Sigma Alpha Iota

2015 National Convention St. Louis Voices of Experience, Voices of the Future sai-national.org • FALL 2015 • PAN PIPES 23 H I J K N O P S T U X Y Z Convention Honoree and past National President Ginny Johnson spoke aer the Welcome Luncheon meal and her inspiring speech is shared here. ank you to the National Executive Board of Sigma Alpha Iota for bestowing on me the honor as Convention Honoree. I never dreamed I would be in front of a convention body again, aer retiring as National President in 2006. From the theme of the convention, "Voices of Experience-Voices of the Future", I certainly know which "voice" I am. e theme for this segment of the convention is "Honoring SAI Traditions". Traditions of SAI come easily to me, for as a member for all of these years, many happenings in our fraternity are like second nature. I know they are to so many of you also. And, will be to all of you collegiate members as your years in Sigma Alpha Iota start to accumulate. Many active years in our fraternity have blessed me with contacts from members across our nation. In one letter I received many years ago from Charlyn Koster Moltane of the Orange County Alumnae Chapter I read these words of wisdom-- "How fortunate we are to be musicians: feeling the pulses and melodies within us, performing and sharing with others. Some may say we are angels, but we know we are shepherds. We help lead others to the wonders of music." And that is what this fraternity does as we support music around the world, in our community, and on our campuses. What a wonderful tradition to carry on! Because you said, "Yes" to the invitation to join SAI, you took on the tradition of sharing music through your relationships with the sisters and through the musical activities of your chapter. It is a tradition of Sigma Alpha Iota to say "YES" when asked to do something for the fraternity… chair a committee, share a musical talent, or take an office. is is how you start on the path of the art of leadership in an organization. It is through service to that organization and always putting each other first, not yourself, that makes you a worthy leader. In any situation, first one must think of how your actions would affect the Fraternity---how they affect the chapter—pro or con. Ego has no place in true leadership. By saying "Yes" when I was asked to be president of an alumnae chapter I began my path to becoming the National President for 9 years. In the "career of SAI" (as a sister of mine calls it), "yes" was said to the request to become a Province Officer, to be a recorder in a leadership conference for Province Officers, to run for the Vice President of Extension, and to run for National President. In all of these positions, because I followed the tradition of thinking of the Fraternity first, I had the privilege of being a shepherd to all members of SAI through many wonderful happenings!!! I was instrumental in making the Golden Centennial Celebration become a reality. What a convention that was! Actually it took two terms to plan it. en during the last term of my office Sigma Alpha Iota Fraternity got its permanent home at One Tunnel Road, Asheville, North Carolina. at acquisition grounded our Fraternity, physically. And, if you have not visited our National Headquarters, I encourage you to do so. You will be thrilled! But, it was grounded with many wonderful traditions from 1903 at the founding to now and will be as Sigma Alpha Iota continues to be strong in the years to come. Traditions formed by those members who came before us have kept us supported so that we are unified at the present time. All of you here are so very important to this fraternity. YOU are the conduit from those years of shaping and discovering what SAI is to be to what it will be in the years to come. If it were not for you, and the dedication you have to our Fraternity, SAI would lose its momentum to the future years of service to the music world and to its members. Remember—You are what makes the present time move into the future of Sigma Alpha Iota. Every time you follow a visible tradition like giving a rose to an SAI performer or speaker, you are supporting the future of this fraternity. Even through a small thing like sharing a red rose you are reminding all SAIs present the importance of our fraternity flower in the initiation ceremony and in showing the loyalty we have for all sisters. Red roses can bring back many memories to most of you here, I am sure. And thank goodness for the tradition of having a convention every three years! It keeps us connected and inspired as we relive our initiation ceremony and visit with members whom we see only at this traditional gathering. We have workshops to better our lives in fraternity opportunities and presenters who will motivate and inspire you. And we hear music that will fill your soul. It is up to each and every one of you here and your chapters back home to keep all of our traditions alive. We thank those that created for us all of the things that make us SAIs. May we be ever mindful of these traditions as we lay the ground work for the future members of Sigma Alpha Iota. You are preparing the support system for the many generations of sisters to come who will carry on the values and importance of our great Fraternity. What a privilege this is and as you go on in your "career" of SAI, enjoy each and every tradition you encounter. May the traditions in our sisterhood be with you now and for many years to come! Be aware of them as this convention progresses. I challenge you to make a list of the traditions and then consciously keep them going back home in your chapter—year aer year, aer year. Hummm…so far I have: Giving a red rose Initiation ceremony Saying the Pledge Singing the Chorale Wearing our badge Having loyalty to each and every sister Supporting all phases of Music Education Performing with excellence Saying "Yes" when asked to do something Attending convention…. And I am still writing. Let me know how many you have on your list and then keep those traditions alive and fresh in your many days of Sigma Alpha Iota. ank you for letting me share with you the love I have for the Fraternity and its many traditions. I have been so blessed by being a member of Sigma Alpha Iota. May I never take it for granted. May you do likewise.

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