Chapter News
8/26/2009
 
Notes from the June Convention…
                    from Ann Braaten
    The Summer 2009 Convention of our Alpha Omicron State Organization was a nice way to start the summer.  I combined my visit to Mandan with stops at the North Dakota State Archives in Bismarck to do preliminary research on the Works Project Administration Sewing Projects that were operated in North Dakota during the 1930s.   
    Host chapters Sigma and Xi created a festive atmosphere for us, especially with the Victorian Tea theme on Friday.  We all wore hats that day.  They looked better on some than others, and helped make me thankful to live in this time when hats aren’t mandatory.  Hats could be rented for that day with a contribution that went to the scholarship fund.  The luncheon’s centerpieces were Victorian Teapots planted with summer flowers and China cups filled with teas.  I was the lucky winner of a centerpiece, and have enjoyed the flowers and the teas all summer.  I attended the tea tasting breakout session offered by tea connoisseur, Deb Sauer.  She educated us on what is a tea, how teas vary with grading, processing, and blending.  We were offered six teas to taste to bring Deb’s lessons to life.   
    Our voices filled the air with many songs.  Our gifted sisters with strong voices led us. Janice Moen, a native of North Dakota and International Guest at the conference, wrote many of the songs that were sung.  The songs played in my head as I drove home across the beautiful prairie.  
At left: Ann Braaten, Beta President, holds Flat Annie. You will be hearing more about her at Beta’s meetings.
Notes from the June Convention…
                from Verna LaBounty
 
    Every convention has its own personality and special events that make it memorable. This June featured themes within a theme. Friday was hat day. Members were asked to bring their own hat to wear, but if they didn’t, hats were available for rent at $1. Saturday was red, white and blue day which made for colorful apparel.
    I especially enjoyed the session on Ft. Lincoln history and the one on aspects of tea.  The Victorian Murder Mystery play at the banquet proved that laughter is good for the digestion! It was most entertaining.
   Two International Guests Morag Gundy and Janice Moen gave greetings from International and entertained us with music.
    Our own, Connie Knain, received the Citation Award. Beta can be proud of her and her contributions to Beta and to Alpha Omicron State.
    As with each convention, it was a time to treasure old friendships and make new ones.
 


































 Beta Initiates Mary Jo Anderson

Mary Jo has been a teacher for 21 years and is currently employed by the West
Fargo Public Schools as a Family and consumer Sciences Teacher. She received
a Master’s Degree in FACS Education in 1998 and is active in her school
district on the District evaluation committee and as chair of the staff
development committee at West Fargo High school. She was nominated
Packer Pride teacher of the year. She has worked on North Dakota state
FACS Standards and Crosswalks. In the community, she is a volunteer
for the March of Dimes and on the social justice committee at her church.

Welcome, Mary Jo. Beta members look forward to getting to know you
and to working with you.









June Convention Highlights… from Connie Knain

The Alpha Omicron State Convention of 2009 was an event that I had anticipated for
quite some time. Since 2003, I had served as an officer and, while I enjoyed the experiences
and responsibilities immensely, this convention would signal an end to this particular
phase of my life. Little did I know that there would be other reasons to remember
this well-planned convention.

I especially enjoyed the music. Janice Moen is a talented Delta Kappa Gamma member
who has composed  many songs that our organization has sung at meetings all over
the world. She is originally from North Dakota and was one of the International
Guests. We sang her songs and she played accompaniment for some of them. I had
visited with her in San Diego at the International Convention during the Birthday
Luncheon and it was wonderful to see her again. The workshops on identity theft
and Fort Lincoln history and music were excellent. The presentation of the
Victorian Murder Mystery by some members of Xi Chapter at the
 banquet was very well done. Even though I am an avid mystery fan, my
conclusion as to the murderer was incorrect so I need to work on my deductive skills.

The greatest shock and thrill for me was receiving the Citation Award.
It was totally unexpected and I will treasure the honor of this award the
rest of my life. Thank you, Beta members, for considering me worthy
of this state award. I would like to express my appreciation to Ann Braaten
and Verna LaBounty for their support on my behalf. As we work within
 the chapter, state and international levels, the friendships
and cooperation among our members will continue to be
a strength of  this wonderful organization.

Above rightt: Connie Knain receives the Citation Award.
Lower right: Connie assists with installation of officers.
Note the hats. On Friday, all members were encouraged to
 wear a hat. One could be rented for $1."
Deb Sauer presents “Steep Me a Taste of Tea.”
Encourage other women Educators to Explore Membership in the
Society. Bring a friend(s) to the Fall Social at Yunker Farm on Sept. 3
Executive Board Meets Sept. 19
 
The Executive Board of Alpha Omicron will hold its annual fall meeting at Mandan High School on September 19, 2009. All chapter presidents, all state officers, all state committee members, and all past state presidents are requested to be in attendance. Information from the NW Regional in Portland will be shared and goals/action plans for the upcoming year will be developed.