While summer is not over, it is going by fast! It's hard to believe that it's time to start thinking about the new year. Last night members of Chicago West's officer team met to plan out our calendar. Get ready for a mix of old and new events, sisterhood outings, philanthropy opportunities, and so much more!
Today we celebrated 40 years of the Arthritis Foundation's Jingle Bell Run! While we were jingling, we ran into a few of our collegiate sisters from the Phi Delta Chapter at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Thank you to all of our sisters and friends that supported Team AOII at this year's Jingle Bell Run!
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!
