Beta Sigma Phi
Ottawa, Canada

Alpha Master Chapter

2009-10

ALPHA MASTER Chapter has had another quiet, but not uneventful, year. Several of our meetings were cancelled due to inclement weather, illness, etc., but we did manage to get out and about.

SOCIAL

We helped Joyce Shearer celebrate her 93rd BIRTHDAY on July 29, 2009 at Longfields Manor. Following the celebrations, we headed to BIAGIO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN for Lunch. On October 7th, we attended SID CRATZBARG'S FASHION SHOW AND LUNCHEON at the Talisman. November 12th we dined at THE NEW DUBROVNIK. Our CHRISTMAS DINNER/GIFT EXCHANGE planned for December 9th was Cancelled due to inclement weather and rescheduled to January 13, 2010 at BIAGIO'S ITALIAN KITCHEN. February 10th we met for Chinese food at THE GOLDEN PALACE and March 10th found us Lunching at PILO'S GREEK RESTAURANT. We will be attending FOUNDER'S DAY and look forward to having Mary Cook and former member Deanna Herbert join our table. Plans are afoot for our WIND-UP some time in June. I believe we still quality as social butterflies!

WAYS & MEANS

GIFT WRAPPING at THE BAY during the Christmas season was again our biggest contributor to the treasury. And, once again, we Thank Madeleine Haynes, husband Ron (Envoy), daughter Carol and granddaughter Andreanne for their time and effort. Where would we be without them! Therefore, we have a healthy treasury again this year and plan to make donations to other deserving organizations at the close of this Sorority Year. Our Chapter wish to Thank our Sister MADELEINE HAYNES for taking over the gigantic task of organizing the Gift Wrapping project from City Council. It demanded a lot of patience, we're sure, and she came through with flying colours!

SERVICE

We supported the MS CHRISTMAS PARTY, the SHENKMAN CENTRE'S "ARTICIPATE" Endowment Fund (via City Council), and the INTERNATIONAL ENDOWMENT FUND. We plan to make further donations to other deserving organizations at the close of the Sorority Year.

PROGRAM

We meet twice a month. Our first meeting takes the form of a Luncheon at a restaurant that coincides with our upcoming Program. The Hostess for our Business Meeting provides a scrumptious lunch, sometimes complete with wine, and then the Program is presented, followed by the business portion. This lifestyle fits very nicely into our Master Mode. We have dined and learned about a multitude of countries and their traditions over the past year as well as having some very interesting discussions on the topic of the day. There is one controversial topic on the radar right now - Dalton's update of Sex Education in Ontario Schools could prove to be a very enlightening discussion! (FLASH....this has been put on hold pending further review!) But Masters are still very inventive and imaginative!

ETCETERA. . . . . "

• We were happy to Welcome Transferee BARBARA McCULLOCH into our Chapter and held her Ritual of Welcome on September 30, 2009. "
• Of course we are always missing the members who are unable to get out to many of our meetings - in particular, Joyce Shearer, Betty Carr, Bonnie Bjerke and Elizabeth Whittingham. We just want them to know they are in our thoughts. "
• Chapter ELECTIONS were held in March and re-produced the following slate of Officers for 2010/11:
  • President - Audrey Couzens
  • Vice-President - Madeleine Haynes
  • Treasurer - Dency Sharkey
  • Recording Secretary - Jackie Brewe
  • Corresponding Secretary - Dianne Wheeler
  • City Council Rep - Dianne Wheeler
• If you're thinking things haven't changed, you're right! Well...almost. We have a new City Council Rep! And, yes, we are still quite comfortable in our jobs.