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 PHILALETHEAN ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BRUNCH/MEETING MINUTES

10-11-08

Approximately 120 Phi alumnae and Phi actives gathered at the Great Hall on Heidelberg's campus for a PAA meeting and brunch to celebrate our 95th anniversary!

Sondra Libman welcomed everyone to the brunch and the Phiettes lead the singing of Oh Philalethean.

Kim "OJ" Zandy opened the meeting with the Phi toast, after which the Phiettes led the singing of "Oh, Philalethean".

Interim President of Heidelberg College, Jim Troha, contratulated the Phis on our 95th anniversary.  He spoke at length about the contributions of the greeks at Heidelberg to the students, the college and the community, pointing out that the Phis are the most active Alumni Association the college has.  President Troha also recognized the low enrollment in greek life at Heidelberg (approx. 15%) and stated he wanted to work to grow that enrollment beginning immediately. 

President of the Philalethean Society, Lindsey "Eclipse" Wiseman, informed the PAA of all the activities the actives are involved in this fall.  The Phis have 5 rush activities planned, including Create A Bagel, Bonphire, Tea, a party with the women of Kappa Psi Omega and with the members of Nu Sigma Alpha.  The Phis have approximately 30 potential New Members who will be rushing Phi this fall, and Lindsey and the active Phis asked for our help with "Sponsor a Phuture Phi".  It will cost the Phis a minimum of 20.00 per rushee to attend all 5 events, so Alums were asked to donate up to that amount.  So far, "Sponsor a Phuture Phi" has raised over 450.00! 

Lindsey also filled us in on what the actives have been doing to fundraise themselves, including working at Cedar Point!

Before the actives left to set up for Carnival, a Seabag, donated by Beth "Snuggle" Greenlaw Shissler, and filled with Phi articles from Cafe Press, was given away.  The winner was Jessica "Sombra" Pavelka.

Paula "Clover" Roediger spoke about the creation of the Philalethean Alumni Association at our 90th Reunion in 2003, and what the organization has done since then.  Her speech follows:

PAA Update

 

At the 90th Phi reunion 5 years ago, Phi alumni met and decided to form an Alumni Association. Board members representing various decades were selected and a set of goals, both social and philanthropic was defined. Since that initial meeting we have added additional Board members representing younger Phi alumni, Jennifer “Hopi” Fuller Creech and Maria “Chief” Hejnal, and we are now an official Heidelberg organization with 501c3 status.

 

Most recently we have launched our Philalethean Alumni Association website, www.philalethean.com This site is not just meant for Phi alumni, but for Heidelberg parents and students. You can catch up on what Phi alumni are doing, learn about the goals of the PAA, and the Philalethean Society. Please see Kim "OJ" Zandy for more information.

 

Early on we began small, sending holiday cards to Trustees and administration, encouraging alumni to return to campus for Homecoming, Greek Sing and pledging, and sending yellow roses or other small gifts to the Phis. We watched with pride as Jennifer “Baylor” Anello Rofrano won the Young Alumni Award.

 

But in the spring of 2004 the college called upon us to work side by side with the Philalethean Society to refocus Philalethean pledging. We accepted that challenge and last year a brand new revitalized New Member Education program was introduced in the Fall NME period. At the completion of each NME period the program is evaluated by actives and alumni allowing for improvements and growth. 

 

Most of our projects were being funded by individual alumni donations, so the need for capital led to our first fundraising effort. Heidi Schmidt Brodman led a team of Phi alumni to create an alumni cookbook. The Beste Recipes from Philalethean Kitchens continues to provide us with some basic operating costs. We always appreciate donations, so let me take this time to thank each of you who made a donation toward this Reunion. Your contributions really do make a difference.

  

Since 2004 the Heidelberg Homecoming Carnival has been our main vehicle for service. Each year we have sponsored a Carnival booth. Giving away bottled water and spirit beads, collecting blood donors for the Red Cross, holding a children’s book drive for the Tiffin Public library, United Way and Head Start, and raffling a $500 bookstore gift certificate to a Berg student are just some of the ways that we have contributed to the Heidelberg and Tiffin community. Later this morning, Pam Houston will speak in detail about our next philanthropic project.

