A National Philanthropic sorority focusing on art, literature, music and speech & hearing. | | |
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I am a member of Eden United Methodist Church in Eden, IN. On any given Sunday we may have about 40 members in attendance. Sadly, this is the scene for a lot of rural churches. On Saturday November 2, my church will be hosting our Annual Ham and Turkey Dinner for the community that we serve. Approximately 300 people will file through our church doors to partake in the Thanksgiving Feast that our church members have spent all week preparing for. Free will donations are accepted, but are not expected, because we feel that we have been called to feed the community and show God’s Love. Everyone is welcome to join us for dinner. | |
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Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! For most of us it’s a long weekend. If you plan the menu right, it can be the best potluck dinner you’ve ever attended. You don’t have the stress of giving gifts. It doesn’t matter what your religious beliefs might be, Thanksgiving is for everyone, because we all can be thankful for something!
It should come as no surprise to anyone that the membership in service organizations/ churches is in decline. I don’t have enough room in my article to type out the reasons why, so let me just start with what we can do to try and reverse it for our sorority.
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Retention – As a chapter you need to continue to have social activities, or bonding activities with your chapter sisters. If you create opportunities for sisters to connect, they’ll feel comfortable, and valued, and when this happens, they will invite their friends, and family to join your chapter which will help grow your numbers.
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Adapt – Is the monthly meeting an obstacle to member involvement? Consider changing the meeting day/time.
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Impact – When a new member joins your chapter, don’t stick them in a corner. Encourage them to get involved, serve on a committee, attend convention as soon as possible so they can see what it’s all about. Nominate them to serve as an officer in your chapter as soon as you feel they are ready. Most new members will walk away after 3 years if they don’t feel involved or appreciated.
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Initiate – It’s imperative that your chapter continue to host Meet and Greets to encourage new members to join. Each chapter should have 1-2 individuals that are outgoing and excited about Psi Iota Xi to lead this committee. Pick a date, pick a theme, and encourage your chapter members to invite one guest each. It will be a fun evening of meeting some potential new members. Invite a National Council Member to attend the Meet and Greet, we will be glad to help encourage your new member to join your chapter.
Just as my little church reaches out to feed our neighbors, Psi Iota Xi is serving to better the communities we live in through Art, Literature, Music, Speech, and Hearing. Being of service is woven into the fabric of our organization’s history. We are a group of women that care for and strive to improve the lives of those that we can be of service to. It’s imperative that we continue to grow as an organization and this may involve allowing our next generation of leaders in our organization to reinvent our practices while maintaining our sorority’s mission statement of being dedicated to helping others with time, money and love and meeting needs whether cultural, educational, social, or financial.
This Thanksgiving I will be celebrating all the extra blessings I have been given, and I am especially thankful for each of YOU and I’m thankful that I am blessed to live in a country where being of service to others is so prevalent.
Loyally,
Mickie Hansen
National President
Upsilon, Greenfield
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Hear Indiana Run for Sound 5k | |
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A gorgeous fall morning at Conner Prairie was the setting for the Hear Indiana Run for Sound 5k Race on October 5th, 2024. Many members of the Psi Iota Xi National Council participated in person while several others participated virtually. We were blessed to have some Psi Iota Xi sisters and family members join us this year for this wonderful event.
Our Psi Iota Xi National Long-Term Project funds are currently going to Hear Indiana. Run for Sound is their main fundraising event. At the presentation before the race, we received an update on the activities going on at Hear Indiana from their CEO, Ellyn McCall. We also heard from a mother whose daughter, Salem, has hearing loss. She sang the praises of the Hear Indiana organization for helping their family navigate their daughter’s hearing loss journey and make the best choices for her. She said that Hear Indiana provided knowledge, resources, and encouragement to her daughter and their family. We were also informed that this year’s Run for Sound 5k Race had already raised $64,000.00 before the race even began.
