About Us

3:00 Early check-in/Marketplace set up

3:00pm - 6:00 pm Registration/Marketplace set up

6:00 pm Cocktail Hour

Marketplace Open

7:00 pm Cocktails in the hospitality suite

Marketplace is where vendors can display their products for sale or chapters can do their "unraffles" as a ways & means products.

Marketplace will be open 30 minutes before meals and 30 minutes following meals

6:00 am Morning Meditation

8:00 am -9:00 am Breakfast 

 Opening Ceremony 

Greeting from International

Introductions, Agendas & Socializing 

9:30-10:15 Gremler Financial

10:30 - 11:15 Alzheimers Assoc

11:30 Lunch

1:30 - 2:15Symposiam

2:30-3:15 Service Projects

Birthday Cake/Janes Closet

3:30-5:00 Workshops or

Free time

5:00 PM GREEK NIGHT - Wear your Toga

Cocktails & Hors 'd oeuvres

Marketplace

6:00 - 7:30 pm Dinner

Grace, Announcements, State Service Project

7:00pm-9:00pm Toga Party

Provided by Hotel - we will gather in the meeting room to dine together

TBD

Cocktail Hour: 

Dinner:

Dessert & Coffee:

9:30 am - 11:30 am Brunch

Provided by Hotel - we will gather in the meeting room to dine together

Meeting Agenda:

State Service Project Presentation

Closing Ritual

Raffle announcements, bid for future years, awards, closing ceremony

11:30 am - 12:30 am Social

Connect before you leave!

Everyone Loves their Birthdays! Our service project this year will be providing Birthday Kits for Food Pantry's across the state.  Start collecting needed items to bring to the Service project:

Boxed Cake Mix

Can of Soda (Sprite, 7UP, Root Beer, Orange, etc)

Can of frosting

Box of Birthday Candles

Dear Iowa Sisters:

For most of us, the “Right Place to Be” is at home with family and loved ones.

Unfortunately, that is not always possible for individuals who live in situations of

abuse, neglect, and personal violence. Due to the kind hearts of those who

belong to Beta Sigma Phi, this organization sponsors a state service project each

year to reach beyond our local communities and focus. This year (2024), Jane’s Closet

was selected as the state service project. Jane’s Closet is a program started by

and completely run by students of Buena Vista University. It serves children in

northwest Iowa who are removed from their homes on an emergency basis.

Imagine, if you will, being suddenly pulled from the only home and family you

have known. You are not told why, where you will go, or when/if you will return.

Confused, frightened, alone, clinging to your siblings, you do not know what will

happen tomorrow. Unfortunately, this is the situation for countless children in

Iowa.

Many of these children are relocated into emergency settings and arrive at foster

homes with no clothes or supplies. While we may worry about all children, of

particular concern are teenagers. This population has often served as the

caregivers of younger siblings, are often overlooked as they do not pull at the

emotional heartstrings as infants and toddlers (How often are our hearts tugged

by looking into the eyes of a baby?), and by nature of their developmental stage

struggle with the need to fit in and not be “different”. One effort to serve

children/teens of Northwest Iowa in this situation is Jane’s Closet. Items

donated are made available free to foster parents and youth so individuals can

“shop” for items they want or need. Choosing the clothes one will wear gives a

youth some control in a situation where s/he has little or no power. Beta Beta

chapter became founding sponsors of Jane’s Closet since its inception. The

chapter’s focus has primarily been on providing for teens and began with an

emphasis on underwear. Beta Beta believes no one should be forced to wear

another person’s used underwear. While underwear remains a primary focus,

needs have expanded to other areas such as hygiene and personal supplies.

As a small chapter, the sisters of Beta Beta know how hard it is to make a

financial donation when a chapter has a limited treasury. You want to help an

especially worthy cause but are simply unable to do so with few treasury dollars

to spend. Beta Beta chapter has an alternative solution. It is challenging your

chapter to become a member of our Nifty Fifty Club.