 

Of course, we still like to have some true Phi Phun. In 2006 we organized the first Phi Days at Put-in-Bay. Each August, Phi alums spend three days of fun and sun together on Lake Erie. We also have organized area get-togethers in Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati and even New York. If you can’t make any of those events remember you’ll always find Phi alumni and actives here at Heidelberg for Greek Sing and NME!

 

Our work with the active members of the Philalethean Society has led to some of our most rewarding experiences. In 2006 the actives Phis asked us to sponsor a Mentoring program. This has become one of our richest legacies. Jennifer “Hopi” Fuller Creech and Erika “Cheyenne” Crysler Creech have worked incredibly hard to make this program a success recruiting and matching alumni with active Phis. Jennifer will explain this volunteer program in detail.

 

Each of us should be proud of the work we have done as an alumni association. If any of you are interested in becoming more involved please put your contact information on the feedback form located in your Reunion Booklet. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and I hope all of you take a moment to get to know the remarkable young women who are the active Phis.

 

Jennifer "Hopi" Fuller Creech gave a report on the Mentoring Program.  Details are as follows:

 

New Members are matched before NME begins with an Alumna or Alumnae who match interests, major or personality.

 

The following guidelines have been set up for both actives and Mentors:

 

Mentors:

  1. Committed to volunteering from pledging until graduation.
  2. Should have things in common with their Phi (major, hometown, interests, ect…) We will try to not pair up people in the same Phi Family line.
  3. At least 10 years out of Heidelberg in order to volunteer to be a mentor.
  4. Will check emails once or twice a week
  5. Well versed in the traditions and history of the Society.
  6. Emphasize academics, extracurricular activities AND Greek Life.
  7. TRY to get to Heidelberg at least once during the first year of mentoring a new Phi active so the bond can be cemented. Not required.
  8. Encourage the Phis to present themselves to the college as ambassadors for Greek Life and unity.
  9. Should encourage the Phis to become leaders in every aspect of campus life and not just leaders in partying.
  10.  You many get an e-mail or phone call asking for advice during the semester, or you may not. But the important part is that we are there for the actives when we are needed.
  11.  Gain satisfaction in sharing advice with others
  12. Re-energize the active’s experience as a Phi and also college experience
  13. Learn more about the current Phi’s and what is happening at Heidelberg

 

Actives:

  1. Each Phi will have an Alumna Mentor.
  2. Each Mentor will be committed to you from pledging until graduation.
  3. Mentors will have similar interests with you (major, hometown, interests, etc…)
  4. Mentors will provide encouragement, guidance, advice and support.
  5. Actives will gain insight and different perspectives through personal interaction.
  6. You will be able to network with a more active alumnae
  7. Gain knowledge about the Philalethean organization culture
  8. Have a friendly ear with which to share frustrations as well as successes

 

We are excited and proud of this program. We believe that new friendships will form and the strong bonds between Phi actives and alums will further be strengthened.

 

The mentoring program has provided some of the most meaningful experiences for both the mentors and mentees.  If you are interested in becoming a mentor, please contact Jennifer Fuller Creech for more information.

 

Pam "Badger" Quellhorst Houston presented the Philalethean Alumni Associations next big committment to Heidelberg College.  We will be building a community room for the new Recreation and Activity Center!  The room will be open to all students.  Our goal is to raise 500,000.00 by our 100th Reunion in 2013.  Alumni are asked to donate toward this goal in either a lump sum, monthly or yearly installments.  We already have 50,000.00 in promised contributions, so we are well on our way.  This is an exciting opportunity for the Phis to be leaders on campus.  No other greek organization has taken on a challenge of this magnitude!

 

Pam asked for volunteers for teams of Phis to call those who could not attend Reunion to ask them to donate.  If you would like to donate or be on a team of solicitors, please contact Pam Quellhorst Houston!

 

Kiersten "Tommie" Von Topel presented the reunion committee with beautiful boquets of roses on behalf of the PAA as thanks for all the hard work that went into reunion.

 

Before the meeting adjourned, the PAA gave away two Seabags, donated by Beth "Snuggle" Greenlaw Shissler, filled with donations from various Phis.  These bags included:

 

Winners were: Pamela "Melody" West and Elizabeth "Eden" Sayers.

 

The meeting concluded with the Phiettes leading "The Phi Girl Song" and "Da, Da, Da, Da".

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Kim "OJ" Zandy

10-17-08

 

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
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