As we ran/walked the course through the beautiful grounds of Conner Prairie, our group had time to reflect and be proud to support this wonderful organization. Hearing the moving testimony of Salem’s mother made us want to do whatever we can to fulfill our long-term project’s financial commitment as soon as possible. A great morning was had by all!
Valerie Helms-Mejia
National Conductress
Alpha, Muncie
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At the 2020 National Convention the membership voted to establish our 4th Long Term Project the Psi Iota Xi and Hear Indiana Scholarship. An endowment was created to encourage first-year graduate students to commit to working with deaf and hard of hearing children. The scholarship will be for $3,000 annually. In addition to the scholarship, Hear Indiana will make their professional expertise available to scholarship recipients through shadowing and mentoring.
In just four years the membership has donated over $52,000. Each chapter’s dedication, and devotion to fulfilling this $100,000 commitment is nothing short of inspiring. The mathematicians among you can figure out that with 90 chapters we would need roughly $533 per chapter to fully fund our Long-Term Project by the 2025 convention, but we still have six years to fulfill our obligation so you’re all doing a great job! It may be possible for us to have the LTP fully funded by the 2026 convention if we do some small things to keep the funds coming in.
You can personally make a year-end tax-deductible donation to our Long-Term Project in honor/memory of a sorority sister, and it will be printed in the 2025 convention program.
Your chapter 's extra funds can be earmarked for the Long-Term Project at the end of the fiscal year in April 2025. Any additional donations will simply increase our fund.
Checks should be made out to the Psi Iota Xi LTP and can be mailed to our National Project Chair Terri Resler 3905 Vincennes Rd Ste 303 Indianapolis, IN 46268.
Loyally,
Mickie Hansen
National President
Upsilon, Greenfield
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In August it was announced that chapters that registered participants for the Hear Indiana Run for Sound 5K and made a $100 donation to our Long-Term Project by Oct. 5 would be entered into a drawing to win a hotel room (at the PIX room rate) for one night at the 2025 National Convention in Indianapolis. A drawing was held, and Alpha Omicron, Vincennes was chosen. Congratulations and see you at convention! | | |
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It’s autumn across West Central District. As I write this, the trees outside my home office are showing out with glorious shades of orange, yellow, and red. When the sun hits just right, my office takes on a golden glow. As the saying goes, “I’m glad to live in a world where there are Octobers.”
On October 1, I visited my easternmost chapter in the district: Eta Lambda-Beech Grove, on the southeast side of Indianapolis. This small but mighty group of sisters has been active since 1968. Last year, they raised nearly $6,000 for projects including music and art scholarships, replenishing teachers’ supplies, their local library, money
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for three food pantries, and youth programs in their public school and out in the community. One very special project they supported was contributing to the purchase of championship rings when the Beech Grove High School boys’ team won the state tournament. The night of my visit, the “work” agenda included planning for cheeseball packaging and distribution, RADA knife sales, and the future planning survey sent out by National Vice President Taffy Day. I got to hear lots of lively conversation around the survey, which they completed as a chapter. Their plans for the post-cheeseball season are to draw names for Secret Sister and have their Christmas dinner at a local restaurant.
One of their members received many individual expressions of sympathy following the death of her husband this summer during the “quiet months” of the chapter year, including memorial donations, from several chapter members. She had said, “just being my sisters is enough,” but the Eta Lambda sisters did more anyway. As I sat at their table in the community center next to the high school in Beech Grove that night, I really sensed the love and care and the fun these sisters share. It was a blessing to be in their midst.
Happy Thanksgiving to all my Psi Iota Xi sisters, across our whole national area!
Missy Cooper
West Central District Officer
Gamma Nu, Brownsburg
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Need to order supplies from the National Office? Use the link below to print out the order form and then mail it with your check to:
Psi Iota Xi
3905 Vincennes Rd., Suite 303
Indianapolis Indiana 46268
Make your check payable to Psi Iota Xi, National General Fund.
Please allow up to three weeks to receive your order.
