Training week two is in the books! This week flew as we finished up our TME training, covered Pi Portal and GIN System training, and headed into expansion training.
Our expansion training provided insight into the extension process and the colony experience. I’m excited for our newest colonies being established this fall at Shorter University, Charleston Southern University and University of Louisiana at Lafayette! Kara, Rachel and Savannah will be stationed at these three colonies respectively, so make sure you follow their adventures and support our new colonization efforts!
Earlier in the week, our consultant class and some Executive Office friends took a day trip down to Macon, GA to visit our founding college and other historic sites. Wesleyan College, formerly known as the Georgia Female College, was opened in December 1836. Wesleyan is the oldest women’s college, so it is only fitting that it is the birthplace for the world’s oldest secret society for women! The college also boasts the world’s oldest alumnae association, begun in 1859.
We made a stop at Rose Hill Cemetery, the final resting place of our leading founder Eugenia Tucker Fitzgerald. Eugenia, along with her five friends, formed The Adelphean Society. These women were committed to the scholastic, domestic, moral and social improvement of the society’s members. Their dedication and vision would lead to an International organization, Alpha Delta Pi, and the later creation of other sororities.
Our next stop was the Cannonball House, a Macon home dating back to the Civil War area. The house holds the Adelphean Parlor with furnishings from the original (original what?) parlor at Wesleyan Female College. We also got a glimpse into the Philomathean Parlor, which holds the furnishings from the Philomathean Society also organized at Wesleyan College in 1852. The two oldest female societies in the world, Alpha Delta Pi and Phi Mu, are sometimes called the “Macon Magnolias” because of their common birthplace.
After a quick pit stop for lunch at a local Mexican restaurant, we made our way to Wesleyan College to check out its significant Adelphean landmarks (while walking off that queso dip!). While at Wesleyan, we saw our bronze commemorative plaque, the Memorial Foundation and the Adelphean Bench.
In our second weekend of training, we tackled finances and Panhellenic relations. From chapter budgets to how ADPi fits into the National Panhellenic Council, we learned more about how our international organization operates basically like a corporate organization – just with more sisterhood thrown into the mix! We also go to head to our manager Annie’s house for much-needed home setting and cookout (Shoutout to Grill Master Ryan for the delicious burgers!).
Our weekend closed with a trip to Peachtree City for a dinner with our “Macon Magnolia” consultant sisters. It was great to round out our day of Panhellenic Relations training by spending time with our Phi Mu sisters and enjoying a private concert by the David Borne Band (think Taylor Swift, Hootie and the Blowfish and “Sweet Home Alabama” till our hearts’ content).
It’s our last week at Executive Office and Memorial Headquarters! What a throwback it’s been to be living back in a house with sisters (still undecided on returning back to the Bunk Room/Sleeping Porch style of life). Looking forward to a fabulous last week of training!
I rounded out the week with the chapter’s spring sisterhood retreat where I facilitated a workshop on branding and image! Afterwards, I went with a couple sisters to help prepare for a gala event benefitting a local orphanage. The next day I said my goodbyes to Mississippi and hopped on my plane en route to California!
Life From My Pi Phone 