Beta Sigma Phi August 2010 The Torch TORCH STAFF [email protected] Editor - Laurey Lummus Graphic Designer - Eric Burgess Assistant Editor - Betsy Thomas BETA SIGMA PHI INTERNATIONAL

Beta Sigma Phi

8/2010

2 August 2010 The Torch

TORCH [email protected] - Laurey LummusGraphic Designer - Eric BurgessAssistant Editor - Betsy ThomasBETA SIGMA PHI INTERNATIONALAddress: 1800 West 91st Place Kansas City MO 64114-0500Phone: 816-444-6800 (8:30 am - 5:00 pm CST M-F)Fax: 816-333-6206Insurance Only: 800-235-2806Long Term Care Insurance: 888-290-7207Gifts Only: 800-821-3989

DIVISION CHAIRMENViola Dorrian [email protected] - Canada, GA, Greece, HI, IL, IN, MN, NM, Norway, Scotland, WA, WY, & RussiaVivian Iddings [email protected] - AK, AZ, CT, DC, DE, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MO, MS, MT, NH, NJ, NV, NY, PA, Puerto Rico, Germany, RI, VA, VT, & WVLaura Ross Wingfield [email protected] - On-Line Chapters & ConventionsCynthia Meadows [email protected] - AL, AR, CO, NC, TN, OH, OK, SC, TX, Belgium, & ZimbabweCindy Vance [email protected] - Austria, Australia, CA, England, Finland, FL, ID, IA, LA, Mexico, NE, ND, OR, Saudi Arabia, SD, UT, & WI

E-MAIL ADDRESSESTorch Department [email protected]/Rushing Department - [email protected] Department [email protected] Page -http://www.betasigmaphi.orgBeta Journal -http://www.betajournal.comBeta Sigma Phi is an international women’s friendship network. It also provides educational programs to its members and opportunities for service to others. We are women of all ages, interests, and educational and economic backgrounds, and are the largest organization of our kind in the world. For Beta Sigma Phi membership information call:

1-888-BETA-2B1(238-2221)

August 2010 Volume 128 - Issue 5

Dear Sisters,

Some of you may be reading this in the new printed Torch. I am, I put my subscription in early. We thought 5,000 would be easy to get, we were wrong, we had only 2,700 subscriptions so the printed Torch will only be 7

issues but the paper is nicer because we can use unused paper from other periodicals. We will continue to take subscrip-tions so you can still get it but we were sorry that the interest we thought was there, wasn’t.

If you’re like my chapter, some of us have been preparing for Beginning Day for awhile now. I’m doing our yearbooks so they have to be ready for Beginning Day. I’ve sent out the page forms to fill in and the meeting sign up sheet and we are deciding where to have our Beginning Day brunch. We are all starting to look forward to getting back together and finding out what’s been happening with everyone.

Here, we’ve sent out the President’s packets to Ritual and Exemplar chapters, higher degrees can request them, but be honest, you all know what you are doing without the Presi-dent’s packet, you do of course get the Vice President packet and Recording Secretary packet. Most things are also down-loadable on our website. If you haven’t used that yet, check it out. The art has been up since right after Founder’s Day, it’s under Artwork, you need to have your member number and email address that we have on file to use both. Please let us know if there are other things you want added.

So, we’re gearing up to get started except for Career chapters who meet all year long and we are all looking forward to the new beginning for us. New officers getting ready, after over 30 years I’ve finally taken Recording Secretary, I hope I do all right, but at least I can just bring stuff in with me. We are working on an electronic record keeping system that will eventually allow you to email minutes but not yet, please.

So, let’s all look forward to getting together, our fresh start and the renewal of our friendships. With kids, summers are hard to get together, so we can’t wait to resume “Our time.” Enjoy Beginning Day and let’s get started on the new year and new challenges.

