Mu Eta Chapter (Hays, Kansas)  had their Christmas Exchange Party at the Smoky Hill Country Club on December 3, 2019.  Chapter Sisters (and one guest) were decked out in their fine Christmas attire and the decorations were colorful and festive.  After a short meeting, conversation flowed freely and laughter and smiles were abundant.  Our meals were scrumptiously delicious and we had beautifully decorated cupcakes for dessert.  Everyone was so clever with their exchange gifts, and we all left with a smile on our face, a song in our heart and just a little bounce in our step.  We want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Thanksgiving was just a few days ago and I am sure that most of us spent the day with our families or friends cherishing all the times, good and bad, that we have shared and being grateful that we had each other for love and support.  I too spent the day with family, my sister, Jackie.  We traveled to North Dakota for the funeral, the following day, of a beloved uncle.  He and our aunt and their family shared their home and lives with my family for one week every summer when we took our family vacation at home in North Dakota, spending one week with my mother’s family and one week with my father’s family.  That bond grew so strong and deep that I have continued to journey to North Dakota, almost yearly, from my home in Indiana.

I don’t tell you this story to receive sympathy from you for my uncle’s passing but to make you all realize that this too is the foundation of Sigma Phi Gamma Sorority.  We are sisters who share our lives, good and bad, who are always there for each other and that bond grows stronger and deeper with each passing year.  How encouraged I feel, as International Historian, that just as we try to keep alive the memories of our personal families with connections, like with my uncle and his family, but we also want to keep that bond alive with our Sigma Phi Gamma sisters.

With the celebration of our 100^th anniversary this next year, let us each renew our commitment to Sigma Phi Gamma and be that family that thrives and grows in love and friendship, who keeps all those cherished moments alive and wants to ever expand our family so that more women may share this great love that we now hold dearly. In today’s society, we are a lucky group, with so many people searching for love and friendship, let us be open to expanding our hearts and minds to reach as many women as we can to join our ranks and change not just ourselves and Sigma Phi Gamma but these women’s lives and more lives through our continued service to our communities.  May the Holiday Season bring peace to your hearts and lives and blessings to all we touch with our love.

I have a shirt that I really like.  On the front of it is the saying “Say YES to things you love.”  I was wearing it the other day and a stranger who was walking by said, “I like your shirt.”  I glanced down at the front of my shirt (like we all do when we get a compliment and forgot what we’re wearing…) and it got me thinking…

What DO I love that I say YES to?  So I decided to list them, in no particular order:

God

Spending time with my husband, my enormous and awesome family, and my wonderful friends

Sigma Phi Gamma – and all of the Sisters that are attached to our organization

Volunteering in my community

Flowers

Sunsets

The beach

Hiking

Reading a good book

Rich, hot coffee in the morning

Coconut

Pizza

Laughing

Dancing

Singing

New clothes, shoes, purses, etc., etc.

Travel

Board games

Puzzle games on the computer

Clean sheets

Baby snuggles

Sunshine and warm days

A good whiskey (tee-hee!)

There are many more things I love, but I figured this is a glimpse of my favorites for you.  What do YOU love?  I hope you say YES to them all the time!

Hi Ladies!  Just wanted to share a cute short story that I read on a website called Surfer Sam Online.  It is under “Funny Stories” (imagine that!).  I thought we’d all get a giggle out of it, no matter what our age.  Enjoy!

Well, A group of 15-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Dairy Queen next to the Ocean View Restaurant because they had only $6.00 among them and Jimmy Johnson, the cute boy in Social Studies, lived on that street.

At their reunion 10 years later, the group of 25-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the drinks were cheap, the restaurant offered free snacks, the band was good, there was no cover charge, and there were lots of cute guys.

At their reunion 10 years later, the group of 35-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the atmosphere was good, it was right near the gym and, if they went late enough, there wouldn’t be too many whiny little kids.

At their reunion 10 years later, the group of 45-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the martinis were big and the waiters were younger.

10 years later, the group of 55-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the prices were reasonable, the wine list was good, the restaurant had windows that opened (in case of a hot flashes), and fish is good for cholesterol.

10 years later, the group of 65-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the lighting was good and the restaurant had an early bird special.

10 years later, the group of 75-year-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because the food was not too spicy and the restaurant was handicapped-accessible.

10 years later, the group of 85-years-old girlfriends discussed where to meet for dinner.  Finally, they agreed to meet at the Ocean View Restaurant because they had never been there before.

I joined Sigma Phi Gamma a year ago.  I was introduced to the sorority a few years back when Mary Freeman invited me to go on a trip to Florida with her to attend Omega Province weekend.  The energetic women of Omega were amazing!  I was in awe of it all and everyone I met told me “This time next year you will be a member!”  I have to admit I wasn’t quite sure as I have never been part of a group like that.  I had been a stay at home mom for so long that I had forgotten what it was like to interact with adults!  On the flight home to Indiana I thought about it and talked with Mary about it and talked with my husband about it and talked with my daughter about it and finally called Mary and said “I think I want to check this out.” She introduced me to a few people and I started going with her to socials and meeting the Theta Pi ladies and just immediately felt like I was home.  I was so excited the next year when Mary and I went back to Omega Province and showed off my new pledge pin!  Granted, since I didn’t know the password yet, instead of whispering it I ended up kissing the Marshal on the cheek, which made her laugh and say “You are new at this aren’t you!”

