News
August 2019
President's Q & A: Why YOU should come to an alumnae event
With area schools ramping up, summer activities winding down, and the monsoon kinda MIA, I hope you're saving a spot on your August calendar for our kickoff at BLD in two weeks. If you haven't attended our events before, I can promise you that this is fun! It's like meeting friends. Here are some common questions and my answers about attending Phoenix Alumnae events.
Q: I hear "sorority" and it makes me think back to rush and all the social events where I just felt awkward. Why should I go to anything if the prospect of showing up at an event is making my palms sweat?
A: If you're thinking this is anything like recruitment or collegiate "required" events, then you definitely need to be there. Alumnae life is the best! If you struggled with collegiate requirements, then don't miss out on your reward! That's like eating the veggies you don't like and then leaving your dessert on the table.
Q: If I go, won't I just be roped into a "volunteer" position?
A: Nope! Although we always have room for sisters who want to contribute, our executive board is solid. We are in sisterhood, not sales.
Q: Everything is about money. Why would I show up if I'm not going donate to our philanthropies or even pay dues right now?
A: I am sorry if it feels like everything is about money. Please come anyway -- my priority is to strengthen our sisterhood. Money can wait.
I'm really interested in meeting you and getting to know you, so I encourage you to come out. Contact us at [email protected] if you have questions, or need a ride, and I hope to see you soon!
Love in the Dove,
Wendy Dreyer Tobin
President, Phoenix Alumnae Chapter
Epsilon Epsilon, University of Georgia
Q: I hear "sorority" and it makes me think back to rush and all the social events where I just felt awkward. Why should I go to anything if the prospect of showing up at an event is making my palms sweat?
A: If you're thinking this is anything like recruitment or collegiate "required" events, then you definitely need to be there. Alumnae life is the best! If you struggled with collegiate requirements, then don't miss out on your reward! That's like eating the veggies you don't like and then leaving your dessert on the table.
Q: If I go, won't I just be roped into a "volunteer" position?
A: Nope! Although we always have room for sisters who want to contribute, our executive board is solid. We are in sisterhood, not sales.
Q: Everything is about money. Why would I show up if I'm not going donate to our philanthropies or even pay dues right now?
A: I am sorry if it feels like everything is about money. Please come anyway -- my priority is to strengthen our sisterhood. Money can wait.
I'm really interested in meeting you and getting to know you, so I encourage you to come out. Contact us at [email protected] if you have questions, or need a ride, and I hope to see you soon!
Love in the Dove,
Wendy Dreyer Tobin
President, Phoenix Alumnae Chapter
Epsilon Epsilon, University of Georgia
July 2019
President's Message: The Violet Bubble
Have you ever heard of the Violet Bubble? How about the Lavender Daze? I'm talking about the glowing feeling many of us experience when we have an opportunity to spend time with our sisters. It's easy to get that sisterhood glow on when you attend our national convention (which will be in TUCSON in less than a year!), but it's even easier if you join your local alumnae for an event.
I'm thrilled that our new executive board has begun implementing ideas for the summer and fall, and I hope you will find one (or many) that interest you and earn a place on your calendar. I know how hard it is to find time, but I want to encourage you to attend our Kickoff, a happy hour, a book club... or if none of that is your speed, we would love to know what we can do to create events that speak to you.
Want to meet up for a conversation? In whichever busy stage of life you're in, I'll bet you can use some sister time now and then. One of my favorite things about being an alumna is that meeting another Sigma Kappa for the first time never means meeting a stranger. We can always find common ground in our sisterhood.
If we haven't met before, or if it's just been a while, I hope you'll give your sisters a chance to rekindle that Sigma Kappa glow. Contact us at [email protected] if you have questions, or need a ride, and I hope to see you soon!
Love in the Dove,
Wendy Dreyer Tobin
President, Phoenix Alumnae Chapter
Epsilon Epsilon, University of Georgia
I'm thrilled that our new executive board has begun implementing ideas for the summer and fall, and I hope you will find one (or many) that interest you and earn a place on your calendar. I know how hard it is to find time, but I want to encourage you to attend our Kickoff, a happy hour, a book club... or if none of that is your speed, we would love to know what we can do to create events that speak to you.
Want to meet up for a conversation? In whichever busy stage of life you're in, I'll bet you can use some sister time now and then. One of my favorite things about being an alumna is that meeting another Sigma Kappa for the first time never means meeting a stranger. We can always find common ground in our sisterhood.
If we haven't met before, or if it's just been a while, I hope you'll give your sisters a chance to rekindle that Sigma Kappa glow. Contact us at [email protected] if you have questions, or need a ride, and I hope to see you soon!
Love in the Dove,
Wendy Dreyer Tobin
President, Phoenix Alumnae Chapter
Epsilon Epsilon, University of Georgia
PRESS RELEASES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Sigma Kappa National Headquarters 317-872-3275
January 25, 2019
Sigma Kappa Mourns the Loss of Past National President Phyllis Harris Markley
CARMEL, INDIANA – With great sadness, Sigma Kappa announces the passing of Past National President Phyllis Harris Markley, Delta Sigma, Western Illinois University. She passed away Wednesday, January 16, in Peoria, Ill., at the age of 78. Phyllis’s lifelong dedication and spirit of service to Sigma Kappa will be greatly missed.
Phyllis was a member of national council for eight years, serving as national secretary from 1982-1984 and national president from 1984-1990. She was a charter board member of the Sigma Kappa Foundation, serving as its president from 1990-1992 and trustee from 1989-1993.
Phyllis and her husband founded the consulting engineering firm D.L. Markley & Associates in Peoria, Ill., where she was the chief financial officer. Before going into business with her husband, Phyllis was a teacher, working in several rural schools and teaching English at Richwoods High School. She graduated with a bachelor's and master's in English/Education from Western Illinois University.
In addition to her involvement with Sigma Kappa, Phyllis was active on the Peoria District 150 School Board, serving for 18 years including three terms as president. Phyllis also headed up the Peoria Public Schools Foundation at its inception.
National President Sara Seely Chacon, Gamma Alpha, expressed, “Phyllis was a true example of a lifetime member of Sigma Kappa. Her service and dedication to this organization will continue to be an inspiration to us all.”
She loved spending time with her family, including daughters Angela Markley Peterson, Beta Nu, and Melissa Markley Rountree, Zeta, and her three grandchildren. She also enjoyed cheering on the University of Alabama football team and the New Orleans Saints.
Marylou Salyer Turner, Xi, served on national council with Phyllis for eight years. She commented, “It was a pleasure to serve on national council with Phyllis. She was an outstanding president; much was accomplished under her dynamic leadership. It was my privilege to have her as a friend and sister.”
About Sigma Kappa:
Sigma Kappa was founded at Colby College in Waterville, Maine in 1874. Valuing personal growth, friendship, service, and loyalty, the sorority has initiated over 174,000 women nation-wide. The purpose of Sigma Kappa is “to provide women lifelong opportunities and support for social, intellectual, and spiritual development by bringing women together to positively impact our communities.”
Sigma Kappa Sorority
National Headquarters
695 Pro-Med Lane, Suite 300
Carmel, IN 46032-5323