Sisters Connecting With Sisters Again
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n the spring a young man’s fancy may turn to love, but an A∆K sister’s fancy turns to state conventions, regional conferences and how many pairs of shoes she will need for the weekend. The season of seeing old friends and new possibilities begins with state conventions starting in March and running through June. In July, regional conferences are the place to be. Northwest and Southwest regions got the jump on the season with their joint conference that opened May 31 in Honolulu. Hawaii was the host state with Montana as the supporting host state. The theme was “Diversify Our Vision” with learning sessions on Hawaiian art, language and history. A favorite activity was the Culture Faire where each state had a game or display featuring their state. Diane Best is International Vice President (IVP) of SWR and Janet Johnson is IVP of NWR. Kansas sisters are hostesses for the South Central regional conference in Wichita July 6-8. The theme is “Dream Chasers
and Star Makers” with the word ‘star’ included in every activity. Rachel Shankles, IVP SCR, says all past International Vice Presidents for the region will be recognized at the Cowgirl Luncheon. Stars are also in the theme for the Northeast conference July 21-24 in Atlantic City, NJ. The theme is “Connecting the Stars in A∆K.” Attendees will hear about “Girls on the Run”, a program for young runners. Joyce McAloon is the region’s IVP. “Journey Through the Seasons” is the theme for the North Central region gathering July 17-20 in Frankenmuth, MI, under the leadership of IVP NCR Ann Ainslie. The Southeast region has chosen to use “Capture the Moments that Matter”, a version of IVP SER Ginger Greene’s “Capture the Moment” theme for her conference in Wilmington, NC, July 29-31. 6
Flamingos will be everywhere at the Gulf conference in Jacksonville, FL, July 10-12. The Florida hostesses have chosen the theme “Let’s Flamingle”. The guest speaker is author Jane R. Wood. Debbie Clark is IVP Gulf Region. While regional conferences focus on officer training, state conventions are about conducting the business of the state. Important events on the crowded agendas were the election and installation of officers and the farewells at Omega services. Many states offered the choice of hybrid or in-person meetings. The creativity of convention committees showed in the theme and decoration of the gatherings. Elizabeth McQueen, Ontario President, said the idea for her theme, “Buzzing with Opportunity” and the “Be Kind Cards” given out to attendees came from a dish towel she was given. A magician performed at the North Carolina convention, carrying out the theme of “Celebrate the Magic of A∆K.” Michigan sisters used lights and violets to conduct the “Illuminate the Possibilities: Lighting the Spirit of A∆K” theme. Oregon urged members to “Be the Light,” while Nebraska used “SOAR” or “Sisters on Active Recruitment.” Sandy Viga, NM president and Tiffany Karnes, ME president, asked their members to reach new heights and Jeanne Desilets, VT President, asked hers to “Plant the Seeds for Success.” Sisterhood and friendship were popular themes. Wyoming praised “The Joys of Sisterhood.” Rita Confer, SC president, used words like flowering, growing and blooming in her agenda to carry out the theme “Growing Together in Sisterhood: Making a Dif-
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