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'''Fraternity Officers:'''
Janice Harenberg Stockhoff, Fraternity Vice President 1992-1994; Linda Hoffman (Barela), Traveling Consultant, 1989-90; Adrienne Betzen, Traveling Consultant, 2003-2004; Shaylee Beasley, Leadership Consultant, 2009-2010
'''==The Early Years'''==
'''==Highlights of the 1970’s'''==
'''==Highlights of the 1980’s'''==
'''==Highlights of the 1990’s'''==
'''==Highlights of 2000-2010'''==
'''Highlights of 2011-2019''' (Information from chapter history reports, scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.)
'''Highlights of 2020s''' (Information from chapter history reports, scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.)
Fixed
|Image= [[File:Gamma_Beta.jpg|200px]]
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1918|04|05}}
|College= [httphttps://www.unm.edu/ University of New Mexico]
|Location= Albuquerque, NM
|Homepage= http[https://wwwunm.kappa.org/ Gamma Beta Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Gamma_Beta Media related to Gamma Beta Chapter]}}
'''12,946 171 initiates (as of 2011June 2018)'''
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'''Some of Gamma Beta’s Outstanding AlumnaeCharter Members:" Louise Bell, Irene Boldt, Catherine Conway, Lois Davis, Margaret Flournoy, Hazel Katherine Hawkins, Myrl Hope, Katherine Keleher, Kathren Little, Evalyne Long, Kathleen Long, Margaret McCanna, Lillian Spickard, Evelyn Trotter, Helen Wilson. '''Fraternity Council Members:''' Jan Harenberg (Stockhoff), Field Secretary, 1975-1977; Dianne Delayo (Handy), Field Secretary 1980-1982; Kristi Stillwell, Traveling Consultant 1992-1993; Adrienne Betzen (Weeks), Traveling Consultant 2003-2004; Shaylee Beasley, Leadership Consultant 2009-2010
'''Fraternity Alumnae Achievement Award Recipients:'''
'''Additional Outstanding Gamma Beta Alumnae'''
Waneta Coester (Tuttle), Graduate Counselor 1967-1968; Kathryn Huff (Samuelson), Graduate Counselor 1980-1981;
Linda Hoffman (Barela). Chapter Consultant 1990-1992; Ann Girand (Ullman), Chapter Consultant 1990-1992;
Patricia Lewis (Erhardt-Lewis), Chapter Consultant 1996-1997; Michele Cornali, Miss New Mexico 1971; Winona Marjorie Haury, Miss Indian America 1969; Denise Simms Johnson, First Lady of New Mexico 1995-2002.
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The University of New Mexico, home of Gamma Beta Chapter, is located in Albuquerque, New Mexico, a beautiful city that enjoys ever clear and bright blue skies and is bounded by mountain ranges and inert volcanoes. Below these lie fertile valleys, yielding an abundance of fruit and vegetables. Sunsets are masterpieces, and the evening skyline is unsurpassed in brilliance. Albuquerque is a blend of Spanish, Mexican and Indian traditions.
The 1970’s brought new political awareness to the University of New Mexico. Protests over the Vietnam War and the Kent State massacre led to arrests and an eventual state of emergency on campus. Students proudly watched as Mark Spitz won seven gold medals at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, only to be horrified at the massacre of Israeli athletes by Palestinian terrorists days later. Earth Day was celebrated for the first time and students demonstrated their concern for the environment.
The 1980’s began with the election of Ronald Reagan and continued with the selection of Sandra Day O’Connor as the first woman Supreme Court justice. Sadly, the country watched as the Challenger space shuttle exploded just 74 seconds into its flight. Among the seven astronauts on board was a teacher, Christa McAuliffe. Personal computers were becoming more prevalent in businesses and schools.
The 1990’s very quickly became the beginning of the electronic age. The World Wide Web was born in 1992, changing the way we communicated, spent our money, and did business. Amazon.com became the biggest trend in bookselling. The United States military became involved throughout the world, including Kuwait, Haiti, and Bosnia. On the domestic front, President Bill Clinton narrowly survived a trial to remove him from office.
