A quick hello from this weekend's visit to Headquarters!  Jessie and Nora attended a day of leadership training along with our sisters from the Executive, Foundation, and Properties Boards!

Our last volunteer spotlight features Karen Hickman! Karen currently serves AOII as a member of the Rituals, Traditions and Jewelry Committee. Prior to her service on RT&J, Karen served as an Alumnae Chapter officer, on Phi Chi's Corporation Board, as a member of the Chicago Area Council, and as a CCAB advisor for the Delta Rho Chapter. Within her community she is an active volunteer. At the Salt and Light Coalition she has served as Treasurer, Secretary, and is responsible for onboarding volunteers. At City Church Chicago she has served on and/or lead some aspect of connections team, production team, ministry team, baptism team, anointing team, or prayer team. Karen also volunteers at the Ruben Salazar Elementary School where she is responsible for the planting and maintenance of the flower beds on school grounds.

Karen, thank you for all that you do for AOII and your community!

Tonight's volunteer spotlight features Judy Flessner! Judy has supported the Fraternity and the Foundation in a variety of roles, most recently as an Alumnae Chapter President.  Within her local community she has served the Assistance League as a Board member and on a variety of committees for the last 13 years. She has also served as the Newcomers Treasurer for close to 20 years.

Judy, you are an inspiration to so many of our sisters and friends! Thank you for all that you do!

Our next volunteer spotlight features Christine Graves! Christine currently serves as a Network Specialist - Operations and Programming for our Network 3 collegiate chapters. She also serves on a panel for suspension and probation appeals. In her local community, Christine has volunteered with Girl Scouts for over 20 years! She currently chairs several events and service projects for the Oak Park Service Unit and is a District Delegate and National Delegate.  This past July she was a part of the delegation at the Girl Scout Convention representing the Chicago Council.

Christine, thank you for being an inspiring leader for so many young women!

In tonight's volunteer spotlight, we are featuring Linda Grandolfo! Linda has long served both the Fraternity and the Foundation. She currently serves as an Alumnae Chapter President, a Collegiate Chapter Advisor, on the Foundation's Fundraising Committee, and as a Scholarship Evaluator. Previously, she has served on the AOII Executive Board, AOII Foundation Board, as a Network Specialist, and Network Director. Outside of AOII Linda volunteers with the Chicago North Shore Panhellenic, the Arthritis Foundation, and Mothers Trust.

Linda, than you for giving so much of your time to AOII, but also your community!

This week's volunteer spotlight features Chris Miller! Chris has been a lifelong AOII volunteer. She currently serves as a Network Specialist - Lifetime Engagement, Iota's Director of Ritual Education Chapter Advisor, and as an AOII Appeals Panelist. Prior to her current roles, Chris has served as a Nominating Trustee Chair and Committee Member, a Human Resources Ambassador, International Convention's Choral Group Leader, Iota's Secretary Advisor, and Chicago West's Alumnae Chapter President, MIF Chair, Webmaster, Recording Secretary, and Corresponding Secretary.

Chris, thank you for your service and all that you do in each and every volunteer role!

Our next volunteer spotlight features Stacie Suste! Stacie has served as Chicago West's VP of Membership for over six years. Within her community, Stacie has served as an Elmhurst Aquatics Board Member and Secretary since 2022. Elmhurst Aquatics is a youth aquatics organization focused on youth swim, water polo, and dive within the Elmhurst area.

Next up in our volunteer spotlight is Natalie Rupert! Natalie has served Chicago West Suburban in a variety of roles. She has served as our Alumnae Chapter President, Sisterhood Chair, Philanthropy Chair, and most recently as our VP of Programming. This biennium Natalie is also a member of the AOII Foundation Scholarship Committee. The committee just finished evaluating 500 scholarship applications, which is our largest number of applications yet!

Natalie, thank you for all that you've done to help Chicago West Suburban become an award winning Alumnae Chapter!

Our next volunteer spotlight features Jen Strezo! Jen currently serves as Chicago West's Collegiate Liaison. Jen is very intentional about keeping us connected with our adopted collegiate chapter each year. She has organized pen pal partnerships, fulfilled recruitment wish lists, and sent finals week care packages to name a few! Prior to serving on the CWS leadership team, she was an officer for the Chicago City Alumnae Chapter and advised the Phi Chi Chapter at the University of Chicago for nine years, including Chapter Advisor. In her local community, Jen has served as a College of DuPage mentor for International students in the Community College Initiative program for 3 years.

Jen, thank you for helping Chicago West stay connected with our Beta Nu, Delta Rho, Epsilon Sigma, Iota, and Phi Chi sisters through the years!

April is National Volunteer Month and a great time to thank our volunteers! Over the next month, we will be featuring Chicago West Sisters who volunteer for AOII, as well as many other inspiring organizations.

Our first volunteer spotlight features Jessie Wang-Grimm! Jessie currently serves AOII as the AOII Properties Board President and as a Nominating Trustee. She previously served on the AOII Executive Board and the AOII Foundation Board for three terms each. Locally, Jessie has served as the Lyons Township Alumnae Panhellenic Co-President for the past 10 years and as the AOII delegate since 1999. She has also been the AOII delegate for the Hinsdale Alumnae Panhellenic since 2000.

Jessie, we appreciate everything you do for AOII and our Panhellenic sisters! We are so luck to call you our sister!

This weekend Network Directors spent time at AOII Headquarters for their yearly training, which is also known as ND weekend! Our very own Sharon Wiechman currently serves as the Network Director for Network 10. She enjoyed a weekend filled with training, sisterhood, and exploring our new Archives Museum!

Chicago West sisters take on Nashville for our Tri-Board meeting!

The last two days at Convention have been filled with education tracks, business sessions, guest speakers, and quality time with sisters!

Convention is here!  Several CWS members are kicking Convention off with Network Specialist training.

2013 Convention - Saturday, June 29

Congratulations to Jessie W-G who was elected to a third term as AOII Foundation Board Director!

After several wonderful days, it was finally time for Rose Banquet.  Several of our members volunteered to help set up for this very special banquet that is an exciting ending to a very special time for our Fraternity.  The gorgeous rose centerpieces were designed by a local friend of Ann Marie's and Chris M.'s.  She's a florist who specializes in large events. 

Jeanne, Fran, and Natalie R. decorating the tables.  Chris M. and Donna helped iron the table runners earlier in the week.

Kathy and Patti setting tables, too.  Everyone was very careful to make sure that the table runners were even.  They looked wonderful!

Jeanne and Patti placing programs and charms.  These two 50-year members have worked together for many many years, advancing our Fraternity and spreading sisterly love to everyone who's crossed their paths.

Ann Marie and Natalie R.

Fran

We got a sneak peak at the convention charms.  They were perfect!  Thank you to the AOII HQ staff who designed such nice charms for us!

Back to Chicago West's Hospitality Suite - Ann, Debby, and Vicky - We had a great time pre-partying and seeing how lovely everyone looked in their formal gowns.

Natalie, Chris G., and Amanda

Vicky, Ann, Ellen, Donna, and Debby

Cat appointed Network Specialist-Recruitment!

We are thrilled to share that our sister, Cat, was appointed Network Specialist-Recruitment for Network 3!  Congratulations, Cat!