FWR Newsletter - Issue Four -Winter 2015

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Issue Four

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Winter 2015 [Type text]

Far Western Region “Inspiring Through Action”

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated Dates to Remember

FWR DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE Dear Sorors,

February

Black History Month

March 15

Chapter Reports and 2nd Half of Chapter Assessments Due

April

National Business Month

July14-19

86th Anniversary National Convention, St. Thomas, USVI

I am excited to tell you about this Sorority Year – i.e. where, and how we are positioning ourselves to connect with our changing world. I’m counting on you, because to be successful, we need to be together on this journey.

We must continue to see the world through the eyes of our young sorors – looking from the outside in rather than the inside out. We must give new sorors more than they expect of our sisterhood, What can we do?

Our Plan The strategic planning process for Far Western Region began last spring with the leadership of your board taking a careful look at our current state, and future possibilities. (Continued Pg. 3) Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Inc. Headquarters Capital Campaign Don’t forget to sign and mail your individual and chapter pledges to the National Office as soon as possible.

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Far Western Region Conference April 23rd – 26th Albuquerque is the 59th largest city in the US and the most populous city in New Mexico. The elevation hovers around 5,000 ft. It is considered a high altitude city (especially for us traveling from the West Coast).

Present-day Albuquerque retains much of its Spanish cultural heritage. The central plaza has been preserved and is open to the public as a

museum, and cultural area. It is referred to as “Old Town Albuquerque”. Albuquerque lies at the center of the New Mexico Technology Corridor, a concentration of high-tech private companies and government institutions along the Rio Grande. Larger institutions whose employees contribute to the population are numerous and include Sandia

National Laboratories, Kirtland Air Force Base, and the attendant contracting companies which bring highly educated workers to the region.

Thousands of visitors arrive annually for the Albuquerque Balloon Festival in early October but there are plenty of things to see and do in April. The Indian Pueblo Cultural Center and The National Museum of Nuclear

Science and History are two stops you might want to add to your list. Come a day or two early so you can visit the historical and cultural attractions that most interest you.

Albuquerque Marriott, 2101 Louisiana Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87100-5401

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Carolyn Bell, Intake Coordinator and Gamma Mu Chapter welcome three energetic and excited sorors into the Iota Sisterhood.

(Continued from pg. 1) The regional theme for the year “Inspiring through Action” was selected to help focus our work on inspiration and action. The marketing plan we started last year remains a primary focus for each chapter. The components of the plan are: 1. Membership growth 2. Empowering members 3. Increasing participation in National Programs We must remain focused on Membership Growth using technology, to connect with prospective members and the old fashion word of mouth (let’s as our friends and family members. Sometimes it helps to have another soror

reach out to the daughters or granddaughter of one of your chapter members. Sometimes it is a “new” encouraging voice that leads our FILS to become our sorors.

Thank you for your support as we build the Far Western Region and preserve it’s legacy for women of color in the Far West.

Sisterly, Myrtle

Let us always make our members feel empowered, by making sure we have open communication and leadership training. Lastly, we want to stay focused on our National goals and objectives, and participate in all of the national programs.

As I close, remember, today’s women have many choices when selecting a service organization to join.

Competition is prevalent. We need to be a proactive organization with a unique combination of service and mentorship opportunities and a responsive, welcoming friendly, loving, supportive and open minded approach to new ideas And change. This will earn new sorors’ involvement with Iota for life.

As we begin the New Year, we look back fondly on the old one, with gratitude to all of you who made it so fulfilling.

We wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous year and we look forward to working with you in 2015.

FWR Board Myrtle Smith Pamela Paige Gloria Ross Cynthia Dugan-Terrell

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The 86th National Anniversary Convention has been planned so our work will be done efficiently, leaving plenty of opportunity to enjoy the white sands and warm water of this tropical paradise. Look for the call to convention in your inbox late in January.

See you in ST. Thomas USVI July 14th – 19th

Collaboration: a Strategy to Introduce Iota to a Wide Audience Some years ago Robert Putnam wrote “Bowling Alone,” where he argues that political participation in America is declining and participation in the church, the PTA, the Red Cross, town meetings political parties and professional associations are also learning to manage with fewer and less connected members.

There are no undergraduate chapters of Iota in the Far West and the tradition of affiliating with sororities is not as strong in the west as it is in other parts of the country, but, there are still ways to introduce Iota Phi Lambda to women who would make excellent members of our sorority. Hosting events in our local communities and recognizing outstanding business women is our flagship program but developing collaborative events with local service or art groups is another way of spreading the word about Iota.

This fall the Beta Kappa Chapter, Seattle, WA and their Pelatis reached out to the Seattle Chapter of the NCNW to present a public event.

The highlight was the presentation of the program. La Verne Hall reenacted as the founder of NCNW, Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, and I reenacted as our founder Lola Mercedes Parker in an adlib skit. We became these women as good friends reflecting back on the meaning on why we formed our organizations, discussing ideals, purpose and our drive for the betterment of Black women. Then we had a person from the audience, Mom’s Mabley (actress and Executive Director of Nu Black Arts West – Kibibi Monie), asked questions about our organizations; just to spark questions from the audience about membership. The finale was prose read by Kibibi on encouragement, unity, and understanding. and 2 others inquired. Beta Kappa Sorors participated in its 1st rush party of the 2014-2015 season. The audience said they would like to see this event repeated annually.

Tanya Jimale, Beta Kappa Chapter President “Congratulations to Soror Karen Smith” and Soror Micha Mims.

Soror Smith not only served as the

Lola’s Girls Moving on Up president of Gamma Nu for four successful years she is also celebrating earning her B.S. in Applied Science in Resources and Technological Management at Troy University, Troy, Alabama this past summer. She was presented a Certificate of Recognition by Gamma Nu Chapter at their first meeting of the sorority year.

Soror Mims has been promoted to the position of Acting Child Care Director II for the City of Los Angeles, Department of Recreation and Parks.

Sorors we accomplished a lot when we join forces. EFFICIENCY.

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