A National Philanthropic sorority focusing on art, literature, music and speech & hearing. | | |
I THINK IT WAS JUST WOMEN
by Donna Ashworth
It must have been a terrifying sight to behold,
a group of witches gathered by firelight,
chanting, conjuring spirits, creating spells…
No wonder some were afraid.
But I think it was just women.
Being women.
Coming together, as they very much must, to support one another,
to share their battles and pull each other through the flames they faced daily.
Sharing remedies, medicines, and ways to heal.
And believing they were so much more than told, than allowed.
It is little wonder that the power of this union would appear like magic, to the unknowing eye.
But I think it was just women.
Doing what we do, every day.
Taffy Day
National President
Omega, Lebanon, IN
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Attention Chapter Presidents
Recently, you received several emails containing important information for your chapters. These emails contain official letters from your National Project Chair, Valerie Helms-Mejia and your National Vice President, Sandie Carlson. Also included in these emails are letters of introduction from your District Officer and National President as well as a National Convention Synopsis. Some of these items have due dates for responses such as potential bylaw change proposals as well as symphony ticket requests and national project proposals.
Action dates:
Symphony Tickets
Due: October 5, 2025*
Return to National Project Chair, Valerie Helms-Mejia
*Any symphony ticket request submitted after this date will be determined by availability of remaining tickets
National Project Proposals
Due: November 1, 2025
Return to National Project Chair, Valerie Helms-Mejia
National Bylaw Changes
Due: November 1, 2025
Return to National Vice President, Sandie Carlson
Letter of Interest to become a District Officer
Due: November 1, 2025
Return to National Vice President, Sandie Carlson
Chapter Bylaw Changes
Due: April 1, 2026
Return to National Vice President, Sandie Carlson
Taffy Day
National President
Omega, Lebanon, IN
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At the 2025 Convention, we announced that we are $22,500 short of fully supporting the Psi Iota Xi Hear Indiana Scholarship Long-Term Project. Chapters in attendance were asked to find a way to raise a little extra money and donate it to the LTP for coming year.
Several chapters have special projects and donate the revenues to the LTP, which is fantastic! We are asking each chapter to consider something, no matter how insignificant you believe it is; every little bit helps.
We know we can sell things, but try something simpler, such as setting up a jar at one of your meetings and collecting donations from members who drop in a few dollars at each meeting throughout the year. Alternatively, you can contact four friends outside the sorority and just ask for a $20 donation to the LTP. People are often eager to donate rather than acquire something they don't truly want. If they give you the gift and you donate it yourself, you will have contributed $100 toward the goal. If ten members of your chapter do the same thing, the chapter will have contributed $1,000 to the LTP.
Your efforts are making a difference, keep up the good work!
Loyally,
Mickie Hansen
National Advisor
Upsilon, Greenfield, IN
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It is October! School has been in session for a couple of months now and I know that many of us have calendars that are filled with football games, soccer matches, and swim meets. Many of us also have children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren who participate in band, orchestra, and choir programs as well as theater.
It is not that I don’t appreciate athletic competition, but my heart has always been more in line with the music arts. If you aren’t fortunate to have any younger family members who are involved in the arts in school, I urge you to find out when your local high school has activities and support them by attending their programs. I know many of our chapters already support the arts at the local level but please take a moment to do some research and support them with your attendance.
An important deadline is coming up on the 5th of this month. That is the deadline to submit requests for student tickets to attend live orchestra performances in your area. A letter was sent out to chapter presidents about this program provided by the Endowment Fund of Miss Elsie I. Sweeney of Epsilon Chapter in Columbus. I hope your chapter is active each year in helping to provide this wonderful opportunity to your local schools. You can get more information by contacting your chapter president or our National Project Chairman, Valerie Helms-Mejia.
Beth Vipond
East Central District Officer
Gamma Tau, Marion, IN
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Hear Indiana Run for Sound 2025
The Hear Indiana Run for Sound 5K took place on September 6th. It was a beautiful, brisk Saturday morning. Just perfect for a group of gatherers to run, jog, or walk around Conner Prairie grounds to support a wonderful organization. As you already know, Psi Iota Xi supports Hear Indiana as our current National Project. Our organization was recognized at the 5K event on their sponsorship poster and the race t-shirt. My family (husband and children ages 7 & 9) enjoyed attending the hot air balloon festivities before the race began in addition to kids’ carnival games between the main race and kids’ fun run! We joined up with PNPs Pat Menge & Rhonda McNall-Crisenbery for the race start. To kick off the race, Hear Indiana’s CEO, Ellyn McCall, gave a short speech to thank everyone and advise that $77,285 has been raised from this year’s race! We all had a great time, and I was personally super proud of my children for running the whole way! I didn’t end up seeing them even once fall back to my walk/jog pace.
This annual event is Hear Indiana’s main fundraiser each year with proceeds going directly to benefit the Speech and Hearing Resource Center. According to the Hear Indiana website, “All funds raised go toward providing essential services for children with hearing loss, including listening and spoken language therapy, audiology, and more.” We hope to see many of you join us for this fun event in 2026.
