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Elizabeth Bailey, our Director of Membership and a graduate of University of Mississippi, also works for the restaurant chain Waffle House as a vice president of workers’ compensation and safety. While she may look familiar from the three coffee table books in which she has appeared, Southern Living Christmas, The Waffle House Experience, and Camp DeSoto: A History, here she gives us a behind the scenes look at her Kappa life.
Q: What does your position with Kappa really entail?
A: Interesting question! When I’m not helping chapters with a myriad of recruitment issues, I am working on fun projects with our amazing Fraternity Headquarters staff, like the philanthropy recruitment video or “The Value of a Legacy” e-learning course. Even though Recruitment tends to be seasonal, I am always doing something for Kappa.
Q: What’s the hardest part of your job?
A: The hardest part of the job is talking to the disappointed mothers and grandmothers whose daughters and granddaughters have been released from Kappa. Always think twice before you release a legacy … their mom, grandmother and/or sister has been recruiting them for a very long time!
Q: You live in Atlanta—what do you like about it?
A: I’ve lived in Atlanta for, yikes, 25 years! It’s a beautiful city with rolling hills and lots of trees. There’s always a new restaurant to try, and I’m spoiled by the amazing shopping. It’s a great combination of southern and big-city cosmopolitan all rolled into one.
Q: What do you do in your spare time?
A: A big chunk of my “spare” time is working full time for a little restaurant chain called Waffle House. As a vice-president over workers’ compensation and safety for the company, I oversee all company-owned restaurants, which right now total about 1,100 restaurants and growing. But when I’m not working and doing Kappa stuff, I love to travel. The last great adventure was a trip to Argentina earlier this year. At home, I am an avid reader and love to cook. On a typical weekend, it’s nothing particularly exciting, but I love to catch up with friends, check out the latest movies and visit my cute 83-year-old Kappa mom.
Q: How did you become re-engaged with Kappa after graduation?
A: True confessions … although I had a great experience at Ole Miss, I had absolutely no interest in ever doing anything for Kappa again. However, several years after I graduated, I moved to Atlanta, and my very first friend at church just happened to be an Auburn Kappa. She suggested that we go over to Emory to help serve punch during Recruitment. I thought, “What can that hurt? It’s just one night.” One night turned into us going back every night. I suppose that was our first “mistake”! By the end of the week, we were asked to be Membership Co-Advisers. A year or so later, my friend moved away, but I remained on the Advisory Board at Emory for the next 17 years.
Q: How would your family/friends describe you?
A: Most people would say that I love to spin a good story—maybe my southern roots play into that! Probably most would say I’m a lifelong learner. I am a HUGE history buff. In particular, I am addicted to World War II, Civil Rights and, well, anything southern! And I think, I hope, I would be described as someone who always makes time for others.
Q: What are three things we should know about you?
A. 1. I don’t take myself too seriously—life is too short!
2. Kappa is high up on my priority list, but family, friends and faith are at the very top.
3. As I have told chapter women for many years, Kappa should be fun and, if it’s not, then we need to have a chat!
Q: What keeps you invested and volunteering for Kappa?
A: Without a doubt, it’s all about the relationships that I have made over the years. I LOVE the college women. They see life as a clean slate of possibilities and I find that so energizing. And then, over the years you also make dear friends with other volunteers all over the country. It’s so much fun to see chapters grow and change and to realize that you might have played a small part in that.
 Collett (middle) with her husband and three children Our newly elected Director of Chapters, Collett Rangitsch, University of Wyoming, just celebrated her 25th wedding anniversary to her college sweetheart this week— congratulations!
While Collett is more of a behind-the-scenes person, she became reengaged with Kappa shortly after her husband, Mark, went into private practice in Cheyenne, Wyo. At one of their first office dinners, Mark’s partner’s wife, Dorothy, noticed a piece of Collett’s Kappa jewelry. Dorothy commented that she was a Kappa as was her daughter—what a small world! As Collett told us, “She took me to my first Cheyenne Alumnae Association meeting and the rest was history.”
