KANSAS HONORS

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ESA Named Benefactor of the Year by Goodwill Industries Easter Seals of Kansas.

Approximately 27 Kansas ESA members attended the Goodwill Industries Easter Seals of Kansas Annual Meeting at the Marriott in Wichita, Ks on September 23. "Supporting Branches of Opportunity" was the banquet theme. A delicious prime rib dinner was enjoyed. A video of activities that had been held at Goodwill/Easter Seals was shown during the dinner hour, including the Festival of Trees, the Client Birthday Party, and the work areas of the employees.

During the Award Presentations, Epsilon Sigma Alpha was named Benefactors of the Year. Joy Thornbrugh, Kansas State President accepted the award on behalf of the Kansas Membership. Charmaine Nichols and her committee were recognized for their participation in the Festival of Trees.

Following the presentations, Jerry Traylor was the guest speaker. Traylor was born with cerebral palsy and even though he had a disability, he did not let it slow him down. He was fitted with leg braces to aid him when a child and walks now with two arm crutches. He has finished 28 marathons, climbed 14,110 to the top of Pikes Peak, jogged 3528 miles across American from San Francisco to New York, and parachuted from 12,500 feet. He gave a very inspiring and humorous talk about the possibilities that each of us possess. Traylor pauses to take a picture with President Joy Thornbrug, Clara Ginn, 2007 Easter Seals Chairman, and Current Committee, Delgene Sealey and Easter Seals Chairman Sue Gosslin.

According to Goodwill Industries Easter Seals, “It is hard to imagine Goodwill Industries Easter Seals of Kansas without the support of Epsilon Sigma Alpha. Out 2008 Benefactors of the Year have been involved with our organization for more than three decades. Epsilon Sigma Alpha [ESA} is a premier leadership and service organization for women. Their purpose is to inspire leadership and service by bringing people together to pursue programs and projects that make a positive difference in the local, national and global communities.

One focus of ESA's charitable giving is Easter Seals. ESA's involvement with Goodwill Industries Easter Seals began when the local Easter Seals chapter started producing a telethon. The three-day event required countless hours of volunteer support to answer phones, serve food and helped with logistics. That relationship grew over the years and when Easter Seals and Goodwill merged in Kansas in 1986, ESA continued to support our mission.”

Over the years, ESA's involvement grew from telethon support to helping year round. With 49 chapters and about 800 members in Kansas their efforts have been instrumental in the success of our fundraising events from the sports auction, cosmic bowling, and the telethon and of course The Festival of Trees. Without the support of ESA there might not be a Festival of Trees, ESA members serve on various committees, organize volunteers, donate trees, bake cookies and attend the Festival of Trees events to support it financially as well.

When Goodwill Easter Seals has a need there is always someone from ESA ready to help. This year, ESA chapters even organized a birthday party for the organizational employment clients so no one went without a birthday party this year. May ESA chapter even organize their own fundraisers and have done several poker runs, bowling events, style shows and much more.

Epsilon Sigma Alpha's impact on Goodwill Easter Seals cannot be measured. Whether they've purchased tickets to an event, served on a committee, baked cookies or donated items to our stores, ESA members have helped to change the lives of Kansans with disabilities and further our mission"

International Recognition for work accomplished in 2007-2008

Kansas Women Recognized for Outstanding Leadership

The 2007-2008 Kansas State President, Pam McElvain, was recognized in the top five Outstanding State President's by the International council this year. As third runner up to this high honor, Kansas is very proud of its Past State President.

(L)Achieving the Sixth Degree Pallas Athene is no small achievement. Charlene Hansen achieved this high honor by fullfilling the education, service, and association components of the Pallas Athene program. The education component was achieved by becoming a "Certified lay speaker" which can be used at the community, chapter, and state levels. Her lay work can be an asset to the ESA Care connection. For the service component Charlene hand-knitted 70 stocking caps for Hats for Hope in 2007. This brings her total of knitted caps to 174 with 4 cap & scarf sets. For her association component she taught a 10-year-old boy how to pearl. This little boy now has all kinds of plans to put his talent to use and Charlene will be starting a knitting class in the county where she will be one of the instructors. (R) Maureen Wells brings home the trophy this year for being the International Outstanding State Circle of Life Coordinator. This coveted award honors the work to build funds for our International Philanthropic Project, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Congratualtions Charlene and Maureen!!