All the best,
Erin Schroering
Southwest District Officer
Iota Lambda, Ferdinand, IN
| | Rhonda McNall-Crisenbery, PNP, Erin Schroering, SWDO, and Pat Menge, PNP representing Psi Iota Xi at the Hear Indiana Run for Sound at Conner Prairie. Jaiden (future legacy member) points our PIX Logo on the supporter's board. | | Jaiden and Erin Schroering representing Psi Iota Xi at the 2025 Hear Indiana Run for Sound. | | Jaiden and Nolan Schroering enjoyed the balloon festival at Conner Prairie prior to the 5K starting. | | |
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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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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Iota Xi, Winamac, IN
Cheese Spread Fundraiser
Iota XI Winamac - It’s that time again! We are now accepting orders for our delicious cheese spread. Each container is $8, or you can purchase 3 for $22. Please reach out to us to place your order and specify if you prefer with or without pecans. Cheese will be delivered mid-October! We thank you for your continued support! Link below:
Iota Xi Winamac Cheese Spread Fundraiser - Click here to order
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Eta Delta, Carmel, IN
Poinsettia Fundraiser
The Eta Delta (Carmel) Chapter will be selling poinsettias for their fall fundraiser this year. Offering both traditional red poinsettias and "glitter" poinsettias (please see photo). Each poinsettia, in an 8" pot, will be wrapped in gold foil. Payment ($20 per plant) will be collected at the time you place your order, and pickup will be in late November at a location in Carmel.
Orders must be received no later than October 15th.
To order, please contact Lisa Pierce at lmcp11@aol.com or 561.547.4517
| | | | BETA SIGMA, AUSTIN, IN - Celebrating 65 years of service to Beta Sigma Chapter, Austin, IN. Thank you to Thelma Rose and Doris Goodin. President Kim Spicer and Southeast District officer Carol Good presented their 65-year pins. | | UPSILON, GREENFIELD, IN - We had another successful speech & hearing clinic at New Palestine Community Schools! This clinic is available to students in the summertime who need additional speech development work. Clearly, they also have some fun! | | BETA PSI, DELPHI, IN - We were honored to participate in Delphi Opera House Singer Songwriters Series in September, providing cookies for guests. It was a very enjoyable afternoon. Their next show will be Sunday December 7th. It's a must see! There's so much going on at the Opera House. | | ALPHA, MUNCIE, IN - The Alpha Chapter of Psi Iota Xi celebrated the 128th anniversary of our sorority on Founders Day. We had a delicious meal and program at the Delaware Country Club! Our speaker, Chris Poland, gave a wonderful presentation about Emily Kimbrough and her house here in Muncie. The Alpha chapter has given thousands of dollars to help restore the Kimbrough house. Emily is a relative of one of our founders, Huda Smith (Kimbrough). | | GAMMA ZETA, OSSIAN, IN - Ossian Psi Iota Xi gazebo is now landscaped and a little library added. We have definitely left a legacy for our community to enjoy!!! | | BETA PI, CAMBRIDGE CITY, IN - Beta Pi Chapter is proud to support Western Wayne Elementary School and local author & racer Presley Sorah with recent donations! | | ETA OMICRON, KALAMAZOO, MI - Sue A. delivering supplies to Peter Thompson (Sr Campus Coach) for distribution to a WMU Seita student for the 2025-2026 semesters. This bin contained not only a laundry basket but many personal care items, water shoes, a dry erase board, an extension cord, a first aid kit, a bed pillow, an umbrella, a fan and a planner as well. Cheers to a successful year!!! | | CHI, BROOKSTON, IN - Wearing gold to bring awareness to childhood cancer. | | IOTA LAMBDA, FERDINAND, IN - Sharing music and crafts with community members of all ages at the Ferdinand Folk Fest. | | ALPHA PHI, FORTVILLE, IN - Alpha Phi, Fortville, sisters were inspired by decorations at National Convention, so they had a social at Studio 309 to recreate them. Although they were missing a few members, three guests and a future Psi Ote joined in the fun. | | |
Sheraton Indianapolis Hotel at Keystone Crossing Convention Hotel Information:
- $169 per night per room
- Last day to book at this rate is Friday, May 22, 2026
- Rate includes complimentary self-parking in attached hotel parking garage and complimentary guestroom Wi-Fi
- You can call the Sheraton Indianapolis for reservations: (888) 627-7814
- Ask to make a reservation within the Psi Iota Xi Convention 2026 Group Room Block
- Click on the button below to reserve your rooms online:
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National Convention 2027
Theta Kappa, Edon, OH, will host the 2027 National Convention at the Grand Wayne Convention Center in Fort Wayne, IN.
National Convention 2028
Iota Theta, Armstrong, IL, will host the 2028 National Convention.
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National President
Taffy Day, Omega
National Vice President
Sandie Carlson, Theta Kappa
National Secretary
Terri Resler, Alpha Psi
National Treasurer
Mona Knight, Iota Theta
National Advisor
Mickie Hansen, Upsilon
National Project Chair
Valerie Helms-Mejia, Alpha
National Editor
Jane Patton, Alpha Omicron
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National Conductress
Missy Cooper, Gamma Nu
Northeast District Officer
Lauren Burk, Gamma Sigma
Northwest District Officer
Pam Gunterman, Theta Delta
East Central District Officer
Beth Vipond, Gamma Tau
West Central District Officer
Pam Karle, Gamma Xi
Southeast District Officer
Carol Good, Alpha Theta
Southwest District Officer
Erin Schroering, Iota Lambda
| | 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). | | |
Contact
National Office
3905 Vincennes Road, Suite 303
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317.471.3512
info@psiiotaxi.org
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