Phi Musings
=========
Chicago (IL) Northwest Suburban Phi Mu Alumnae Chapter
Newsletter, August
2005
President's Corner
---------------------------
Dear Sisters,
I can't believe it's almost fall, and time to start our new
Phi Mu calendar. And
I am very excited about this 2005-2006
calendar! Your Executive Board really got
creative when planning this one -
traditional favorites are still there, some
with a different twist (like
Founders' Day). New events, and rejuvenated old
events. I'm looking forward to all
of these events, every one! Our calendar
through January is fairly complete;
some of the later events still have details
to be worked out.
Many of you are anxious for word on the possibility of a Phi
Mu chapter at
Northwestern. There's a short bit
about that in the newsletter, but basically,
no news yet. I promise to keep you
posted, and it would be great to have a local
collegiate chapter.
The big news for Phi Mu this summer is the new headquarters!
If you haven't seen
the webcam shots, please do - it's
beautiful. I am planning to attend the
'official' ceremonies in September
-- please come too if your hectic schedule
can spare you the weekend of
September 24th. I will look for and photograph your
bricks and other donations (like
chairs, etc) if you want. And should have
plenty to share at the October
meeting - provided that meeting has time for me;
it certainly promises to be an
interesting one!
I would like to thank all of the Executive Board members for
the time and energy
they put in to making this alum
chapter the great one it is. We have some new
blood mixed in with long-time
leaders, lots of ideas, and tons of commitment to
Phi Mu. I would encourage more
members to consider taking on an Exec Board role
too - several of us should
technically be rotating out soon, and we are willing
to make up new roles to suit the
skills and availability of any volunteer
(particularly roles that don't
require attendance at regular meetings).
Call for Chapter Leaders
-----------------------------------
If you are interested in serving our alum chapter in a
leadership role, please
contact [email protected] by Dec
19th. We will hold elections at our
January
meeting, for the offices of
president, vice-president, treasurer and secretary.
Other positions are filled at any time by volunteers or
executive board
appointment. Right now we need a volunteer for Yearbook
Co-Editor; doesn't
require attendance at meetings,
just a little word processing knowledge.
2005-2006 Calendar
----------------------------
September 13th, Tuesday,
Fall Kick-Off meeting; Location:
September 24th, Saturday
New Phi Mu Headquarters Grand Opening & Dedication in
details TBD
September - November
CMN Fundraiser - Fannie May Candy Sale
October 10th, Monday,
Journey of a Woman and Philanthropy; Location:
October 16th, Sunday,
Panhellenic Fundraiser: "Stylin' for Scholars;
Location:
October 17th,Monday
Phi Mu's National Philanthropy Day
October 18th, Tuesday,
Daytime Meeting & Play Group; Locaton: Grayslake
November 10th, Thursday,
Ornament/ Cookie Exchange & Toy Donation; Location:
December 3th, Saturday,
December 18th, (tentative), Sunday,
Philanthropy Fundraiser - Gift Wrapping
(in 2-hour shifts)
January 18th, Wednesday,
Bunko/Game Night & Officer Elections; Location:
February - date & time TBD
Cooking Class Fundraiser; details TBD
March 4th, Saturday, time TBD
Founder's Day Tea; details TBD
March 6th, Monday
International Panhellenic Badge Day
April
8th, Saturday, time TBD
Wine Education; details TBD; Location:
May 3th, Wednesday,
Panhellenic Dinner
July 12th - 16th
National Convention,
No information is yet available on any State Day events.
----------------------------------------
Chapter dues are $38 for the year. Although dues may be paid
at any time during
the year, for bookkeeping and
reporting purposes, we request that dues be paid
by September 13th. For information, contact [email protected]. Please note
that, based on your dues form, the
chapter will automatically submit any
change-of-address (mailing and/or
email) to Phi Mu Executive Office.
New Headquarters Complete!!
--------------------------------------------
At the end of June, Phi Mu officially moved national offices
to the beautiful
newly built memorial headquarters
in
Dedication ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, September
24th; details
forthcoming. If you can't attend
the festivities, at least see how beautiful it
is via the webcam:
http://www.phimu.org/foundation/webcam.asp
Please note the new address, phone and fax information
below, as well as some
new primary contacts in the Executive
Office and Foundation.