Laura

THE TORCH OF BETA SIGMA PHI (ISSN 0888-8930). Official Publication of Beta Sigma Phi, 1800 West 91st Place, Kansas City, Missouri 64114-0500. Periodical postage paid at Kansas City. Canada Post Publications Mail Product Sales Agreement #1548255. Published 7 times a year by Beta Sigma Phi International. Member subscription price $14.00 per year. Non-member sub-scription price $14.00 per year. Individual copies $2.50. Printed in U.S.A. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Torch of Beta Sigma Phi, PO Box 8500, Kansas City MO 64114-0500.

August 2010 The Torch 3

ContentsIn This Issue...

2 Letter from Laura4 Conventions/New Chapters/Friendly Ventures5 Helen Pepper6 Rushing8 2010 Poetry Contest Winners10 2010 Photo Contest Winners12 Beginning Day14 Chatter31 Contest Entry Form32 Book Drawing Winner

Special SectionOur 2010-2011 Beta Sigma Phi Gift Selections

On the Cover: Karen Smith of Tennessee Delta Master, Nashville took this prize-winning photo, placing her first place in

our photo contest.


Indiana (Lafayette) October 22-24Michigan (Grand Rapids) October 8-10Minnesota (Burnsville) October 1-3Missouri (Lake Ozark) October 1-3New Mexico (Hobbs) September 24-26New York (Jamestown) September 24-26Oklahoma (Enid) July 30-August 1Oregon (Salem) July 16-18Queensland (Brisbane) October 15-17Texas (Palestine) East area TX September 17-19Virginia (Greater Northern County) October 15-17Washington (Spokane) Concave October 1-2West Virginia (Weirton) October 15-17Wisconsin (Oshkosh) October 15-17

Conventions2010

New FriendlyVenture Chapters

Arizona Delta Omicron, Lake Havasu City By: Linda Rieth and Lake Havasu, Arizona City City Council

Michigan Eta Zeta, Muskegon By: Mary Osburn and Susan Osburn

Nebraska Beta Mu, Nebraska City By: Linda Willson and Beta Gamma

Texas Beta Omega, Canyon By: Jean Stuntz and Xi Alpha Beta Gamma

Welcome TheseNew Chapters

Arizona Alpha Phi Master, Sierra VistaBritish Columbia Laureate Delta Epsilon, Comox

Florida Gamma Delta Master, JacksonvilleFlorida Gamma Gamma Master, Tampa

Florida Laureate Zeta Chi, Winter HavenIllinois Beta Eta Master, Alton

Maryland Preceptor Alpha Iota, CumberlandMichigan Laureate Gamma Nu, Grand Rapids

Missouri Preceptor Theta Theta, PoloNewfoundland Epsilon Master, Grand Falls

North Carolina Upsilon Master, HickoryOhio Beta Omega Master, Alliance

Ontario Gamma Psi Master, WindsorOregon Alpha Lambda Master, Oregon CityPennsylvania Beta Iota Master, Bethlehem

West Virginia Alpha Theta Master, ClendeninWelcome These New, Friendly Venture Chapters

N ew P

aths to FriendshipN ew P

aths to Friendship

2010-20112010-2011


Helen Klover Pepper, Beta Sigma Phi’s first member, who was a vital member of our sisterhood for more than 78 years, died peacefully, surrounded by her loved ones on June 27, 2010. As most of our members know, Helen was the first person Mr. Ross encountered in Abilene, where he had stopped to inform the town’s womenfolk about his ground-breaking idea.

This reporter was fortunate enough to meet with Helen, along with other members of the first chapter, in 2005. As the chapter spent the day reminiscing about the beginning of sorority, Helen’s call of events was in-spiring, and she was very convincing when she said it felt like “just yesterday” when Walter W. Ross, then a young book salesman, entered the Mayflower Hotel in Abilene. Helen said what she liked most about Mr Ross was his confidence and she remembered being impressed by his good ideas. “He also had the mark of a true gentleman,” she said.

Helen enjoyed Beta Sigma Phi wholeheartedly, and at-tended many conventions and rambles with her sisters. But perhaps what she enjoyed the most were the cultural programs, which took the place of college for many of the Depression- era mem-bers. “We liked the idea, since we knew we were not going to college,” she said. “We worked very hard on the programs. In the beginning they were mostly book reviews.”

