January 2024 Psi Iota Xi Newsletter

Friendship - Love - Loyalty

Psi Iota Xi

January

2024

Newsletter

Hello Terri,

A Message from National President

Rhonda McNall-Crisenbery

“Working 9 to 5, what a way to make a living, barely getting by, it's all taking and no giving, they just use your mind, and they never give you credit, it's enough to drive you crazy if you let it” (lyrics by Dolly Parton).

This is one of those songs that is so “classic” you immediately think of Dolly Parton. It was released as a single in November 1980 and garnered Parton an Academy Award nomination and four Grammy Award nominations, winning her the awards for Best Country Song and Best Country Vocal Performance by a female artist.

Though Parton disliked school, she got to take band class with her friend Judy Ogle. The pair met at school when they were children. “Judy and I have been best friends for 64 years, since we were little kids,” Dolly commented. “Our parents knew each other, we grew up together, we were like sisters, became best friends. She was very quiet and I was very outgoing, so we made perfect friends. We all went through school together.” Judy also served as Dolly’s personal assistant throughout her career.

Just as we as Psi Otes have known a fellow sister for years, or even decades, surrounded with friendship and love for each other. Our loyalty is strong like Dolly and Judy sharing the good and the bad and being there in time of need.

Imagination Library

Dolly openly admits that she isn’t proud of her grades during her academic years but she is inspired by her father’s inability to read and write. She began her Imagination Library in 1995 for the children within her home county. Today, her program spans five countries and gives over 1 million free books each month to children around the world.

Several Psi Iota Xi chapters participate in the Imagination Library program for children within their communities. When we read books to children it helps to develop language, social and development skills. In addition, it builds their listening, memory and vocabulary abilities.

Thank You to all Psi Otes who give the gift of books!

“The seeds of dreams are often found in books and the seeds you help plant in your community can grow across the world.” – Dolly Parton

Information Source:

https://latestnews.fresherslive.com

https://www: pbs.org

https://imaginationlibrary.com/

https://www.verywellfamily.com

Hotel Reservation Link

2024 National Convention

Beginning October 1, the link to the Hilton Fort Wayne at the Grand Wayne Convention Center, 1020 South Calhoun Street, Fort Wayne, IN, will be open for all to make reservations for the 2024 National Convention, hosted by the Theta Theta chapter.

Hilton Fort Wayne

1020 South Calhoun Street

Fort Wayne, IN 46802

260-420-1100

If telephoning, please request the Psi Iota Xi block.

(click the link)

Hilton Grand Wayne Hotel

2023 Helicons

Extra copies of Helicons are available for $5 each. Contact National Editor, Terri Resler (terriresler@psiiotaxi.org), if you need additional copies.

As we begin a new year it is important to remind each of you that your personal data is important. Psi Iota Xi places a high priority on protecting your privacy which is why our privacy policy is reviewed every five years per our National By-laws.

We ask that each member voluntarily provide us with their contact information so that we can better serve you through email alerts, answers to your questions, etc. Psi Iota Xi will not provide this information to anyone outside of the organization.

January is a great time to review your chapters privacy policy to determine how each members personal information will be handled.

Loyally,

Mickie Hansen

National Vice President

Southwest District

Today we officially welcome 2024 into our lives! I can hardly believe another year has come and gone. As the saying goes, time goes faster the older you get, and I believe this wholeheartedly, it seems like just yesterday we were at National Convention. Can you believe there are only four months left in the Psi Ote fiscal year? Now is the time to begin organizing things for the Pre-Convention Report.

Last year we saw the return of the Volunteer Service Hours form in the PCR, and it will make an appearance again this year. Don’t wait until the PCR is due to try and remember what volunteer service projects your chapter was involved with, who participated, and how many volunteer hours your chapter earned. If your chapter hasn’t completed any volunteer service hours this fiscal year, I encourage you to find an activity or project and start earning volunteer hours. Always remember, one of the greatest gifts you can give is your time.

A few things to remember about volunteer service hours is that the volunteer project must be done in the name of Psi Iota Xi. The project must be brought before your Chapter and approved prior to performing the volunteer service hours, the project should not be a personal obligation of any of the members of your chapter, and at least one chapter member should work on the project. Additionally, the project cannot be a money-making project for the chapter’s general or project fund. Bell ringing for the Salvation Army’s red kettles or helping your local food pantry put together food boxes to distribute are both examples of projects that can be counted toward volunteer service hours. Remember that on the PCR, a detailed description of the project is required to help determine if the submitted activity can be counted.

I have included the Volunteer Service Guidelines below. If you have any questions, please reach out to your District Officer for clarification.