'''Philanthropy''' Philanthropy moved up on the list of priorities for Gamma Beta during this time. The members often participated individually in philanthropic projects with more than 1600 hours of service in a year. In addition, the chapter worked together to put on a Fall Harvest Dance at a retirement community, helped out with the Albuquerque AIDS Walk, and raised funds with a pancake breakfast.
Sadly, the decade was not without great tragedy. In October 1998, a horrible car accident claimed the life of a Gamma Beta undergraduate and three other members were seriously injured. The chapter pulled together with the help of their advisers, alumnae members, Fraternity officers, and the University of New Mexico staff. An award is given annually at Founders Day in memory of the young woman who lost her life.
During a person’s lifetime, there are certain moments that define who they are, what they’ve done and where they’re going. Furthermore, if the certain moment affects more than just a handful of people, say the entire country, one will likely see an attitude shift and changes in the way things are done. Such was the case when the World Trade Center in New York City was attacked on September 11, 2001. Soon after the United States was involved in wars in Afghanistan and Iraq. Recession struck around the world. In the meantime, Google became the largest name in online search engines and one of the world’s largest corporations. Social networking became an ubiquitous part of everyday life.
A number of changes have also been seen in the housing policies of the chapter. For many years the University would allow women who had planned to live in the dormitories and then pledged a Greek group to break their contracts with the dorms and move into the chapter house. That is no longer allowed. Fortunately, the increase in membership numbers has allowed the chapter to maintain the number living in the house. The increase in numbers has also created some difficulties with parking around the chapter house. However, the chapter and House Board continue to be creative in solving these difficulties.
==Highlights of 2011-2019==
==Highlights of 2011==
This past year was a wonderful and successful year full of many accomplishments. We were honored to be recognized as a five star chapter by the University of New Mexico's Greek Life. Our most proud accomplishment was our academic excellence. We received first in grades in the Spring and Fall semesters of 2010. Some of our many achievements include winning the Greek Cup and Sigma Chi Derby Days. In the Fall of 2010, we were over quota for recruitment which was very astonishing; it was the largest recruitment we've ever had. We got 37 beautiful new members in our house, and we couldn't be more excited. Every fall semester we put on a community service event called Kappa Kakes. During the event, Kappas helped make and sell pancakes to the campus community to raise money for Reading is Fundamental. We raised an amazing $2600 for RIF.
'''Campus:''' Our campus is really proud of the diversity we have. There are around 18,330 undergraduate students who attend The University of New Mexico (UNM). 42% are male and 58% are female. 21% of the students who attend the University of New Mexico are from out of state. There are many different races including: Caucasians, Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, African Americans and more. The University of New Mexico represents 102 different countries, which explain our diversity.
Another aspect the campus is proud of is that it has become more environmentally friendly over the past year. The Student Senate, which one of our members is actively involved in, aims toward being a more environmentally friendly campus by adding more recycle bins around campus for better accessibility, limiting paper use, using different light bulbs, and more. It is a slow process but if everyone participates in making UNM environmentally friendly, we could really make a difference.
'''Chapter:''' The chapter consists of 94 wonderful members. The chapter tries to be as involved as possible with activities and events around campus. Greek Life at The University of New Mexico is very small, making up only around five percent of the college community. However, we do our best to stand out and have a positive influence on the campus community. The University of New Mexico is a very diverse campus, and Greek Life contributes to the amazing diversity we have at our school.
'''Chapter Challenges:''' We have had three major challenges that are hard to overcome for the chapter. The first one is to improve the chapter involvement in the National Panhellenic Council. Our monthly goal has been for each member to increase their involvement with Panhellenic by going to a meeting or informational session; these include Greek Week meetings or officer meetings put on by Greek life.
Our short term goal has been to invite an alum to come and speak at a program meeting about her knowledge and experience with the National Panhellenic Council; and also inviting other houses and the Panhellenic Executive Board to participate. Thus far, there has been more effort in learning about and being involved with the National Panhellenic Council. Secondly, we still plan to improve committee involvement and meeting efficiency by each officer taking minutes during their committee meeting and emailing them to the president and their committee members Monday night.
