Sigma Alpha Iota

Fall 2020 2 P A N P I P E S Dear Readers, O h, 2020. It's keeping us on our toes, isn't it? In my case, it's actually keeping me off my feet altogether. Just as we were finishing the summer issue of PAN PIPES, I took a tumble and broke one of my legs. After a surgery, a few months of stay-at- home recovery, and an impressive amount of new metal hardware, I am thankfully on the mend. I've continued on with my daily activities as much as possible, despite the need for numerous adaptations and much help from my wonderful friends and family. While my situation may have an extra health obstacle to consider, it's one example of having to adapt to the changes around us and is right in line with what many of you have had to do at work and at home due to the Coronavirus pandemic. We've shared a few of those stories in this issue, including tips for online teaching, finding new inspiration for creating music, supporting music making with online fundraising, and publishing a new resource for children. This is also our annual awards issue, and we proudly share the accomplishments of our sisters with all of you. A few past recipients of SAI Philanthropies, Inc. grants share their experiences throughout the section; be sure to look for those and any possible opportunities you may wish to pursue in the future. As always, PAN PIPES welcomes input from our readers. If you are interested in sharing a story, interview, or potential topic, please contact me at: SAIPanPipesEditor@gmail.com SAI Roses, Christine Bruns, Editor A WORD FROM THE NATIONAL PRESIDENT EDITOR'S NOTES Dear Members of Sigma Alpha Iota, I hope that you and your loved ones are safe and healthy as we continue to adapt to the world around us. At the beginning of 2020, we had no idea what the future held for us. Since then, we have faced unprecedented events, but we have become stronger together as we have met those challenges head on as an organization; we will continue to do so. I must recognize the amazing efforts of the members of the National Executive Board, who have all spent countless hours working to move the fraternity forward. I particularly want to thank Tracey Wygal Withrow, NVP Ritual and Fraternity Education, and Jessica Chichester, NVP Collegiate Chapters, who worked nonstop over the summer to make sure the fraternity was ready for the beginning of the fall semester. Instead of being hampered by the necessity of going virtual in most aspects of our lives, we have embraced new technology in an effort to get our spring 2020 Members-In-Training initiated so that they may start participating in chapter activities. With Tracey's ingenuity, we have continued to present our various awards to deserving members, as well as affiliate alumnae members into our chapters. Even in a pandemic we have much to celebrate while we continue to grow! Continuing on the theme of change, the National Executive Board is committed to embracing our members' diversity and to making our Fraternity more inclusive. There is much work to be done to ensure that our Fraternity is a positive environment where all members feel included, respected, and celebrated. Our hope is that the scope of our new Director of Diversity and Inclusion will meet the needs of our members while functioning within the context of our mission to encourage, nurture and support the art of music. More information about our newly appointed Task Force will be available in a future edition of Tempo! In this edition of Pan Pipes, it is with great pleasure that we announce the national award winners for the fraternity year 2019– 2020. Despite the world shutting down around us, SAI members continued to accomplish great things! What an inspiration these members and chapters are for their institutions, their communities, and other SAIs. Brava to all! As you know, our next National Convention has been rescheduled for July 28 through August 1, 2022. Please make plans to join me and all of our sisters in Greensboro, NC for a true celebration of our Fraternity and our sisterhood. The path forward may not be smooth, but change never comes easy. Things may look and feel different this year, but we can find strength and purpose in our National Objectives. Regardless of where our paths may lead, we have each other, our music, and our sisterhood. I am excited to see what we can accomplish this fraternity year! Fraternally, Leslie Odom Miller, National President

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