Final reminder - Register for Convention 2009 Today!

Just wanted to take a minute to remind you all that registration closes for Convention 2009 tomorrow! Register today for your chance to celebrate with alumnae, actives, and founding sisters!

http://www.phisigmarho.org/Convention2009/

GET SET! Gamma Chapter and the Girl Scouts

On March 21, 2009, The Gamma Chapter at the University of Dayton kicked off a new program for the Girl Scouts. The program is called GET SET - Girls Exploring Today's Science, Engineering, and Technology. Although the event was on a small scale this year, it was a success. We had six girls attend the event, which included several activities. The girls started the day with a session to look at the past, present, and future of technology. They then were off on to a tour of the Chemical Engineering lab where they got to see some various manufacturing equipment such as an injection mold. Upon returning, they got an opportunity for some hands on science and created a non-Newtonian fluid known as Oobleck. They then had the opportunity to learn about the experiences of two female real world engineers that came to talk to the girls. They then stayed for lunch with the girls. The girls wrapped up the event with an activity to look at the various designs of can openers. The activities allowed to the girls earn the "Build a Better Future" badge. In the future, we hope to expand this activity to include more girls and more activities.

~Candice Kowicki
Gamma Chapter

Meet our new Executive Director!!!

Greetings everyone! My name is Colleen Bush, and I am the new Executive Director for Phi Sigma Rho. I am thrilled to be involved with the sorority again, and to be a part of such a hard working and dedicated group!

I grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio and moved to Columbus to attend The Ohio State University, where I became a member of the Kappa Class of the Beta Chapter. I graduated from OSU in 1996 with my Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, and again in 2000 with my Master of Science in Civil Engineering. I married my high school sweetheart Dave in 1996. I began my career in structural engineering in Columbus, designing large steel and concrete structures for bulk material handling facilities. In 2000, Dave and I decided to move back to Cincinnati to be closer to our families. In Cincinnati, I worked for a medium size consulting firm designing commercial and residential buildings. I maintained sole responsibility for the projects I undertook, including client acquisition, contract negotiations, and design documents.

After returning to Cincinnati, Dave and I started our family. We are now the proud parents of four fantastic children: Abby (6 years old), Katie (4 1/2 years old), Tyler ( 2 1/2 years old) and Jason (8 months old).

In November of last year, I made the decision to leave my job so that I could focus on raising our family full-time. I am very fortunate to have this opportunity and I feel that it is right for us. I love being with my children and helping them to learn and grow. At the same time, I am also excited about becoming the sorority's new Executive Director, so that I can continue to encourage and support the next generation of women preparing for their own careers in the technical fields.

Feel free to drop me a line any time to chat or just say hi. I'm looking forward to getting to know everyone, and building some great new Phi Rho memories together!


Colleen (O'Connell) Bush
Ohio State - Beta Alumna
colleen.bush.phirho@gmail.com

National Council Meeting Highlights 5/10

National Council meets every month via teleconference to vote on proposals, discuss our accomplishments, and look forward to what is upcoming in the next month. We'd like to share some of the highlights from our last meeting.

-VCU Colony approved, will begin education period in the fall with Colony Educator Marilyn Herczeg
-Convention planning going strong, each Council member will have responsibilities at Convention
-Welcomed two new employees to first Conference Call
-Amy Mazzanti will be staying on part time until Convention
-Budget estimates for FY10 are due 6/14
-Would like to see more chapters apply for travel subsidy by 5/16
-Alpha Housing Corporation was approved
-Working to determine a location for Conference 2010 to be announced at Convention
-2011 planning for Convention with Triangle has begun

If you have any questions about these topics, please e-mail president@phisigmarho.org.

Meet our new Director of Operations!

Meet one of our new employees, Phi Sigma Rho's first Director of Operations:

I grew up in Northeast Ohio. I graduated from The Ohio State University in 2002 with a B.S. in Industrial and Systems Engineering. I joined Phi Sigma Rho during my sophomore year (since I transferred to OSU) in 1997 as part of the Upsilon Class at the Beta Chapter. I lived in the house during my last 2 years at OSU and have many many fond memories!

I've held several jobs since graduation at McKesson in Richmond, VA, Limited Brands in Columbus, Ohio, National City Bank in Cleveland, Oh and most recently with Exel Logistics, which is based out of Westerville, OH but I work from home in Akron, Ohio. All of my positions have been focused on process improvements, project management and labor management. I am a Six Sigma Black Belt, a certified Project Manager (PMP), and am certified in labor standard methodologies. In August of 2008 I completed my MBA at Ashland University.

With all that being said, I've recently decided to quit corporate america! I have spent over 75% of my career traveling and away from my family and it's beginning to be too much to handle especially now that I have two little ones at home! I've decided to re-focus my life on the things that I place the highest value on. Although I'm going to be a full-time mom to Lucy (2 1/2 years old) and Gretchen (6 months old), I did not want to lose myself and everything that I worked for. The opportunity with the sorority came at a great time because it honestly answered my prayers of finding some middle ground! My best friends are my Phi Rho sisters and the older I get the more I realize what an impact Phi Sigma Rho has had on my life -- I honestly can't imagine where I would be today without the experiences I've shared with some wonderful women who have pushed me and challenged me to achieve more and to be a better person and a better mother. All of these women are, of course, my Phi Rho Sisters! I'm also blessed to have a supportive husband, Brian (can't forget to mention him!)

I feel privileged to be professionally a part of the organization that has helped make me who I am today and I hope to help Phi Sigma Rho continue to grow and provide similar experiences for many women to come!

Lisa (Preebe) Canterbury
DirectorofOperations@phisigmarho.org
Ohio State - Beta Alumna

Convention 2009 Registration - Less than a month left to sign up for the fun!

We are very excited to tell everyone that as of our early bird registration close last Friday, we have over 130 attendees registered for Convention 2009! This is definitely a great showing for the event and we're looking forward to seeing you there.

So far these numbers also include registrations from past National Council officers and some of our founders! Abby and Rashmi will both be in attendance, and they'll be joined by Christine Jackson, another charter member! Since registration is still open until June 1st, who knows what other surprises we'll have in store!

It's not too late, you can still register: http://www.phisigmarho.org/Convention2009/

News from the PSR Nominating Committee for the 12th NC!

The preliminary slate of candidates for the 12th National Council is complete and has been sent to all who are eligible to vote at the National Convention meeting. The candidates' platforms will be available to view in the "Sisters Only" section of the National website by Monday, May 11, 2009. A login and password is required and will be made available to voting delegates.

There is still opportunity for sisters who are not on the slate or who were not nominated to run for a National Council position. An individual sister, active chapter, or alumnae group may nominate other sisters, or a sister may nominate herself, by contacting the Nominating Committee for a nomination form. A sister who wishes to be considered as candidate will then be required to submit a platform to the Nominating Committee by June 1, 2009. The Nominating Committee will follow up with all additional candidates, which may include phone interviews. The final National Council ballot will be announced on June 15, 2009.

There is also still opportunity for sisters to run for a Foundation Board of Directors position. A sister who wishes to be considered as a candidate for the Foundation must follow the same process detailed above, with a deadline of May 20, 2009. Platforms submitted to the Nominating Committee for Foundation positions will be sent to the current Foundation Board of Directors. These candidates are not voted on by the general Sorority body, but are selected by the Foundation Board of Directors.

Please contact the Nominating Committee at nominations@phisigmarho.org with questions and requests for more information or nominating documents.