Our short term goal has been to encourage each committee member to be actively involved by awarding a committee member of the month from each committee. This has really helped the girls get more involved and has shown to be a positive thing. Lastly, we plan to improve attendance and chapter unity having one team building activity a semester in addition to chapter retreat. To improve unity, we will plan to have themed committee meetings monthly. Girls get really excited about this and it really brings everyone together to be silly and laugh.
==Highlights of 2012==
Scholarship:
First in Grades for Fall 2012
Group Honors: Five Star Chapter Spring 2012
Traditions: Blue and Blue dinner during i-week Fall 2012
Philanthropic Involvement: Kappa Klassic golf tournament Fall 2012, RIF spring and fall 2012, Ronald Mcdonald House Spring and Fall 2012
Chapter Goals: More sisterhoods and more bonding experiences were put as important goals for the chapter to have. In addition, more efficient meetings was a new goal.
As a chapter we have had more efficient meetings, and also made meetings more fun. We used to wear black dresses and heels to formal meeting, and have changed that to business casual.
Recent changes to The University of New Mexico's campus was the addition of a new dormitory called Casas Del Rio in the Fall of 2012. This allowed students to now no longer break their dorm contracts once they had signed them. In previous years dorm contracts could be broken. This allowed only five new members to live in the Kappa house, but the house was still filled with actives. In the fall 26 new members were initiated into the gamma beta chapter. The nature of our chapter is upbeat and positive, something that we have wanted to strengthen and did.
==Highlight of 2013==
Scholarship: First in Grades for Fall 2012
Group Honors: Five Star Chapter Spring 2012
Traditions: Blue and Blue dinner during i-week Fall 2012
Philanthropic Involvement: Kappa Klassic golf tournament Fall 2012, RIF spring and fall 2012, Ronald Mcdonald House Spring and Fall 2012
Chapter Goals: More sisterhoods and more bonding experiences were put as important goals for the chapter to have. In addition, more efficient meetings was a new goal.
As a chapter we have had more efficient meetings, and also made meetings more fun. We used to wear black dresses and heels to formal meeting, and have changed that to business casual.
Recent changes to The University of New Mexico's campus was the addition of a new dormitory called Casas Del Rio in the Fall of 2012. This allowed students to now no longer break their dorm contracts once they had signed them. In previous years dorm contracts could be broken. This allowed only five new members to live in the Kappa house, but the house was still filled with actives. In the fall 26 new members were initiated into the gamma beta chapter. The nature of our chapter is upbeat and positive, something that we have wanted to strengthen and did.
==Highlight of 2014==
January
•All of the new officers attended Leadership Day
•Practices for Greek sing began, we were paired with ATO for small group and Kappa Sigma and Lambda Theta Phi for large group
•Awarded 1st in grades for Fall 2013
February
•Our chapter raised the most money for the Greek Week Philanthropy, Basket of Hope
•For Greek Week we placed 3rd in open mic and large group
•We participated in a community service project at the Zoo
•We also put on a hasher appreciation dinner to thank all of our hashers
March
•At the Greek week Banquet Gamma Beta was recognized as a 5 star chapter
•We had serenades for the Spring pledge class of fraternities on campus
•Kappa, Delilah Davila, participated in the Ms. Silva Rose pageant
•Kappa’s attended the UNM fundraiser Lobothon
April
•14 girls attended the Senior Tea for the pledge class of 2010
•Gamma Beta had a wonderful formal in Santa Fe
•Kappa’s raised over $10,000 for UNM Children’s Hospital and Alumni Foundation from the Spring golf tournament
•LC visited Gamma Beta and offered advice to all the chapter officers
•Kappa trainer, Denise Rugani, talked to the chapter about sisterhood
•1 Kappa ran for UNM’s senate, ASUNM
•Kappa had four members become Rho Gammas, including the Panhellenic president and VP of recruitment
May
•Greek Graduation
•Kappa’s worked hard to finish up finals
June/July
•President Jade Sierra represented Gamma Beta at the National conference where we won the New Member Program award and received an honorable mention for academic excellence
August
•We completed Pre-recruitment and Recruitment right before school started again for the fall
•Welcomed 34 new members
•Had 2 Kappas go on international exchanges, 1 went to Scotland and one to Jordan
