The Florida Lamp

FLORIDA STATE COUNCIL, ESA / www.esaflorida.net / October 2015

2015-2016
EXECUTIVE BOARD
President
Barbara Fry
1st Vice-President
Ida Schultz
2nd Vice-President
Trudie Myers
Recording Secretary
Christine Bishop
Corresponding Secretary
Sue Ceriale
Treasurer
Laurel Lichtenberger
Philanthropic Director
Sherry Cavaretta
Education Director
Alisha Hulslander
Jr. Past President/
Disaster Fund Chairman
Lin King
2014-2015
APPOINTED OFFICERS
Audit Chairman
Mary Sosa/Amy Holloway
Awards
Kayla Andux, Alisha Hulslander
Care Connection
Karen Rennacker
Chaplain
Margaret Post
Sr. ESA Foundation Counselor
Verna Cornell
Jr. ESA Foundation Counselor
Pamela Masoud
Sr. Easter Seals Coordinator
Lucy Hague
Jr. Easter Seals Coordinator
Sandra Edwards
Executive Advisor
Barbara Kalm
Hope for Heroes
Janice Dietrich
. Lamp Editor
Sue Ceriale
Outstanding Youth Coord.
Barbara Floyd
Parliamentarian
Robin Allred
PPA/Credentials
Kayla Andux
St. Jude Coordinator
Robin Krawchuk
Jr. St. Jude Coordinator
Peggy Redmond
Scrapbook Chairman
Alisann Del Favero
SERC State Coordinator
Pinky Barbour
Webmaster
Lin King / / President’s Message...Barbara Fry
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” -Debbie Macomber
No wonder Debbie Macomber is such a good author, her quote sounds like an ESA member doing good all the time. I know this quote reminds me of Jan Lee, she was a very busy and active woman and truly loved ESA and all it stands for. We lost a mentor and friend on August 30th, not only her chapter(s) in the state but around the country. She was interested in just about everything and even in the last days showed her interest in life and who she was with. I had many talks with Jan and we shared our faith and our love for ESA. Just as I am grateful for each of you I am grateful for Jan who encouraged me every step of the way to where I am now. Thank you Jan you will be missed by so many.
Wasn’t IC 2015 Convention great? Thank you to all of SERC for hosting such a great event. I learned a lot from the workshops, getting to know some new people and making the bond between my ESA sisters even stronger. A really special part was the amount of donations for St. Jude, we far exceeded our goal. This year I see the goal is “Three Hundred Million”, WOW I can see it happening, can’t you? There are walks/runs coming up on the 26th of September (the 19th in some markets).
I did enjoy attending “The Blast” that Sigma Phi Chapter held on August 29th. It was so good to see everyone out there dancing and having such a good time. I am planning on attending the Nu Alpha Fashion Show in Merritt Island in September. There are so many different things we can do; I just love seeing your ideas come to life. Are you having an event? I would love to attend if you let me know.
I know the Missile Area Council meeting is September 28th and I plan to attend also. It was in May when I saw many of the members of the council.
Searching thru the IC Website I do find many interesting things. Won’t you take some time to “explore” the website; there is a wealth of information on it. I found something new about making baby blankets for new born babies coming home from the hospital. Someone saw a baby going home wrapped in newspaper and the idea was born to make baby blankets. They also include Instruction Sheets for new parents. Don’t forget to look thru our Florida Website, it is for us and Lin does a good job to see that it is up to date at all times.
New Home Phone number for Barbara Fry: : 407-593-8465

1st Vice President-- Ida Schultz

Hello ESA members, June, July and August were like the weather, lightening fast, flooded with things to do and caught up in the whirl wind. I went to IC Convention, met many members, learn a lot and thoroughly enjoyed myself. Took a trip to Michigan with my family, enjoyed the beautiful weather (70 to 80 degrees), visited with family and friends, and watched, through the eyes of my grand-children as they were introduced to family and new experiences. It’s the excitement that I saw in their faces when we passed into new states (Georgia, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan). They met family that they have heard about, but didn’t understand what Aunts, Uncles and cousins really were or the vast number of family members. The wonder as they learned to kayak in Sutton’s Bay in Lake Michigan and the knowledge as we toured Henry Ford Museum. This summer with my grandchildren is the same type of experience that I want to share with others, the wonder of ESA, the excitement of ESA, the knowledge of ESA. The only way in which this can be shared is to bring in new members. They are the ones who have not experienced this type of satisfaction. I’m asking you to invite one person to your next chapter, area or state meeting. Just invite one person, talk about what you and your chapter do for others and for yourselves. Let that person feel the warmth and love that all ESA member have to share.

