Pi Beta Phi London/United Kingdom Alumnae

Sippin' Angels & Big Sisters in Britain

2011-07-10T13:36:00.000-07:00

Lyndsey, Kasey, Michelle, Julie at Le Beaujolais - June 2011

In a charming French-inspired restaurant, Pi Phis enjoyed catching up with old friends and meeting new ones at the first monthly Sippin' Angels event in June 2011.

We sipped on a variety of French wines, tasted delicious stinky cheeses, and talked about our experiences living in the UK as American expats with an additional common bond - Pi Beta Phi.

Not only do we share similar experiences, we recognise the need to support our sisters experiencing life abroad - whether they are students or alumnae. We recently kicked off a new programme called 'Big Sisters in Britain - Expat Mentors' that enables us to establish mentor/mentee relationships so we can share best practices and provide emotional support to our fellow Pi Beta Phi sisters. If you are interested in being paired up with a Pi Beta Phi mentor or if you would like to volunteer to mentor Pi Phi collegians and alumnae in the UK, please email mdrouse5.piphi@gmail.com.

Thanks to Kasey for recommending the lovely Le Beaujolais, and we look forward to seeing Pi Phis at our monthly Sippin' Angels event at different venues around London!

UK Panhellenic Event - Soho Walking Tour

2011-05-31T15:41:00.000-07:00

The UK Panhellenic group held a very fun walking tour and photo scavenger hunt around Soho on 7th May, 2011. Members from Delta Gamma, Alpha Chi Omega, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Delta Zeta, and several others joined in the fun!

This picture was taken at the French Protestant Church of London, which is the only one of it's kind in town!

If you are interested in participating in UK Panhellenic events, please join our Facebook page.

Pictured left to right: Jen (Delta Gamma), Kelly (Alpha Chi Omega), Michelle Drouse (Pi Beta Phi) and Jesica (Kappa Kappa Gamma). Photo taken by Heather (Delta Zeta).

Happy Founders' Day!

2011-04-28T09:33:00.000-07:00

Pi Beta Phi is 144 years young this year! Today, 28th of April, 2011, we celebrate the 12 pioneering visionaries who founded our amazing organization in 1867.

Please visit Pi Beta Phi HQ's You Tube channel to learn more about the history of our great women's fraternal organization.

Angel Spotlight - Kasey Lowe McCall-Smith

2010-11-09T16:25:00.000-08:00

The London/UK Pocket congratulates Kasey Lowe McCall-Smith on her recent marriage to Hamish McCall-Smith at the beautiful Hopetoun House by Edinburgh, Scotland.

Kasey said, 'a few Pi Phis attended including my sister, my pledge sister and another Pi Phi I befriended during my masters...all quite a good mix!'

We wish Kasey and Hamish a lifetime of happiness - ring ching!

In addition to this memorable year in Kasey's life, the London/UK Pocket nominated Kasey for the Carolyn Helman Lichtenberg (CHL) Crest Award for her outstanding personal achievement in her professional career.

Kasey has been integral to re-energizing the Pi Beta Phi London/UK alumnae pocket while serving as VP Event Planning/Membership in 2009-2010.

Kasey is dedicated to human rights law and has earned several degrees: BA in Architectural Studies, Juris Doctor, LL.M in international economic law, and she’s currently a Ph.D Candidate on the verge of finishing her Thesis on human rights treaties in international law at the University of Edinburgh, United Kingdom.

Her professional life has been dedicated to both serving as a legal practitioner as well as striving to be an ethical researcher and educator of international law. Her passion for human rights is inspiring as she has not only had numerous publications, book reviews, research assistantships, and conference invitations, she has also been an active lecturer and a coordinator of a peer assisted program for first year law students.

We are proud to nominate Kasey for this important Pi Phi award to recognize her outstanding professional contributions to further international human rights. Kasey is among 27 nominees from Pi Phi alumnae organisations and we are proud to announce that she was selected as a winner! Please join me in congratulating Kasey on this amazing achievement.

Happy 4th of July & Chick Flick

2010-07-04T15:28:00.001-07:00

Happy Independence Day Pi Phis! Enjoy celebrating the 4th of July with family and friends!

We are planning a chick flick evening on 9th of July to watch the newest Twilight Saga film called Eclipse. Please contact mdrouse5.piphi@gmail.com if you are interested in joining us! And feel free to wear express your love for Twilight with your "Team Edward" or "Team Jacob" t-shirt...you'll be among supportive fans!

Happy Founders' Day & Celebration

2010-04-24T16:04:00.000-07:00

We all lead busy lives with many demands for our time through our commitments and obligations to our families, work, church, friends and much more. However, within these demands lie opportunities. Opportunities to grow as individuals, learn from others and lead by example for our children.

Within our alumnae organizations and through our Fraternity, we also offer our members many wonderful opportunities — develop friendships with other Pi Phis, serve in leadership positions, develop personal and intellectual growth and make a difference in the lives of many others in our communities through philanthropic service.

Just as our founders formed a special bond and shared their dedication and passion with others in April 1867, we too can continue their efforts by choosing to be active members of Pi Beta Phi today and throughout our lifetime.

Please join us in honoring our founders and all Pi Phis who continue to live the core values of our Fraternity each day as lifelong committed members of Pi Beta Phi.

