ALI BANDSTAND
This philanthropy is very close to our hearts, because we do it in
memory of a sister we lost in 2003, Ali Kemp. We team up with many
fraternities and soroities to host a bandstand, which allows local bands to
perform, while we raise money for the T.A.K.E. Foundation, in Ali’s
memory. By selling t-shirts, donations from raffles and various
community supporters, we raise money for this charity. During the
event, Kansas State University students are able to enjoy the
entertainment, while also learning about Ali and the T.A.K.E.
Foundation. Roger Kemp, Ali’s father, comes to talk about the
Foundation, and we hold a candle light ceremony to remember Ali.
ARROWMONT
Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts began in 1912 as a Settlement School
and brough education, economic development and health care to rural
Gatlinburg, Tennessee. Pi Phi members were instrumental in promoting
the academic and industrial enrichment to area children, and the Jennie
Nicol Health Center was a model for other mountain health facilities
until 1965.
In conjunction with the University of Tennessee, Settlement School began
giving summer craft workshops that were highly successful. These
workshops developed into a year-round program of arts education. Today,
Arrowmont is an internationally known visual arts complex, boasting a
renowned faculty and international student body.
Courses offered at Arrowmont include beginning, intermediate and
advanced ceramics, fiber, fabric, metal, enamel, wood, polymer clay,
stone sculpture, painting, drawing, photography, paper and book arts.
Elderhostel Workshops, national regional conferences and night classes
for community residents enrich the lives of many adults in addition to
regular classes. Children benefit from special workships to augment
publich school art programs.
Special assistantships and Artists-In-Residence opportunities are
offered for talented artists wanting to enrich their skills under world
renowned professionals. Pi Beta Phi officers also use the facilities for
meetings and workshops, and many alumnae take advantage of Pi Phi Arts
Weekend in the spring.
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CHAMPIONS ARE READERS
The CAR Literacy Program was adapted by the Links to Literacy Committee
in 2003 using the creative concept originated by the Houston, Texas
Alumnae Club. The program is designed to serve as a
national/international literacy program that all Pi Beta Phi alumnae
clubs and collegiate chapters can conduct easily. Targeting children in
the 3rd grade who are at a critical juncture in developing both good
reading skills and a life-long love of reading, CAR supplements reading
activities already being provided in the schools and provides an
easy-to-administer program for teachers.
The CAR Program enables alumnae clubs and collegiate chapters to offer a
turnkey reading enrichment program to their own schools and communities
during a designated month of the school year and to provide incentives,
including a recognition ceremony at the completion of the program. The
program options are numerous.
The CAR Program can be used for one classroom or several, one time
during the school year or repeated at a later time in the school year.
It is specifically designed to complement other local literacy programs
that are currently underway by a club or chapter.
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ARROW IN THE ARCTIC
Pi Phi’s Canadian philanthropy provides support for the many branches of
the library systems in Whitehorse, Yukon and Yellowknife, Northwest
Territories.
At the 1967 Convention, the Canadian delegates voted unanimously to
adopt the Northern Libraries Project to commemorate the dual centennial
of Canada and of the Fraternity. The name, “Arrow in the Arctic” was
officially adopted in 1969.
While the Canadian government supplies adequate budget for the purchase
of basic books, there is little available for extras. Philanthropy
funds are used to purchase “talking” books and videos in English and
Inuit, the native language of the Northwest Territories. Reference
books, tapes and other audiovisual equipment have also provided for
educational programming. Items purchased by the Arrow in the Arctic
funds are often calculated among branch and community libraries.
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