Iota Lambda at the National Convention 2003

I returned yesterday from my journey to Dearborn, Michigan for the 100th anniversary celebration of our beloved sisterhood, Sigma Alpha Iota. 100 years ago, our 7 founders dedicated themselves to the betterment of the musicianship and the lives of their musical community. As the sisterhood expanded to include many chapters in many parts of the country, the original intentions of the seven founders have grown and flourished. There over 170 college chapters represented, as well as many alumni chapters. The amount of dedication exhibited by alumni members reinforced one of the most important things I learned at convention… SAI is a lifelong sisterhood, and is definitely not limited to our 4 or 5 years of undergraduate study.

-We attended many special concerts and music competitions during my 5 days in Dearborn. But of course, there was business to attend to as well. We had general session meetings that lasted 3 hours or more each. There was very little free time between meetings, concerts, luncheons, etc. Imagine, every minute filled with SAI joy! I know it's hard to imagine, but these ladies were so gung-ho about SAI that you couldn't help but be influenced!

-Wonderful music abounded at convention. During each general session, there was at least one miniature musicale presented. New and comissioned works were the norm, and it was aparent that the members of SAI truly love to be an audience as well. Great musicians such as Libby Larsen, Dr. Elise Kirk, Alice Parker, and more premiered works and spoke about their love of music and the journey has had carried them through. Each of these ladies gave a gift not only to SAI, but to the world, through their gift of music. There is a new centenial addition to the songbook! There was a fraternity sing.... and let me tell you, ladies, these songs are some that will make you truly appreciate and understand your sisterhood. There are opportunities for INSTRUMENTALISTS as well as vocalists in the new songbook.

-Very special bits of history of our fraternity that you will really be interested to know were shared with the convention delegates. There was a reinactment of the original initiation ceremony. Would you believe that they used "Here Comes the Bride" as their entrance music, and "Auld Lang Syne" as their recessional?!? Although many facits of ritual have evolved over the years, the intentions of the founders are clearly still present in our current ritual. We were also introduced to our founders when sisters dressed up as each of them and gave historical musicales in character (as Elizabeth Campbell, Minnie Davis Sherrill, etc.). The ritual means so much to some of these members. It truly can teach us life lessons, and it's words are what unite us as Sigma Alpha Iotans, even when we are worlds apart. It is for this reason, that each chapter is asked to strive to present the most meaningful ceremony possible for each of it's initiates.

-Our chapter was presented with the Website Honorable Mention award!!! It was awarded for Erin's design, although the design was not complete at the time of judging. Who knows what kind of awards we will win when it is finished!?

-You will be happy to know that SAI Philanthropies, Inc. met it's goal for the Century Drive. $1,150,000.10 was raised to be used in SAI's outreach programs.

-I met wonderful representatives from all of the chapters in our Province, and some from other states as well!. You can look forward to interaction with these truly fabulous other chapters in the next year. Pi Province Day, which I hope you all can attend, will be held at Truman State in Kirksville. Also, the representatives from Pi B are trying to convince Marty Anastasi, our province officer, to hold a presidents/officers retreat for all the ladies in our province each summer to exchange ideas, etc. I can see this as being a great goal for Iota Lambda, to instate and carry out plans for this event at our campus would be superb!

-Congratulations to our sisters at Epsilon Pi chapter of Truman State University. They won the OUTSTANDING COLLEGE CHAPTER award! That means they were chosen as top out of every college chapter in the WORLD! If you get a chance, drop by their website and give them props!

Ladies, remember that SAI isn't something that happens only on our campus. It is a WORLDWIDE connection that we share with powerful, talented women from many walks of life. We hold a common bond in our love of music. Let that thought take you into the next year with pride to be an SAI!

Contributed and written by Elizabeth Hogan
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