In honour of our 12 Pi Phi pioneering founders that started a legacy of special friendships, the London/UK Pi Phi Pocket will be celebrating with our Pi Phi friends living in the UK on 23rd May! Details are available via email at mdrouse5.piphi@gmail.com.

International Badge Day - 1st March

2010-02-24T09:52:00.000-08:00

Are you a Pi Phi or member of a Panhellenic sorority living in the UK? Then, don't forget that Panhellenic International Badge Day is coming up on 1st of March! Wear your badge that day and see who else in the UK shares similar social, leadership, and service experiences.

RSVP for International Badge Day here:

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=260907940325&index=1

Also, visit National Panhellenic Conference's website for details:

http://www.npcwomen.org/

Pi Phi Phiesta Was a Success!

2010-01-12T15:01:00.000-08:00

Thanks to the great group of Pi Phi alumnae for attending Pi Phi Phiesta! We enjoyed a great evening at the Texas Embassy at Trafalgar Square in central London. It was such a treat to meet Pi Phis living in the UK from many different chapters! We look forward to the next event in early 2010. Please email mdrouse5.piphi@gmail.com if you have any ideas for our next event!

Pi Phi Phiesta - Social & Service Opportunities

2009-09-14T14:13:00.000-07:00

Creating social and networking opportunities are at the forefront of the London/UK Pi Phi Alumnae Pocket's mission. As expats living in the UK, making connections with other Pi Phis helps us stay linked to a great organisation and support each other abroad. We are looking forward to our Pi Phi Phiesta fall event on 16th of October to mingle and network with fellow expat Pi Phi sisters at the Texas Embassy Cantina in London near Trafalgar Square.

In addition to social activities, we are supporting Pi Beta Phi literacy initiatives. Pi Phi's partnership with First Book is a fantastic opportunity to join efforts and support providing books to homes in disadvantaged communities. One easy way to participate in supporting First Book is to regularly "click to give free books" on The Literacy Site. Every click leads to free book donations on behalf of First Book and Pi Beta Phi, so be sure to visit the site and click often!

As an international group, we are also holding a book drive to support Room To Read, an organisation that supports literacy and education in a variety of developing countries. They partner with local communities throughout the developing world to provide quality educational opportunities by establishing libraries, creating local language children's literature, constructing schools, and providing education to girls. Through the opportunities that only education can provide, Room To Read strives to break the cycle of poverty, one child at a time. The books will be donated to Room To Read via Better World Books.

We are looking forward to a great networking and service event at Pi Phi Phiesta on 16th of October! If you are a Pi Phi (collegian or alumna) living in the UK and would like to attend, please email mdrouse5@gmail.com or request to join the London/UK Pocket Google Group.

Pi Phi Forever - US Expats in the UK

2009-07-23T03:47:00.000-07:00

When I joined Pi Beta Phi (Pi Phi) as a freshman in the fall of 1997 at the University of California, Irvine, I was looking for a home away from home. Little did I know that I'd be doing the same search 12 years later. Except, this time, I'm on the other side of the world in London, United Kingdom!

With over 80 Pi Phi alumnae living in the United Kingdom and countless Pi Phi collegians studying abroad, having an established international network of sisters is priceless. Although we all joined Pi Phi for different reasons and may have had different experiences as collegians and alumnae, we all share a common passion - to connect with educated women to engage in friendship, social/service outlets, networking opportunities, and leadership development.

Living as an American expatriate in another nation, on another continent is challenging. When I found out that I had to move from sunny Southern California to unpredictable London, I was nervous to leave friends, family, colleagues, groups, work, and a region that I knew so well. The idea of establishing new roots was daunting. But, I recognized that I had some tools that I had hoped would come in handy in the future.

I recalled my dark blue new member manual from the fall of 1997 with the words "Pi Phi Forever." At the time, I didn't fully understand that that meant. I've repeated these words as well as "Pi Phi for life" many times during recruitment (formerly known as rush) to encourage women to join my chapter, and in retrospect, I was using those words as marketing tools. However, after graduating and becoming an alumna advising chapters on the US west coast, I started to understand the full meaning of "Pi Phi Forever" and "Pi Phi for life." Pi Phi is truly more than just four enhanced college years - it can enhance the rest of your adult life. And for me, it really has.

Although I've only been in London for a short time, I've already connected with many Pi Phis living in the UK. I've met some in person, talked to others on the phone, and exchanged countless emails. Alumnae have offered to help me as I transition into London life and are excited about re-energizing the Pi Phi London/UK Alumnae Pocket.

With this renewed energy and leadership support from outstanding UK alumnae like Kasey Lowe from Arkansas Alpha who is serving as the Vice President of Event Planning/Membership, we are about to embark on the Pi Phi Forever journey. If you are a Pi Phi alumna living in the UK or a Pi Phi collegian studying abroad and are interested in participating in our group's activities, please email mdrouse5.piphi@gmail.com. We are planning quarterly events that are focused on building connections, friendship, networking and service. We look forward to your involvement! Ring Ching!

CALLING ALL UNITED KINGDOM PI PHIS!

2009-06-03T09:30:00.000-07:00

Are you a Pi Beta Phi alumna looking to get involved with your sisters in the United Kingdom? Then, join the London Pocket! Please contact mdrouse5.piphi@gmail.com to join.

Ring Ching!