Frequently giving an item is more appropriate for a chapter than a financial

donation. Now, don’t get us wrong... we love money! Money is always needed –

especially if you consider a project such as Jane’s Closet receives NO outside

funding, grants, or government support. Beta Beta members also promise that

any funds received will go directly to purchase items for youth in need. If,

however, a fiscal donation is a challenge for your chapter we urge you to

consider our proposed alternative – the Nifty Fifty Club. Chapters are challenged

to gather a minimum of 50 items to be put to direct use at Jane’s Closet. As you

can see from the enclosed list, items of need are primarily focused on teenagers

and deal with health and hygiene. Items can but need not be all alike. For

example, a chapter may collect 20 pairs of socks, 5 backpacks, 10 lip balms and

15 deodorants. This would complete the challenge. Likewise, 50 sports bras

(regardless of size) would meet the challenge. If each member of your chapter

gives a couple of items, the challenge will be met with ease. Items could be

gathered over several meetings so there is no major hardship for members. This

is a perfect reason to search discount stores, clearance sections, and even those

wonderful finds of perfect items at garage sales! Donated items would be

brought/sent to the 2025 Iowa Beta Sigma Phi Convention. (Information about

support of transporting items will be provided at a later date.) At the convention

donated items will be displayed and chapters will be recognized in a special way.

This year’s service project is a way for every chapter to shine. Think what it

would mean if every chapter met the challenge of donating. With more than 100

chapters in Iowa we can make a real statement. Please help us prove that Iowa

sisters care about its youth and support efforts to help young people get on the

right path in life – regardless of how situations may challenge their journey.

Show us you believe all children and teens have the right to their own underwear,

warm socks, clean hair, and access to tissues to wipe away some of life’s tears.

Become a member of our Nifty Fifty Club and make a difference – not for today

but for tomorrow.

Gratefully,

Sisters of Beta Beta Chapter.

Ideas for Items Needed for Jane’s Closet

Clothing related items – all sizes needed

 Socks

 Sports bras (any size)

 Under shirts (boys/men)

 Panties (not risqué)

 Men's underwear (boxers/briefs/legged)

 Gloves/mittens

 Hats/scarves

Toothbrushes

Toothpaste

Floss

Shampoo/Conditioner

Plastic disposable safety razors

Shaving cream

Lip balm

Hand sanitizer

Antibiotic ointment

Sanitary supplies (tampons are good – pads are better)

Facial tissue

Hair scrunchies

Band-Aids

Deodorant

Lotion (body/hand)

Hairbrush/comb/hair pick

Backpacks

Bedsheets – Twin size are best

Bath towels

Sisters in Beta Sigma Phi: The members of Beta Beta chapter are excited. Last year you heard us tell the story of Jane’s Closet – a local organization which provides for the needs of children and youth who are placed in emergency foster care in northwest Iowa. You listened with open minds and hearts and agreed to support Jane’s Closet as the 2025 Iowa state service project. We provided information including a list of needed items. We also challenged chapters to accept our 50-50 Challenge by collecting 50 needed items to support the tangible needs of youth served by Jane’s Closet. We have been excited to hear from multiple chapters across the state and are optimistic about the possibilities your chapter is helping to create.

Now, as the time for convention draws closer we need to finalize some details. Of course, we hope all members are able to come to the convention in June. Realistically we know that will probably not happen. If your chapter has decided to make a fiscal donation (Have we told you lately that we LOVE money?), you may send it to Beta Beta Chapter, c/o Robbie Ludy, President, 401 S. Howard St., Newell, Iowa 50568. A final amount of funds gathered will be announced at the convention and presented to a representative of Jane’s Closet.

Donated tangible items will be a part of a special display at the convention. Of course, this means we have to get those items to the convention location. For this to work, we need to do one of the things we do best – work together! Beta Beta chapter is committed to getting all donated items to the state convention for a special display of what Iowa Beta Sigma Phi sisters can do when they set their mind to a task. Beta Beta sisters are willing to have someone drive and pick up items across the state. Of course, it would be helpful if chapters in the same general area could arrange to have items at a shared location. Since Beta Beta chapter is in northwest Iowa we would like to travel and pick up items as efficiently as possible. We want to make this work and will help chapters connect or arrange drop off/pick up locations. Together we can gather an amazing show of items for Jane’s Closet. If your chapter needs additional information or help, please contact Robbie Ludy at 712-291-2519. Please be assured all chapters making any form of donation will be a part of a special display at the convention.

