Sigma Kappa - University of Kansas

H H H sigma star Page 2 Caren has been an advisor for Xi Chapter for 26 years and serves in many capacities. Her three main roles are as the recruitment, finance, and family activities advisors. Having served as vice president of membership in college, recruitment is Caren's passion, and she has found it rewarding to see the members' hard work pay off. Although math has "never been my thing," after serving as finance advisor for many years, she's learned the process and has been able to help members understand their budget. "The vice president of finance usually has some sort of interest in accounting, management, or finance. Seeing that person apply what they're learning in school to managing a budget that's $100,000 and what that entails has been fun for me," Caren said. In addition to these roles, Caren advises the vice president of new member education, house manager, and COB chairman. A couple of Caren's favorite memories from Xi Chapter are celebrating the chapter's centennial and the summer the third floor was added and the first floor was renovated. "I loved being part of two really historic events for the chapter. The long history of Xi is one of my favorite things," she recalled. Caren has loved working with and supporting the different officers, witnessing their personal growth and leadership development, and watching the chapter develop as a whole. It is important to Caren to volunteer with Sigma Kappa, but to financially support the sisterhood as well, as she views the sorority as a philanthropic organization and knows it has great use for donations. Serving Sigma Kappa has helped in Caren's own leadership development. She has not only trained by working with Xi but has also attended many leadership conferences and seven conventions. As a volunteer, she's found that she doesn't need to be hands-on but rather serve as a cheerleader and coach. Caren's family is tied together by Greek life. Her husband was in a fraternity, and her son joined one in college as well. Even their dogs over the years have had Greek-letter names! When Caren's son was born, she had the opportunity to be a stay-at-home parent. Since then, she has been what her mom calls "a professional volunteer." She served as a PTA officer when her son was in elementary school and has been president or officer of several HOAs where her family has lived. "Sigma Kappa has given me that desire for service and to be actively involved in my community." When she's not volunteering, Caren loves planting and taking care of flowers, keeping up with politics, and watching movies. You can connect with her at carenbrandenburg@gmail.com. Desire for Service (Continued from page 1) Triangle Society ($1,000 and above) Eleanor Major Berkley '54 Deanna Dalbom Weeks '62 Lauren Bennett Cameron '66 Judi J. Polson '74 Dove & Heart Society ($500 to $999) Julianne Sawyer '54 Mary Hibbert Patch '68 Mabel Dunbar Liebert '69 Diane McCarthy Knowles '71 Janet Schulenberg Wiens '78 Christy Cain Nielson '92 Erin L. Brown '03 Violet Society ($100 to $499) Martha Miller Koch '48 Betty McLain Brown '62 Barbara Musgrave Kerns '65 Harriet Tia Justus '67 Gail Johnson Scott '69 Amy Wallner Ward '85 Megan Kopff '05 Mystic Bond Society (Up to $99) Nicole Jenks Zipperer '08 Thank You, Generous Alumnae! E ach contribution we receive from our loyal donors helps us make Sigma Kappa's dreams a reality. So far, our sisters have raised $3,560 in response to our spring 2023 appeal! You can join your sisters below by visiting tinyurl.com/xisigmakappa and making a gift today. Thank you for continuing to make Xi Chapter a priority! Catch Up with Judi Polson '74 Judi continues to serve as a board chairman of the New York City Chapters of the National Organization for Women. In July, she also found time to participate in the ERA Centennial Celebration in Seneca Falls, N.Y. She also enjoyed traveling from her home in NYC to Santa Fe, N.M., to attend a family reunion in August. Email: jpolson@nyc.rr.com Make a gift online and join your sisters. tinyurl.com/xisigmakappa

• Cover