Sharing Connections
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Wherever You Go, Sisters Are Waiting By Sue Pelchat, KAPPAN staff writer
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ousing prices may have skyrocketed in 2021, but the cost of relocating in Alpha Delta Kappa is always a bargain. Sisters explained to the KAPPAN how and why they connected with new chapters, remained active, and maintained their Alpha Delta Kappa friendships. Jeanette Brightwell, GA Rho, has been a member of four chapters. “Each time I moved, I cried because I had such close friends and didn’t think I would ever find a chapter as friendly. But I always found new friends in the next chapter.” In 2002, she retired to Panama City, FL where she joined FL Tau. Returning to Georgia in 2017, she transferred to GA Gamma Epsilon, thinking she would live forever in Sharpsburg, but circumstances forced her to move again. “I began looking for a chapter in the Atlanta District so I could see my Gamma Epsilon sisters at meetings. At a district meeting, I sat with Beta Gamma sisters, with whom I immediately bonded. That made my transfer to GA Beta Gamma so nice since I had already become acquainted with friendly sisters. I receive hugs and feel so much love from my Beta Gamma sisters. In my thirty-five years in A∆K, I have enjoyed my four chapters. It’s like the Girl Scout song, ‘Make new friends but keep the old, one is silver, and the other gold.’” Charlene Johnson, GA Beta Gamma, migrated from Georgia to Illinois and back to Georgia. With each move, she contacted Headquarters staff who provided her information. “They may have contacted the local chapter as well since I received calls from them inviting me to a meeting. Each move was easy and allowed me to continue my association with A∆K.” Being an A∆K member when you’re 4,000 miles away from home is a plus. Pam Coyne, AK Alpha, said, “I have been a member in three chapters, three states, and three different regions. I’m going on 28 years in Alpha Delta Kappa, and I can’t imagine what those areas would be like without my special sisters.” Pam joined TN Eta in 1994. Eight years later, Alaska called; she moved and stayed for thirteen years. “One good thing about Alaska is that almost everyone is not originally from there. It’s a small world, and sisters become family. I joined AK Alpha and had many opportunities to serve in chapter offices and on the state executive board, eventually becoming state president (2014-2016).” Pam later moved to Fort Smith, AR, where the closest chap12
ter was 75 miles away. “If you love A∆K as I do, 75 miles is worth the drive.” AR Delta became her new chapter, and she became involved at several levels. “You can always grow where you are planted,” she said. Alaska beckoned again in 2020. “Now, it’s like a class reunion at the International Convention when I see many special friends I have made over the years.” Pam recommends contacting the area to which you plan to move and visiting a chapter in that area to reconnect when relocating. “I paid my dues and requested Active on Leave when I left Ohio Alpha Eta,” reported Past Ohio State President Bev Barnett. “I wanted to give myself time to find and join a Florida chapter.” The district chairman called and invited her to visit FL Fidelis Rho. Bev later transferred her membership and now serves as recording secretary and bylaws chairman. “I still miss my sisters in Ohio and the Northeast Region, so I take advantage of opportunities to attend meetings by Zoom and plan to attend the NER Conference this summer.” Carole Lee moved from Mountain Home to Boise, ID when acting as interim state president. She continued attending Eta chapter meetings in Mountain Home for several years to continue her friendships with members who lived there, as it was only an hour’s drive. Meanwhile, members in Boise invited her to their meetings and asked her to join their chapter. In April 2012, after traveling icy roads to Mountain Home and seeing several cars that had slid off the road, Carole decided the time had come and told ID Mu members she would like to transfer to their chapter. “One person who had made me feel wanted and welcome was Shirlee Henderson. She had frequently invited me to meetings and even picked me up for some of them. She created my connection to ID Mu.” Valerie Johnson, Illinois Xi, successfully transferred twice to other chapters. She was a member in Quincy, IL for eight years before making a career move to Decatur. The IL state president provided contact information, and Valerie called Gamma’s chapter president. During the first meeting, she knew it was a good fit. One of the members lived close by, and they started going to meetings together. Three years later, another career change took her to Rockford, IL. She contacted chapter presidents and visited each one before settling in to her next warm and welcoming chapter. Becky Prescott moved from Marietta, GA to Birmingham, AL, about ten years ago. One of her concerns was that she’d have to
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