Emma Harper Turner 2019 Award Winner and Finalists
The Emma Harper Turner Leadership Award is presented to an individual alumna who provided exceptional leadership that contributed to the success of her alumnae club on the local level. This award is presented in honor of Emma Harper Turner who established the Alumnae Department in 1893. With 2020 award nominations underway, we are highlighting the 2019 Emma Harper Turner Leadership Award winner and finalists.
To retain members and promote attendance at meetings and events, Blaine composed monthly newsletters which contained recaps of recent events and news about upcoming opportunities. As a result, attendance grew by more than 10%. Throughout her time as president, Blaine enhanced the club’s communication efforts. She personally called over 300 Pi Phi’s – updating the national list and forming a list of potential members. Afterward, she assigned a Beta Buddy to each potential member for contact throughout the year.
Laurel supports the club as a servant leader. In addition to preparing the club for future success, she cares for each individual member. She displays her Sincere Friendship by spending time with her sisters and cooking meals for sick or injured club members.
With an emphasis on fun and friendship, members showed up to more and more events. Long-time dues-paying members returned to the fold and several new members joined to take part in simple and fun events such as a chocolate truffle workshop, bowling party and fall wreath making. The Maryland-D.C. Club also partnered with other local alumnae clubs for shared events such as a joint luncheon with the Chesapeake, Maryland, Alumnae Club, a Literacy Ball with the Northern Virginia Alumnae Club and Founders’ Day with the Nation’s Capital - District of Columbia Alumnae Club.
Tish has the gift of leadership that unites generations of women together. Whatever task or project in which she chooses to participate, the rest of the group can be assured it will be an outstanding success.
Winner: Blaine Burton Stacy, Texas Gamma
Blaine has helped the Cypress Creek-Northwest Houston, Texas, Alumnae Club establish several programming initiatives throughout her time in the club. As President, she established a monthly happy hour interest group and activities like the Soap Box – which gave members the opportunity to talk about themselves in hopes of developing greater friendships – and the Praise and Prayer basket, which encouraged members to share their accomplishments and challenges with their sisters.To retain members and promote attendance at meetings and events, Blaine composed monthly newsletters which contained recaps of recent events and news about upcoming opportunities. As a result, attendance grew by more than 10%. Throughout her time as president, Blaine enhanced the club’s communication efforts. She personally called over 300 Pi Phi’s – updating the national list and forming a list of potential members. Afterward, she assigned a Beta Buddy to each potential member for contact throughout the year.
Finalist: Laurel Ricketts Klinge, Missouri Gamma
Laurel has served as President, Treasurer, Founders’ Day Chair and in countless other leadership roles to support the success and growth of the Southlake Area, Texas, Alumnae Club. She oversaw the club as it grew from 56 to 78 members and aided the Vice President of Programming in adding a second interest group to the club. Laurel developed the club’s long-term strategic plan and took many steps to ensure the club’s short-term and long-term success in recruitment and programming.Laurel supports the club as a servant leader. In addition to preparing the club for future success, she cares for each individual member. She displays her Sincere Friendship by spending time with her sisters and cooking meals for sick or injured club members.
Finalist: Catherine Scanga Ribaudo, Pennsylvania Zeta
In 2016, Cathy stepped up to serve as President of the Maryland-D.C. Suburban Alumnae Club. At times, the Maryland-D.C. Club has struggled due to the transient population and the busy lives of Pi Phis in this area. As President, Cathy organized a printed mailer, created new Interest Groups and activities, and scheduled reminders about upcoming events.With an emphasis on fun and friendship, members showed up to more and more events. Long-time dues-paying members returned to the fold and several new members joined to take part in simple and fun events such as a chocolate truffle workshop, bowling party and fall wreath making. The Maryland-D.C. Club also partnered with other local alumnae clubs for shared events such as a joint luncheon with the Chesapeake, Maryland, Alumnae Club, a Literacy Ball with the Northern Virginia Alumnae Club and Founders’ Day with the Nation’s Capital - District of Columbia Alumnae Club.
Finalist: Letitia "Tish" Mauldin Visinsky, Texas Beta
Upon graduation from Southern Methodist University, Tish joined the Dallas, Texas, Alumnae Club serving as the Junior Night Group Treasurer. Tish moved on to serve in many roles in the Junior Day Group, including Easter Egg Hunt Co-Chair, Programs Chair and President. During this time, Tish was also a devoted Alumnae Advisory Committee (AAC) member. Through her involvement with AAC, Tish has promoted membership in the alumnae club to recent graduates and more seasoned members.Tish has the gift of leadership that unites generations of women together. Whatever task or project in which she chooses to participate, the rest of the group can be assured it will be an outstanding success.
Know an alumna who provided exceptional leadership to her alumnae club in 2020? Nominate her for a Pi Phi Award! Nominations will close February 15, 2021. The full list of awards is available here.
Published January 11, 2021