•Awarded 2nd in grades for Spring 2014
September
•President Jade Sierra was voted runner up for Homecoming Queen
•Our new members participated in serenades with several fraternities
•Sarah Bartlett attended Leadership academy
•Many Kappas showed support for ALS and participated in a fundraiser walk
•Alex Hidalgo was voted Gamma Beta’s Greek Week chairman
October
•We had an awesome Big-little week
•Many Kappas attended a Founders Day banquet with alumni
•We volunteered for the Campus event Fall frenzy, where many organizations got together and helped clean up campus
•34 members got initiated into the Gamma Beta chapter
November
•Gamma Beta had a great Formal at the Hotel Andaluz
•We hosted our Philanthropy event, Kappa Kakes, at our house
•Our LC visited and helped our new Chapter Council become comfortable with their positions
•VP of Standards, Amanda Flores, put on Spirit week with fun challenges to win prizes
•Kappas showed their gratitude for their bigs during Big Appreciation Week
•We elected a new Chapter Council
December
•Installed the new officers
•Kappas helped with Hanging of the Greens around campus
•Finals week
•Amanda miller was elected for Academic Excellence on Panhellenic Committee
Recent changes on campus:
This past year on campus the dining hall, La Posada, was renovated and all freshman living in dorms were required to buy a meal plan. The Cottages were built to increase campus housing. The soccer and basketball teams did well.
Overall nature of chapter:
As a chapter we have a mutual respect for all of our sisters and share a strong bond of sisterhood. Kappas continued to be very high achieving and stayed involved on campus in other clubs and activities. We support our sisters and want the best for them and our chapter. Gamma Beta values accountability, respect, and compassion for our members.
Challenges and how they were overcome:
Some challenges we encountered as a chapter this past year involved: filling the house, social media, and paying Billhighway with credit or debit cards. The problem of filling the house was conquered through positive encouragements by House board and requiring applications for live-out to be due earlier to allow for better preparation. The challenge of monitoring social media was overcome through diligent monitoring by the PR officer of member’s personal sites. Members who continued to pay Billhighway with a credit or debit card were sent to standards.
==Highlight of 2015==
In the spring semester of 2015, we won Greek Week on campus and Gamma Beta was recognized as a five star chapter. We also raised the most money for the Greek Week Philanthropy, Basket of Hope. We participated in a community service project at the Zoo and attended the philanthropy event, Lobothon. Kappa put on the annual golf tournament Kappa Klassic and raised money for UNM Children’s Hospital and Alumni Foundation. We had Greek Graduation for our graduating senior members.
In the fall semester, Gamma Beta had pre-recruitment and recruitment in August and welcomed 37 new members. We learned valuable lessons from the LC that visited during this time. A fellow member, Makayla Mondragon, attended Leadership Academy. On October 13, we had our Founders Day banquet and on October 17, we initiated 36 members. We elected a new chapter council and new officers were installed into their positions. Our member, Hannah Glasgow, was elected Panhellenic president.
Gamma Beta’s Spring cumulative was 3.417 and the all Greek Average was 3.252. Our Fall cumulative was 3.308 and the all Greek average was 3.223.
This past year on campus, our sports teams did well; unfortunately, we lost a member of our football team to a car accident. We have a new interim dean of students, and a BeKind organization was formed on campus to promote small acts of kindness.
The overall nature of our chapter is very supportive and respectful. Our members encourage one another in academics and all aspects of life. Kappas continued to be very involved on campus and leaders in many other clubs. Our values focus on accountability, involvement, and respect for all Gamma Beta members. In the spring semester of 2015, we won Greek Week on campus and Gamma Beta was recognized as a five star chapter. We also raised the most money for the Greek Week Philanthropy, Basket of Hope.
Chapter Philanthropy:
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?
Along with putting on several events at our house to benefit our national philanthropy, Reading is Fundamental, our chapter traditionally contributes to a local philanthropy called lobothon. This philanthropy involves a 12-hour non-stop dance marathon that raises money to benefit the children in the University of New Mexico Hospital.
