June 29
Matt and I managed to leave the house on time. Stopped at Einstein’s to pick up bagels and a coffee and then onto the highway. We made it to Ontario airport at 7:30 am in 40 minutes. No idea where the traffic was hiding, but I sure was not arguing. We picked up Tisha from the car rental area at the airport and then headed east on the 10. Stopped in a town Tucson. Arrived at 4 pm. Was
I checked into my room. Harriet Ottaviano arrived before me. Went down to registration and picked up this year’s convention bag and information. Was fun to start to run into various sisters I have not seen since the convention in Palm Springs.
Dinner was a buffet. I had a slider made of Portobello mushrooms and chipotle. YUM! Of course, I also had to hit the KD Boutique. Opening session began at 8:00 p.m. with a cowboy who reminded me of Monty Montana when I was a kid. He did rope and lasso twirling. A group of young cowboys escorted the National Council on to the stage. Kim Flood was the Mistress of Ceremonies for the evening. President, Beth Langford gave the State of Sorority presentation in a wonderful manner—a slide show! Was great to have a fun and informative means of updating the members.
15 women were presented with the Order of the Emerald for their service to Kappa Delta. One of the recipients was Cydny Holt from Baltimore. When I was on the National Leadership team, a few of my states overlapped with the states in which she was a District Director.
The evening ended with the presentation of the Corre Anding Stegall Leadership Awards. These are given to exceptional collegiates. WOW! They work, are chapter council members, on ASB, volunteer in the community and maintain GPA’s well over 3.6. I have a feeling not one of them has slept more than 10 minutes per night since entering college.
Harriet and I went back to out room and were able to catch up with each other before both of us collapsed.
June 30, 2011
This morning started off nice and early. Harriet had to be down in the convention hall early as she is the official pianist. Everyone needed to be in their seats at 9 and the official opening of the convention was called at 9:30. Once again, it was fun to watch the expressions on the faces of the girls and they were able to witness the pageantry of the opening business events. The collegiate delegates proudly brought their flag into the convention hall. The 7 newest chapters were introduced and then each of them placed their flag in their holder. Their flags are each designated with a big green and white bow on top. Welcome to all of them!
Following the morning business, a memorial service was held for our sisters who have joined the Chapter Eternal in the last 2 years. A special ceremony was held for 2 former national council members. Both served on council while I was active in the house. They were born days apart and died exactly 1 year apart. Ruth Williams Vordenbaumen served as National Collegiate Vice President from 1973-1977. Jean Tucker Jackson Stradley, was a past National President who lead the sorority from 1975-1983.
Following the memorial service, we recessed for lunch. We had a nice buffet of wraps, Caesar salad, with ice cream sundaes, shakes and root beer floats for dessert. The theme for lunch was Route 66 and there were Route 66 sodas at each seat.
After lunch, we returned for the second business meeting. The slated officers who were running unopposed were voted into office. There was a nomination from the floor for National Vice President-Membership. Following the business meeting there was a candidate forum with questions prepared by the nominating committee. The polls opened at 4:30 pm and the results will be announced tomorrow. When I went into vote, it was the opposite of California elections that tend to have 27 propositions on the ballot and take forever to get through. This was put a mark, put ballot in box. Quick and easy!
Those voted into office today are:
Beth Martin Langford—President
Betty Brown Mulkey—Vice President
Jody Jenkins Corry- Vice President- Collegians
Tricia Ruma Spence- Vice President- Alumnae
Cheryl Grant Sizer- Vice President- Finance
This evening was the awards banquet; Lots of silver sitting up on the front display. We are taking home several awards.
Magazine Award per highest average per capita
Honorable mention Magazine Award for Highest Total Dollar Sales
Joint Shamrock Project Award!
The Alumnae Chapter Award of Excellence which is given to the top 10% of the alumnae chapters. The top alumnae award will come from this group!