(L)Another outstanding effort was Bonnie Templeton's work for the ESA Foundation. Honored with the ESA Foundation State Counselor's Award of Excellent, Bonnie's award recognized her efforts to promote the Foundation in Kansas by letters, articles, membership growth, and workshops. (R)Although Susan Winters did not get elected for the Workshop Coordinator of the International Council this year she will be serving on the board as the News Bulletin's chairman. Susan has served several years on the International Executive board and has done outstanding work with each post she has held. We know that she will continue to do outstanding work for the International Council.

Although the awards were not individual awards these two ladies led the way for Kansas to achieve high honors this year. (L) Charlotte, Jr. Past President of the Kansas State Council, was chairman of the Disaster Fund. Kansas received a first place for the Disater Fund Chair Award with a total fund raising of $9,275 and third place for the State Disaster Fund Award bringing in $185.50 per chapter to the fund this year. (R) Clara Ginn, as Easter Seal Chairman led Kansas to a first place win of $4242.86 per member for the Easter Seal - State Monies Award. An outstanding effort by both these ladies but the first thing out their mouths will be, "it was the membership that did it."

Kansas International Awards received for 2007-2008 were:

Outstanding Chapter for 2007-2008,
Zeta Phi, Junction City

The Kansas State Council is proud to announce that Zeta Phi, Juncition City was named the 2007-2008 Outstanding Chapter in the state of Kansas. Their accomplishments were: net growth in membership, participated in chapter, state and international philanthropic projects, provided educational programs to their membership, had attendance at all chapter, district and state functions, remained a chapter in good standing by paying all dues on time, they publicized their chapter well, and entered numerous competitions at state convention.

The chapter has many of its members involved in state leadership roles. Bonnie Templeton was installed as the 2008-2009 Workshop Coordinator on the Kansas State Council Executive Board. The following members will hold board positions on the Kansas State Council Board for 2008-2009, Barb Smith, Care Connection/Hope for Hero’s Coordinator; Pat Upham, Sr. Director, Circle of Life; Carla Stierwalt, Membership Committee Member; and Charlotte Grelk, District J Chair. (Left - Zeta Phi Chapter Picture) Sitting: Marty Mutz, Standing (front row) Bonnie Templeton, Kristina Swan, Barb Smith, Honey Grant, Pat Upham and Maria Cappelletti; Back Row: Judy White, Kerry Maddox, Charlotte Grelk, Ellen Chalk and Carla Stierwalt. Not pictured: Virginia Fiddler, Lynda Costello, Sandra Messenger, Sharon Moske and Denise Hull

Awards received at the 2008 State Convention

TOP TEN OUTSTANDING CHAPTERS IN THE STATE: Delta Epsilon, Rose Hill; Alpha Zeta, Garden City; Delta Tau, Great Bend; Chi Epsilon, Wichita; Zeta Phi, Junction City; Beta Epsilon, Frankfort; Alpha Omega, Scott City; Epsilon Pi, Pratt; Eta Beta, Liberal; and Gamma Omicron, Manhattan.