Through my pledging I was excited to become more involved with sorority.  I loved meeting all my new sisters and going out and doing service projects; to the point where I started volunteering on my own at the retirement center where my mother lives.  I am actually out of the house, not only making a difference, but having the time of my life!

Through going to Omega Province and doing things with my Lambda sisters; this year when I went to my very first International Convention, I didn’t feel like I was a small fish in a big pond.  I saw so many faces I already knew, they introduced me to more of my sisters and life long friends!  I felt like I was a part of everything from the get go!  It was inspiring and exciting.  I can be myself, even making a delayed entrance to get my first timer certificate!  The fact I know all the International Officers already through going to Lambda and Omega events was just amazing to me!

When I first joined I was under the impression that it was only two days a month and a service project here and there, but it ISN’T just that!  SPG goes further than that, if you want it to!  I love getting the random call saying “Hey, interested in going to an Escape Room this weekend?”  Or once a month a group of us gets together for lunch with sisters from other Chapters.

The other day a few of my Theta Pi sisters and I went on an Urban Adventure through a place called Wacky Walks.  If any of you are in areas that have these available, I highly recommend it!  It is a lot of walking, 4 miles in total, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes! Three of my sisters and one of their daughters and myself set out on an adventure around downtown Indianapolis.  We had to find landmarks and use clues to figure out puzzles and riddles.  All we had was the app on a phone and our observation skills.  We also got to know each other better.  These little things make us stronger in the friendship aspect of our sisterhood.  Here is a photo of Barb Miller-Neff, Joyce Zach, Gail Ridder and Colleen Criswell at the end of our Urban Adventure.

With Love,

Colleen M. Criswell

Lambda Province Sisters have been going through our history books in preparation for our 100^–year Celebration.  I don’t remember if I ever sat down and just took my time to really look at each picture.  To remember the beautiful ladies in each picture.  The pleasure in just taking it page by page and looking at it without distraction is wonderful.  Much different than standing at a table and quickly looking at them while at a meeting.  I would recommend everyone sit down and take some time with a  history book and just enjoy looking and remembering.

What can I say about this picture of Edith, Irene, Violet, Ferne and Phyllis?

WOW was my first thought when I saw it in my Chapter’s history book; that’s all five of the Founders!  We have no idea who took that picture that was taken back in 1977.  Convention that year was held in Los Angeles, California.  Our lovely Founders were all together.  What a treat for the members who were there and for the Founders who were honored by the membership.  It is my hope that all of us believe in Sigma Phi Gamma and are working to keep it alive just as our Founders did.  It is our responsibility to grow our membership.

I have been serving as your International President for a little over a month now.   Needless to say, it has been a roller coaster of feelings and emotions.  I have been excited, loved, numb, overwhelmed, amazed and honored.  As with everything new there is a learning curve; hopefully I am approaching the downside of this curve.

When I thought about what I wanted to see accomplished this year I, thought about membership.  Yes, we need to work on growing our membership.  How many ways can we say that?  Does everyone in your Chapter realize that we need to increase our membership?  They should.  It is not just a job for Chapter Organizers, Province Organizers, the International Organizer, or the International Council.  It is a job for everyone!  Each and every one of us is responsible for membership.  The International Council has and continues to work on providing you with some tools.  Please take these tools, found on the Website, and use them.  Perhaps your Chapter could put someone in charge during one of your meetings to do a show and tell on what’s available on the SPG website.  Some of your Sisters may have never looked or seen what’s been added under “Toolkits.”  Find Toolkits under the Documents tab.  The Webinars from Shari Pash are posted on the website too (look under the Publications tab in the Video Gallery) along with her presentation at our International Convention in Wichita (in Membership Toolkit under Membership Webinars From International Convention).  Take the time to find out!  See what you missed!

Last night I attended a wonderful celebration of sisterhood: Our Founders’ Day dinner.  There was good food and good company bringing us together to honor the 5 ladies that started Sigma Phi Gamma Sorority.

It has been almost 100 years since those 5 ladies got together to start an organization of women who supported one another in daily life and did community service for their area.

We are committed to each other and to serving our community…I feel privileged and honored to be part of this wonderful group of Women.  We try to live our Creed and our Pledge every day of our lives.

Right now I am waiting for my ride to pick me up…one of our sisters needs us in her time of grief…we are there…through the laughter and the tears.

Sigma Phi Gamma is an organization that means so much to me.

Patricia Herweg: Secretary for Eta Sigma Chapter in Omicron Province

Mu Eta Chapter of KAPPA Province recently got together to celebrate pledging Deb Martin and reinstating Marilyn Joy.  We all had an exciting time getting together afterwards to celebrate!  As you can see from the picture below, food, drinks, laughter and stories were in abundance.

Left side front to back: Patti McNeill, Dee Dee Rupp, Tammey Steffen, Deb Martin and Kathy Jacobs.  Right side front to back: Marilyn Joy, Cindy Worley, Jo Ann Morse, Michelle Morgan and Diana Jennings.