Welcome to On Line Alpha
The History of On Line Alpha
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On Line Alpha - the First On Line Chapter, an Official Chapter.
On Line Alpha Chapter was formed from the efforts of many sisters of Beta Sigma Phi who gathered together on the Internet. Jill Korpal, Julia Gibson, and Irene Jarvis played a major role in starting OLA. By January 27, 1997, three on line chat rooms were formed, there were nominations for officers, committee chairmen were selected, and BSP International was notified of the desire of 75 sisters to form an on line chapter.
In February 1997, our name On Line Alpha was suggested by Linda Rostenberg. A list server was acquired for our own email list.
March 6, 1997 was the first meeting of On Line Alpha. Our new officers were Irene Jarvis, President, Denise Kennedy, Vice President, Susan Westerman, Recording Secretary, Julia Gibson, Corresponding Secretary, and Pam Robinson, Treasurer.
April 16, 1997 Denise Kennedy announced we were officially On Line Alpha. Our charter was not signed until September 15, 1998 by Bill Ross. Irene Jarvis, Denise Kennedy, Jill Korpal and Karen Ing received the Founders Award for launching Beta Sigma Phi and OLA on the Internet our first Founders Day. Click "Charter" to view the charter.
The installation of the first Executive Board of OLA took place in a AOL chat room. This marked the launch of On Line Alpha with more than 150 members. Irene Jarvis, our first President selected as her President's Theme, "Sisters with a Porpoise."
Sherri Brown formed a committee and started the OLA Secret Sister Program in May of 1997. We had 60 sisters participate.
By Laws, Standing Rules, and Traditions were proposed in April and ratified by the membership in September and approved by International in September of 1997.
OLA quickly grew to nearly 200 members. Soon we were Friendly Venturing new chapters on the Internet. The first two chapters were On Line Beta and On Line Gamma.
The first annual cookie/gift exchange was held by OLA December, 1997. Gifts and cookies traveled many miles to many sisters.
In February 1998 Reba Taylor was selected OLA Queen, Irene Jarvis OLA Sweetheart, Libby Brandon OLA Empress, and Julia Gibson OLA Princess - Congratulations.
Through our first year we celebrated births, weddings, anniversaries, and any more happy times together. We have gathered together in far away places and made new friends. We have grieved for sisters who have gone to be with God. We have been sisters true and true. We look forward to many years together through the Internet.
OLA History goes on
Officers for 1998-1999
For the second year of On Line Alpha the elected officers were: Karen Ing, President; Ginger Kieffer, Vice President; Irene Jarvis, Recording Secretary; Karen Sawyer, Corresponding Secretary; and Kathy Hershberg, Treasurer. Ginger Kieffer and Irene Jarvis resigned for personal reasons and were replaced by Carlynn O'Neil, Vice President and Sherrie Wood, Recording Secretary.
Officers for 1999-2000 and 2000-2001
Our officers were Marilyn Shaw, President; Kay Havig, Vice President; Mariann Chance, Recording Secretary; and Vanessa Wencl, Treasurer.
Officers for 2001-2002
Our officers are Kathy Hershberg, President; Karen Sawyer, Vice President; B.J. Ness, Recording Secretary; and Dee Carter, Treasurer.
Officers for 2002-2003
Our officers are Marilyn Shaw, President; Cheryl A. McVey, Vice President; Lori Davis, Recording Secretary; and Dee Carter, Treasurer.
Officers for 2003-2004
Our officers are B.J. Ness, President; Donna Mills, Vice President; Carlynn O'Neill, Recording Secretary; and Dee Carter, Treasurer
Officers for 2004-2005 and 2005-2006
Our officers are Donna Mills, President; Claudia Cordes, Vice President; Pat Bailey, Recording Secretary; and Carol Neel, Treasurer
Officers for 2006-2007
Our officers are Claudia Cordes, President; Carol Reese, Vice President; Cheryl McVey, Recording Secretary; and Carlynn O'Neill, Treasurer
Officers for 2007-2008 and 2008-2009
Our officers are Karen Sawyer, President; Carol Reese, Vice President; Cheryl McVey, Recording Secretary; and Janet Willis, Treasurer
Officers for 2009-2010
Our officers are Cheryl McVey, President; Dee Carter, Vice President; Rae Schwartz - replaced by Pat Bailey, Recording Secretary; and Dee Stellling-Parker, Treasurer
Officers for 2010-2011 - OLA is an Official Chapter
Our officers are: Dee Carter, President; Carlynn O'Neill, Vice President; Pat Bailey, Recording Secretary; and Dee Stellling-Parker, Treasurer
Officers for 2011-2012
Our officers are: Jane Morrow, President; Marilyn Samuel, Vice President; Gwendolyn Chapman replaced by Charlene Gibson, Recording Secretary; Dee Stellling-Parker, Treasurer
Officers for 2012-2013
Our officers are: Carol Neel, President; Dee Carter, Vice President; Ruth Miller, Recording Secretary; Cheryl McVey, Treasurer
Officers for 2013-2014
Our officers are: Carol Neel, President; Dee Carter, Vice President; Ruth Miller, Recording Secretary; Cheryl McVey, Treasurer
Officers for 2014-2015
Our officers are: Dee Stellling-Parker, President; Susan Westerman, Vice President; Marilyn Samuel, Recording Secretary; Cheryl McVey, Treasurer
Officers for 2015-2016
Our officers are: Gwendolyn Chapman, President; Heather Barker, Vice President; Marilyn Samuel, Recording Secretary; Dee Carter, Treasurer
Officers for 2016-2017
Our officers are: Gwendolyn Chapman, President; Ruth Miller, Vice President; Carol Neel, Recording Secretary; Dee Carter, Treasurer
Officers for 2017-2018
Our officers are: Rae Schwartz, Melinda Whitfield, President; Melinda Whitfield, Vice President; Linda Jonas, Recording Secretary; Dee Stellling-Parker, Treasurer
Officers for 2018-2019
Our officers are: Gwendolyn Chapman,President; Dee Carter, Vice President; Eizabeth Flowers, Vacant, Recording Secretary; Dee Stellling-Parker, Treasurer
Officers for 2019-2020
Our officers are: Gwendolyn Chapman, President; Dee Carter, Vice President; Linda Jonas, Recording Secretary; Dee Stellling-Parker, Treasurer
Officers for 2020-2021
Our officers are: Gwendolyn Chapman, President; Dru Brannen, Vice President; Dee Carter, Recording Secretary; Dee Stellling-Parker, Linda Irwin, Treasurer