Friday of Family weekend, the chapter hosted their annual Paint the Town Purple Gala kicking off Domestic Violence Awareness Month – raising awareness and funding for the local shelter. The night kicked off with cocktail hour from 6:00 – 7:20, and dinner was served at 7:30 PM. There was a photographer to capture family, friends, and sisters, along with a videographer, a silent auction, and even a 50/50 raffle!

During our cocktail hour, guests enjoyed music by guitarist Jackson Alter while sampling Hors d’oeuvres (Mac n’ Cheese Fritters with a BBQ aioli, Mini Chicken Empanadas with jalapeno cheese Sause, Mini Veggie Spring Roll with a Spicy Mustard, Caprese Skewer, and a Bacon Jam Crostini with Caramelized Onion, Fig Preserves) along with a card only bar (alcoholic beverages) and water, lemonade and tea. 

At 7:30, guests headed into the main ballroom for the main event! Dinner options were Chicken Breast Roasted with Lemon and Rosemary, Orzo and Spinach Pilaf with Blistered Cherry Tomato, Kalamata Olives & Grilled Artichokes or Stuffed Squash with Beans, Roasted Mushrooms, Rice and Quinoa Stuffed Seasonal Squash, Roasted Red Bell Coulis  & Seasonal Vegetables (this option was Vegetarian, Vegan, Gluten Free & Dairy Free). Guests also were treated to a “State of the Chapter” address and our guest speaker, Alicia Armstrong whom shared her story and the importance and our impact on Domestic Violence Awareness. For dessert, there will be a selection of Salted Caramel Cheesecakes and Flourless Chocolate Torte (Torte is Veg,GF,DF) 
Concluding dinner, we announced the silent auction winners, 50/50 winners, and shared the “why” behind the favors – asking all guests to join us in “painting the town purple” and raising awareness this upcoming month and beyond… Join us in sharing this month by posting photos/videos with #AXODVAM

We would be remiss if we didn’t share the chapter surpassed $24,000 in fundraising during the event!!! Save the date for Donuts for DVA on October 6th!

Beta Eta is thankful for our amazing mystagogue program – the program works to pair new members with older sisters beginning on day one! On Bid day our new members get Alpha Sisters – or bid day buddies… New Members are then paired with a Chi and Omega who are often sisters in their major, from their hometown, or sisters that share similar interests… New members are paired with a Pearl Sisters – this is typically a senior or junior sister not only encouraging new member and older sister interaction but also giving the seniors sisters the opportunity to share pearls of wisdom.

New members are then paired with a “big” and have a chance to meet their “family” and make additional connections within the chapter… Following initiation members will receive Hera sisters and then will get to select their own Lyre sister – someone who has made an impact during their time in the chapter thus far.

The ladies of Alpha Chi Omega had a wonderful weekend showing our families and alumnae our home away from home. Our VP Membership Programming, Leah, along with our Family Weekend Chair,  Lauren, our VP Philanthropy,  Maddie, and their committees have worked hard to create a weekend full of options to enjoy.

Friday night the chapter hosted their annual DVA Gala (more in a post here) Saturday was full of tailgating, winning a football game, and time spent with family

Sunday families joined the ladies of Alpha Chi Omega at 518 West Park Avenue for brunch and vendors from 9:00 am-12:00 am. Vendors, included I’m so wavyy by our own sister Sophie Solarana, Full Herizon, Alisha’s Flower truck, Celcius Table and more!   Brunch includes assorted Mini Quiches, Pastries, Parfaits, Hashbrown Casserole, Sausage, Bacon, and Fruit cups, with coffee and juices.

Bid day 2022 theme was AXΩ-Disco – After a week of pre-recruitment and recruitment, sisters met at the house around 1PM to prepare for new members, select Alpha Sisters – aka bid day buddies and do some last-minute decorating! New members ran home from the civic center following convocation and joined the sisters for an afternoon! They had a DJ on the balcony, food inside, photo stations, hair tinsel, face jewel station, etc. Following the afternoon of fun, the new members stayed for a brief new member meeting before heading back to their residence halls for residence halls meetings and a good night’s sleep before the 1st day of class!!

From September 19-23, we encourage our members to raise awareness about hazing, educate others about the problem of hazing and promote hazing prevention within your communities. We encourage our sisters to consider the ways we can continue to build a safe, healthy experience for all members of Alpha Chi Omega in a hazing-free environment. We are stronger together in eliminating hazing from our organization and creating a sisterhood that values the dignity and respect of one another. NHPW serves as a reminder to live out our mission and be upstanders not just for one week, but every day of the year.

This year during NHPW: We were able to facilitate the new Speak Up for a Sister hazing prevention training. It helped members learn how to recognize, prevent and report hazing behavior while committing to creating a healthy, safe member experience. This interactive, self-guided module is designed for all collegiate members to complete, especially during NHPW. The facilitation guide allowed us to engage in conversation with our chapter members about continuing to build a hazing-free sisterhood.

Alpha Chi Omega, Zeta Tau Alpha, Pi Kappa Phi and Sigma Nu partnered to develop a  hazing prevention education digital poster focused on hazing state laws and the fact that hazing activity is illegal.

WHAT IS HAZING?

Alpha Chi Omega defines hazing as any reckless or intentional act that produces physical, mental or emotional pain, discomfort, humiliation, embarrassment or ridicule, regardless of a person’s willingness to participate, that is required or expected of a member and that is not related to the Fraternity’s mission. This includes any activity, whether it is presented as optional or required, that places a member in a position of servitude as a condition of membership.

Every member has the responsibility to promote her sisters’ interests as she would her own. Knowing the impact of our actions, words and behavior can help you make healthy choices that exemplify our sisterhood.

