First of all...I had to BLOG my thoughts on this man, Newt Gingrich, who stated to at a banquet, "“To a surprising degree, we are in a situation similar to Poland’s in 1979." .....Poland was communist in 1979. This is one of the Republican candidates for the presidential elections in 2012. He also acknowledged having an extramarital affair with Callista Bisek, then a House staff member, while leading impeachment proceedings against Mr. Clinton for lying about his own sexual transgressions. (NYT) So, whats he do? MAKES A MOVIE WITH HIS NEW BOO ABOUT JPII. And speaks across the country about how, as a nation, we have lost touch with our faith....

I HATE politics.

Sorry about the rant Andrew.

On a relavent note, Hanna Emily and I (Em is sick) went this morning to help Isabel's House set up for the annual Oscar Night!!! Not a lot to say. We moved flowers, chatted with the president Francine & the rest of th regs, I realized my favorite flower is an Orchid, met some chicks from MSU. BASICALLY we ran into our usuall GOOD although bad problem of Isabel's House having toooo much help. So again this is a great great great program but our funds/help is sort of wasted when they have adult volunteers out the wazoo as well as a HUGE staff. I missed the kids today! I think that just playing with the kids is the best we can do so we are setting up a time (wont knowtill last minute) to make cookies (green icing st paddies day) when they get a few kids in!

Hope all is well - pray for some more morally sound presidential candidates.

- Amanda

Isabel's House Round 2

Since the Spring semester began Em and I have been visiting Isabel's House every Sunday (which it has been very nice) and this past week we got to hang out with an awesome 2 year old. We played House, had some tea, had babies, made valentines for our mommys, and played peek-a-boo on the playground!!! Needless to say it was exhausting but well worth it because at the end she ran over and gave both Em and I HUGE hugs (she has been there three weeks).
This semester we hope to volunteer weekly (which we have been doing), volunteer at The Oscar Night (further on this below), as well as throw holiday parties for the kids (problem is we dont knowwho will be there so it requires VERY last minute planning).
Unfortunatly, in some aspects Isabel's House is proving to be limiting Summit Project. After really getting involved and exploring a variety of volunteer options I would not reccommend for a future Summit group to take on this project. Although it is a wonderful cause this organzization is already surronded with lots of communit support as well as a full time staff who often themselves can not find anything to do (being a crisis nusury it is very unpredictable obviously) Also, sometimes volunteers is just another stress on the staff and they have adults who already volunteer weekly. The most important part of a volunteer's job is to be with the kids and help them forget "thier adult-like troubles" that they havebeen put into.
This semester I am really looking forward to helping out at this years Oscar Night which is the 27th of this month! Last year we attended but this time we willbe helping out behind the scenes!!!

My leadership role has been the same - talking to the Isabel House reps and letting the girls know whats going on. I am ON THE SIDE ALSO pushing pi phi to really "go green" this semester as well. I think we are going to ride the bus togther next next friday for Art Walk for a sisterhood!

Until Next Time

- Amanda

Spring Is In The Air!!!!

Since we've been back to school, I have gotten to volunteer twice with Isabel's house.  The greatest experience since we've been back has been hanging out all afternoon with 2 yr old, Madison in the sunshine.  It was a great day and it felt great just doing little things that made her so happy.  I think what kids, who come to Isabel's House, really need is just an environment that will keep them happy.  Having people around who just dedicate themselves to making them comfortable and happy means so much to children who unfortunately don't get that at home.
The biggest challenge with day-to-day volunteering at Isabel's House is keeping busy.  There's no way to tell how many kids, or if there will even be kids at Isabel's House before you come.  Isabel's house is so well run and organized that what they need volunteers for is just taking care of the kids.  But if there is only one or two kids, and six workers, there leaves not much for us to do while we are there.. there is only so much you can do before you become a hassle to the workers.
Sundays have kind of become the volunteer days for Amanda and I; I think I am going to try to start going on Fridays at lunch time to help the lunch crew out and get some more experience during a week day. I have a feeling that they may be busier during the week. But then again, theres really no way to tell.

Isabel's House has some great fundraisers coming up this semester that I'm preeeettty excited about. Oscar night is coming up on the 27th! I know all of us are excited to go (again) this year! We all had so much fun last year. And I think it'd be great if we go representing Isabel's House this year.  We are currently figuring out the logistics of what we can do.  Alsoooo this year we have some great projects to do with the kids at isabel's house.  So clues to let you in on what we are planning: there will definitely be cookie decorating, scavenger hunts,  easter eggs,  bird feeders, and even a bunny suit ;) I am really looking forward to this semester and the warm breeze coming back and some happy memories being made with the kids at Isabel's House!

Last semester was pretty frustrating because there was nothing we could do without those backround checks! We are all very hard workers and it was a shame that we had such a set back.  I think you will see from this semester that we know how to get things done! We are a creative bunch, and even though Isabel's House is a challenge for a Summit project, we will figure out a way to be successful guaranteed! : )

Happy springtime!

Signing off,
Em J

Spring is in the air

Another month has gone by...can't believe it. We have been busy getting in contact with Keke at Isabel's House to plan this semester's events. We still have our $300 so we plan on doing lots of fun things for the kids this spring. We are going to buy kites for the kids and take them outside and fly the kites with them. Then they can either keep them at Isabel's House or let the kids take them back home. We are also planning an Easter Egg hunt. (The Easter Bunny is going to make a surprise visit aka Emily Kessler). Also, for St. Patrick's Day we are going to have a treasure hunt with a 'pot of gold' at the end. Depending on the weather this hunt will be either inside the house or outside in the back. Some other ideas we have are decorating bird feeders or decorating flower pots and planting a flower in it. 

Oscar Night America is coming up too. We attended this event last year, but this year we want to try to volunteer at it instead. We really enjoyed it last year.

I hope that we can volunteer more regularly this semester with Isabel's House. We are hoping to really get to interact with the kids on a regular basis. Sometimes it is hard because they won't have any kids on some days. 

I am looking forward to the technology fast this semester. I think it will be a fun bonding experience for all of the Summiteers. As much as I rely on my cell phone and laptop I don't think it will be too hard to fast for 24 hours from them... especially with my wonderful roommates around to keep me company. 

This past semester has made me a stronger leader by teaching me important life lessons. Living in Summit I have learned a lot. It sounds stupid, but I had never had to do laundry or cook at home. I also learned how important it is to stay on top of the cleaning. It's a pain when it gets realllllyyyy dirty. I have learned how to live with roommates. We have all learned from each other. Also, the guest speakers we have had have really helped open my eyes to a lot of things. Like the police officer that spoke and the wellness program taught me how to relax in times of stress. All of these things will make me a better leader. 

I'm excited for some quality Summit time Friday night. Hopefully we won't be as wound up this time.

Adios,

Hanna

Hello Summit

Summit,

It is so nice to be back. It has been a busy semester so far but I like  because I never get bored. Summit is so beautiful when we have spring weather. There is nothing like opening up all of your windows and listening to the wind blow.  I am really excited this semester for Isabel's house because we have so many events planned, it will be AWESOME. Right now we are thinking about purchasing a bunny costume  to have during our easter egg hunt. With more great weather around the corner we are also thinking about doing a scavenger hunt and decorating green cookies for St. Patty's Day. We are are really excited for this semester and cant wait to spend more time with the kids!