At the Abilene Founder’s Day in 2009, a large display case depicting the history of Beta Sigma Phi found a worthy place in Abilene’s historical museum. Helen was honored at the celebration, and was asked to speak. She spoke softly, her voice now fragile with age, about how she loved all her many years in sorority. She spoke of the friendships she had made

and how she appreciated the fact that she had been able to represent the sisterhood.

Beta Sigma Phi could have never wished for anyone more perfect to serve as our first member. Those of us that knew her are fortu-nate. She will forever be remembered as a kind, quiet woman, who through her faith in an idea became the torch bearer for our wonder-ful organization.

Helen PepperAugust 29, 1912 – June 19, 2010

Kansas Alpha, Abilene member Helen Pepper (second from left) on her way to an exciting Beta Sigma Phi ramble with her sisters.

Rushing


There is not a

magic pill, a magic potion or a magic wand that will give new life or enthu-siasm to a chapter. Nor is there a special reci-pe to follow.

Just take the first basic step, increase your membership strength. This step is always a good choice to explore.

Adding new pledges brings an instant breath of fresh air to the chapter. Their new friend-ship, enjoyment and enthusiasm is always contagious. Or you could add transferees, members at large or reinstating members. They will bring their past experiences, activi-ties and ideas to the group.

Beta Sigma Phi history is rich with chapter traditions that continue to follow after 79 years. Incoming new pledges need and want to learn the history of the organization they have joined.

While pledges need to learn of our past, could continuing to do the same traditions over and over in the same old way just because “thats the way they have always been done” be having a negative affect on membership as a whole? While we would never want to give up or forget the traditions that made

our organization what it has become today, ultimately change is always good, necessary and a way to insure the continuation of Beta Sigma Phi and all that it means.

Why not try keeping track of the attendance to the chapter outings and activities for a year! Participation will then give you the answer as to whether or not you need to make any changes. Or, a Chapter Member Interest Survey could provide you with answers now. Either way, you could make a promise to yourselves to come out of your comfort zones and try something new and different in your group this sorority year. Every chapter member has a voice and vote. Are you using yours? When you have a sug-gestion to try something new and different, do you share it? Or do you simply sit quietly while one, two or more of your members con-tinue to “run the show?” Start this sorority year by sharing your ideas. If you can’t talk openly with your sorority sisters, who can you talk to?

Talking openly with your sorority sisters should be easy. Voice your suggestions, then offer to head the committee to accomplish the ideas. Your participation in this man-ner will create the results you are seeking as a member of your chapter - more fun, friend-ship and fulfillment.

Wouldn’t it be great if life came with a safety net? Imagine being free to take any risk you wanted – you could quit your job and start your own business or sell all your earthly pos-

Try New Paths to Friendship


When Amber Davies of Arkansas Delta Zeta,White Hall wrote International about her chapter’s successful first year, the ex-

citement was evident. This group of young women hit the ground running, doing a great job and getting lots of press. Their enthusiasm is so infectious they are in-spiring other local chapters to jump on the bandwagon.

Here, in Amber’s words, is a recap of their fabulous first year. “I just wanted to share how well we have done in our first year. We have been mentioned in one daily newspaper and will be mentioned in a weekly

newspaper soon, there is also another magazine that covers Southeast Arkansas event and we will men-tioned it as well. I am very proud of how our year has gone and wanted to share with you guys,” writes Amber.

The chapter hosted a successful crawfish boil Saturday this June, along with two local sponsors. The money raised during the festivities will go to-ward other chapter service projects.

“The next project we have coming up is our ‘Back

to School Project,’” says Amber. “The service proj-ect will help a family that needs school supplies, back packs, and clothes.”

The chapter has also contributed to two other projects. “We donated toys and clothes for a less fortunate fam-ily at Christmas and purchased two picnic tables for another project. We also volunteered at a kid’s festival serving popcorn. I think we have really done a great job for the first year.”

sessions and travel the world. While these are the extreme, changing your chapter activities and traditions might seem just as unpredictable. But remember, if something doesn’t work, you can always go back. Ultimately, if you’re unhappy with your chap-ter experience, as a member you have three options. Continue to go along with the group as is, seek out a different chapter or start your own chapter. Whatever decision you choose, International is here to assist you every step of the way. Your Beta Sigma Phi membership should be something you look

forward to and definitely an experience you want to share with others.

