Arethusa Convocation 1999

at Oneonta

In the spring of 1999 an invitation was extended to all chapters of Arethusa to meet for a conclave.

On April 18, 1999, the Sisters of the Iota Chapter sent representatives to the Delta Chapter at Oneonta for the purpose of reestablishing communication among the chapters and to discuss Arethusa’s future. 

AUAA President, Meredith Kaye, held an official business meeting to address these issues. 

She also conducted a “Non-Hazing” Workshop and suggested that a “New Membership”  Program should focus on Sister Bonding Activities.

“ Our goal for this meeting was to get the chapters talking, to get comfortable with each, and recognize that Arethusa Sisterhood extends beyond the individual chapter.  Hopefully this meeting bridged some gaps and will lead to more inter-chapter activity.  But also to encourage the undergraduates to combine and share their resources and eventually unite in process and procedures for Arethusa.  We ended up having a good time and we had some laughs.”

The outcome of the meeting was an exchange of current pledge programs and a commitment on working toward a “Non-Hazing” New Membership Program.

" One of my favorite parts of being in a sorority is meeting alumnae and hearing stories about how things used to be.  But I have recently discovered through two other experiences that it is Just as great to meet members and alumnae of other chapters and hear stories about how things are done there.

On April 17, 1999, Angela McMaster and I made a trip from Potsdam to Oneonta on a Sunday to meet their chapter members and alumnae.  We had a great meeting, discussing the differences between our houses.  We gave them some ideas about how we do things, and brought some of their ideas back here with us.

Although we were planning on leaving that night, we were having such a great time that we decided to spend the night so we could chat a little more.  We are hoping that this year sometime, we could have an exchange where all the houses can meet at one of the chapters, so we could all meet each other… " - Kelly Kral, I'00; The Fountain - Fall 1999