HONOR’S LUNCHEON
Why do we have this event? What are we honoring at this event? When did it become a part of Albuquerque City Council traditional events?
I am sure that at some time in your chapter history, a new member has asked the questions above.
Years ago, we held a Luncheon to honor our individual chapter Valentine Queens. This was usually done in mid-January as a preliminary to the Valentine Dance and official introduction of Queens to City Council. Many chapters held a ‘cocktail party’ before attending the dance as the event was a ‘Dance’ with snacks and possibly early breakfast served. Many ideas for ‘sister’ enjoyment were tried—Buffet before the dance, breakfast after the dance, extended snack menu, Queen judging for City Council Sweetheart and others.
The City Sponsor event was an afternoon Tea at which time the Sponsor’s ritual was administered. This event was generally a Saturday or Sunday affair early in the year. It was moderately attended by ‘sisters’.
Chapter Women of the Year and City Council Woman of the Year were only recognized and honored at Founder’s Day and within the chapters.
During several years, the Sisters of Albuquerque Beta Sigma Phi had a contract with the New Mexico State Fair to provide ushers for the horse racing and coliseum evening performances. This was a citywide obligation in September of each year and many of the members were involved. This contract made money for our City Council (which is where part of the money came from in the Money Market Fund). When the contract was ended, this left the fall open for different activities.
Years ago, there was a Fall Dance usually in November after the fair activity was over and before the Christmas rush began. The cost to our member made it moderately attended when meeting the budget was stretching our personal funds.
Many of you remember the Legacy Tea which was arranged in mid-May to honor the Legacy Daughters chosen at Founder’s Day. This was generally held on a Sunday afternoon and was moderately attended. It has now become the Mother/Daughter Legacy Tea to honor BSP Mothers, Daughters and Legacy members and bring in new Legacy Daughters with the official Ritual.
As cost of these events began to escalate, the Advisory Board and Executive Boards began to consider combining these activities. There was much discussion.
First, the Fall Dance was eliminated and only by a vote could one be held on the Council’s agenda. Sorry to say, only one Fall Dance was held after this change.
Second, to honor chapter’s Woman of the Year and again give honor to our City Council Woman of the Year, it was recommended that a new event be tried and considered for addition to our Traditions.
Third, to honor our reigning chapter Valentine Queens, it was felt appropriate to include them at this function thus eliminating the Valentine Tea in January.
Fourth, the Sponsor’s Tea was declining in attendance but has and is an important part of our community obligation so consideration began to form for combining some of these smaller ‘affairs’ into a fall citywide event.
Honor’s Luncheon was begun “to honor those who have so honored us” in Beta Sigma Phi-- previous year chapter‘s Woman of the Year and City Council Woman of the Year. A few years later, the Sponsor’s Tea event which was introduction of Sponsor and Sponsor’s Ritual were added. The Valentine Luncheon which honored our ‘sisters’ who will reign the current year as Chapter Sweethearts was added to this event enlarging the coverage. We gather to honor these women and mention other achievements of note and have the fellowships and friendships of members in other chapters of City Council.
By Janice Swope, Laureate Alpha Epsilon
