Issue Three Summer 2014

Far Western Region “Inspiring Through Action”

Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated

Director’s Message What a privilege to serve such a dedicated group of committed

women. Committed to the goals of Iota Phi Lambda and working together to improve opportunities for young women in our local communities. The reports of your chapter’s activities and the increase in chapter participation in National Programs this past year, has inspired me. This coming year I will continue to reach out to meet the goals set at the beginning of my term:

Encourage members to develop an elevator speech to be used to inform potential members and supporters about Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated.

Improve communication between the FWR, chapter presidents and all sorors

Assist each chapter to update or establish a website

Encourage and assist each chapter to increase their membership

Establish new chapters

Sisterly, Myrtle

Of the 74 active sorors in the Far West and a little over 33% of these sorors attended the FWR Conference. Also in attendance were two National Officers, two Past National Officers and four Regional Officers. Let’s make it a family affair in St. Thomas and shoot for 100% attendance.

Chapter Histories

Where are all the photographs and documents that are part of your Chapter’s history? Is there a box in each past president’s garage, or have you made a special effort to collect all these photographs documents in one place so the can be preserved and protected?

During the coming year each chapter should discuss the best way to either establish or update their archives and report their progress to the FWR Board

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How do you Measure Success?

Two tools were used to gather information about the 67th FWR Conference. This feedback will be used to better plan and execute future conferences and tailor workshops and

activities to better meet the needs of the FWR Chapters.

Survey Monkey:

The Survey Monkey distributed online after the conference capitalized on positive feelings from conference - eight sorors responded. The overall response was 87% Very Good; Additional responses reflected that sorors liked seminars, programs, the conference was organized and reported they would likely attend next conference. Kudos to the FWR Director for initiating the online survey. A simple and effective way of collecting data throughout the year to help us make decisions.

Emerald Princess, Johnnie Lloyd, distributed a survey at the end of the conference. 17 of the 24 sorors in attendance returned completed surveys. The data was compiled and reported to the FWR Board. The chart below shows the distribution of responses.

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In her book, “Isabelle’s Wish” (published by IUniverse), author Cara D. Brown takes young readers on an exciting adventure with two young siblings who go on a rousing journey off the beaten path.

Zachary and Isabelle live with their parents in Fairfax, VA. While walking home from school one Friday afternoon, Isabelle notices a haunted House. She enters the house with Zachary close behind, and the pair find a woman who looks surprisingly like their mother. Now the children must work together to figure out who the woman is, as well as what she wants.

Brown hopes her book helps young readers understand the power of friendships and relationships. “I want readers to see that there is a universal connection with all of us,” she says. “There is symbolism in the story. For instance, there is a connection between the fairy godmother and Isabelle’s mother, and there is a connection between the dinosaur and Isabelle’s father.”

Chapter Retreat - Planning Meetings

Take time during your Chapter Retreat and Planning Meeting to set chapter objectives to meet National priorities and decide how you will incorporate these priorities as you implement National Programs and Projects for the 2014-2015 program year.

Priority #1 Increase Membership (Recruit and Retain)

Priority #2 Communicate Iota Branding

Priority #3 Support National Headquarters Capital Campaign

Clearly state objectives for each of these priorities and make them SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timed)

Read more about SMART objectives here http://www.kean.edu/admin/uploads/SMART

Isabelle’s Wish Written and Illustrated by Cara D. Brown

Lola’s Girls Stepping Up

“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” ― Nelson Mandela

Cara D. Brown is a preschool teacher. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area. Isabelle’s Wish” is Brown’s first book, and she enjoyed working on the project with her nine year old nephew, Zachary.

Cara is a Legacy Soror and a member of Gamma Nu Chapter in San Francisco.

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The Far Western Region was a great success: Thanks to the 21 voting delegates and other sorors who came clothed in excitement and left, filled with inspiration.

The FWR Board worked closely with the Regional Director to ensure each moment was well spent, business meetings were efficient and timely and all fiscal responsibilities were met.

Our 21st National President, Soror Phyllis Shumate was the keynote speaker at the Saturday Luncheon. Her topic was “What a Difference Real Commitment can Make”.

Soror Shumate brought an invitation from Epsilon Zeta Chapter to the 85th Anniversary National Convention to be held in St. Thomas USVI

July 2015. (once you click the link to the right – turn up the volume on your computer, find the black arrow on the picture of the palm frond and click the arrow to start the video )

President Shumate spoke to the delegates about the Five Year Capital Campaign to raise funds for a permanent location for Iota Headquarters. She distributed pledge cards and stated that she hoped each Soror and every chapter would participate in the Capital Campaign.

The conference workshops, “Strategic Marketing”, “Build a Plan and Strategy for Success” and How to be an Effective Chapter President were led by sorors Cynthia Dugan-Terrell (Gamma Mu) Tanya Jimale (Beta Kappa and our Regional Director Myrtle Smith (Gamma Nu).

Sunday Morning Worship Service was conducted by Reverend Judy Ann Young of Las Vegas who brought an inspirational message that included a reference to the “Butterfly Effect” and the effect just one butterfly can have on the world. The conference attendees were also blessed by the vocal talent of Jo’Nita who enriched the worship service with several songs. She had everyone up on their feet singing and praising with her.

The Butterfly Effect

Theory that everything matters. That even the flutter of a butterfly's wings can cause a hurricane on the other side of the world. If you change even the smallest of life's details, you completely change its outcome.

St Thomas US VI

The 85th Anniversary National Convention promises to be exciting and fun as well as an opportunity for sharing and learning.

Click the link below to see the video prepared by the host chapter

http://cynthiaterrell.smugmug.com/85th-National-

Convention-St/

67th Far Western Region Conference Highlights

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Far Western Region

67th Annual Conference

April, 2014

Las Vegas, NV