ABQ Beta Sigma Phi

Sister Chapters by Janice Swope

SISTER CHAPTERS

What is the concept? Why do we need this? Should there be guidelines regarding—social etiquette, courtesies, significance of meetings, etc.? Under the duties of the office of First Vice President of City Council who is Membership Chair for the council, this program is promoted.

What is the concept? Here is a little history of Albuquerque Beta Sigma Phi SISTER CHAPTER concept. In the early years of growth in Beta Sigma Phi, there was one degree—Ritual of Jewels a place for all women. When the daughters of these early members went to college and out in the working world from high school, Beta Sigma Phi established the Nu Phi Mu degree to create a ‘family of sisters’ support and friendship group. Lynn Terry , who wrote many of our rituals and others modeled the Sigma—learning in Beta Sigma Phi so that an established plan for widening the sphere of knowledge could be followed. As sisters continued to be involved, additional areas were found and a change to focus was needed. Therefore, the ‘steps’ or degrees began to expand the focus for our membership. The Ritual of Jewels was the beginning steps with a set of programs lasting 4 years. The programs ranged from personal issues to community involvement opportunities. This program set was repeated every 4 years in the Ritual chapters. Today, programs have evolved to extend or enhance these beginning tenets. After 2 or more cycles of the same programs, something needed to be added so Exemplar chapters were established for progression of Ritual sisters. Exemplar programs were in a 6 year cycle (4 years obtained from International who provided the material outline and references for study and 2 years of write-your-own study guides). The Preceptor (8 years), Laureate (8 years) and most recently Master degrees came next. These degrees wrote their own programs usually to coordinate with the International theme or they could order programs. The object there was to grow in life, learning and friendship. In order to encourage progression to the next degree, International suggested the City Council hold a “Preferential Tea” so that chapters could meet with sisters eligible to progress and thus shorten the process of visitation and invitation to membership. Sorry to say that the “Tea” although a good idea, was not utilized as intended therefore it ceased to be.

In the early `60s, it became evident that age and family status was important factors to lasting friendships and sisterhood. Therefore, International offered a program of ‘fellowship membership’. What is/was fellowship members? These are members who pledged a degree chapter other than Ritual of Jewels. The new pledge has the same training and has the opportunity to study the Ritual and Exemplar set of programs but they participate in the cultural and social tenets of the chosen chapter.

In place of the Preferential Tea, the concept of SISTER CHAPTERS was proposed. In this way a Ritual chapter could host or be hosted by an Exemplar chapter, an Exemplar chapter could host or be hosted by a Preceptor chapter etc. The smaller groups could become better acquainted and learn about the ‘culture’ of each chapter which could lead to progressions. As practiced today, the pairing is done by the Executive Board of City Council with the guidance of First Vice President. There have been many great parties/get-togethers with fun, food and friendship but there have also been no contact between the chapters assigned. Many of our chapters have a ‘traditional’ sister party event—potato bake, St. Pat’s party, Crazy bridge, white elephant exchange, birthday party. In 1992, a booklet was made by Preceptor Beta Beta under the editorship of Sandra Moore which listed several great ideas for hosting a successful party. Some suggested ideas—lunch out, home party with charades, ‘dress-up’ party, make a picture, take a class, yoga stretching, dancing and singing “oldies but goodies”, visit a museum or historic site, go to the movies, potluck recipe exchange, model meeting etc. Let your ideas ripen into a great time for one and all. If anyone wishes to have a copy of this booklet, let me know. Our sisters are our family and support in times of need. Enlarge your circle of sisters and let them know you care about them. This is the basic of Beta Sigma Phi.

Why do we need this? In this fast paced world, the more contacts you have the greater your knowledge of self and others. To foster the association of sisterhood, it is important to keep learning about yourself, your life and the lives around you. To learn how you can ‘make a difference’ for yourself and others is so very important to good mental health. If you are a religious person, you already have knowledge of the good ‘one light that shines so others may see’ is to support, comfort and a good life. Should there be guidelines of etiquette, courtesy, and social awareness? This is a question each member and chapter should discuss. The concept of SISTER CHAPTERS only serves those who participate fully.

Janice Swope (For questions or comments, contact me)

Judy Johnson of Preceptor Alpha Sigma graduates Summa Cum Laude!

 

Dollie Lowery of Preceptor Alpha Sigma writes "We recently celebrated her graduation from UNM Summa Cum Laude in accounting.  We are so proud of Judy and her accomplishment!"

Great job Judy!

February 2 City Council Meeting Reminder

Reminders for the next City Council meeting:

 

1.  Please remember to pick up your scrapbook pages.

 

2.  Meeting is February 2 at Cleveland Middle School, 7:00 pm.

 

3. If your president received a questionnaire from Anne Hayward in the mail asking for chapter info for the web site, please be sure to bring it to CC.

