September Appetizer Night

Our annual Appetizer Night in September has become one of our favorite meetings.  Everyone brings their favorite appetizer (or dessert) to share.  It's like dinner-on-a-toothpick!  AMAZING!   Our sisters are very talented in the kitchen!  We had a great time at Chris M.'s house getting excited about the new year and celebrating our wonderful experiences at AOII's International Convention in Chicago last June!    

We enjoyed celebrating our tradition of exceeding AOII's expectations!

Excellence in Communications 2012

Excellence in Community Involvement 2012

Philos Award for Excellence in Alumnae Panhellenic 2012

Chapter Excellence Award 2011

Chapter Excellence Award 2013

Excellence in Collegiate Relations 2013

Excellence in Communications 2013

Anna, Vicky, Julie, Kathy (in blue), and Natalie G.

Alpha yummy goodness!

 Back row: Natalie G., Debby, Karen H., and Ellen

Front row: Jessie W-G (in stripes), Sharon, Chris A., Ann Marie, 

Karen H. got into the vintage spirit with her yummy appetizer!

Back row: Elizabeth and Lori

On couch: Natalie R., Karen F., and Amy

Dina and her Jello shots!

Left to right: Holly, Patti, Fran, Diane, Dina, and Ellen

Lori's panda cupcakes!!

Our next meeting is Thursday, October 17 at Sharon's house in Elmhurst.  We'd love to see you.  Please contact us for more information.

Our New Book Club!

We had a wonderful turnout at our first book club meeting of the year! We met at Panera and discussed The Interestings. The book got overwhelmingly positive reviews by those sisters in attendance and offered quite a bit to discuss! Thank you so much, Yvonne, for organizing this for us!


Does it get any better than sheaves of wheat??!!


Amanda brought these super-cute halloween bookmarks for us that her mom makes! Thank you, Mrs. K!


Our next meeting will be on Wednesday, October 2, and we will discuss The Kitchen House.....which Jessie W-G tells us reads like The Help! All sisters are invited to join us. Let us know if you'd like more information.

Welcome Back To School

September brings cooler weather, hopefully, and the beginning of school.  Over Labor Day weekend I  delivered a package to Delta Xi (Rose Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, IN).  I hope they enjoy their panda treats!

We want to wish Delta XI and all our other collegiate chapters well with the beginning of a new school year and with recruitment.
Natalie R.

2nd Annual Sisterhood Retreat

We held our Sisterhood Retreat at Fran's charming home in Wheaton on an unseasonably chilly Saturday.  It was such a refreshing time to relax with sisters, share stories of convention and summer activities, and enjoy super yummy food.  We enjoyed meeting Natalie G.'s mom and have Ogechi (Delta Rho) join us.  Thank you to everyone who came to the retreat, brought food, etc.  We missed those of you who couldn't be there and look forward to seeing you at our kick-off meeting in September. 

Karen F., Dina, Julie, Cat, and Jeanne

This is what it's all about - sitting and talking and eating!

Scrumptious!

Vicky, Kathy, and Ogechi (Delta Rho)

The sweets!

Our wonderful hostess, Fran, and Natalie G.

Jan and Patti

Fran's Fairy Garden

2013 Convention Awards and Recognition

We were honored to receive the following awards and recognition at AOII's 2013 International Convention:

Chapter Excellence Award

Excellence in Collegiate Relations

Excellence in Communications

Ruby Level Standard of Excellence

Strike Out Arthritis! Participation

Achievement in Fundraising Award for Foundation Support

2013 Convention - Rose Banquet

Glenn and Sharon, Lisa, Amanda, Chris G., Amy, and Carla (Chicago South Suburban AC), not pictured: Joanne and Kevin

Fran, Diane, Anna, Vicky, Kathy, and Donna

Starting with Jeanne in the red and going clockwise: Jeanne, Patti, non-CWS sister, Judie, Suzette, Britney, Ann, Marcie, Debby, and Liz

Starting with Karen F. in the off-the-should blue dress and going clockwise: Karen F., Ellen, Bill, Ann Marie, Natalie G., non-CWS sister, Karen H., Yvonne, and Natalie R.

Chris and Bill M.

We were thrilled to celebrate with Linda (Nu Iota, AOII Foundation Board Director, Lake County AC, former Chicago West Suburban AC member) as she received the Helen St. Clair Mullen Award - To honor an alumna member who has continually served AOII over the years, displaying loyal, faithful and devoted commitment to the Fraternity.  Congratulations, Linda!!

We were honored to be chosen as an Alumnae Chapter of Excellence along with several outstanding alumnae chapters!  We love what we do and being with each other.  We are intrinsically motivated to continually exceed AOII's expectations.  

Alumnae President Chris M. accepting our award

We tried to take a group picture of our alumnae chapter.  Thirty-one Chicago West Suburban AC members, one AOII daughter, and four IIOAs (spouses) attended Rose Banquet.  If anyone has a picture with all of us, please let us know. 

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