How do you know if what you’re doing is appropriate or not? Before acting, ask yourself these questions:

• Does the activity involve any violations of Alpha Chi Omega policies or the law?
• Would I openly and honestly discuss the activity as part of my chapter experience with my friends outside of the chapter, my chapter’s advisor, my parent/guardian, a college/university employee or an Alpha Chi Omega staff member?
• Is the activity something only some of the chapter has to participate in? Would it be frowned upon if an individual opted not to participate?
• Do we withhold certain details from members about the event or activity until it is about to start or has started?
• Would the event or activity face resistance to change based on who/what class in the chapter gets to facilitate it?

ANTI-HAZING LAWS – staying up to date….

Anti-hazing laws continue to evolve and change from state to state each year. Understanding how your state defines hazing, its reporting requirements and the potential outcomes for engaging or participating in hazing activity is important for you to know as a member.

Click on the map to view your state’s hazing laws and learn how they may impact your chapter and campus community.

#RSWDONTHAZE

MC20 preserved through their NM period in fall and spring without a retreat and with many safety restrictions (and thankfully, Alpha Chi had one of the lowest rates in OFSL 🙌🏽).

And then the 2022 VP NME, Marni who is also an MC20, stepped up and organized a special spring retreat! They enjoyed a full “NoFL day” starting with a make-your-own bag breakfast (and hot biscuits!) at The 518, a hike at the springs, a bag lunch, and games on the beach at Alligator Point to watch the sunset. “Sisterhood Bonding Success!”

As graduation begins, we give big hugs; sniff away some tears; and don bright smiles for our amazing seniors!

They received gifts, had a special Hall of Commitment, chose their favorite meals, and were celebrated and appreciated for all their contributions! Remember the good times sisters; remain active as an alumna wherever you move; and definitely return for visits to The 518 💚❤️

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As part of our philanthropic mission, Alpha Chi Omegas are dedicated to educating ourselves on and raising awareness about the prevalence of sexual violence and supporting survivors, not just in April but year-round. Be sure to check out our previous post about raising awareness and supporting survivors here.

In this post, we will cover, ways to take action and ways to reflect and remember.

TAKING ACTION

BYSTANDER INTERVENTION

There are many ways to take action to eradicate sexual violence, and it all starts with prevention. The only person responsible for committing sexual assault is a perpetrator, but all of us can look out for each other’s safety. Learn about your role in preventing sexual assault using bystander intervention!

ADVOCACY AND SERVICE

Research the laws in your state and advocate for the changes you want to see! Learn about public policy and political action related to sexual violence and prevention.

If you are interested in direct service, contact a local care provider or shelter to see what their needs are. Consider collecting requested items for donation or volunteering as an advocate.

• Find local sexual assault service providers through the National Sexual Violence Resource Center.
• Find local domestic violence assistance providers through the National Domestic Violence Hotline.

REFLECTION AND REMEMBRANCE

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27: DENIM DAY

Join Alpha Chi Omega in supporting the victims and survivors of sexual assault by wearing denim on Wednesday, April 27!

Nearly 25 years ago, the Italian Supreme Court overturned a rape conviction because the justices felt that since the survivor was wearing tight jeans, she must have helped her rapist remove them, thereby implying consent. Since then, wearing jeans on Denim Day around the world has become a symbol of protest against flawed and destructive attitudes about sexual assault and a way to raise awareness during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Learn more about the history of Denim Day.

Through our work to end sexual assault, we continue our commitment to our national philanthropy of domestic violence awareness. Together, we can continue to fight against unhealthy relationships and build healthy relationships.

F YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY SEXUAL ASSAULT OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO RAINN VIA ITS 24/7 CONFIDENTIAL CHAT AND CALL HOTLINE. NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE – 800-656-HOPE (4673) | LIVE CHAT

April is National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. As part of our philanthropic mission, Alpha Chi Omegas are dedicated to educating ourselves on and raising awareness about the prevalence of sexual violence and supporting survivors, not just in April but year-round. Join our sisters in this commitment by supporting national awareness campaigns, participating in educational opportunities, and protesting sexual violence on Denim Day!

RAISING AWARENESS

Did you know that Sexual Assault Awareness Month has been recognized nationally since the early 2000s? In order for us to serve as the best advocates for a future free from violence, we have to understand our current realities and the past that led us to this point.

Learn about the history of SAAM from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center and find information on current statistics and the prevalence of sexual violence from our partners at RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network).

Use this information to raise awareness about this issue early in the month and don’t forget to join us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to keep up with headquarters initiatives throughout the month of April. Also, be sure to tag @AlphaChiOmegaHQ in your posts about sexual assault awareness!

SUPPORTING SURVIVORS

LEARN HOW TO “TALK” WITH A LOVED ONE ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE

Often, people want to help survivors but might not know where to start. Whether someone in your life has disclosed a sexual assault to you or you just want to be prepared, take the time this month to learn about survivor response. Learn how to “TALK” about sexual violence.

There are other resources available to help you navigate as you support the survivors in your life and in your community, as well:

• Utilize the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE, online.rainn.org, and rainn.org/es), which will connect you with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
• Take part in RAINN Day on April 13 and spread awareness in your community!

Alpha Chi Omega believes in survivors. Use these affirmative graphics to show your support for survivors and show your community that you are committed to speaking up about sexual violence.

F YOU OR ANYONE YOU KNOW HAS BEEN IMPACTED BY SEXUAL ASSAULT OR IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT SEXUAL VIOLENCE, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO RAINN VIA ITS 24/7 CONFIDENTIAL CHAT AND CALL HOTLINE. NATIONAL SEXUAL ASSAULT HOTLINE – 800-656-HOPE (4673) | LIVE CHAT