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
Our chapter chose this organization to support because it was started by a fellow member of our Greek life community at UNM, who was himself affected by pediatric cancer. We also have several members of our chapter who work on the committee to put on the dance marathon. We felt it was very important to show Gamma Beta’s support for a local cause that is dear to the community’s heart.
Woman behind the badge:
Do any of your chapter officers wear historical badges?
Yes, our chapter president wears a historical badge.
What is inscribed on the back of the badge?
There is nothing inscribed on the back of the badge.
==Highlights of 2016==
In the year of 2016, the Gamma Beta Chapter obtained many accomplishments. We proudly initiated 27 wonderful women into our chapter and elected a new officer committee. We raised money for a number of different organizations, including but not limited to; Reading is Fundamental and Children's Miracle Network. We were proud winners of Greek Week, where we raised the most money for Cuidando De Los Niño’s; an organization that helps homeless children in New Mexico.
We have recently upgraded the security and safety protocols on campus with the help of our sisters that sit on the ASUNM committee. We have also upgraded our own safety here at the Gamma Beta House; adding additional key pad locks and patrolling security. The safety and well-being of our sisters is one of our top priorities. Over the last year our chapter has become a very strong, supportive, and close-knit sisterhood.
Our chapter has historically raised money for The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, Reading is Fundamental, Children's Miracle Network, and Cuidando De Los Niño’s. We have chosen these organizations to support because children are the future. They have a constant pressure put upon them to flourish and succeed and we want provide the support and opportunity they need to achieve their goals.
==Highlights of 2017==
The University of New Mexico went through some changes in an effort to make the campus more eco-friendly. Some of these efforts included more recycling bins, more eco-friendly electrical options, and the use of solar panels on buildings to provide eco-friendly energy to the campus. As a chapter, we contributed to these efforts by recycling, reducing electrical usage and promoting less water usage.
Our chapter was very active this year philanthropically. We held Kappa Kakes (a pancake breakfast), Kappa Klassic (a golf tournament) and Kappa Con Queso (a chips and queso gathering) for the benefit of RIF. We also raised money for and donated hours towards our first Girls Academy and LoboThon, a local student-run organization that raises money for the children's hospital. Our members also volunteered for numerous organizations throughout the city. Additionally, the chapter donated clothing and basic necessities for the victims of Hurricane Harvey in Texas.
Our challenges this year included scholarship and finances. The chapter council set a GPA goal for 3.4 for the chapter. We are currently at a 3.33, .02 lower than the all-women's average for the university. We also chose to cancel our formal due to financial concerns. We are making appropriate changes to our payment plans and distribution of funds to counteract this situation.
==Highlights of 2018==
Gamma Beta started 2018 by setting two goals: to have the highest GPA among the four Panhellenic groups on campus and to maintain the chapter's five star chapter rating. The Fraternity recognized the chapter's efforts with an academic excellence award at the 2018 national convention in Denver.
The University of New Mexico made history in 2018 by naming its first female president, Dr. Garnett Stokes. The chapter has been pleased to see the positive change she has brought to the university, especially in the area of Greek Life involvement. Additionally, the University has re-built and updated the Anderson School of Business.
Gamma Beta continues to be active in the area of philanthropy. The chapter worked closely with the Albuquerque Alumnae Association as they hosted the annual Kappa Klassic Golf Tournament. All funds raised were donated to Casa Angelica, a home for disabled children started by the parents of two Gamma Beta members. In addition, the chapter works with the alumnae association on a Reading is Fundamental project. Book bags are painted and books are collected to give to the children at a local YMCA child care facility. Finally, many Gamma Betas work individually on philanthropic projects of their own choosing.
==Highlights of 2019==
During the 2019 calendar year, the chapter faced a number of challenges when there were changes made to UNM's primary recruitment process. Recruitment was moved from the time just prior to school starting to a time period after school had started (Labor Day weekend). The Fraternity and Sorority Life office also implemented the Release Figure Methodology. Despite these changes, the chapter recruited and initiated 24 new members. We were especially glad to have the help of a Leadership Consultant during this time. Gamma Beta also had the most improved GPA among the four Panhellenic groups on campus.