We are looking forward to a new exciting so-rority year and starting the journey to explore New Paths to Friendship right beside you.

Your Membership Director & Sister

Lola Ruby

Arkansas Delta Zeta,White Hall members enjoying a summer day.

2010

PoetryPresenting the 2010 Poetry Contest win-ners. Enjoy their beautiful and meaningful verse. We are sure you will be as impressed with these poetry selections as the judges were. This is always a popular contest and we appreciate all the entries. We are sor-ry there could only be a few published, because all were winners.

Judith Thornton Arkansas Preceptor Alpha Psi, Clarksville “The Yellow Rose”

2nd Place

Sandy Archer British Columbia Alpha Rho Master, Langley “Women of Kindness”

1st Place

Lives well livedIntertwined by true friendship through thick and thinListening to one another with our heartsMoments of every emotionDays and months slip into yearsOne, two, three decades become mingledWe have become a confident unique clanA clan dispensing humor, advice when requested, and food when not requestedSupporters of each other to the coreA clan always eager to learn more about lifeThe stage was set for usWe are a clan of survivors of child birthing, of teenagers, of low timesWe put up with wrinkles, hot flashes and bad backsWe are buoyed by high times and always having a friend in the wingsto help us remember our linesWe have always done the best we couldWe rest not on our laurels but keep moving onward ever onwardYes, this clan of wonderfully accomplished women moves forward each day enjoying lifeThis clan should always remember to look back in wonder on what we and other women ofkindness have achieved and what we are yet to achieve!

She felt lonely settling in her new town Praying to find some friends in her lifeThen came the invitation to Beta Sigma Phi A yellow rose presented to the newlywed wife.

Though that rose inevitably withered Many friendships blossomed outHer Beta Sigma Phi sisters became dear to her She loved the group - - without a doubt.

She herself would make many visits Offering to others a membershipThe yellow rose she’d grown to cherish Held carefully, to present, in her fingertips.

Years passed –Then in a hospital she rested After the birth of her first baby boyShe smiled at the yellow rose beside her bed Her face radiant with joy.

A yellow rose commemorating a birth Was long their chapter traditionShe received another six years later At the birth of her second son.

As she progressed through sorority Rituals That flower continued to appearIt warmed her to her very soul That yellow bloom so dear.

She treasured her happy memories Of her time in Beta Sigma PhiHow grateful she was to have been chosen Back in that year long gone by.

She now has received one final delivery Of those flowers she loved the bestThe spray of yellow roses from her chapter As she is laid to her final rest.8 August 2010 The Torch

New PathsTo Friendship 2010-2011ΒΣΦ

PoetryJudith Thornton Arkansas Preceptor Alpha Psi, Clarksville “The Yellow Rose”

Honorable Mention Kathleen Dolan-Bowes Washington Laureate Beta Omega, Port Orchard “Tree Of Life”

Oh Tree of life:Why must you now stand upon wetted sandOnce in beauty you bore fruitWhere now your branches have shriveledYour leaves have been scattered in the wind

Alone you stand stripped of your crowning gloryYour purpose seems goneSpring and summer have passedInto a slow lazy autumn

As a proud treeYou must rejoice with gleeKnow that the winter snow Will soon adorn and cradle you

A new life form is taken onIn your snowy whitenessYou emerge majestic and regalSo trees of life look upon the winterAs a celebration into the passage of time

You have scattered your fruits upon the earthThat is your legacyWhen the seedlings sproutYou will be a part of thatAnd you will live on again and again

Perhaps just perhaps it is time to restTo be cradled in the serenity of our winter years.

3rd Place

Do you ever see whispering high in the trees?Or the sound of a loved one drift in the breeze?Do you listen as snowflakes come fluttering down,And marvel at their silvery sound?

When raindrops fall gently on the window pane,Does it bring memories of some sweet refrain?