 

Maebi Richards of Laureate Alpha Epsilon attends the Presidential Inauguration

Maebi Richards could star in a MasterCard commercial. You know the kind. Round-trip airfare to Washington, D.C.: $600. Tickets to the Bolshoi Ballet’s production of “Man of La Mancha:” $65. Taxi fare, meal prices, souvenirs: $200. Being in the nation’s capital for President Barack Obama’s inauguration: priceless. “It was definitely worth it,” Richards said. ““The whole thing was really exciting: the crowds, the energy. … I would have spent much more if my daughter (Andrea Reese) didn’t live there. It was great.” The South Valley woman, who many Rio Ranchoans know from her yoga instruction at Meadowlark Senior Center, didn’t want to miss the hoopla going on in Washington last Tuesday. It all took on a special meaning for Richards, 60, a native of Austria who immigrated to the U.S. in 1977 — and just became a bona fide citizen last September. “Me and Arnold Schwarzenegger came from the same town — Graz, Austria,” she said. She married an American studying medicine in Austria, and the couple moved to Massachusetts in 1977. “I really wanted to vote,” she said, relating how she attached a note — “Please hurry; I want to vote” — to her citizenship form. “The person who interviewed me said, ‘I read your note. We’ll squeeze you in.’ ” And he did. And then she did — vote for Obama. And then she planned a trip to see the inauguration, along with a record crowd of 1.8 million who swarmed Washington’s National Mall last Tuesday. “I just thought it would be really great because I voted for him. I wanted to soak up the energy,” she said, recalling how beautiful Washington looks at night, with its plethora of stately buildings and monuments reflected everywhere in ponds, pools and the Potomac River. Her son-in-law works for Oklahoma Sen. James Inhofe, so the small entourage got to be inside on the frigid inauguration day, watching from a building that houses Senate conferences, she said. “We watched through a window; it was an awesome view,” she said, admitting she came close to tears. They attended the Western States Inauguration Ball, one of 10 balls attended by the new president and first lady. And Richards got to see the couple drop in. “It was very quick,” she said of the cameo. “I could see them but they were (so far away) they were very tiny. “He talked to us a little bit and introduced Michelle. I think he said the same thing every time,” she explained. “They danced and he stepped on her dress. It happened at each ball. And Mark Anthony and Jennifer Lopez were there and they sang.” The rest of the time, she said, the city was almost too crowded to go anywhere. As cold as it was, they walked briskly. The next day, she was back at the airport, boarding for her return flight to the Duke City. Memories of the trip will last forever, she said, and it was fun sitting next to a woman from Farmington on the flight back to Albuquerque. She had also attended the inauguration, so the two had plenty to chat about. A day later, she was back at Meadowlark Senior Center, teaching yoga. She’s lived in New Mexico since 1980, teaching yoga for “25, 30 years, off an on.” Yoga, Richards explained, “makes me feel good all over, balanced, flexible. It keeps me young.” Indeed, she said she feels more like 30 than 60 — and she felt young enough in D.C. to fit in well with her daughter’s friends. -Published in the Rio Rancho Observer, January 26, 2009

Valentine Celebrations in Beta Sigma Phi

 VALENTINE CELEBRATIONS IN BETA SIGMA PHI

Every February, across many countries,tokens of love are exchanged in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and why do we celebrate this holiday? The patron saint—St. Valentine is shrouded in mystery. Historically, February has long been a month of romance containing vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman traditions. Legends abound—one contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. At this time the Emperor Claudius II outlawed marriage for young men citing single young men made better soldiers than married men. Valentine, realizing the injustice of this decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. He was ordered put to death by Claudius when his activities were found out. Another says Valentine was martyred for attempting to help Christians escape harsh Roman prisons. It is said Valentine actually sent the first ‘valentine’ greeting himself while in prison to the daughter of his jailer who visited with him. It was a letter signed “From your Valentine”. One celebration was where all the young women put their names in a big urn. The city’s bachelors would then each choose a name out of the urn and become paired for the year with his chosen woman (this was outlawed as ‘unchristian’ romantic pairing). In 498 A.D, Pope Gelasius declared Feb. 14^th St. Valentine’s Day. The oldest known valentine still in existence was a poem written by Charles, Duke of Orleans to his wife in 1415. This note is in the manuscript collection of the British Library in London.

In Great Britain, Valentine’s Day began to be popular around the seventeenth century and by the mid eighteenth century, it was common for friends and lovers in all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes. Americans probably began exchanging handmade valentines in the early 1700’s. In the 1840’s, Esther A. Howland began to sell the first mass-produced valentines in America. She is known and the “Mother of Valentines”.

