Leadership Conference 2011

Bursar Rachael Kelly speaking on behalf of the Finance Advisory Board.

Sisterly bonding in between workshops and meetings! (Top left to right: Revathi, Steph, Rachana; Bottom left to right: Rachael, Emma. Not pictured: Sayeh)

Gamma Pi executive board members, Rachana Haliyur (Archon), Steph Pully (Vice Archon), Revathi Chandra (Sisterhood Development Chair), Emma Skallerup (Member-at-Large), Rachael Kelly (Bursar), as well as Sayeh Saidi (Philanthropy Chair), recently attended Phi Sigma Sigma Leadership Conference in Reston, Virginia. Chapters from all over the country, including a chapter from California, gathered to work together and learn about Leadership. All girls attended two days full of team-building activities, goal-setting exercises, and inspirational speeches given by none other than members of the Supreme Council. In down time between workshops, the members of Gamma Pi were able to discuss everything that they learned and come up with ideas that will improve our chapter!

Also, our very own Rachael Kelly was chosen to be a member of the Finance Advisory Board, a group of three Bursars from different top-performing chapters around the country. She spoke at Leadership Conference about different options for fundraising for Phi Sigma Sigma without raising dues. Our Vice Archon, Steph Pully, was also selected to speak in front of other vice archons about all of Gamma Pi's hard work for our philanthropies. We were very proud of how well both sisters represented Gamma Pi!

We'll miss you, Christina!

One of our sisters, Christina Ross, is leaving us to study abroad in Naples, Italy this semester! Christina is a Humanities scholar and an Ancient Studies major. In Italy she will be studying Latin and Italian archaeology! Christina, we will miss you terribly, but we will be excited to hear all about your trip! Aim high over there!

Alumnae Plunged!

Alumnae Katie Dix about to plunge!

On January 29, alumnae, Katie Dix (2010) and Sam Sadtler (2009) committed to grin and “bear” it for the athletes of Special Olympics Maryland by taking a chilly dip into the Chesapeake Bay at the 15th Annual Polar Bear Plunge.

Special Olympics is founded on the belief that people with intellectual disabilities can, with proper instruction and encouragement, learn, enjoy, and benefit from participation in individual and team sports. These must be adapted only as necessary to meet the needs of those with mental and physical limitations. Special Olympics believes that consistent training is indispensable to the development of an individual’s physical skills and mental health.

Katie had volunteered at Special Olympics events before and participating in the plunge is something she has always thought about doing. When she found out that the UMBC Chapter of Young Alumni (CYA) was creating a team, she was the first person to sign up.

On the other side of the beach, Sam plunged with members of the University of Maryland, Baltimore- PT team.

Both Katie and Sam doubled their fundraising goals due, in part, to donations made by sisters Maria Satyshur, Melissa Bernero Rachana Haliyur, and Stephanie Layne.

"Its one of of those experiences that takes your breathe away. If the water doesn't give you goosebumps, the energy and excitement surely will. I can't wait for next year," Katie Dix.