Sometimes Life Throws You a Curveball (OR: What I've Learned In The Last Week)

Hey There, Sisters Whom I Love So Much...

My apologies for being just a day or so late on my Blog post... The past 48 hours haven't exactly been the easiest. My position with my company was eliminated; I lost job. My very first "big girl" job, right out of college. I was pretty well crushed... I've never been "laid off" or anything really even remotely along those lines. And quite frankly, I feel a little lost... Where do I go from here? Should I go back to school for my Masters? Why is the Ohio Unemployment website so un-user friendly? On the upside, I guess, I now have a lot more time on my hands, which I plan on spending with my Sisters when I'm not applying for jobs or going on any interviews.

But what this super crappy situation has made me realize, is that I am incredibly blessed. Even though I'm feeling pretty lost, adrift in a sea of uncertainty, so to speak, I have an amazing network of support who have made themselves known to me in so many ways. Not the least of this network have been my sisters. I have said it before, and I will continue to say it... I don't know where I'd be without my sisters. They are there for me in both hard times, and in times of celebration... there for me as a shoulder to lean and cry on, or as a congratulatory hug and handshake. I know that, no matter what, I will ALWAYS have them in my life. And that is something truly, truly special.

Sisters who are nearing the end of their college careers, I urge you... Do not simply graduate and leave your chapters. Stay in touch. Go back for Degrees or Homecoming, Alumni events or your Chapter's Charter Date Celebration... even for just a random Chapter meeting. Whatever it is... go. You will not regret it. And you will realize how truly special your sisters are to you.

And for those of you who still have 2, 3, 4 or more years left to go... Don't ever take your Sisters for granted. They will walk into your life when it seems like everyone else has walked out.

On a completely different note...

At this point, all chapters should have received your NCD Awards Packets in the mail. Please bring those, along with any questions you may have, with you to Leadership Workshop next weekend!! I am so, so excited to spend the weekend with everyone, and I will be there to answer any questions about Awards.

As always, if you have any questions, or ever need anything, please don't hesitate to give me a call, send me a text or shoot me an email.

So Very Much Love In The Bond,

Elise Mahr

Epiphany

My dear Sisters of the NCD!

So I have a confession to make... I missed my blog post...

Of course, I did this intentionally to help reinforce Catherine's blog post so that there would be an example of bad use of a planner..... Ok, not really, but it makes for a good reinforcer. Organization is extremely important, especially for a District Officer, but in life none of us would succeed if we didn't take care of our responsibilities!

That said, start off this semester well. Take Catherine's post to heart and make sure you are ready to rock this semester!

Now, that I have confessed my sin I would like to get to the point of my post. This one hits a little closer to home, and I hope it does for you as well.

A lot happened over holiday break for me, but the biggest thing is that I discovered something. As we get older we try to discover who we are in the world. Are we leaders? Who are our friends? Am I doing what I want? Break was when this really hit me. I started trying to find out who I was in the world, because I didn't seem to know anymore.

Now don't get me wrong. I wasn't depressed, more confused. I spent my break trying to decipher who the adult Anthony Greer is. In essence, who am I?

I made some changes in my life. I cut off a lot of my hair (I look very different) and purchased clothes that I could comfortably teach in this semester. But still something was missing, and I wasn't quite sure what.

During the last weekend before I went to school I auditioned for a major production of Les Mis in the Quad Cities, IL. I was SO nervous! I do theater all of the time, but this was much bigger than anything in which I had participated. I wanted nothing more than to play Marius in the production.

In short, 250 people auditioned, I received three callbacks, and was in the top three for the part I wanted. Monday I came to school with so much anxiety that I couldn't stand it. All I wanted was the call telling me I had gotten the part. I waited for what seemed like an eternity until Tuesday night when I received a response....

I did not receive the part. My stomach fell as I read the e-mail and I was pretty upset. I had spent a long time preparing and it all fell apart in a matter of seconds... But then, I realized something. I made it to the top three. Out of all the people who auditioned for my part, I had made it to the final cut. I shouldn't be upset, I should be proud. Me not getting the part wasn't a slam against my abilities. Rather, me making it so far proved that I don't stink!

This was a huge step for me. Suddenly, I felt that I had handled the situation like an adult... I was happy. The next day and for days after I walked around with a huge smile on my face. People noticed a difference, and I know I am better because of the experience.