I’m looking forward to a great year of leadership with Barbara, Trudie and the Florida State Council Board. Working together we will serve Florida and our members well, thank you for this experience.

2nd Vice President – Trudie Myers

Many of you have enjoyed a brief reprieve over the summer, but are ready to energize your chapters in their quests of education, service, and association. Mid-year has passed and SERC is fast approaching. We have two big and worthwhile FSC activities that will be right around the corner in 2016. March 5th we will be visiting Sigma Phi in Clermont. Leadership will be held in the Clermont

2nd Vice President – Trudie Myers (cont.)

Community Center. We will be motoring to Tarpon Spring for our 2016 Florida State Convention. You will soon be getting lots of information on these events.

Vision is one of the Ten Pearls of ESA, so get out your telescope and look into the future of 2017. Wouldn’t you like to host one of our 2017 events? Remember you will just be the host, not responsible for the content. We have a bid for the 2017 State Convention, but need some for Mid-Year and Leadership. Come on and rise to the challenge.

Treasurer – Laurel Lichtenberger

Congratulations to all Florida Chapters – member and chapter dues were all received on time! Thank you ladies J

Just a reminder if you haven’t already sent them - the $40 IC dues for your Chapters are now due to the IC Treasurer Kim Kummer.

The submittal form is on the ESA website.

Please let me know if you have trouble finding it and I will send a copy to you.

It’s also time for TAX FACTS! Your form was due to ESA Headquarters by Sept. 15th.

Philanthropic Director – Sherry Cavaretta

Whoa….where did the summer go? I can’t believe it is October already. By the time you read this, your chapter’s philanthropic report has been mailed to me. I have had a few questions regarding the report; one being the IRS mileage rate which is $.575 (57.5 cents) per mile.

Also, we are still collecting Box Tops for Education for The Florida School for Deaf and Blind. This is an easy way at no cost to you to support FSDB. They can be mailed directly to FSDB. There is a great video of FSDB for you to watch at vimeo.com/fsdb/home.

I hope everyone who participated in the St. Jude Walk on September 26th had fun and

have recovered. Thank you for your contributions to St. Jude’s. Don’t forget to consider an event to support our other state philanthropic projects: Girl Power 2 Cure, Friedreich’s Alaxia (FARA), Easter Seals, just

Philanthropic Director – Sherry Cavaretta

(cont.)

to name a few. Are you still making those HUGS for Santa America? You can go to esaflorida.net for instructions, pattern and helpful information.

I had the opportunity to take a tour of the Easter Seals camp near Orlando during the IC Convention in July. If you ever get the chance to visit this camp, please do so. It was a wonderful experience and made me want to get my Chapter involved more.

Please contact me if you have any questions at or call me at 352-422-3589.

Educational Director -- Alisha Hulslander

It’s officially (almost) my favorite time of the year! If you have lived up north I’m sure you know what season I’m talking about! FALL! All the beautiful colors and the pumpkins and all the warm feelings of brown and orange!

Just a few friendly reminders that I wanted to share with you. September 10th was the time to turn in those Educational Books! Big thanks goes out to all the Chapters who have submitted an educational book on time! I will keep looking for those of you who are still getting yours together! PLEASE REMEMBER, when sending in your monthly report to fill out everything correctly! One big thing is to be sure you fill out your educational report form completely! In order for your book to be judged correctly and the same as everyone else it must be filled out completely. If you would like your book to be judged on the IC Level then be sure you have everything that is listed in the yearbook including your chapter comment cards for each educational given!