Click here for printable National Supply Order Form
Taffy Day
National Vice President
Omega, Lebanon
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Through the generous contributions of the Endowment Fund of Miss Elsie I. Sweeney, of the Epsilon Chapter, Columbus, Indiana, Psi Iota Xi Sorority, we can provide students with the opportunity to hear live orchestra performances at no cost. Tickets are available for:
- Orchestra Indiana (Muncie Symphony)
- Evansville Philharmonic
- South Bend Symphony
All tickets allocated for the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra have been taken.
Material was sent to each Chapter President in September. Please return the student pool request form to Terri Resler, National Project Chair, at terriresler@psiiotaxi.org. Requests will be filled as they are received on a first come, first served basis.
Communication between your chapter and your local school district is essential. Without the link between you and the school these tickets will not be used. We will work with the Symphonies and the schools to arrange the handling of the tickets.
I would love to see all the tickets that we have available get used. Please submit your requests!
Terri Resler
National Project Chair
Alpha Psi, Washington
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Kentucky State Association | | |
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KSA Fall Meeting
September 21, 2024
LaGrange, KY
KSA Fall Meeting was held at KIDS HAVEN, by Sandy in LaGrange, KY on Saturday, September 21st. A total of seven women attended the meeting from Zeta Iota and Iota Chi Chapters. They were served a delicious brunch before their meeting.
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President Ashley Darnell called the meeting to order and began with a short recap of the KSA Spring Meeting from March of 2023. Ashley reported that she received a resignation from Tania Miles, Treasurer, after the spring meeting. Since there was a vacancy in the Treasurer position, she appointed Karen Scrogham, Zeta Iota, to fill the treasurer position and appointed Tania Miles to take the secretary position. Karen volunteered to notify the bank about the changes. She is already listed as a signer on the bank account.
We discussed the future plans of a possible KSA fundraiser to help fund a new project. Ashley said she would reach out to both chapters to get ideas on fundraisers. We all felt working together on a fundraiser would bring the chapters closer together and also raise more money. Each chapter president is to report back to President Ashley in November with their ideas. We also discussed some possible ideas for a National Project for 2025-26.
Our KSA nominating committee presented a slate of officers for 2025-2027: Tania Miles, President; Melanie Holbrook, Treasurer; Sandy Johnson, Secretary; Ashley Darnell, Advisor.
We discussed a few minor changes to the KSA By-laws to present at the Spring State Meeting on March 1, 2025. Plans are in the works for the Spring State Meeting and invitations will be sent out by the end of January.
By the end of our meeting, everyone seemed pleased with our progress. Next activity due on November 20th will be reports from each chapter on ideas for a fundraiser project.
Meeting was adjourned.
Sandy Johnson
Kentucky Association Advisor
Iota Chi, LaGrange, KY
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Women of Abstraction Art Exhibit | |
Article and photos originally published in the Oldham Era Newspaper
Gallery 104's Newest Exhibit Celebrates Women
By Helen McKinney Contributing Writer Oldham Era
LA GRANGE — The Arts Association of Oldham County’s (AAOC) latest exhibit, Women of Abstraction, features work by women artists only. Running from through Oct. 21st at Gallery 104, located at 104 E. Main Street in La Grange, Women of Abstraction is a competitive show open to abstract creations in all mediums. This show is sponsored by the Psi Iota Xi sorority.
AAOC owns and operates Gallery 104 in which you’ll find ceramics, jewelry, paintings and fiber art. Stop by and see this thought-provoking exhibit that pays homage to women.
The show judge for Women of Abstraction was Yolanda Kennison, a professional artist and painter residing in Lexington, Ky. An awards reception was held Thursday, Sept. 26th at Gallery 104 and attended by a very large crowd. Representatives Mary Emma Johnson and Sandy Johnson, from the La Grange Iota Chi Chapter of Psi Iota Xi sorority, spoke in support of the show. This exhibit contains 74 pieces by 36 artists, including one student.
Winners were:
- Best in Show: Betty Beshoar “, Fragile Future”, oil and cold wax.