SERVICE AWARDS - PALLAS ATHENE AWARDS - ANNIVERSARY AWARDS

SERVICE AWARDS CHARLOTTE GRELK 10 YEARS ZETA PHI BETTY McCAULEY -10 YEARS Delta Delta TAMMI MITCHELL- 10 YEARS Delta Delta BRENDA LOVE 15 YEARS Delta Chi BARBARA SMITH-15 YEARS Zeta Phi SANDI WHITE-15 YEARS Zeta Epsilon DIANA BURR-20 YEARS Alpha Omega SHELLY MARTIN-20 YEARS Eta Phi SHELLY MARTIN-20 YEARS Eta Phi PAM MCELVAIN-20 YEARS Eta Beta BETTY BAILEY-25 YEARS Gamma Omicron LYNNA FARNAN-25 YEARS Zeta Epsilon SUE FRIDEL-25 YEARS Beta Beta ANNA KITCHENS-25 YEARS Eta Theta VIRGINIA SCHULZ-25 YEARS Eta Phi NANCY URBAUER-25 YEARS Beta Epsilon LINDA BOTTOM-30 YEARS Gamma Omicron GEORGIA LARSON-30 YEARS Alpha Delta DIANE STOWELL- 30 YEARS Beta Beta JOAN BAIR-35 YEARS Alpha Delta RITA BAKER-35 YEARS Beta Beta CAROL CAMPBELL-35 YEARS Zeta Epsilon SHIRLEY CAMPBELL-35 YEARS Gamma Omicron DONNA DAWSON-40 YEARS Gamma Omicron KAREN LOWERY-40 YEARS Eta Theta JOY THORNBRUGH-40 YEARS Epsilon Eta GENNIE BROWN-60 YEARS Alpha Rho DOROTHY HAWK-60 YEARS Iota Mu DEE QUADE-HYLE-60 YEARS Alpha Beta	CHAPTER ANNIVERSARY AWARDS ETA THETA # 2791 -- 50 years IOTA KAPPA # 152 75 years IOTA MU #125 75 years EPSILON ETA, Topeka - 55 years GAMMA OMICRON, Manhattan - 60 years ALPHA BETA, Salina - 70 years PALLAS ATHENE AWARD DOROTHY HAWKS - IOTA MU - 5th Degree Chapter and District Scrapbook Awards Under $100 - 1st Place – Beta Epsilon, Frankfort ($100 - $150) 1st Place– Chi Epsilon, Wichita 2nd Place – Gamma Omicron, Manhattan 3rd Place – Alpha Delta, Winfield (Over $150) 1st Place – Beta Beta, Andover 2nd Place – Zeta Phi, Junction City 3rd Place – Iota Kappa, Wichita District Scrapbook 1st Place - District A
Chapter Yearbook Entries: Category A- 1st Place – Chi Epsilon, Wichita 2nd Place – Alpha Delta, Winfield 3rd Place – Gamma Lambda, Manhattan Category B- 1st Place – Delta Chi, Caldwell 2nd Place – Iota Mu, Wichita 3rd Place – Psi Upsilon, Wamego Category C- 1st Place – Gamma Omicron, Manhattan 2nd Place – Beta Beta, Andover 3rd Place – Zeta Epsilon, Overland Park 4th Place – Iota Kappa, Wichita 5th Place – Beta Epsilon, Frankfort 6th Place – Eta Beta, Liberal 7th Place – Alpha Omega, Scott City DISASTER FUND - Top 3 chapters: 3rd Place - $400.00 – Eta Theta, Cheney 2nd Place - $500.00 – Eta Phi – Wichita 1st Place - $760.00 – Alpha Delta – Winfield DISASTER FUND - Top 3 Districts: (Tie)3rd Place – $100.00 – District C and District G 2nd Place - $150.00 – District H 1st Place - $156.00 – District D DISASTER FUND - Top Individual: Janene Radke	Goodwill/Easter Seals Hours per member – 16 members & over 1st place – Eta Theta, Cheney – 20.08 hours 2nd place – Alpha Delta, Winfield – 19.73 hours 3rd Place – Gamma Omicron, Manhattan – 15.42 hours Hours per member 15 & under 1st Place – Delta Beta, Wichita – 199 hours 2nd Place – Psi Upsilon, Wamego – 73.50 hours 3rd Place – Eta Phi, Wichita – 26.5 hours Honorable Mention: Delta Chi, Caldwell – 18.21 hours Iota Kappa, Wichita 18.25 hours Total Donations per member 