Phi Mu Fraternity National Headquarters
770.632.2090
770.632.2136 (Fraternity Fax)
770.632.2135 (Foundation Fax)
Note that all Phi Mu email addresses have changed from
@phimueo.org to simply
@phimu.org.
Director of Member Services: Cara Dawn Byford,
[email protected]
Alumnae Programming and Membership Coordinator: Kerri
Buchanan,
Foundation Business Manager: Kimberly Tramel,
[email protected]
Aglaia Submissions
-----------------------------
Submissions to the Aglaia show off our chapter to the rest
of Phi Mu. Keep in
mind the following dates and Aglaia
themes when you submit ideas, articles
and/or photos.
Winter/Spring 2006 issue:
Theme = Sisterhood.; deadline = October 15th.
Photos
that best depict what Phi Mu's
Sisterhood means to us and our chapter. (A
philanthropy related photo?)
Summer 2006 issue: Theme = Recruitment; deadline = May 1st.
(A good time to
feature our Heart-to-Heart support
activities, or (if it develops) activities at
Northwestern?)
Throughout the year, the Aglaia typically features
spot-the-lion or quatrefoil
photos. If you have any to
contribute, get them to [email protected] at any
time, along with some info as to
when and where the photo was taken. Our Aglaia
reporter will then submit them at
the appropriate times.
And
please note: the Aglaia now accepts digital photos too, as well
as the
traditional paper photos.
Fall Kick-off Meeting!
------------------------------
Tuesday, September 13th,
Start the 2004-2005 Program off with this energetic event!
We'll review our
plans for this upcoming year, meet
new members, and catch up after the summer.
Please bring a dessert or appetizer to share.
We will be collecting donations for our fall Panhellenic
Basket - new (or
like-new) photo/picture frames of all sizes, shapes and
colors. Most of us have
a spare one (or 2) that we bought
with good intentions but haven't used yet, so
why not donate it!
We will have a contest for titling this basket; entries so
far are "You Look
Good in Pictures" and "You Ought to Be in
Pictures". You get the idea, so put
on your thinking cap!
New Members: Please note -- There will be a drawing for all
new members to win a
year of free dues! And don't miss
the last chance to take advantage of the "Pink
Light Special" - discounted first year dues! (See
included dues form.)
To RSVP or for directions, contact: [email protected].
Fall CMN Fundraiser
------------------------------
We will be partnering with Fannie May again this holiday
season to sell candy
and raise funds for Children's
May faced some challenges in '04, but we have been assured
that they are ready
for the '05 holiday season! Key dates and information will be shared at
all
meetings this fall. Watch for details!
Journey of a Woman
------------------------------
Monday, October 10th,
We are fortunate enough to have a chapter member who
recently completed quite a
journey of her own. She taught
English in
adults, and she will share stories,
souvenirs and photos with us of her
experience and impressions. Don't
miss what promises to be a very entertaining
and informative evening!
To RSVP or for directions, contact: [email protected].
Reminder: bring any items for Philanthropic donation. (And
last minute
contributions to the Panhel basket
will also be welcome.)
Local Philanthropy
---------------------------
National Phi Mu Philanthropy Day, Monday, October 17th
Phi Mu nationally celebrates our many philanthropic
activities this year on
October 17th. Our local philanthropy is the
an average day at the
145 requests for help; 30 people living in their emergency
shelter and 25 women
and children living in transitional
housing; 84 meals served in the shelter; 23
walk-in clients with emergency
needs for food, clothing, rent, medicines,
utilities or transportation; 43
phone contacts requesting crisis counseling,
information and referrals for other
services, shelter or community education.
This year, we will lend a helping hand to the Crisis Center
by collecting
donations of the following at all
of our meetings, but particularly at our
October 10th meeting.
* After-school snacks (juice boxes, individual fruit and
pudding cups, granola
bars, microwave popcorn, raisins);
new pajamas (all sizes adult & children); new
slippers (all sizes adult &
children); new socks (all sizes adult & children);
new underwear (all sizes adult
& children); school uniforms (all children
sizes); new backpacks.