Sisters, as you grow through your life there will be tough moments. We will all go through soul-searching moments where we are confused about who we are in the world around us. When this happens remember that we are stronger than we think we are. Support is everywhere around us, and the answer will come in a sudden, blissful moment.

I want to leave you with two things that should be very familiar to all of us. Take solace in these as we start a new year.

"Knowedge and development of your physical powers in the quest for good health and bodily perfection."

"Recognition and development of your intellectual potential"

I love you all!

Anthony

Fresh Semester, Fresh Start!

Hello there, NCD!

I hope everyone’s classes are off to a great start, and I know we’re all getting ready for lots of service projects, workshops, and sisterhood! Personally, I’m getting ready for Leadership Retreat, Blocks, and Convention! Tomorrow, my chapter (Eta Zeta) starts its first big service project of the semester – updating the practice rooms! Look for our before and after pictures online in the near future!

With the start of a new semester, I thought I’d take some time to talk about time management, especially as Sisters and musicians. For freshmen that are reading this post, I bet there some things you learned last semester NOT to do as a college student, am I right? Here are some quick tips about managing classes, rehearsals, performances, and TBS!

• ·      Get a planner and use it! A beautiful leather-bound planner doesn’t help you if it’s never opened.
• ·      Have a regular sleep schedule. Sleeping in on Sunday is a glorious thing, but it really throws your body out of whack for Monday morning classes.
• ·      Schedule practice time like it’s a class. If you put your practice time in your new awesome planner, it’s a part of your day!
• ·      Write down event dates at chapter meetings. When your Service Chair announces the date of a service project, make sure you get the information as soon as they announce it!
• ·      Plan for fun! College should be an awesome 4 (or 5, or 6) years of your life. Make sure you have time to relax with friends, and hopefully Sisters!

Second Degree with my trombone ladies! From left: Kristen, Me, Michaela, and Elani.

Leadership Retreat!!

New Year’s Greetings, NCD!

I am currently getting prepared for Leadership Retreat, which I hope you all get to come to! Here are some of the details for the day:

Date: February 2^nd

Time: 9:30am- 4:00pm

Where: Eastern Illinois University (Charleston, IL)

Schedule:

9:00-9:30 Registration

9:30-10:40 Motivating the Middle Part 1

11:00-12:00 Motivating the Middle Part 2

12:00-1:15 LUNCH

1:15-2:15 Chapter Operations (first 45 minutes), Awards (last 15 minutes)

2:30-4:00 Situational Discussions (small and large group)

Here is the content we will be covering:

Motivating the Middle: TJ Sullivan

I will be splitting the book into two parts. Lecture and Discussion based. Learn how to motivate those members in your chapter that need a little extra push or incentive. Here is a link to buy the book online for only $10! Curious how to Motivate the Middle? Follow this Link!

Chapter Operations:

Online Paperwork submission, how to use the Chapter Operations Handbook, and other useful tips for day to day chapter operations.

Awards:

Elise will be going over the awards packet and answering any questions chapters may have about filling out awards for this year.

Situational Discussions:

We will take situations/questions from those attending and pick a few to discuss (or all if possible). We will break into groups and have one group discuss a situation. We will then come together as a whole group and present what each group discussed. The results will be discussed as a large group.

I am very excited for this workshop session and think it will be greatly beneficial to all members, from those already in a leadership position to those sisters who are looking to gain a leadership position in the future. We are all leaders in some way, even if we do not have a “title” to show for it. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns (cmlund2@ilstu.edu), I'd be more than happy to chat!

MLITB,

Carrie Lund

The District Presidents at District Leadership Conference,
throwing sigmas, which they had to teach me how to do :)

Elise's First Post (OR: Why it's so awesome to be a TBS Life Member)

Hey there, NCD!!

I'm Elise Mahr, Tau Beta Sigma NCD 2012 - 13 Vice President of Special Projects! I guess I'll follow suit and tell you a little myself...

As of this past May, I can finally call myself an Alumni of Bowling Green State University and the Alpha Xi Chapter of TBS. I have a BA in Popular Culture with a minor in Psychology. I'm a Life Member and a member of TBSAA - and you should be too!! Currently I'm a leasing agent at a luxury apartment community in Perrysburg, Ohio (just a few minutes North of BG) with the Miller-Valentine Group, but I am working toward getting on with either a non-profit or a University doing some form of Human Resources or Public Relations. 