With this history lesson, it is only natural that Beta Sigma Phis have a traditional event to honor friends and lovers during the month of St. Valentine’s Day. All people and especially women have an emotional need to love and be loved.

Forty years ago when my family moved to Albuquerque, I transferred from an Independence, MO. Chapter to Xi Alpha Kappa. In this chapter, every September we elected a Queen /Sweetheart to be our chapter representative throughout the year. The Honoree was given a tiara, had photos taken and a special celebration event within the chapter. City Council had a Valentine Luncheon where each chapter’s Queen was introduced to all ‘sisters’ of City Council. City Council also planned a Valentine Dance for Queens and their escorts to be honored. Many chapters had a cocktail or dinner party before the dance. The City Council event evolved to include snacks at the dance, breakfast after the dance and a full meal before the dance. We had a live band, small combo or disc jockey to provide a wide variety of music for listening and dancing. At an appropriate hour, usually 9 p.m., a formal presentation was made of the Queens and their escorts. The couples were introduced individually for each chapter to support.

The Valentine Luncheon has been combined with other events and is now a part of the Honor’s Luncheon each fall. Likewise, the Valentine Dance has evolved from only a Dance to our current presentation. As our membership has grown and the family structures of today have changed there are many more obligations of our time for life. Change is inevitable and we must embrace it! See you at the Valentine Event.

By Janice Swope

03/07/09 Update:  We received this e mail from Claire Higgins with Preceptor Alpha Tau in Independence, MO in response to Janice's memories of Valentine's celebrations in Independence, MO:

This message is for Janice Swope. I read your article about Valentines Dance in Independence MO and yes it is still happening. It was this past Sat in spite of 6 inches of heavy snow on the ground and it was just as you remembered it: cocktail hour, dinner, presentation of the Queens, pictures and dance. Queens were presented by Dan Roberts a radio disc jockey with a perfect voice. Although I didn't get to attend this year I hear it was lovely.-- Claire Higgins   Preceptor Alpha Tau  Independence MO

ABQ City Council Scholarship

The Scholarship Application Packet can be found on the Albuquerque City Council Scholarship page on the right hand side of this site.  Applications can be made anytime on or before March 15, 2009 to Peggy Jourden, City Council Second Vice-President.

Walter W. "Bill" Ross III passes away

Sisters, our friend Bill Ross passed away on January 1.  Here is his obituary that was published in the Kansas City Star today. Walter W. "Bill" Ross III
Walter W. "Bill" Ross III, 85, of Leawood, Kan., died Thursday, January 1, 2009, at St. Luke's Hospital South, Overland Park, Kan. A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, January 6, 2009, at Atonement Lutheran Church, 9948 Metcalf Ave., Overland Park, Kan. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Bill and Marilyn Ross Literacy Scholarship Fund of Beta Sigma Phi, 1800 W. 91st Place, Kansas City, MO 64114. Born February 8, 1923, in Kansas City, Mo., Bill was the son of Walter W. Ross, Jr. and Dorothy Eagle Ross. He attended Missouri Military Academy, Southwest High School, and Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. He was a Navy veteran of World War II, serving 3 years, 3 months and 3 days. He served in the Atlantic Theatre, Mediterranean and South Pacific. Bill was named president of Walter W. Ross and Company, Inc., in 1953, and served in that capacity until 1999. At the time of his death he was chairman of the board of Walter W. Ross and Company, Inc. The corporation manages Beta Sigma Phi International, the world's largest non-academic Greek letter organization. He was affiliated with Girlstown U.S.A., where he served as the director of the board, KC Philharmonic Orchestra, past president of KC OPO, member of the Atonement Lutheran Church, Blue Lodge member of Mason, served as national director of Cerebral Palsy and past president of Beta Theta Pi Alumni Association of Westminster College in Fulton, Mo. Bill married Mary Kay Ready in November of 1945. She preceded him in death in February of 1987. Their son, Walter W. Ross, IV (Bucky), preceded him in death in March of 1992. In May of 1990, Bill married Marilyn Job Wegner, who survives him along with his daughters Linda Ross Costa (Gayton) of Kona, Hawaii, and Judy Ross of San Jose, Calif.; his stepson Ted Wegner of Kansas City, Mo.; his stepdaughter Gretchen Lynch (Jason) of Denver, Colo.; his step granddaughter Ava Lynch; his brother John J. (Jack) Ross and family of Kansas City, Mo., and a worldwide circle of friends. Arrangements are by the McGilley State Line Chapel, (816) 942-9180 A posting on the Beta Journal asks that cards of condolence be sent to the International Office, 1800 W 19st Pl, Kansas City, Mo 64114.  http://www.betajournal.com/