Loyally,

Jane Patton

Southwest District Officer

Volunteers don't get paid, not because they're worthless, but because they're priceless. ~ Sherry Anderson

GUIDELINES FOR VOLUNTEER SERVICE HOURS

PSI IOTA XI PHILANTHROPIC SORORITY

Revised 5/22/23

1. Each Volunteer Project must have a complete description. Initials or one word title do not give the District Officer or anyone else any idea what Volunteer Project is being worked on. With a complete description, it will make it easier to determine if this is an activity that can be counted as Volunteer Service Hours. Volunteer Service Hours will be deleted by the District Officer if there is not a complete description.

2. Is this Volunteer Project a personal obligation related to church membership, such as teaching a class, etc.? If so, this would not be a volunteer project that is being done in the name of Psi Iota Xi.

3. Is this Volunteer Project a personal obligation related to the schools being attended by the children of this membership, such as PTO, PTA, etc.? If so, this would not be a volunteer Project that is being done in the name of Psi Iota Xi.

4. Is this Volunteer Project a personal obligation related to organizations that the children of the membership belong where parents also must be involved, such as Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, performing groups, etc.? If so, this would not be a Volunteer Project that is being done in the name of Psi Iota Xi.

5. Is this a Chapter project to raise funds for the General of Project Fund? If so, this is a Chapter obligation and cannot be considered as Volunteer Service Hours.

6. Is this a Project where the Chapter is donating money? If so, how are Volunteer Service Hours involved?

7. There should be at least one (1) member working on a project.

8. The project must be brought before the Chapter and approved prior to performing the Volunteer Service Hours.

New Members

Alpha Omicron, Vincennes: Tori Ice, Laura Lane and Amy Moore.

Iota Xi, Winamac, IN

Chapter Happenings

If you have a chapter fundraiser or something special to share about your chapter or a Psi Ote, please go to the Psi Iota Xi~Group Facebook page to post. Link below:

Psi Iota Xi~Group | Facebook

This is one of two Facebook pages, the other is more project and news related at the National level. We are working to get it revamped. More to come on it.

Iota Lambda Ferdinand, IN - Presented a check to the SE Dubois elementary and intermediate school libraries totaling $1000 to purchase new literature!!

Erin Schroering and Kathy Meyer presented the check.

Eta Mu, Rochester, IN

Team Psi Iota Xi, Alpha, along with other volunteers, hit the Muncie Meijer store bright and early to shop for Secret families!

By the numbers:

- Over 1,500 volunteers, organized into...

- 70+ shopping teams

- 70+ wrapping teams

- 30+ tree delivery teams

- 25+ gift delivery teams.... "Presented" a complete Christmas with a tree, $80 in gifts for each family member, a Bible and a gift card for Christmas dinner.

Psi Otes assisted over 1,400 people (377 families) for the holidays.

Beta Tau, Frankford, IN, went to eat at the Angry Donkey in Michigantown, IN. They invited district officer, Misty Cooper. She accepted and along with one of their alumnae members, all had a lovely time.

A family style meal was delicious. Each member was given a bag of cookies to take home. Thanks to Misty for traveling the distance to inspire us. Thanks to the committee as well. Happy New Year!

Alpha Omicron, Vincennes, IN, gathered with PNP & National Advisor Maureen "Mo" Dix. They also "Welcomed" three new Psi Ote members.

Iota Rho, Odon, IN had a fun Christmas party with a special little legacy grinch.

Eta Chi, Martinsville, IN - Enjoying their annual Christmas meeting/dinner with hostesses Suzie Lipps and Marilyn Siderewicz (Past Indiana President).

Gamma Theta, Speedway, IN - Annual Christmas dinner, meeting, and sock exchange.

Upsilon, Greenfield, IN - Had such a fun Christmas party. From Christmas jammies to reindeer games to crafts to a book gift exchange, it was a great time with sisters.

Iota Tau, Indianapolis, IN - Held their holiday meeting at the Indiana State Museum. Lunch & gifts for our Secret Sisters - a great time was had by all!

Theta Tau, Midland, MI - December meeting; brought donations for Shelterhouse and the Bay Area Women’s Center.

Indiana State Association

Piecing PIX Together

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Crawfordsville, Indiana

Fallen Petals

Please send obituaries to terriresler@psiiotaxi.org to be included in the next newsletter and the Helicon.

National Council - Email & Website

National Council is available to talk with Chapters and members if any questions or concerns arise. Please don't hesitate to reach out to National Council if they can assist you.

The website can be found at www.psiiotaxi.org.

Fundraiser & Event Invitations

Have you ever wished you could invite all Psi Ote sisters to your chapter's fundraiser or special event? Your chapter Helicon articles detail all the amazing events and fundraising activities you accomplish in your individual chapters and communities. Now we'd like to offer chapters the opportunity to submit invitations to their events and fundraisers via the monthly newsletter by emailing them to terriresler@psiiotaxi.org.

Electronic money transfer apps like Venmo plus virtual platforms like Facebook Live make it possible for even our most distant sisters to participate in another chapter's fundraisers with ease. You can support your sisters across the organization, and you might even get a few ideas for your own chapter!