Preceptor Pi Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi met Feb. 12 at the home of Cindy Meitler. President Jeri Brozek led the meeting.
Brozek presented five Beta Sigma Phi International Endowment Grant Renewal Proposal, which were approved by the chapter. The grant renewal proposals for 2013, 2014 and 2015 included:
· $5,000 per year for the A/T Children’s Project for children with the rare childhood disease Atazia Telangiectasia causing progressive loss of muscle control
· $10,000 per year per country for the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation in the United States and Canada
· $5,000 per year for Hope for Warriors to help U.S. service members and families affected by injury or death in the line of duty
· $5,000 for Intermountain Children’s Home and Services providing residential and outpatient services for children with moderate to severe emotional disturbances
· $5,000 per year for Medical Teams International providing shipments of donated medicines and medical supplies for people affected by disasters, conflicts or poverty in more than 50 countries
The chapter received the news that member Janice Walker is eligible for the Preceptor degree. Her degree ceremony is planned for the first meeting in May.
Linda Jerke presented a Beta Brief from the Torch magazine about a California chapter member who survived a cardiac emergency after ignoring the first signs of a heart problem. Beta Sigma Phi International endows two “heart health” organizations that offer a wealth of free information to the public, Go Red for Women, a new division of the American Heart Association (www.americanheart.org), and the Mid-America Heart Institute, a nationally recognized treatment and research center (www.saint-lukes.org).      
Chapter members discussed plans for the Founder’s Day Celebration set for April 23 at Barton Community College’s Cavanaugh Room. Preceptor Pi will be responsible for decorations.
Preceptor Pi Valentine Fest: All 12 members of Preceptor Pi attended the chapter’s Valentine Fest Feb. 16 at the Classic Inn. Last year’s Valentine Queen Janice Walker crowned the chapter’s 2013 queen, Janis Link.
Preceptor Pi met Feb. 19 at the home of Susan Brown. President Jeri Brozek conducted the meeting. Linda Jerke presented a Beta Brief from the Torch magazine on the Valentine celebrations of Beta Sigma Phi chapters in McCalla, Ala.; Orlando, Fla.; Mission, Kan.; and Melbourne, Fla.     
Members set May 11 as the date for their Memorial Day Flower Sale. More information will be available at a later date. The chapter made plans to attend the Central Kansas Community Choir Concert set for 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 8, at First United Methodist Church. The choir is directed by Barton Community College vocal music director Vern Fryberger. Members will treat themselves to ice cream following the performance.
Linda Jerke presented the program on the FiberSpace Workshop she had attended Feb. 15 and 16 at Heartland Farm owned and operated by the Dominican Sisters of Peace west of Great Bend. The workshop demonstrated spinning yarn from alpaca and sheep’s wool, weaving, crochet and a combination of crochet and knitting called knooking. Participants also learned the techniques involved in each of these crafts. The day also included a tour of Heartland Farm, which is affiliated with the World Wide Organization of Organic Farms.
The next meeting of Preceptor Pi will be at 7 p.m. on March 5 at the home of Janice Walker, who will also serve as co-hostess and present the program.