Submitted by Vicki Cooper
Phi Beta Psi, Delta Chapter
As Delta Chapter of Phi Beta Psi gets ever closer to its 100th birthday celebration on Sept. 9, 2023, let’s get the last chapter – for now – of Delta’s history finished.
The FUNdraising never stops!
Going through Delta’s minutes starting with 1991 to glean some facts we’ve probably forgotten was a bit of a chore but totally enjoyable – if one likes history! We have been (and always will be) a busy group in fundraising, giving, and having fun!
Some of our many fundraisers not previously mentioned included: selling Rada knives, Moore’s pies, nuts, candles, poinsettias, flashlights, book drives (took them to Half Price Books), white elephant sales, purse auctions, bagging sales at Kohl’s at Christmas, Euchrama yearly from 1990 until 2008, Breakfast with Santa starting in 2015, motorcycle rally with Cicero American Legion since 2017 (just finished 2023’s), and taking part in Jim Dandy’s fundraiser at both Noblesville and Tipton.
Money from our fundraisers always goes to our National Project of cancer research and our State Project of scholarship and a scholarship given to a Hamilton Heights senior each year. Several programs and events at our local schools have been recipients of our donations through the years. We’ve given to Ronald McDonald House, sent packages to service men and women in the early 2000s, sent seasonal cards to nursing home residents, helped local folks purchase glasses, hearing aids, among other needs brought to our attention. In December 2007, we purchased books from Kim Martin’s Hair Fairy Project to go children undergoing chemotherapy.
In October 1991, Delta again hosted the Indiana State convention at the Radisson, Keystone at the Crossing with a fall theme of “Ain’t God Good to Indiana.” One of our member’s fathers had carved several hundred small pumpkins for favors for this convention. We spent months prior to convention sanding and painting them – chatting and laughing a little bit too! We had no Tasting Party that year due to preparing for convention. (Note: in 1996 we had no Tasting Party that year either and the last tasting party was in 2011.)
It isn’t expensive to be a member of Phi Beta Psi. At National Convention in 2007, national dues were increased to $35 per year per member from $25 after 30 years. State dues are $5 per year per member. Some chapters also have a membership fee. Delta doesn’t. We just expect members to help with fundraisers, try to help bring in new members, suggest where donations might be needed and attend meetings as often as possible.
No matter where we meet …
For years, Delta Phi Betes met in members’ homes. In early 2000s we met in the Shaffer Community Center at Arcadia Town Hall several times, and in September 2016, we started meeting at the Shaffer Room regularly for most of our meetings. From its inception, Delta met the first and third Tuesdays of each month. On Nov. 4, 2008, we voted to start having one meeting a month, so we started meeting only on the first Tuesday of each month from September through June.
Remember year 2020? It was a weird year for everyone because of COVID-19, which affected us all in many ways. Some of our meetings early in the year were canceled but at the start of our new year, which for us was Sept. 1, 2020, we met regularly and practiced social distancing and masked up. It worked!
There was no National Convention in the summer of 2020, but $297,318 was given to six cancer research doctors by Phi Beta Psi anyway. There was no Indiana State Convention either, and we didn’t have our Breakfast with Santa.
Remember longtime members
Many members who reached 50 years as Delta Phi Betes have passed on and we remember them fondly. Currently we have two members who are 50-year members and one who has been a Delta Phi Bete for 64 years. Talking with Janice Fisher, mentioned in our second history article, who has been in Delta since February 1959, her favorite thing about being an active member for so long is the camaraderie among the members. She loved the fashion shows and tasting parties, and in the late 50s and early 60s, she liked the dress clubs with Mr. Eds and Willits. Jo Edna Bardonner, 50-year member, loved catering to the older folks (her words) in the community, taking them food and helping them do small jobs. She always liked making the candy wreaths and doing the pie sales and flower sales. Shirley Stover, our other 50-year member, loves the fact we raise money for cancer research and always enjoyed the style shows.
2021 State Convention
In 2021, we once again hosted the Indiana State Convention. It was held at the Cambria Hotel in Westfield in October. The theme was “Tackling Cancer.” The football theme was complete with a “tailgate party,” “1st half,” “halftime,” “2nd half,” and “Homecoming Victory Dance.” Two weeks before our convention the Cambria underwent a name change to Wyndam, but nothing changed for us – our plans went on as planned and we scored a “touchdown!”
100 years of good work
In its 100 years, Delta has seen many members marry, celebrate 50-year anniversaries, have children and grandchildren, enjoy great friendships, travel to state and national conventions and other special places. We’ve watched history unfold in our state and country. We’ve worked hard to raise funds in many (legal) ways for many worthy projects.
Our parties have had us “come as you are,” dress like hobos, mask up, have picnics in the park, cookouts, eat in nice restaurants, sit on Santa’s knee, enjoy great meals at Arcadia Church of Brethren, and pay tribute to our Founders every year. We have mourned the loss of many members and family members.
And all the while, we’ve tried to be the “best that is in womanhood.”
Here’s to the next 100 years!