Collett and her family still reside in Cheyenne where, as she says, “There is little to no traffic, wide open spaces, and no bugs or humidity.” This self-proclaimed “overly organized, structured, strong and very independent” Kappa loves to read, travel, scrapbook and exercise in her spare time. She enjoys country music (unless forced to listen to other music by her children) and the television show, The Good Wife, because of the strong female character.
Collett says she has continued volunteering for Kappa, as it fulfills her need for adult communication, interaction and friendship. Plus, it gives her credibility with her college-age children! She says, “Yes, I really do know what college men and women are doing these days!” But above all, she enjoys meeting Kappas everywhere she goes!
Whether you are already a legacy or someday hope to have the opportunity to pass on the legacy of Kappa Kappa Gamma to a sister, daughter or granddaughter, we all value our membership and want to share it with those we love. The following is just one of the touching legacy stories that was shared with us during the Legacy Contest last year:
Kappa has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mother first introduced me to the Delaware Alumnae Association at a Kappa scholarship fundraiser when I was four months old. Growing up, I met dozens of Kappas as my mother stayed involved with her sisters, hosting events and attending lunch bunches. During my college search, my mother pointed out the Kappa chapters at the colleges we visited. And, when I chose Harvard, she encouraged me to rush and learn what sorority life had to offer. My mother’s membership aside, I immediately gravitated to the members of Kappa Kappa Gamma and pledged my freshmen year.
One of my most meaningful memories is having my mother participate in and pin me at the Eta Theta Initiation. As I grew in Kappa and became a Chapter Council member, I participated in meaningful philanthropy, found a support group to which to turn, and most importantly, formed what I know will be lifelong friendships. My mother’s involvement in Kappa has made the experience all the more meaningful. For instance, when we were shopping earlier this year, I loved a black dress but decided that I did not need it. She responded, “Yes, you do. This is the perfect ‘Pref Night’ dress!” In the past year, we have introduced each other to more and more sisters. My mother, who is the outgoing president of the Delaware Alumnae Association, and I hosted a Kappa Koffee last December for Delaware alumnae and active members and their mothers. The sisterly bond that my mother and I now share will last much longer than my black dress and has served as an example to all of my Eta Theta sisters. My sisters and I are excited to have my mother participate in initiation again this year and often speak of our eagerness to someday share the Kappa legacy with our daughters.
Grier Whitmer Tumas
President of Eta Theta Chapter
Kappa certainly does not end once you have received your college diploma. Just ask Susanne Vander Heyden, our 2010-2012 Director of Alumnae. Susanne is entering her second term on Fraternity Council and enjoys “helping Kappa be relevant to the 22 to 102 year old woman.”
Susanne became involved with Kappa as an alumna when she and her husband moved to a new neighborhood. She said, “I simultaneously quit my job as an emergency nurse and gave birth to my second child. I received a newsletter from my local alumnae association and thought, ‘I need new friends…I’ll go to this!’ At the first event, I found a room full of Kappas of all ages who would become mentors to me as a parent and my best friends.”
Between working with fellow volunteers to create new associations and reorganize existing ones, Susanne likes to read, travel, and exercise. A native of the Northwest, she loves hiking, especially in the Olympic National Forest. “My father worked for the Weyerhaeuser Company so I grew up learning the different species of trees and appreciating the beauty of a natural and planted forest,” she said. Susanne and her husband recently became winter residents in Goodyear, Ariz. Together they are enjoying the sun and their wonderful friends.
Susanne, who says that family and friends would describe her as “involved,” has also volunteered with 4-H. “I was the Dog Project Superintendent for the King County Fair for two years. 131 dogs, 131 4-H members, numerous parents…of the three the dogs were the best behaved!”
Not only is Susanne a big fan of Michael Jackson, but she is also a fan of her alumnae association team. “I work with a team of 29 Province Directors of Alumnae, seven Regional Directors of Alumnae and two assistants. I’m very lucky to have this team of volunteers to work with. They are outstanding!”