You can hear so clearly the silence of night,Hear melodies playing before dawn’s first light.The sounds are not always spoken by word,For they come from the heart where they are heard.

The silence of snowflakes, the silence of nightWill take your heart drifting on a fanciful flight.

Donna Marie Gray Virginia Laureate Beta Nu, Norfolk “Listening To The Silence”


Because We Love This PhotoAlabama Epsilon Master, Huntsville member Joyce Gard-ner and her husband Ben came to visit International in style. The two flew in Ben’s single-engine Cessna to a nearby airport, where they were greeted and taken to visit International by Division Chairman Cynthia Meadows. Once a bit plane-shy, Joyce now loves soaring though the air with Ben, her co-pilot in life!

2010

PhotographyThis year the photo contest entries were up significantly. Guess there is just too much beauty around not to take capture it for prosperity. Thanks to all of you who entered – we appreciate your artistic eye.

Karen Smith Tennessee Delta Master, Nashville “New Beginnings” ‘My niece holding her daughters feet. reminds me of Beta Sigma Phi.’

1st Place


Honorable Mention

Heidi Berryhill North Carolina Gamma Psi, Fayetteville “Watching the fog roll in and out at Lake Tillery.”

Photography 2nd PlaceNickie Lasaga British Columbia Xi Beta Delta, Kamloops “Sisterhood in Guatemala”

Janna Lauber

Kansas Xi Alpha Alpha, Topeka

“Smokey Jo and Snickers watching the bird feeder.”

3rd Place



Beginning DaySee how much fun our sisters had on Beginning Day!

Ohio Pi Omicron, West Chester celebrated Beginning Day, which was kicked off by by making 350 cards to support our troops. The nine members spend the month of August designing and prepar-ing these handmade cards with our letters of appreciation. “Our chapter received a letter in Oc-tober, from Lt. Col Edward Bligh, USMC Commanding Officer, on behalf of the officers and men and women of the battalion thanking us for our support,” says Pi Omi-cron member Karen Kamm.

Virginia Rho Master, Hopewell observed a very special Beginning Day at the home of member Evelyn Brown, with a special Ritual held for the Legacies and the Envoy II mem-bers. All of the children involved were either grandchildren or great-grandchildren of current members. The chapter is thrilled because as Rho Master member Diane Lindsay remarked, “ For the Legacies this honor means that at age 18 they are eligible to join a chapter of Beta Sigma Phi of their choice, and the Envoy IIs are honored as male mem-bers who give their support and assistance to the organization.”

Ontario Xi Delta Alpha, Hamilton met at a local horse racing venue for their Beginning Day. With their husbands and two future members along, the group had a great buf-fet supper and made some racing bets. One

of the races was named after Beta Sigma Phi Sorority, which turned out to be a real thrill for the members as well as great publicity. Al-though no one took home a large jackpot, all in attendance considered themselves winners!


The members of Delaware Laureate Epsilon, Seaford got an early start on celebrating Begin-ning Day this year when they joined together to worship. Each member brought along school supplies to donate which were later distributed to the local elementary school. After church, the members enjoyed a scrumptious brunch. “This was a unique Beginning Day for us and one that combined all the things we love, friendship, service, and lots of good food,” says Laureate Epsilon member Leann Wells.

With a great theme of “Share Our Passport to Adventure”, Indiana Theta Nu, Batesville jumped right in to celebrate on Beginning Day. The chapter kicked off this theme at member Lou Voegele’s home which was transformed into a cruise ship, complete with passports for each member, a delicious meal, and flower leis for each, even some sailor hats for the ladies! The theme song from “The Love Boat” played softly in the back-ground as the ladies continued with their business meeting. The ladies had a wonderfully busy season with a successful pie-a-thon and their 37th annual holiday bazaar.

After a long hot summer in south Florida, Laureate Gamma Zeta sisters of Belle Glade, Florida celebrated Beginning Day at the lovely lake home of a member. The theme was carried out with a Hawaiian luau, with leis that greeted members along with a colorful icy drink and a wonderful assortment of appetizers. Following a wonderful dinner, several sisters danced the hula. Word is they were all fabulous!