* Old cell phones. The Crisis Center will take our old,
unused cell phones, and
sell them as a fundraiser to
Shelter Alliance, a private sector business
dedicated to socially responsible
cell phone recycling. Shelter
cash to shelters and social service
organizations for old cell phones, and has
contributed over $1,700,000 to
social service organizations nationwide.
* Old greeting cards. Rather than just throwing away those
old greeting cards
(holiday, birthday, thank-you,
etc), we can give them to a Crisis Center
volunteer who turns them into
wonderful new cards, sold for $1, to raise cash
for the Crisis Center. So far, this
program has raised more than $30,000 for
the center. (We will definitely
collect these at the January meeting...)
Additionally, we will also support other area
charities/schools/ community
organizations by collecting, at all
meetings:
* New (or like-new) children's books to donate to the Children's
Memorial
Hospital in continuing support of the National Read and Roar
program
* Cereal box tops
* Old sneakers
Also note, when you do any fall or spring cleaning, and are
considering what to
do with those garage-sale items,
but don't want to actually have a garage sale,
please note. The Crisis Center is
also supported by the Reruns Thrift Shop, 72 S
Grove,
items, small appliances in good
working condition, kitchen items, clean
household linens, curtains,
glassware, china, artwork, craft and home decor
items, book and audio recordings,
and toys in good condition. They do not accept
clothing, exercise equipment,
microwaves, computers, large appliances (washes,
stoves, etc), cribs, car seats, or
mattresses. Donations can only be accepted
when the store is open, Tuesday
through Saturday, 10am-3pm. Note that Reruns
does not pick up, and you must be
able to get your items into the store by
yourself (or bring your own extra carriers).
For more information, contact the
store directly.
Panhellenic Scholarship Fundraiser - "Stylin' for
Scholars"
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday, October 16th,
The Chevy Chase Country Club,
and renovated in 1999. The English
Tudor architecture, lush landscaping and
traditional interiors combine to
make an absolutely beautiful venue for this
year's Panhellenic fundraiser. (Note: this event replaces the 2004 holiday
play
event and previous fall book sale
events hosted by Panhellenic.)
Reserved in the Devonshire Room and private outdoor patio
area, this fundraiser
will include a fashion show by
Talbots (featuring NPC models), Silent Auction,
Gift Basket Raffles and yummy appetizers
and desserts. Tickets are $35 per
person.
In addition to stocking our Frames Basket at the kickoff
meetings, our Panhel
rep needs donations of new (or
like-new) cookbooks, and items for the Silent
Auction by October 7th. If you know of any business or
merchants who might
donate silent auction items, please
contact [email protected] ASAP.
Note: Our Panhel rep needs a little help from a few of us
during the week of
October 10th, to organize, label and price
the cookbooks. She'll provide the
location (her house) and the
motivation (the wine), and make this a fun
impromptu event.
A New Event - Daytime Meeting & Play Group
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, October 18th,
To accommodate those members with young children at home, or
other members who
can't easily attend events at
night, one of our members has offered to organize
a daytime (possibly quarterly)
meeting and play group, and host the first one.
Meeting topics will reflect regular chapter events when
possible, while
entertaining the wee ones.
To RSVP or for directions, contact: [email protected].
---------------------------
Thursday, November 10th,
Don't miss this favorite holiday chapter event! Bring zero
-to-four things (but
bring yourself no matter
what): 1) 5 dozen cookies to be
exchanged with the
other meeting attendees, and go home
with 5 dozen of mixed variety! 2) a
gift-wrapped handmade or unique
ornament or decoration to exchange, and go home
with a surprise new one! 3) a $1 donation for "movie night" packages for our
heart-to-heart chapter; 4) an unwrapped child's toy to donate to the
Community
Crisis Center.
We will also pass around Tastefully Simple order materials -
additional fund
raising without the whole eating
thing. If you aren't familiar with Tastefully
Simple, just ask someone who's already a "Simple"
junkie!
To RSVP or for directions, contact: [email protected].
----------------------------
Saturday, December 3rd,
Those who attended Founders' Day in March 2005, will
understand our luncheon
location change to Enzo and Lucia's
Italian Ristorante, in Historic Long Grove.