- First Place 2-D: Shelly Werts, “Alice Looking”, mixed media.
- Second Place 2-D: Elizabeth Foley, “High Energy”, collaged printed papers.
- Third Place 2-D: Susan Brooks, “Morning Sunshine on Beckley Creek”, oil.
- Honorable Mention: Melissa Mann Bean, “Walk in the Garden of Music”, mixed media.
- First Place 3-D: Jacqueline Bryan, “Formation Arizona”, ceramics.
- Second Place 3-D: Annette Summers, “Electrical Shock A Psychic Surprise”, mixed media.
- Third Place 3-D: Leah Tenney, “Thoughts on Friendship II”, mixed media embroidery.
- Student Division, 2-D: Honorable Mention, Emma Ricketts, “Keeper of the Night”, mixed media.
Psi Iota Xi sorority was founded in 1897 in Muncie, Indiana and is made up of women over the age of 18. Today there are over 2,000 members in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and Illinois. The sororities’ main fundraising efforts centers around speech and hearing, art, literature and music. Each chapter of Psi Iota Xi gives generously to many charitable organizations in their communities. Throughout the year the organization sells various items at local festivals, sells tickets for a Valentine’s Day Dinner and makes their famous cheese spreads for purchase.
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National Council - We are Here for YOU! | |
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National Council is available to talk with Chapters and members anytime questions or concerns arise. Please don't hesitate to reach out to National Council if they can assist you.
Contact us at: info@psiiotaxi.org
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Zeta Mu, Jasper, IN, celebrated their 65th anniversary with an open house on October 5, 2024. | |
Pat Hedinger (left), charter member of Zeta Mu, celebrated with her daughter-in-law, Ginger Hedinger, who is an active member of the chapter. | |
Zeta Xi, Madison, IN, recently made a donation to the Madison Consolidated High Theater program to help with their production of "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child". | |
The ladies of Theta Delta, Bremen, IN, enjoyed a beautiful fall morning picking flowers at Spencer Family Farms. | |
Omega, Lebanon, IN, held a recent meeting at Sugar Creek Art Center and had a class in jewelry making lead by Swirl Art by Wendy and More. | |
Members of Eta Omicron, Kalamazoo, MI, toured the Van Riper Audiology Clinic at Western Michigan University where they focus on treating the whole person, not just their ears. | |
Eta Delta, Carmel, IN, sisters visited the Same as U campus in Noblesville. There were able to watch the students use instruments that were donated by Eta Deleta chapter. | |
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Fundraiser & Event Invitations | |
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Have you ever wished you could invite all Psi Ote sisters to your chapter's fundraiser or special event?
If you are planning an event or fundraiser (in person or virtual) and would like to share your invitation with Psi Ote Sisters from other chapters, let us know. The newsletter is great way to reach many sisters and hopefully increase your attendance or sales!
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!
Advertising in the newsletter is easy, just email janepatton@psiiotaxi.org and she will do the rest.
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Karen L. (Reed) Duncan
April 6, 1939 – October 2, 2024
Theta Theta, Fort Wayne, IN
Karen L. (Reed) Duncan, 85, of rural Ohio City, died early Wednesday morning, October 2, 2024 at the Van Wert Manor. She was born April 6, 1939, in Decatur, Indiana, to the late Kenneth and Margaret (Hebble) Reed. She married William L. Duncan, who survives.
Karen was a 1957 graduate of Adams Central High School. She retired after 14 years as the clerk for the Crestview Local Schools Treasurer. She had
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also worked at First National Bank in Convoy, at Sears and Roebuck in Van Wert, the Fort Wayne Postal Service and sewed for Vera Bradley in Convoy.
Karen was a member of the Psi Iota Xi sorority, the Delphos Eagles and St. John United Methodist Church in Sebring, Florida, where she and Bill wintered for 20 years. She enjoyed sewing, crafting, attending craft shows and, most importantly, spending time with her kids and grandkids.