August ChatterAugust ChatterTexas Xi Eta Epsilon, Houston member Margaret (Marty) Williams Gardner, a member for more than 50 years, recently had her second book published entitled, “Loving Wings.” This is a book about airline passengers, flight attendants, and flights . It has been published nationally and is in major book stores, or can be ordered through her web page at www.eloquentbooks.com/Loving-Wings.

International Honorary Member of New York Laureate Alpha Delta, Rochester, Mary Hannick was presented with a check for her fa-vorite charity in in honor of her 100th Birthday. Mary’s list of achievements and civic involvement is at least a mile long, but the true love of her life has been her work with children. Mary still keeps active with the help of her “sisters” seeing that she gets to all of her meetings and completes her daily errands. Happy 100th Birthday, Mary Hannick!

Arizona Preceptor Alpha Kappa, Phoenix donated $100 to the St. Vincent de Paul of Phoe-nix organization as a service project. In return an engraved brick, with the chapter name engraved on it, was placed in the biblical garden located on campus. “When the brick was placed, a guided tour was scheduled and members were shown around the campus, which led us to the garden where

we found our brick,” writes Preceptor Alpha Kappa member Bette Gae Camden.

More than twenty years ago, Illinois Xi Delta Alpha, Mounds member Emily Helman con-ceived a plan by which each member of the chap-ter would participate in designing and piecing a quilt to be given away upon completion to one of its members. As the years passed, each member who had not won a quilt had her name placed in

For several years now Nebraska Laureate Upsilon, Omaha sells tickets for a local community day and picks a worthy charity that serves the community locally, the latest being the Alzheimer’s Asso-ciation.

Officers of Wyoming Xi Alpha Gamma, Rock Springs prepare for Oktoberfest held at the home of member Donna Toly. Members prepared home-made noodles to accompany their bounty of sum-mer garden harvest.


a basket, and as a quilt was finished, a name was drawn. As the member’s sewing skills increased, the projects became a little more complicated. Ironically, Emily, the member who started the project, was the last one to re-ceive a quilt. Upon the completion of this fun 20-year project, Xi Delta Alpha members are on the search for other activities to challenge their creativity.

California Preceptor Kap-pa Kappa, Fairfield donated new shoes and clothing for a lo-cal foster children’s program, one of their major service proj-ects. They also bake cookies for local firemen and police officers for various holidays.

In order to honor the memory of British Columbia Xi Psi, North Vancouver member Maureen (Mo) Hockin, who re-cently succumbed to cancer, her chap-ter entered in a group fundraiser held by a local children’s hospital called the Child Run. “The day started with a bit of a drizzle but then the sun appeared and “Mo” seemed to wish us well. We raised over $7,000 in her name,” says Xi Psi member Marion Maxwell.

Barbara Labrecque from Ontario Xi Zeta Kap-pa, Kingston experienced the vacation of a life-time when she visited Egypt. Here she is at the Temple of Karnak, which is located in the town of Luxor. Barbara loved the theme of “Share Our Passport to Adventure” and took it to heart on her trip, posing with her own passport!






August 2010 The Torch 21August 2010 The Torch 21











PERIODICALMAIL

The Torchof Beta Sigma Phi(USSN 0888-8930)

P.O. Box 8500Kansas City, MO

64114-0500

For Canada:P.O. Box 122

Niagara Falls, ONL2E 6S4

Congratulations to Diane Williams of British Columbia Xi Beta, Prince Edward Island who won the book drawing for a signed first-run copy of our International Honorary Member Earlene Fowler’s latest book, “State Fair.” Diane wrote “I love Earlene Fowler and have all her books.”

Book Drawing Winner!

International’s Laura Wingfield and IHM Earlene Fowler enjoying

a day in California

Documents

Beta Sigma Phi August 2010 The Torch TORCH STAFF [email protected] Editor - Laurey Lummus Graphic Designer - Eric Burgess Assistant Editor - Betsy Thomas BETA SIGMA PHI INTERNATIONAL