Founders’ Day is one of the most special days of
Theta Phi Alpha’s year, as we connect with one another across the miles and
celebrate the ties that bind us through our shared sisterhood. As I wrote this year’s proclamation I began by reading previous proclamations. I also began to reflect on the Founders’ Day
celebrations that I have shared with my sisters from my Sigma Chapter and the
Akron Alumnae Association since I was a new member over 35 years ago.
In Akron, we use Founders’ Day as an opportunity
to encourage our alumnae sisters to reach out and contact a sister we haven’t
seen for awhile. The laughter and joy we experience as sisters reconnect is
amazing. Throughout the year we share the names of sisters celebrating
milestone anniversaries at the next Founders’ Day and encourage sisters to
reach out to someone they know and invite them.
For many years, our celebrations were only attended by Sigma sisters and
alumnae initiates. But recently, we have
enjoyed meeting new sisters from other chapters who live in our area and some
collegiate sisters from Delta Delta chapter in Ashland, which is about an hour
from Akron. Having these sisters join us
has only enriched our membership and adds so much to the lifelong bonds of
friendship we share. We choose a
toastmistress each year, usually from an anniversary class and she shares some
personal reflections of her collegiate days before reading the Founders’ Day
Proclamation. A few years ago, we had
two sisters share the duties and they had us all singing songs with them that
they remembered from their college days in the 1960’s! In
addition to sharing the time with one another, we also proudly support the
Theta Phi Alpha Foundation generously during the roll call included in the
Founders’ Day Ceremony.
My wish is that sisters have the opportunity to
connect with their chapters or associations as joyfully as we do in Akron. I
asked a few sisters who participate around the country to weigh in with some of
their favorite parts of their Founders’ Day Celebrations that may spur ideas
for other groups to build a lasting tradition of reuniting and celebration.
Kristin
Henkenius, Alpha Pi, is a member of the Board of Trustees and wearer of the
Guard of Honor. Her chapter holds a joint celebration annually with the
Northeastern Nebraska Alumnae Association, as they recognize the importance of
having as many collegians as possible participate. The alumnae hold an
Association meeting during the weekend. Given the location in Wayne, NE, the
chapter holds its White Rose Formal and the Founders’ Day Ceremony incorporated
into one event. They set an annual goal to raise at least $500, so that they
can partially sponsor a scholarship through Theta Phi Alpha Foundation. They
also award a Theta Phi Alpha scholarship through Wayne State College. The
alumnae appreciate the opportunity to see the collegians receive chapter awards
and the Senior Service Award.
Kristin
has the unique position of also attending the Mu chapter and Lincoln Area
Alumnae Association celebrations as a Theta Phi Mom of her daughter (and
sister) Liz. Kristin said, “It was very special to experience this with my legacy
and my family, who was invited to the Founders’ Day at Mu.” Although Liz
recently graduated, Kristin and Liz are still attending.
Cathy
Billoni, Beta Nu and member of the Board of Trustees, is especially looking
forward to this year’s Founders’ Day Weekend, as her chapter is celebrating its
25th anniversary of its installation at Florida Atlantic University.
The Beta Nu and South Florida Alumnae Association celebration have a
family-friendly weekend of events scheduled ranging from a bounce house and
carnival games, a picnic, social hours, and the grand finale Founders’ Day
Brunch. In honor of their 25th anniversary, a challenge to create a
sponsored scholarship through the Theta Phi Alpha Foundation has been issued by
Erika Lefkowitz, a founding sister. Cathy said, “I was the 61st
initiate of Beta Nu out of 722, which is amazing to me!! To even imagine we’ve made it this long and
come so far and achieved so much gives me great hope for the future, not only
for Beta Nu but for our Fraternity.”
Cathy
also participates with the Greater Tampa and Central Florida Area Alumnae
Associations.
Stephanie
Galendez, Alpha Beta, is a wearer of the Guard of Honor and a legacy. Her mom,
Carolyn Bosworth Galendez, is a charter member of Alpha Beta. They have a long-standing tradition of participation
in the joint celebration held by Alpha Beta and the New Orleans Area Alumnae
Association. Given their location, they enjoy a nice brunch in the historic
French Quarter. “It was always great to see how my Mom interacted with the
collegians, not only asking them the basics like their major and where they are
from, but also what brought them to New Orleans?” She adds, “Founders’ Day is a
great way to reconnect and spend time with sisters.”
Stephanie
also frequently joins 6 to 8 alumnae sisters and “crosses the lake (Pontchartrain)”
to attend the joint celebration of Beta Epsilon and the Northshore Louisiana Alumnae
Association. Both celebrations have
chapter awards and are followed by an alumnae association meeting. Additionally,
parents join the Alpha Beta celebrations.
Cristin
Miller Brown, Alpha Psi, serves as National Assistant Treasurer. Living far
from her Dayton, Ohio chapter, Cristin joined the New York City Alumnae
Association and the Delta Beta Chapter Advisory Board to reconnect with sisters
in her new city. She looks forward to celebrating Founders’ Day this year with
the newly-formed Long Island Alumnae Association and bringing with her the
traditions and experiences from her connections along the way. Cristin said,
“What I’m most excited for as we host our first Founders’ Day celebration is
connecting the many alumnae in the region to our local chapters, Beta Alpha and
Delta Beta, as well as our new members from Farmingdale State College. I hope that the Long Island Alumnae Association
can bring together the many sisters in this region so that we can continue to
grow as an organization and have an impact both locally and nationally. I think that joining together and remembering
our Founders will be a great foundation as we begin this journey.”
Kathy
Sullivan, Alpha Gamma, Theta Phi Alpha Foundation Director, and Guard of Honor
wearer, hosts the Chicago Area Alumnae Association celebration brunch at a
local restaurant for
just the alumnae of the area, as no chapters have been in Illinois for over two
decades. “We have built a fun tradition to connect alumnae from over a dozen
chapters. We focus each year on the women celebrating a special anniversary,
such as their 25th, 50th or 75th anniversary
of initiation. I have had the great honor and privilege of recognizing two very
special Diamond Circle sisters: Jean Cusack, a Guard of Honor wearer from Beta
chapter and Geraldine Cady O’Laughlin of Alpha chapter. I’m so appreciative
each year when I see how generous my sisters are to Theta Phi Alpha Foundation
in our roll call."
Through my connections, I learned that some
Founders’ Day celebrations hold silent auctions or raffles of gift baskets to raise funds
for Theta Phi Alpha Foundation. Others hold philanthropy drives, collecting
items ranging from swimsuits for Camp Friendship to toiletries for local
organizations under The House that Theta Phi Alpha Built banner. It’s great to
see our sisters generously contributing while supporting Theta Phi Alpha.
I strongly encourage you all to attend at least
one Founders’ Day celebration this year.
These are just a few examples of how chapters and associations hosting
events put their own special touches on the celebration. The main purpose shines through,
however. Founders’ Day is a day to honor
our Founders, celebrate our sisterhood, and remember our lifelong commitment to
Theta Phi Alpha with a donation to the Theta Phi Alpha Foundation representing
each year of our membership. I’m looking
forward to seeing pictures of all the celebrations as we share on social media
using the hashtag #ΘΦΑFoundersDay.