It got such rave reviews!
The menu will be similar to that at Founders Day, and
the cost will be approximately $25.
Confirmed details will be available by
mid-November.
Be sure to plan your day to allow for shopping opportunities
in the many quaint
little shops in Historic Long
Grove, before and/or after lunch!
RVSP to: [email protected].
Directions fro Hwy 53:
exit
light). Turn left onto
intersection with Route 83.)
Restaurant is on the east (right) side of Old
McHenry. Parking is available in
public parking lots behind the restaurant and
across the street.
Winter Philanthropy Fundraiser
---------------------------------------------
Sunday, December 18th *(tentative),
Volunteers are needed for two-hour shifts to gift-wrap
customers' purchases at
an area bookstore. This year we are
considering Borders in
& Noble in
1st. How this works is -- the store provides the materials -
we just supply the
holiday spirit and labor! Donations
collected go to our philanthropies. It's
also a great way to find those last
minute gifts you yourself need, and have
them wrapped before you head home!
Details should be available by the Fall
Kickoff Meeting, so please plan to sign up for your favorite
2-hour slot at any
meeting before mid-December, or
contact [email protected] anytime!
Bunko/ Game Night
-----------------------------
Wednesday, January 18th,
Join us for some wild fun, as we play Bunko and other games.
Bring: 1) $5
entrance fee (proceeds will go towards
our philanthropic and operating
fundraising); 2) (optional) a
"hideous holiday hand-me down" (also known as a
white elephant) item; 3) (optional)
raffle money - one person's trash is
another's treasure, so we'll raffle
off the "hideous" items for just 25 cents a
ticket!
To RSVP or for directions, contact: [email protected].
Cooking Class
----------------------
A Day in February TBD
Several area restaurants and businesses offer cooking
classes. A team of our
members is checking into the
options and will soon pick one. Watch for details
in the winter newsletter.
Founders' Day Celebration-154 Years!
-------------------------------------------------------
Saturday, March 4th, time TBD
Changing venues, we will celebrate the 2006 Founders' Day
with a tea (instead of
luncheon). Details and invitations
for this annual luncheon will be provided in
the winter newsletter.
International Badge Day
-----------------------------------
Monday, March 6th
The twenty-six member organizations of the National
Panhellenic Conference (NPC)
celebrate International Badge Day
on the first Monday of March. This annual
event is a chance for sorority
women everywhere to honor their Greek
affiliations by wearing their
badge. (Or if
badge wear isn't appropriate for
your day's activities, you can
still show everyone you're proud to be a Phi Mu
by wearing your Phi Mu letters or
other Phi Mu jewelry!)
Wine Education
------------------------
Saturday, April 8th, time TBD
Bring your significant other and/or friends and join us for
wine tasting and
education. A fee will be charged,
and a local beverage expert will explain
differences in wines and share tips
for choosing wines for events. We hope
to
make this a joint event with the
Downtown Alum Chapter. Exact time TBD; watch
for details in the winter
newsletter.
Panhellenic Scholarship Dinner
----------------------------------------------
Wednesday, May 3rd (tentative)
Each spring our local Panhellenic chapter announces
scholarship and other award
winners at a dinner event. Details
TBD; cost is usually around $30.
National Convention 2006
-------------------------------------
July 12- 16, 2006
Gaylord Opryland Resort,
Mark your calendars!
See http://www.gaylordhotels.com/gaylordopryland/ for
information on the resort itself.
It would a great family vacation before,
after, or during Convention!
Chapter Website
-------------------------
We now have a preliminary website for our chapter; see
http://www.geocities.com/nwchicagophimu/. Submit your ideas for content or
format.
Collegiate News
------------------------
* The fairly new
Beta's Heart-to-Heart. As soon as that happens, we will get
assigned a new one,
and we have asked for Rho Gamma at
meantime, the Delta Beta Chapter at
Heart-to-Heart chapter.
* No more news yet about the possibility of a Phi Mu chapter
at Northwestern
University If it happens, the Chicagoland alum chapter
members will be expected
to support organizational meetings
with the university administration and
recruitment activities. Extension/
colonization analysis and preparation takes
time, and emails and newsletters will keep you updated on the progress.