We are in the final days before we gather for an amazing opportunity of sisterhood. This is also a chance for us to make a real difference in the lives of young people who find themselves in emergency foster care. You said you believed in this service project. Now is the time to show that you mean it. Feel free to contact Robbie Ludy (712-291-2519) if you need help or have additional questions. Now is the time for your chapter to make a difference.

Healthy Living for Your Brain

For centuries, we’ve known that the health of the brain and the body are connected. But now, science can provide insights into how to make lifestyle choices that may help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age. Join us to learn about research in the areas of diet and nutrition, exercise, cognitive activity and social engagement. Use hands-on tools to help you incorporate these recommendations into a plan for healthy aging.  

10 Warning Signs of Dementia

 Alzheimer's and other dementia cause memory, thinking, and behavior problems that interfere with daily living. Join us to learn how to recognize common dementia warning signs, how to approach someone about memory concerns, the importance of early detection and benefits of a diagnosis, possible tests and assessments for the diagnostic process, and Alzheimer's Association resources.  

Forum is provided by:

Erica Eikren (she, her, hers) | Program Manager | Alzheimer's Association, Iowa Chapter | phone: 515.414.8124 | 24/7 Care Team: 800.272.3900 | ereikren@alz.org | alz.org/iowa
The Alzheimer's Association®, we believe that diverse perspectives are critical to achieving health equity — meaning that all communities have a fair and just opportunity for early diagnosis and access to risk reduction and quality care. The Association is committed to engaging underrepresented and underserved communities and responding with resources and education to address the disproportionate impact of Alzheimer’s and dementia. 

Introduction: Securing Your Financial Future

• Why financial and estate planning matters at every stage of life

• How planning now ensures protection, security, and generational wealth

• Key themes: Avoiding financial pitfalls, maximizing tax benefits, and safeguarding assets

1. Death Planning & Estate Protection

A. Wills vs. Trusts: Understanding the Differences

• Will: What it does and what it doesn’t

• Trust: How it works and why it may be better for some

• Which is right for you? Factors to consider

B. Probate & Probate Avoidance

• What is probate? Definition and purpose

• Costs of probate: Fees, timelines, and legal expenses

• Example scenario: If an estate is worth $1M, what are the total fees and timeline?

• Strategies to avoid probate: Beneficiary designations, trusts, and direct transfers

C. Power of Attorney & Advanced Medical Directives

• Power of Attorney (POA): Who should have it and when it’s needed

• Medical directives & living wills: Protecting yourself in medical emergencies

• How often should these documents be updated?

D. Estate Planning for Wealth Transfer

• Passing wealth to loved ones efficiently

• Avoiding common mistakes that lead to estate disputes

• How to ensure tax-efficient wealth transfer

2. Tax Planning: Get the Most Out of Your CPA & Financial Plan

A. Key Tax Strategies

• Understanding tax brackets: Federal vs. state tax rates

• Roth IRA & Roth conversions: Maximizing tax-free distributions

• Taxation in Iowa vs. states with no income tax

B. Estate & Retirement Tax Considerations

• How tax planning impacts your retirement income

• Minimizing taxes for your heirs

• State and federal estate tax thresholds: Do they apply to you?

C. Coordination Between CPA & Financial Planner

• Is your CPA working with your financial advisor?

• Strategies to reduce overall tax burden through investment and estate planning

3. Investment Planning: What You Should Do Now

A. Investing in Different Economic Cycles

• Growth vs. recession: How to adjust your strategy

• Inflation and investment impact

• Strategies for navigating volatile markets

B. Asset Allocation & Diversification

• What is the right mix for your risk tolerance and goals?

• Stocks, bonds, real estate, and alternative investments

• Avoiding costly investment mistakes

C. Keeping Fees Low & Understanding Fiduciary Responsibility

• Understanding the fees you’re paying

• What is a fiduciary? Definition and why it matters

• How to find a trustworthy financial advisor

4. Putting It All Together: Creating a Coordinated Plan

• How estate, tax, and investment planning work together

• Checklist for updating your plan every few years

• Steps to take today to secure your future

Closing Remarks & Q&A

• Final takeaways: Why planning today protects your future

• Interactive Q&A session

• How to take action now: Resources and next steps