Typical American BBQ fare of burgers, hot dogs, ribs as well chicken and fish were grilling on the barbecue.  Side salads of potato, macaroni, tuna and green salad were on tap. Baked and cowboy beans along with various veggies were also offered.  Desserts included summer faves of apple and strawberry-rhubarb pies, chocolate cake with coconut pecan frosting, spice cake with vanilla frosting, and ice creams and even sno-cones!  Water, sweet tea, unsweet tea and a variety of beers were offered to wash everything down. 

Using an empty soup can, some smokeless and flammable gunpowder, tissue paper and non-dairy creamer, we lit the night sky up!  It was a great way to end a fabulous summer night!

Margaret will be presenting the August Program/Social.

Standing Rules/Bylaws Vote:  The chapter voted on the changes to the Standing Rules and Bylaws as presented in the June Minutes.   Vote total: 22 votes received, 22 in favor of the changes.  No votes against the changes, no abstentions.  Motion for changes as presented carried.

With no further business to discuss, the meeting was adjourned and the members received the Closing Ritual and Mizpah.

Respectfully submitted,

Stella O., Recording Secretary

Online Sigma


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Revised: September 26, 2017