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State Representative's Report
Travel Log: Approx. 8,000 mi. since October 1999
Perhaps the most popular question I am asked in my travels as State Representative is "How does it feel to be State Rep?" This report is to let you all in on all the little tidbits that make the position so special. It is important that you know how wonderful it feels to represent you. I also hope that by reading about what is going on around the state, you will be inspired to travel farther away from home and communicate more with others. So, check out all the places I have been, and maybe you will even find a bit of yourself somewhere.
October
After Convention, there was little time to recover from the excitement of being together. Two weeks later, I traveled to Saratoga Springs for the reception of Mrs. Lynch (State Director), Mrs. Allen (State Secretary), and Junior Advisor, Megan Pettingell. This was also the Installation of Officers for Saratoga Triangle. Their group motto was "Small but Mighty" and I couldn't think of a better phrase to describe the atmosphere. No matter how small a Triangle is, it is always possible to accomplish great things. We just need to keep our hopes alive and continue to reach for our dreams. Perhaps the most enjoyable aspect of the whole evening was the wonderful degrees displayed for the honorees. Mrs.Lynch was endowed with a new riding pony, Megan was dubbed an Indian Princess, and Mrs. Allen was showered with apples from her adoring pupils.
The following weekend I traveled a little closer to home to the Onondaga-Oswego District Reception for Mrs. Gates (Deputy State Director), Mrs. Wheeler (Senior Advisor), and Katie Smith (Junior Advisor). More degrees were displayed, befitting of each recipient. Downstairs after the meeting, dolls dressed as Triangle Girls were raffled off. Sadly, I didn't win a doll, but they were beautiful to look at and increased my Triangle Spirit. It reminded me of the days when I first joined Triangle and I dressed my own dolls up in white gowns and pretended they were in a Triangle meeting. Ah, the memories!
November Weekends
The first two weekends of November were totally devoted to Triangle Installations. On November 6, Lockport Triangle installed new BQ Becky DiPasqua. As always, I was very proud of the girls in my own district for their wonderful ritual and floor work. An extra special touch to the evening was the serenade given by one of Becky's favorite local bands. Although they had never heard of Triangle before, I am sure the impression Lockport left with them was a positive one.
The following day I was off to Astarte's Installation. Well, we had a little trouble finding the Pulaski Masonic Temple, so we arrived in the midst of the retiring ceremonies. One thing I enjoyed was watching the differences in the floor work and presentation of the ritual. Sometimes we take for granted how things are done in our own Triangles, and it may even seem like a chore after years of doing something the same way. When you view another way of doing it, it may seem strange at first, but it can be very refreshing. I think it is important to appreciate these differences because they are what give our organization its character. I would also like to give some recognition to Ms. Corliss, who did an outstanding job on her part as well. For a first time as Junior Deputy, you impressed my little eyes!
The next Saturday I was able to hang out with my own Triangle. Many of the Triangles are, or have been struggling lately, and Fidelity is no exception. For three years, Past Beloved Queens have been filling the station of BQ in the hopes of giving our younger members the chance to grow through the ranks. As the only age eligible PBQ left in our Triangle, I assumed the BQ position for the retiring ceremony and passed it on to Krystle Alley, Fidelity's first new BQ since 1996. It was a very special moment to see a new beginning finally arrive. Preceding the Installation, the girls put on a Term Dinner that raised over $200 for charities and gave the Triangle one of its biggest audiences in a long time. This included five prospects, who, in the next few months, were initiated into the Triangle, raising the membership from 6 to 11.
On Sunday, it was another road trip for Endicott's Installation. There was one consensus among my fellow travelers: walkie-talkies rule! Passing ideas back and forth is an excellent way to spend a car ride. As for the installation itself, the East was quite full as many members of the Jr. & Sr. Advisory Councils came out, as well as the newly installed Beloved Queens from the previous weekends. Additional officers from other Triangles were also present, making some sidelines full of girls in white, a beautiful sight.
Winter Chills
Well, with cold weather and lots of snow, my travel log is rather empty for the winter months. I did make it out to Glens Falls during the last week in January for the DeMolay Winterfest. With the other members of the Triangle contingent, we met some girls who were interested in starting a girls youth group in the Amsterdam area. If you were at Leadership Weekend, you know what happened with that exciting information!
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