“Back to school” took on a whole new meaning this year for twelve Kappa alumnae. Instead of filling their backpacks with school supplies, the 2010–2011 Field Representatives packed their suitcases and headed to Columbus this week for Training School, an intensive week-long program designed to teach Kappa’s newest ambassadors everything there is to know about our organization and then some.
Arriving on Sunday, the new Field Rep team was greeted by Mary Belvin, the Field Representatives Chairman. They soon settled into their cozy quarters—thanks to Ronnie’s helping hands—and began mastering the art of sharing a bedroom with four other young women (and actually sleeping) while juggling bathroom time among eight Kappas in the morning. As anyone who has ever visited Headquarters knows, there is no shortage of Cheetos and M & Ms, so avoiding death by snacks was a top priority this week. Despite the stormy weather in Columbus, the Field Reps found time to get outside for some fresh air and enjoyed exploring the area around Fraternity Headquarters. They all agree that Shelley from Guest Services is an exceptional hostess, and they loved seeing her smiling face greet them every morning.
Every day the Leadership Consultants and Chapter Consultants met with staff members and volunteers to learn about everything from chapter finance to risk management. One of their favorite sessions involved learning how to hand bid match during Recruitment. Sarah Bohman, the Associate Director of Education and Training, met with the Field Reps every day to do activities to familiarize them with Kappa’s educational programs, such as the Kappa Learning Institute and Leadership Academy. A highlight for many of the women was the True Colors exercise in which they examined their personality traits and leadership styles. Of course, they all enjoyed seeing Kappa’s amazing archives as presented by Kylie Towers, our Fraternity Archivist.
Mid-week, the Field Representatives were joined by Collet Rangitsch (Director of Chapters), Elizabeth Bailey (Director of Membership), Sharon Gober (Director of Standards) and the Regional Directors of Chapters. These Council members and RDCs provided background information for specific chapter visits and spent time getting to know the new consultants.
As the week came to an end, the Field Reps all agreed that they’re most excited about traveling to our chapters and meeting new women in some places they’ve never had the opportunity to see before their visits. For those that didn’t live in a chapter house, they are looking forward to getting the Greek housing experience. Many are nervous about the inevitable perils of frequent air travel: flight delays, long hours in airport terminals and luggage weight limits. When asked what they wanted to pack, but couldn’t, many agreed that they’d like a few extra clothes or pairs of shoes, and some wished they could bring their dogs along for the adventure.
With Training School coming to a close and our Field Representatives hitting the road, we wish them the best of luck, safe travels, and lots of Kappa love!
Cynthia Bennett Satterwhite Jarboe, William and Mary, was reelected to the position of Treasurer at our 68th Biennial Convention in June. Here she talks to us about her family, her passions and what her job with the Fraternity entails.
Q: Lets start with the basics. Where do you live and what do you enjoy about where you live?
“We live in Bonita Springs, Fla., but we have a second home in Williamsburg, Va. We love the beach and the year round warm weather in Florida, but we especially love the summers here when it is cooler than Virginia (and most of the rest of the U.S. this year) with the beach breezes and everyone has gone north. It is very quiet this time of year with only about 30 percent of our neighbors around so we can play any of the golf courses and eat in the restaurants without a reservation!”
Q: What do you really do for Kappa?
“My husband would say I answer emails 8 hours a day, but I really get to interact with Kappas of all ages in working with the chapters, house boards, alumni associations and official family volunteers. I do a lot of contract related work (guess I should have gone to law school after all) and review our relationships with key vendors.”
Q: How did you become reengaged with Kappa post graduation?
“I never left; I joined my first alumnae association within a month of starting my first job in a new city after graduation.”
Q: Once you were involved with the alumnae association, what started you on the path of volunteering for our organization?
“Locally, I was an advisor and alumni association officer within a few years of graduation. It all began on a national level when I asked a finance question at convention. The next thing I knew, I was asked to join the finance committee.”
