Lillian Stokes, PhD, RN, FAAN
Professor Emeritus
Indiana Univ. School of Nursing
Indianapolis, Indiana
April 4, 2009
CALL TO BOULÉ
July 5-11, 2009
Dallas Hilton – Lincoln Centre
The journey continues, but will come to an end July 11, 2009. We are close enough to our last Ports-of-Call that we must begin to prepare for our final destination, Dallas, Texas. Three months away, but will quickly pass after ports in Texas, New York, and Illinois. I hope that all of you are making plans to join fellow members and friends as they dock in Dallas.
Members from the Southwest and Southeast ports that were visited in March are ready to join members from their regions, as well as those from the Middlesouth, Northeast and Middlewest. The Board of Directors and I will be in Dallas to greet you.
As the three-month countdown begins, the Boulé Planning Committee, host chapter, Lambda Eta, and the support chapter, Xi Phi, are steadily working to make it a memorable week. Besides the business of the week, there will be ample opportunities for relaxation and enjoyment. You can begin the process with online registration. For those of you who prefer pen and paper registration, that option is available. Refer to the Boulé issue of Chi Line.
The Board of Directors will meet on Sunday and Monday, July 5th and 6th, to continue to review the business of the Sorority and make final preparation for Boulé and tours. Members who arrive on Sunday and Monday will have time to enjoy the sites and establishments in the Dallas/Fort Worth area including: The Big D Historic City, Southfork Ranch Tour, Sports Lovers Tour, American Airlines Center, and we did not forget shopping.
Early Monday evening, the education sessions will begin. These sessions will include a variety of presentations focusing on Sorority programs, leadership development and operations of the organization, as well as presentations directly related to the Boulé theme: Bridging Generations: Caring Across the Lifespan. The Education Committee made deliberate efforts to plan needs-based workshops by responding to requests made following the 2007 national conference. Each of these workshops should enable us to continue to focus on our mission and national programs.
The Education Program will continue on Tuesday morning with a two-hour Legislative Health and Social Policy update, facilitated by Co-chairmen Sorors Jonnie Hamilton and Gwendolyn Johnson. This session will be followed by the Education Keynote, which will be delivered by Honorary Member Dr. Loretta Sweet Jemmott, the Van Amergen Professor in Psychiatric Mental Health Nursing and Director of the Center for Health Disparities at the University of Pennsylvania. You don’t want to miss this energetic and dynamic speaker.
On Tuesday morning, be prepared for daily exercise. In the afternoon on Tuesday, a variety of concurrent workshops will be offered with some repeats on Wednesday and Thursday afternoon. Special poster sessions will be held on Wednesday. Please refer to the Boulé Chi Line for more specific information about poster sessions. Following your engagement in workshop activities on Tuesday, you will prepare for the Grand Opening and be graced with the Opening Keynote address delivered by Dr. Beverly Malone, Chief Executive Officer of the National League for Nursing, another dynamic, energetic and motivational speaker. In addition, donations will be made to a number of organizations that are closely linked to our mission.
Three plenary sessions, beginning on Wednesday, are being planned to cover the business of the Sorority, which includes reports, updates, bylaws and recommendations. As we participate in the business portion of the conference, one distinct change will be evident. We will vote with the use of an electronic device, an audience response system which will allow for instant display of results. Members will have an opportunity to practice with the system in advance of the business meeting. Some of you have already observed how the system works at your regional meetings.
On Wednesday evening, Lambda Eta’s Boosters will transport members to Eddie Dean for a Texas Two Step Turtle Trottin Barbecue, Jeans and Bling. So Sorors and Fraters dress to impress in your Jeans and Bling and wear comfortable shoes for Texas line dancing! Start thinking now about being a winner in the Best Jeans and Bling Contest-1st. prize-$100., 2nd prize $75., and 3rd prize $50.
Throughout the week, members will be able to experience some excitement, as well as reflect on and revisit history. Plans are in the works to have the wax figure of our founder, Aliene Carrington Ewell on site during (or part of) the conference. You may be able to converse with authors about some of our history, including the 3rd Volume of Chi Eta Phi Sorority, Inc., and about the leadership of our organization and more. The Sisterhood/Brotherhood Breakfast on Thursday will focus on members who have devoted specified numbers of years to the organization.
After engaging in the business of the day on Thursday, you can enjoy an evening cruising to three Ports-of-call—Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Here you will interact with the Captain and her crew and others who have joined you on the cruise ship. This is a must!!
Have you had opportunities to interact with Betas lately? If so, have you noticed how intelligent, energetic and engaging they are? If not, you will be able to witness this first hand as conference attendees determine if they are really Smarter than Betas. Betas are preparing to make this determination and you must be present to help them.
At the end of the plenary session on Friday afternoon, your new officers will be installed giving way to a new era. The closing Friday evening event will include the Awards Banquet where scholarships will be awarded and recognitions provided to members, chapters and a special person for humanitarian efforts. This promises to be an exciting evening. There is more… However, with space and time constraints, you are encouraged to come and experience the week.
As you prepare for the conference, please refer to protocol policies, practices and special rituals. Review the proposed bylaws changes and come prepared to be an integral part of the 60th Boulé. A few reminders about attire:
- Tours – casual and comfortable
- Educational and Opening Sessions – colors (yellow, green or combination) are encouraged
- Plenary Sessions – professional attire—colors (yellow, green or combination) are expected
- Memorial Service – unadorned, uninterrupted black—no gold, buttons, sequins or other trims
- Chi Cruise Night – casual
- Texas Two Step Turtle Trot Barbeque “Jeans and Bling” – Jeans and Bling
- Awards Banquet – dressy to semi-formal, after five
- Praise and Inspirational Breakfast – member choice, but professional
Until we meet at Boulé, continue in service and embrace the Sorority theme, Committed and Empowered to Provide Community Service in a Global Society.
I will see all of you in Dallas where we will end one journey and begin a new journey.
Sincerely,
Lillian Stokes
18th Supreme Basileus
Please review upcoming deadlines!