In addition to her husband Bill, Karen is survived by her 3 sons, Kevin (Kathy) Duncan of New Bremen, Ohio, Jeff (Renee' Bombka) Duncan of Ohio City and Brian (Sunday) Duncan of Convoy; 2 sisters, Pat Parrish and Kristine Smitley, both of Decatur; her grandchildren, Mike Duncan, Amanda Phipps, Nick Duncan, Cody Duncan, Anne Marie Duncan, Quincy Ballweg, Greg Ballweg, Brandon Balweg, Dani'elle Rockey, Jordanne Clyde, D'erin Landis, Kortnie Elkins, J.T. Howard, Brandon Howard and Kimmi Howard; and 13 great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents, a sister, Norene Reef; a brother, Kenneth Reed; and a daughter in law, Deb Duncan.
Funeral services will be held at 10:00am on Monday, October 7, 2024, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, 722 S. Washington St, Van Wert, Ohio, with Pastor Steve Drake, officiating. Burial will immediately follow in Convoy I.O.O.F. Cemetery. Visitation will be Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 1:00-5:00pm, at the funeral home. Preferred memorials may be directed to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.
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Terry Lynn Douple
July 17, 1952 – July 23, 2024
Theta Theta, Fort Wayne, IN
Terry Lynn Douple, 72, of Fort Wayne, passed away on July 23, 2024. She was born on July 17th, 1952, in Springfield, Illinois, a daughter of the late John and Constance Martin.
She was an ardent homemaker who was actively involved in numerous volunteer endeavors in her community. Lynn was a pioneer in educational and medical advocacy for her children as well as other children and special needs adults.
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She is survived by her husband Gregory Douple; daughter, Brittany (Andrew) Feiner of Dayton, Ohio; son Jason (Theresa) Douple of Carrollton, Texas; son Ryan Douple of Ft Wayne; and 4 grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at 12:00 p.m. on Monday, August 5, 2024, with calling one hour prior at Covenant United Methodist Church, 10001 Coldwater Rd, Ft Wayne, IN. Visitation will be held from 2 pm to 5 pm on Sunday, August 4, 2024, at Fairhaven Funeral Home, 6557 N Clinton St, Ft Wayne, IN. Memorial contributions may be made to Rock Steady Boxing NEI and Mayo Clinic Corticobasal Degeneration Research Fund.
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Hotel Information:
Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing
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$159 per night per room - last day to book at this rate is Friday, May 23, 2025
- Rate includes complimentary self-parking in attached hotel parking garage and complimentary guestroom Wifi
Click on the button below to reserve your rooms:
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You can also call the Sheraton Indianapolis for reservations:
- (888) 627-7814
- Ask to make a reservation within the Psi Iota Xi Convention 2025 Group Block
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Convention 2026
Convention 2026 will be hosted by Omega, Lebanon, IN.
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Convention 2027
Convention 2027 will be hosted by Theta Kappa, Edon, OH.
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National President
Mickie Hansen, Upsilon
National Vice President
Taffy Day, Omega
National Secretary
Sandie Carlson, Theta Kappa
National Treasurer
Mona Knight, Iota Theta
National Project Chair
Terri Resler, Alpha Psi
National Advisor
Rhonda McNall-Crisenbery, Theta Theta
National Conductress
Valerie Helms-Mejia, Alpha
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National Editor
Jane Patton, Alpha Omicron
Northeast District Officer
Lauren Huyvaert, Gamma Sigma
Northwest District Officer
Pam Gunterman, Theta Delta
East Central District Officer
Beth Vipond, Gamma Tau
West Central District Officer
Missy Cooper, Gamma Nu
Southeast District Officer
Carol Good, Alpha Theta
Southwest District Officer
Erin Schroering, Iota Lambda
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If you have any questions about this newsletter, the National Website or have an address/phone/email update please contact your National Editor Jane Patton, janepatton@psiiotaxi.org or 812-881-9064 (call/text). | |
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Contact
National Office
3905 Vincennes Road, Suite 303
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317.471.3512
info@psiiotaxi.org
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