I'm a band nerd (naturally), a self-proclaimed "foodie", a Pinterest addict, a dog person, and lover of all things pink and cupcake-themed. I live in BG with my brother Nick, who is a Freshman at BGSU, and a member of the Falcon Marching Band Drumline (snare, for anyone who is interested). When I'm not working with my awesome fellow TBS NCD council or at my office, I'm usually baking something entirely too decadent, cooking something delicious for myself, Nick and boyfriend John to share for dinner, playing that stupidly addicting Trivia Game at B-Dubs with my Alpha Xi loves,or watching American Horror Story with some other old Alpha Xi Alumni sisters :-) 

Right now, I am finishing getting the Awards Packets ready to go for this year's NCD Convention!! I'll be going over the awards in depth at Leadership, and I'm MORE than willing to answer any questions you may have on applying for awards or anything else award-related. I have also been working on a means to help implement Scouting for Music programs throughout the District. Look for a SfM "buddy system" coming this Block season!! 

I'm loving the opportunity to serve on District Council once again, and I simply can't wait to see everyone at this year's District Events!! 

MLITB,

Elise Mahr

2012-13 TBS NCD VPSP

L to R: Katie Weiss, Megan Persinger, Elise Mahr
Me with 2 of my best friends and closest sisters at Alpha Xi's Second Degree - We're all old Alumni now!! 

Greetings from Kentucky!

Hello Sisters of the NCD, the Nation’s Classiest District!

I’m Catherine Hann, your Secretary/Treasurer for the 2012-2013 academic year!

I figured I’d copy Carrie and Anthony by introducing myself to y’all. Although I was born and raised in Bowling Green, OH, I’m a senior at the University of Kentucky, which means it’s perfectly acceptable for me to use words like “y’all” and to drink obscene amounts of sweet tea. At UK, I’m majoring in Arts Administration with an emphasis in Music Performance. My main instrument is the bass trombone, but I’ve also been known to play cello, euphonium, or sing in a choir if someone asks me. Last summer I interned in Special Events at the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts; right outside of Washington, D.C. So if you need advice about fundraisers or parties, I’m your girl!

This April my home chapter, Eta Zeta, and our brothers in Theta Epsilon will be hosting our District Convention. We are so unbelievably excited for this, and we can’t wait to share our hometown with y’all, so make sure you’re in Lexington for the weekend of April 5-7! The hotel, the Marriott Griffin Gate, is conveniently located at the I-75/ I-64 interchange, making it easy to get here from whenever you’re coming from. 

If your chapter has any questions, feel free to leave it in the comments or send me an email at catherine.hann@uky.edu.  Keep a look out for next week’s post from Elise Mahr, your Vice President for Special Projects!

Me and my dear friend Taylor, who happens to be a brother from Theta Epsilon!

Hello, NCD!

Hey, sisters! I'm going to copy Carrie a little bit and give you more information on myself. I am in my third year at Illinois State University, having just switched my major from Music Education to English Education with Spanish and Music minors. This is very exciting for me as I love literature and linguistics! With this I hope to teach English to high school students and work with a marching band. Eventually, I would love to get my doctorate in linguistics and teach at a university.

Currently, I am working on the CMEP document as well as how we can improve the CMEPs in our chapters! I believe that this program is extremely beneficial to our organization, and can do a lot for us! Also, I am working on a project that will increase communication between the VPMs in our district. I truly believe that we should utilize each other when it comes to educating our future. 

I could not be more excited for this next semester! Carrie has done an incredible job with organizing Leadership Retreat in February, and Blocks/Convention later in the spring are sure to be exciting as well! Make sure you mark your calendars and be sure to attend! 

Before I go, I want to encourage all of you to contact me with any questions about anything! Or, shoot me an e-mail if you just want to say hi and learn more about me or what I do. I love all of my sisters and would like nothing more than to get to know you personally! You can contact me at aagreer92@gmail.com

Happy Holidays and have a fantastic break!

Much love in the Bond,

Anthony Greer

The newly active Beta Delta rush class of the Zeta Alpha chapter and me.