Your monthly educational packet must include the following:

Cover/ Title page, which must have on it Chapter name, number, city and state, report topic, educational directors name and theme of

the year! Please do not forget to complete the educational report form, bibliography page, and your educational and comment cards.

The educational must be submitted to the state educational director (ME) BY THE 10TH

Educational Director -- Alisha Hulslander

(cont.)

OF THE FOLLOWING MONTH, (example: if you do an educational in September your educational and papers must be in my hand by October 10th)

Each chapter must submit at least 6 educationals on time with the correct papers and the book must have been on time as well to qualify for the Gold Link award at State Convention!

If you have concerns about the information that was just given, please refer back to your State yearbook on pages 27 & 28 all the requirements are there, along with in the awards section of the State yearbook on page 59. You may also contact me with any questions or concerns you may have. I strongly suggest all of you take time and go over this year’s yearbook. I hope you all enjoy your holidays that are near!

Chaplain, Margaret Post

There’s an old saying… “In school, you’re taught a lesson and then given a test. In life, you’re given a test that teaches you a lesson”. This short story is a reminder to all of us……

“One day a farmer’s donkey fell down into a well. The animal cried for hours as the farmer tried to figure out what to do. Finally he decided that the animal was old and the well needed to be covered up anyway, so it just wasn’t worth it to retrieve the donkey. He invited all his neighbors to come over and help him. They all grabbed shovels and began to shovel dirt into the well. The donkey realized what was happening and cried loudly. Then, to everyone’s amazement, he quieted down. A few shovel loads later, the farmer looked down the well and noticed that with every shovel of dirt that hit his back, the donkey would shake it off and take a step up. Thinking nothing of it, the farmer and his neighbors continued to shovel dirt down the well. After a while, to Lesson Learned !! Life is going to shovel dirt on you… all kinds of dirt. The trick to getting out of the well is to shake it off and take everyone’s surprise, the donkey stepped up

Chaplain, Margaret Post (cont.)

over the edge of the well and trotted off !!! “

a step up. Each of our troubles is a stepping stone. We can get out of the deepest wells by not stopping and never giving up… Just be like the donkey - Shake it off and take a step up !

Stay kind. Stay positive. God loves us all.

Love, Margie

Lamp Editor...Sue Ceriale

Thank you for all of the on-time articles and information for this issue of The Lamp. Remember that the deadline for the next issue of The Lamp will be December 10th.

Foundation Counselor…Verna Cornell (Sr.) & Pam Masoud (Jr.)

Please remember, any contribution or dues to the Foundation should be mailed, along with the Contribution Form to: ESA Foundation, 363 West Drake Road, Ft. Collins, CO 80526 OR – you can go on line –www.epsilonsigmaalpha.org/about/ESA-Foundation/contribute. If possible, please pay your annual $15.00 dues on or before the end of November (this will help to minimize mailing costs for the Foundation).

Scholarship applications for the 2016-17 academic year will be available in October. Applications must be entered on- line and the student does not have to be a member of Epsilon Sigma Alpha to apply.

The last academic year 195 scholarships were awarded amounting to $248,850. Please pass on information regarding these scholarships to any student who will be enrolling in college next year.

Outstanding Youth Coordinator, Barbara Floyd

Happy Fall, Yall! However, here in Florida, it’s rather hard to tell with the weather still warm, but those cooler days will be upon us before we know it. And, with that thought in mind, deadlines, awards, meetings, and

Outstanding Youth Coordinator, Barbara Floyd (cont.)

convention will be upon us before we realize it. Therefore, please start right now thinking about that high school student and middle school student who is deserving of recognition. Don’t know of any students? Contact your schools to find out who on their staff works with students for scholarships. In most schools, it is a guidance counselor; but some school designate another staff member to handle this. Many of you are teachers or former teachers and perhaps know of a contact person. Students need to start now in recording community service and other activities because, by the time spring rolls around, they will have forgotten or can’t remember dates, etc., which are needed on the Nomination Form.