Chicago Volunteer Gathering

AOII's 2013 International Convention will be A Magnificent Celebration in Chicago, IL in June!  AOII Fraternity invited Chicago-area alumnae to a reception at the Marriott Hotel downtown to learn more about volunteer opportunities at International Convention.  We enjoyed meeting members of AOII's Tri-Board: Executive Board, Foundation Board, and Properties Board as well as having an opportunity to visit with our Chicago-area sisters.  We hope all of the visiting AOIIs enjoyed their time in Chicago and are as excited as we are that IC will be in our fabulous city this summer!!

AOII Chicago West Suburban Alumnae Chapter members who were able to attend the reception.

(We're so sorry Ann Marie and Judie missed picture time.) 

Getting cozy in the elevator!

(Amy's hair, Jeanne, Anna (in back), Ann Marie, Natalie G. (front), 

Natalie R., Ann (reflected in mirror) Suzette, and Chris (taking the picture)

Les Miserables

We had so much fun with each other on Movie Night that some of us got together to see Les Miserables.  It wasn't an official chapter event.  We just felt like doing it again, and we had another great time!

Holiday Gift Exchange

We had a wonderful time celebrating the holidays together, and we missed everyone who wasn't able to join us that evening.  We enjoyed welcoming two collegians from Delta Rho Chapter and two new members to our alumnae chapter!

We were thrilled that so many sisters were able to join us during the holiday season! 

Gayle couldn't attend but dropped off these fancy desserts from a Danish bakery that we enjoyed.  Thanks, Gayle!! 

We had to get creative with seating to fit everyone for the business meeting portion of our evening. 

 Front Row: Patti, Ellen, Jessie W-G, and Jessie C.

Back Row: Debby, Jan, and Cat

 Jenna, Ogechi, Jessie, and Kristen

We were thrilled that Jenna and Ogechi (Delta Rho Collegians) were home on break and could join us.  They were impressed with how fun our business meeting are!

Foundation Board Secretary and CWS member, Jessie W-G,

gave us an update on wonderful Foundation news!  

Everyone brought wonderful gifts for the gift exchange and went home happy with something fun! 

We now have three Jessies!!

Jessie W-G, Jessie C., and Jessie K. 

Kristen demonstrating ways to wear the scarf she brought for the gift exchange. 

Throwing what we know!

WTTW11 Pledge Drive with Rick Steves

Some of our sisters (and husbands) volunteered at WTTW Ch.11 in Chicago on December 3, 2012.  They're doing a pledge drive, so we answered phones and took pledges.  It was a long, late, interesting, and  fun evening volunteering while travel guru Rick Steves was the on-air entertainment!  Thank you to all of our sisters, family, and friends who watched the telethon, pledged, posted on facebook in real-time, and shared our enthusiasm for such a fun philanthropic project!  A big "thank you" goes to Vicky for organizing the event and ordering our new t-shirts!!

Marcie, Chris, Vicky, and Fran 

Amy and Ann 

Anna and her husband, John 

Jennifer

Jingle Bell Run 2012

Several of our sisters participated in and volunteered at the Jingle Bell Run on December 1, 2012 in Wheaton.  We had a wonderful time serving the Arthritis Foundation on a unseasonable warm and sunny day!  Thank you to everyone who supported us with their donations.  So far we've raise $875 for the Arthritis Foundation!!  There's still time to donate.  If you're interested in making a donations, please click here.

We ran/walked, coordinated volunteers, passed out goodie bags, and helped out with anything else that was needed.  One person asked, "Is AOII sponsoring this event?"  We definitely had a presence that day!

Judie and Natalie R. 

Cat and her family 

Debby, Anna, and Dina

November Game Night

We had a great time at Debby's house this week for Game Night!  We all dug out our vintage AOII-gear and represent every decade from the 1960s on.

Jessie, Natalie, Marcie, and Anna getting snacks before the meeting! 

Kate, Julie, and Patti 

 Anna, Jessie, Ellen, and Karen choosing which yummy nuts and snacks out of our extras they'd like to buy.

Our nut sale has been a successful fundraiser for us for many years. 

Natalie, Cat, Kate, Natalie, Karen, and Elizabeth writing cards to 

U.S. military personnel for Operation Holiday Card.

 Amy enjoying snacks!

 Jessie and her sparkly AOII hoodie!

 Our homage to Charlie's Angels!

 

We never did this *back in the day,* but we're always trying new things!

Iota Chapter Initiation Weekend

 Kathy S., Chris M., and Natalie G. went to the University of Illinois to visit Iota Chapter and participate with in initiation.  They brought all of these yummy snacks that the sisters of the Chicago West Suburban Alumnae Chapter collected for Iota.

 The women of Iota Chapter loved all of the snacks!

 They really appreciate them!

One of our AC members filled 194 envelopes with quarters - 

the most valuable form of currency on a college campus!

 The Iota Chapter House

Did you know that Kathy (Nu Iota) met her husband, Phil (a Phi Sigma Kappa at Illinois) while planning a trip to visit Beta Phi Chapter (Indiana) back in the day?  She was set up with him as her date for the trip.  And after he pinned her, his fraternity serenaded her at the Iota Chapter house.  How sweet!