Q: What keeps you invested and volunteering for Kappa?
“It has definitely been getting to meet and become good friends with Kappas I serve with. I also feel like I am contributing to the progress of the organization and making a difference.”
Q: How would your family and friends describe you?
“Someone who always has to be doing something. And, our “Girl Scout Leader” who plans fun events and trips.”
Q: What are a few things we should know about you?
“While my paid career has been interesting and challenging, it is because of my volunteer roles that I have interacted with some of the most amazing women of the century including: Eunice Kennedy Shriver (Virginia Special Olympics Board), Lady Margaret Thatcher (College of William and Mary Foundation Board), Sandra Day O’Conner (Mason School of Business Board) and Queen Noor of Jordan (National Children’s Cancer Society). And that doesn’t count the amazing women I have worked with at Kappa including five Presidents!”
Q: Tell us an interesting fun fact about yourself.
“I grew up on a swine (that’s a classy way of saying pig) breeding farm in rural Maryland. It was the farm my Dad and his eight brothers and sisters grew up on and was surrounded by farms owned by my great uncles.”
Q: What’s the most embarrassing song(s) on your iPod?
“I keep Christmas songs on my iPod year round and listen to them!”
Our 2010-2012 Fraternity Vice President is none other than Beth Upoff Black,
 Beth with her new grandson, Jack! Illinois Wesleyan. Self described as passionate, silly and determined, Beth’s role is to be the Fraternity Council liaison for communications, public relations, social media, technology and The Key magazine. And if that wasn’t enough, she also receives the applications and facilitates the selection process of the Alumnae Achievement Award winners during the biennium!
As a resident of Washington, Ill., Beth enjoys living in the town where she grew up. She tells us it’s a great place to raise a family. When we asked Beth what she likes to do in her spare time, she responded with an enthusiastic, “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!” And then she told us she loves to ride her bike and spin, she’s an avid walker, loves to dance and can’t miss an episode GLEE!
Apparently on certain days and circumstances, her kids may tell us that she’s the meanest, strictest mom in the world. Her friends tell us that she’s a compassionate person and they love it when she bakes. Though I’d imagine they both probably thought it was pretty cool the day she told them she rode an elevator with Clint Eastwood at her very first Kappa Convention!
Beth began volunteering for Kappa through her good buddy, Sam Fetcho. Sam made Beth go to an alumnae association meeting with her, and the next thing she knew she was on the Advisory Board at Upsilon! While that was how she became reengaged with Kappa as a volunteer, Beth tells us it really is the people and the friendships that keep her invested in Kappa today. An added benefit she says “has been the opportunity to learn lots of new skills that I would have never experienced otherwise.”
Would you like to “hoot” with Beth on Twitter? Her twitter handle is @btimes2.
*Editor’s Note: we are kicking off an eight-week blog series to introduce our 2010-2012 Fraternity Council. Check back each week to discover the story behind these inspiring women!
 Julie with her son Austin (left) and her husband Jeff (right). Our newly elected leader, Julie Marine Leshay attended Colorado College where she pledged Kappa Kappa Gamma. Yet with theatre arts as her passion, Julie transferred to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in Pasadena, California, to actively pursue an acting career. For 10 years, Julie pounded the pavement in Hollywood and appeared on several TV shows, such as The Incredible Hulk and BJ and the Bear, starred in several stage productions and was featured on numerous commercials including one that aired during the Super Bowl! Julie married her tennis instructor, Jeff, and they eventually ended up in Chicago where he was reporting for CNBC.
“We moved several times for Jeff’s news career, and I would always look up the local Kappa alumnae association. It was a great way to meet friends. Once we were settled in the Chicago area, I became an adviser to the Upsilon chapter at Northwestern. And that’s what started me on my path of volunteering for Kappa!”
Julie’s volunteer roles with Kappa are vast, having first been an adviser, then president of her local alumnae association, Coordinator of Chapter Development for Valparaiso, Province Director of Chapters, Regional Director of Alumnae and in 2004 she was elected to Fraternity Treasurer.
