SAI Denver Alumnae Special Convention Edition Newsletter

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Denver Alumnae Chapter * Xi C Province, Region 1

Special Convention Issue * Volume 67, Issue 5

49th Convention
"SAI - So Near, So Dear"
Scottsdale, AZ

National Executive Board
2018-2021

National President: Leslie Odom Miller
National Vice President Collegiate Chapters: Jessica Chichester
National Vice President Alumnae Chapters: Jenny Ross*
National Vice President Extension: Jennifer Zerangue Mistretta**
National Vice President Finance: Keri Flowers*
National Vice President Ritual: Tracy Wygal Withrow
National Vice President Fraternity Development: Christine Hall

* Re-elected to same office ** Former NEB elected to new office

Region 1 Regional Officer: Clarissa Constantine
Xi C Province Officer: Megan Nugent

National Objectives
2018-2021

Foster a lifetime commitment to Sigma Alpha Iota
Prioritize music in all aspects of chapter programming
Honor the founders through respect for our ritual
Nurture Sisterhood
Develop strong women leaders
Promote women in music
Increase knowledge and support of SAI Philantrhopies, Inc.

Our Members Talk About Convention

Denver Alumnae Members who attended Convention this year were asked to answer a few questions. Here are their responses:

Q: A specific memory from the weekend that stands out to you.
A: I LOVED seeing all of the 50-year members! They even organized together to sing an SAI-version of The Beatles' 'When I'm 64.' There were at least thirty or forty 50-year members in attendance! These are the kinds of women I want to be around - they're an inspiration to stay active, stay healthy, and stay involved in SAI for years to come!
A: I had been messaging a sister from North Carolina who's due to move to Denver in December. We were in the elevator at Convention and it stops to let someone on. We start chatting with the girl who got on and we realize that she is the sister from North Carolina! We all had a moment in the elevator and are thrilled about her joining us later this year.
A: While at this SAI Convention in Scottsdale, I am reminded how each city adds its own flavor to the schedule. I remember many of the Philanthropies Concerts which were very formal in nature. While this year the 'highlight concert' was very casual. The Arpeggione Duo, who are Christopher Kachian, guitarist and Thomas Schonberg, cellist were casually dressed and the program was stated by groups of songs. The program included: Classical Ballads, Mozart and Bach; Hungarian Folk Melodies, Bela Bartok; Swedish Folk Melodies, arr. by Thomas Schonberg; Armenian Dances, Komita Vardapet; American Jazz, arr. by Arpeggione Duo; Venezuelan Waltzes, Antonio Lauro; and 2 Brazilian Pieces, Hector Villa-Lobos. Once the music began and the soul listened to the magic these musicians gave to their stringed instruments, the listener was transported to these times and places where these melodies were origanally heard. It is well worth you time to check out the website of Arpeggione Duo.
A: It was my honor and joy to be a part of the Strolling SAIs this Convention! Performing the new piece, "Ode to pAn's CottAGE" by Debra Rue on the last day of Convention was something truly special. The song has great significance for SAI and was composed at the McDowell Colony. Combining the experience of working with a living composer, supporting one of SAI's largest philanthropic efforts, and giving a performance to 600 of our sisters was a memory I will always treasure.

Q: How many conventions have you been to?
A: 6 2000 (Dallas/Fort Worth), 2003 (Michigan), 2009 (Chicago), 2012 (Atlanta), 2015 (St. Louis), 2018 (Scottsdale)
A: This was my first one
A: I have been to at least 6 conventions
A: This was my second Convention, my first was in 2012 in Atlanta!

Q: Talk about a seminar that you went to (or led) that was empowering or meaningful.
A: Our Keynote Speaker was Dr. Kirk Randazzo. He spoke about different aspects of leadership.
A: I presented the workshop "Technology in the Arts and in Your Chapter" and the main lessons I hoped to give from it were "these benchmarks change frequently, your chapter's needs will be different from other chapters, and if this subject area is something you're interested in here are the tools to educate yourself to make good choices." The workshop seemed to go over really well! I think in the future I'll tailor it more to alumnae chapters, as it seems that we are operating under much different circumstances than collegiate chapters.
A: TJ Sullivan "Motivate the Middle". This is where the energy and focus of the leaders should be.
A: One of the workshops that really stuck with me was the "We Sing Philanthropies" workshop presented by the Milwaukee Alumnae Chapter. They have put together three "canned" performances that they take to senior living facilities. They work with the activity director at the facilities and instead of the chapter being paid (not really allowed), the activity director makes a donation to SAI Philanthropies in the chapter's name. They have a "Broadway Ladies" program that is a fun selection of Broadway tunes, a "Sound of Music" program that is a sing-along to the soundtrack with puppets that the residents can play with, and a "Civil War Christmas" program that weaves stories from Civil War soldiers and Christmas songs from that period together. The ladies presented snippets of each program, getting the entire workshop audience singing along, it was absolutely amazing and is something I would LOVE to do with the Denver Alumnae chapter.

Photos

Upcoming Events

September Chapter Meeting
Saturday, September 15th
10am
Home of Mary Hanson

Skyline Chorus International Competition Dress Rehearsal
Sunday, September 30th
11am - 4pm
14401 East Exposition Ave, Aurora

October Chapter Meeting
Tuesday, October 16th
7pm

Remember to check the calendar on our website for more information!

Please visit the websites for these organizations to obtain further concert information about tickets, addresses, etc.

We Want Your Input!

Please always feel free to send any articles, upcoming events, personal news, to the Editor for a feature in an upcoming Newsletter. (rachelgcassidy@gmail.com)
Announcements made at meetings will be included in future Newsletters. If your news is not something you'd like to be shared, please let me know during your announcement.