A new University President was also named during 2019. The chapter has attended may open house events at the university president's home, which helped strengthen the relationship between the university and Greek life.
Gamma Beta is pleased to support Reading is Fundamental as their philanthropy. While RIF is Kappa's national philanthropy, it also has a special place for New Mexican children. According to newmexicoliteracy.org, 46% of New Mexico's children are at or below the literacy level. We feel we can make an impact on our state's literacy rate by supporting RIF with book and monetary donations.
We were pleased to celebrate Founders Day with the Albuquerque Alumnae Association at the Albuquerque Country Club. A number of alumnae received their 50, 65, and 75 year pins and both alumnae and active chapter members were recognized for their efforts in Kappa and the community. We very much enjoyed the visit of the Minnie Stewart van and look forward to planning other events to celebrate our 150th anniversary.
==Highlights of 2020==
This year our chapter operations were affected tremendously by the COVID-19 pandemic and the New Mexico state lockdowns. Despite all of the hardships the COVID-19 pandemic and college life brought to us, we tried to stay as connected as possible and hopeful by planning virtual events. Most chapter events were transformed into virtual events with the help of sisters, advisors and specialists. We held our first ever fully virtual initiation ceremony as well as a fully virtual recruitment in the fall. We did have the opportunity to plan a few in-person and socially distanced events as well. For example, the 2020 Big-Little Sister Reveal was held at The Pit (University Arena) where 5 seniors got to welcome the new members of Gamma Beta via a drive by with goodie bags, shirts and festive Kappa gear. We also held our Formal Pledging ceremony in person and we chose to do it 8-9 times so each new member could come to the chapter house while following socially distancing guidelines.
We were pleased to win the 2020 Greek Week trophy after a week of various events: Community service, Greek Sing, Greek Trivia, Greek Week pie in the face, Skate Social and Greek Games. The Founders Day Chapter Awards included: Christy Barker Award to Mariana Rosas, Helen MacArthur Savage Award to Abigale Aldrich, the Rosalie Furry Doolittle Award to Jessica Maxwell, the Footprints Award to Kristin Woodworth, the Sisterhood Award to Payton Fowler, the Barbara Crosby Trechel Award to Emma Hotz, and the Senior Award to Lynn Midani.
Gamma Beta supported a number of philanthropies in 2020: Reading is Fundamental (RIF), The Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, Girls Academy, Lobothon, Greek Life philanthropies, and other local organizations (school supply and PPE drives for special needs students, donation drive for a homeless student and their family, and blanket making for the Ronald McDonald House). Gamma Beta chooses to support Reading Is Fundamental because we believe that every child deserves the stepping stones and opportunities to receive a full education in the future. By providing guidance, resources, and reading to children, we hope to give children the background in education they may be missing. RIF is so important to our chapter due to the high rates of illiteracy in our state. Reading books to children can help them grow as students in many subjects and provides them with growth in their imagination and possibilities in the world as well. We held a Kappa Karving philanthropy (carving pumpkins) in October to support RIF.
Our chapter implemented an amazing DEI officer in 2020 who created a diversity program for each Monday night meeting. Her programs included "embracing your own diversity" (a group activity where we all filled in what makes us unique on a flower petal and in the center of the flower we wrote a group commonality which were shared with other groups), "Kappa Key" (everyone took time to read through "The Key" and discuss a pioneering alumna who stood out to them personally), education on racism (watching videos on systemic racism) and a presentation about indigenous cultures for Indigenous People Day. Finally, she implemented a book club where we read and discussed race and differences in life paths from a book titled, "The Vanishing Half."
Finally, we celebrated Kappa's 150th anniversary by watching the Facebook Live program produced by Fraternity Headquarters. We also were able to tour the Minnie Stewart Van early in the spring.
==Highlights of 2021==
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'''Note to Chapter Registrar:'''
Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues of ''The Key'' to fill in any gaps in the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapter. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance.
Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!