“The Council experience is truly amazing. I have loved getting to know so many Kappas. I enjoy the travel, the personalities, seeing the chapter facilities, working with headquarters staff, and best of all, having lifelong friends in all parts of North America. It’s these friendships that help me grow in my volunteer experience with Kappa.”
Her husband, Jeff, and their son, Austin who will be a junior at the University of Arizona, attended Julie’s installation as Fraternity President at Convention this summer. Her Kappa mom, Vera Marine, and two of her three sisters, were also there. “Our theme for opening night at Convention was ‘Hooray for Sisterhood’ with Broadway show tunes playing. I kept singing, ‘I Could Have Danced All Night,’ in the hotel shower. It was an amazing week.”
Now that Julie is home and settled in with the 12 boxes from the former Fraternity President, Julie still manages to head out to the garden where she loves to dig in the dirt and mow the lawn. “Gardening is a great way to get rid of stress. It’s very relaxing to use the power tools.”
Thousands of Kappas, hundreds of miles traveled, dozens of workshops – and all in just four days! Kappa Kappa Gamma’s 68th Biennial Convention was held at the fabulous Arizona Biltmore Resort and Spa and was a tremendous success thanks to the hard work of Fraternity Council, all of our volunteers, participants and headquarters staff.
All of the Convention materials can now be found online at www.kappa.org including the programs, presentations, transcripts, the changes to the new member program and much, much more. For a recap of all the events and important information discussed at convention, be sure to download the 2010 edition of The Hoot, which has been published biennially since 1916.
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Claire Davis, Auburn, was selected as the Catherine Schroeder Graf Heritage Museum Intern in March. Claire received her Bachelor of Fine Art in graphic design this May. As an active member of Epsilon Eta Chapter, Claire served on Chapter Council as the House Chairman and organized and planned the design of the new chapter room. On the Auburn campus, Claire was a member of the AIGA professional association for design and was an Ambassador with the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art. Claire’s design experience and interest in exhibit design blends seamlessly with the Museums Committee’s current focus on interpreting Kappa Kappa Gamma’s legitimate role within the women’s history movement and effective historic education and interpretation for various audiences. Claire began work at The Heritage Museum and Fraternity Headquarters on May 26 and works closely with Kylie Towers, Simpson, Archivist/Curator. In June they attended the General Convention in Phoenix, Arizona, and oversaw the launch of two exhibits – The Heritage Exhibit and Tradition of Leadership® – Education to Enfranchisement. Throughout the summer, Claire’s projects will include research on Kappa Kappa Gamma and women’s history, as well as the development of promotional materials for both Museums.
 Lucy First, DePauw & Claire Davis, Auburn Lucy First, DePauw, was selected as the Fraternity Headquarters summer intern in April. An English Literature and Religious Studies double major, Lucy will graduate from DePauw in the Spring of 2012. At Iota Chapter, Lucy is serving as the Recruitment Co-Chairman and is busy planning for formal recruitment in the winter of 2011. On DePauw’s campus, Lucy is the assistant sports director as well as a DJ for the campus radio station WGRE, 91.5 FM, calling football games and queuing up music for the campus and the town of Greencastle. Starting in the fall, Lucy will serve as an Ambassador, giving campus tours to prospective DePauw students and their families. While at Headquarters, Lucy’s summer duties will include Convention projects with the Communications Department, Leadership Academy preparations with the Education Department as well as assisting with special projects and staff support as needed.
The Fraternity Headquarters and Foundation staff is excited to have Claire and Lucy join the Kappa family this summer. Their organization skills, attention to detail and enthusiasm are an asset while they support the work of the Fraternity and Foundation and gain insight into the operation of a multifaceted professional office.
The Catherine Schroeder Graf Heritage Museum Internship is generously funded by the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. Both internships are 12-weeks and qualified Kappas may apply through Fraternity Headquarters by February 1.
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