16 members & over 1st Place – Gamma Omicron, Manhattan - $766.07 2nd Place – Eta Theta, Cheney - $125.76 3rd Place Beta Beta, Andover - $125.05 Honorable Mention: - Epsilon Eta, Topeka - $108.60 Delta Epsilon, Rose Hill - $104.47 Alpha Zeta, Garden City - $106.49 Total Donations per member 15 members and under 1st Place – Delta Beta, Wichita - $7,593.68 2nd Place – Eta Phi, Wichita - $3,79.28 3rd Place – Psi Upsilon, Wamego - $1,168.93 Total for the year Cash Donations - $9,776.11 Gift in Kind - $96,711.93 Mileage – 24,177.60 miles + $11,726.36 Grand total: $118.614.40
YOUTH AWARDS Outstanding Junior High Winner – Jordan Kennedy – Beta Epsilon, Frankfort Senior High Winner – Hannah Koops – Delta Delta, Ulysses ASSOCIATION OF THE ARTS AWARDS Charlotte Grelk - Zeta Phi #2593 - President's theme - First place Bonnie Templeton - Zeta Phi#2593 - President's theme - Award of Excellence Melody Wade - Eta Rho - Photography (Single Photo) First place Linda Bocox - Delta Chi #1411 - Photography (Grouping 3/4) - First Place Bonnie Templeton - Zeta Phi#2593 - Scrapbooking - First place Andrea Harper - Epsilon Pi#2559 - Scrapbooking - Award of Excellence Charlene Hansen - Beta Theta #640 - Needlework - Knitting - First Place Charlene Hansen - Beta Theta #640 - Needlework - Hardanger - First Place Charlotte Grelk - Zeta Phi#2593 - Needlework - quilting - First place Linda Bocox - Delta Chi #1411 - Needlework (Purse) Award of Excellence Sarah Kreger - Theta Pi - Jetmore - Needlework (Quilt) - Award of Excellence Charlotte Grelk Zeta Phi #2593 - 3 - Dimensional Art Crazy Quilt Stocking - First place Chi Epsilon #4925 - Chapter Art Project - First Place Charlotte Grelk Zeta Phi#2593 First time Art Project - First Place Chi Epsilon #4925 First time Art Project "Toast to ESA" - Award of Excellence PUBLICITY AWARDS: Honorable Mention - Alpha Zeta, Beta Epsilon, Chi Epsilon, Chi Omega, Delta Beta, Delta Tau PUBLICITY BOOKS First Place Gamma Omicron Second place -Gamma Lambda Third place- Alpha Delta	CIRCLE OF LIFE AWARDS Trike-athon - 1st Place – Chi Epsilon – Whichita $1,033.00 HOPE canisters 3rd Place – Alpha Iota – Medicine Lodge - $60.00 2nd Place – Zeta Phi – Junction City - $60.50 1st Place – Gamma Omicron – Manhattan - $167.20 Math-athons 2nd Place – Delta Delta – Ulysses $2,166.93 1st Place – Delta Chi – Caldwell - $3,416.65 DREAM HOME 2nd Place – Epsilon Rho – Olathe - $531.00 1st Place – Zeta Epsilon – Overland Park - $6,364.00 Grateful Grandparent Letter Writing 2nd Place – Alpha Zeta – Garden City - $20.00 1st Place – Delta Chi – Caldwell - $1,085.00 2007 IC Challenge – Fish Fly in Seattle 3rd Place – Beta Epsilon – Frankfort - $600.00 2nd Place – Eta Beta – Liberal - $650.00 1st Place – Gamma Omicron – Manhattan - $1,401.00 STRAIGHT DONATIONS BY CHAPTERS 3rd Place – Delta Epsilon – Rose Hill - $800.00 2nd Place – Alpha Delta – Winfield - $2,000.00 1st Place – Beta Beta – Andover - $2,782.07 DISTRICT DONATIONS Tie for 3rd Place – District J - $200.00 – Holiday Hike & District H - $200.00 - State Convention Trike Race 2nd Place – District E - $250.00 – State Convention Trike Race 1st Place – District D - $575.00 – Holiday Hike RADIO-THONS 3rd Place – Zeta Epsilon – Overland Park - $8,407.05 2nd Place – Epsilon Eta – Topeka - $9,422.88 1st Place – Delta Beta – Wichita - $17,471.48 STATE CONVENTION TRIKE RACE 1st Place – Eta Theta - Cheney - $1,500.00 ESA'S HOLIDAY HIKE FOR ST. JUDE 3rd Place – Delta Beta – Wichita - $1,721.32 2nd Place – Zeta Phi – Junction City - $2,985.00 1st Place – Gamma Omicron – Manhattan - $6,932.00 TOTAL CHAPTER DONATIONS 3rd Place – Gamma Omicron – Manhattan - $10,426.20 2nd Place – Zeta Epsilon – Overland Park - $16,351.30 1st Place – Delta Beta – Wichita - $45,963.41 SPECIAL RECOGNITIONS Kansas State Council - $1,344.00 Char Grelk – Zeta Phi – Junction City – Holiday Hike top fundraiser $2,100.00 District D – special event - $5,332.00 Delta Beta – Wichita – Cool Ghoul Pin Up Campaign - $26,770.61 Dorothy Albers – Eta Theta Cheney – plaque at St. Jude dedicated to her Assocation of the Arts committee Betty, Kara, & Maxine
JONQUIL SOCIETY As of April 1, 2008 we have 41 pledges, 12 reinstatements, 7 MALs. Earning the "right" to wear their YELLOW HATS are: Judy Ahrens Brenda Becker Vonda Borger Coleen Cape Suzi Fletcher Verneene Forssberg Sondra Freeman Clara Ginn Bonita Harke Andrea Harper Charlene Stapleton-Hill Connie Hoch Julie Hungate Kendra Jones Sarah (Kelley) Kreger Karen Lawley Sherry Marlow Phyllis Mentgen Janice Parks Kathryn Pauly Ella Pennington Amanda Premer Janene Radke Cari Ringwald Cynthia Rodman Moogie Roeder Sharon Rudzik Elizabeth Tabor Sue Tanner Cheryl Wahlenmaier Rachel Wheet Nancy Williams Susan Winters Donna Zorn	Many wonderful pieces of art were entered in the Association of the Arts. Here is a winning entry of "hardanger" needlework entered by Charlene Hanson. CHAPTER OUTSTANDING SISTERS Chapters from all over the state honored their most outstanding member and they were all recognized at State convention this year. Outstanding Sisters: District A:Sandie White, Zeta Epsilon; Jackie Engelken, Epsilon Eta; Sandra Westbrooke, Epsilon Rho; District B: Cheryl Arnwine, Beta Rho; Kathy Raub, Beta Rho; District C: Sheri Meyer, Beta Beta; Clara Ginn, Delta Chi; Ruth Archambeau, Alpha Delta; District D: Julie Hungate, Delta Epsilon; Donna Becker, Iota Kappa; Becky Kelley, Eta Phi; Melody Wade, Eta Rho; Barbara Griffith, Chi Epsilon: District E: Sondra Freeman, Alpha Iota; Verneene Forssberg, Epsilon Pi; Dorothy Albers, Eta Theta; District F: Sharon Rudzik, Theta Pi; District G: Angela Tabor, Alpha Zeta; Karen Brady Toadvine, Alpha Phi; Michelle Schwartz, Alpha Omega; Sheila Furhmann, Delta Delta; Angie Lutters, Delta Eta; Ann Lamon, Eta Beta; District H: Pat Hood, Delta Tau; Mary Lou Harvey, Gamma Eta; Penny Gullett, Zeta Gamma; District J: Susan Winters, Beta Epsilon; Randee Loomis, Gamma Lambda; Judy Ahrens, Gamma Omicron; Charlotte Grelk, Zeta Phi