Squeezing out the last bits of summer while in the northeast, Connecticut Alpha Rozalyn Vanover Davila met outside to talk about her experiences with the Manchester Area Alumnae Club. Immediately after college, Rozalyn was not involved in Pi Phi. But when her high school best friend moved away to Minnesota, Rozalyn felt sad that she lost this connection and realized she needed to meet new girlfriends in her area. Rozalyn pondered what she was going to do and decided she would get back to the sisterhood of Pi Beta Phi. She attended a potluck – and that’s where is started.

After she had been a member of the club for a while, President Barbara Rua, Connecticut Alpha, asked Rozalyn is she was interested in serving as the Philanthropy Chair. She said “yes.”

One story that brings it full circle for her was when Rozalyn had her son in April. While in the hospital she received a package from the Read to Grow organization in Connecticut. The organization’s Books for Babies program gives out free literacy packages to every mother and newborn at 12 local hospitals to encourage parents to play key roles in the development of infants’ language skills from the start. Rozalyn was happily surprised to receive the package as she knows the Manchester Area Alumnae club has donated to Read to Grow, and now she was a recipient as well.

On the week I visited the club, they were preparing for a LuluRoe for Literacy event in which they sell unique clothing online to raise funds to benefit the Mary Cheney Library, a local library. For past few years, the club has partnered with the library by participating in their annual Dr. Seuss Party volunteering to craft with children, passing out snacks and even sharing information about Pi Beta Phi.

Rozalyn recently participated in training for Fraternity day of Service, which will be held in Hartford, Connecticut in February 2017. Rozalyn heard the plan for what goes on at the Signature Event and the impact it makes for the local community. Rozalyn will be serving as the Activities Chair and will help coordinate fun reading games at the event’s children’s fair.

She is grateful that Barb reached out to her about serving as a club leader so many years ago. By saying “yes” Rozalyn has been able to get involved and see how her commitment makes a huge impact on others.

 

To learn more about Pi Beta Phi’s upcoming Fraternity Day of Service Signature Events, visit our website: www.pibetaphi.org/fraternitydayofservice.