I hope that everyone is enjoying our Founder’s Day celebration. Can you imagine that our organization is 78 years young! What a history our sisterhood could compile for these 78 years.

When one is asked about our sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, the first comment is usually about a university or college link. It is still very hard for people to envision a women’s organization that could be as all encompassing as Beta Sigma Phi.

Just look at OLB. We are almost 75 strong. We are spread out over 2 countries and, even then, there are vast distances between members.  But, when a sister is in difficulty, in pain, or in sorrow, those distances shrink and sisters are ever closer together. When a sister experiences great joy, great happiness, with whom does she share the momentous news? That’s right, her OLB sisters because she knows that they will be thrilled for her good fortune. We learn from each other, we participate in social activities, we share recipes and crafts on a monthly basis. We are all together under the huge umbrella, known as “friendship”. We are sisters and we are friends.

This year has seen so many changes introduced to OLB. By-laws and Standing Rules were rewritten. Our sorority year was given a major overhaul as we became an “official” chapter of Beta Sigma Phi. I would like to thank the Executive for their hard work over the past 17 months. They have soldiered forth to create the best framework that OLB could have as we became an official chapter. Thank you for extending your term of office. This President could not have done it without you.

We have also had some changes in our membership. Some sisters left for personal reasons, family moves, illness.  Three sisters were claimed by the angels. A void was created in our hearts as we mourned Liz Ferraro, Linda Pugh and Shirley Rich. Each of these treasured sisters put ‘their stamp’ on OLB. They shall all be missed. We also mourned the passing of Bill Ross. If anyone had an opportunity to meet with Bill, you would know that he was a very down to earth individual who truly loved the organization that was founded by his father. He too will be missed.

We welcomed new members into our fold. Marjory Vickers, Cynthia, Robin, Marilyn and Gloria accepted our hand in friendship and immediately became valuable members of OLB. We also welcome our newest members, Violet, Ramona, and Elaine. The dynamics of OLB are ever changing and our sisterhood grows ever stronger.

So what does the future hold for Beta Sigma Phi, for OLB and for us, the sisterhood of our organization? I believe that our organization will rebound and grow and become an even more  formidable women’s organization. We will rekindle the Torch of our sisterhood and we shall move forward in the light of that Torch to bring friendship and knowledge to those women we meet as we progress down life’s pathways.

Wishing you all a wonderful Founder’s Day.

Dorothy McAnally

OLB President