Sisterhood Night Out Take 2!

This week, the VP Membership Programming, Ayva & Sisterhood Retreat Chair, Addison planned an exciting sisterhood Night Out at local business:Hanger 38! Sisters could sign up to start in the bowling alley building or in the grand arcade (to allow chapter to follow University Capacity Guidelines for COVID-19). After an hour of fun, sisters then switched locations. In addition to the above sisters had were able to enjoy a meal: Mediterranean salad, Chicken fingers and fries or a Chicken Sandwich and fries. Sisters had a great time and we are so thankful for events like these to connect and have fun!

Sisterhood Night Out…

This week, the VP Membership Programming, Ayva & Sisterhood Retreat Chair, Addison planned an exciting sisterhood Night Out at local business: FunStation. Sisters could sign up to start outside or inside (to allow chapter to follow University Capacity Guidelines for COVID-19). After an hour of fun, sisters then switched locations. Inside sisters were able to enjoy the arcade, laser tag & individual dinners. (Pizza or Salads). Outside sisters enjoyed go-karts, putt-putt golf, the sizzler and more.. Sisters had a great time and we can’t wait till our sisterhood night out next week at Hanger 38!

AXΩ Volunteers with local Refuge House

Recently, Sisters had the opportunity to volunteer at the local Refuge House. Refuge House is a local agency that supports survivors of Domestic and Sexual Assault. Refuge Houses’ mission is “to provide direct services to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and to their children and families, as well as to eliminate such violence through community education and public advocacy. This aligns directly with Alpha Chi Omega’s National Philanthropy philanthropic mission.

The 1992 Alpha Chi Omega National Convention marked the adoption of domestic violence awareness, an issue that affects people – and primarily women – all over the world, as our national philanthropy. Together, we work to fight against unhealthy relationships and build healthy relationships. Members serve individuals and families impacted by domestic violence through fundraising and sharing gifts of time and talent with shelters and other service-providing organizations. Alpha Chi Omega also works to empower its own members, giving them tools to build their own healthy relationships, and to raise awareness of domestic violence by educating others on its impact and work being done to end it.
 
As champions of change, our leadership around this issue is creating lasting impact in our local communities and the world. to aid survivors who are affected by domestic violence & to raise awareness. The local Refuge House Director of Development works closely with the chapter’s VP Philanthropy, Lexi and Refuge House Liaison, Kaitlynn to share agency needs, events and coordinate hands-on volunteer opportunities. With COVID-19 limiting the number of opportunities to volunteer at the shelter the chapter was excited to get the call regarding the need to paint the emergency shelter. The ladies of Alpha Chi broke into two groups 9-1 and 1-5 and got to work painting all common spaces in the shelter from start to finish! Not only did we have a blast we loved seeing the difference we made for shelter residents to come home to.

NME Time is Always!

Lila and committee focused on activities to meld the Fall 20 and Spring 21 new members. One that was loud, fun and helped them learn more about each other was Game Night. As mentioned previously, this committee always showed up, gave 120%, and loved being together which showed to their younger sisters. They had three games led by the committee members – two in smaller groups and the finale in a big group. Our chapter is so fortunate for their gard work and the “let’s have fun” attitudes brought by the newest sisters.

Double Duty – Personal Finances & Chapter

Thank you VP Finance Steph Flegal for collaborating with Chapter Advisor Britain and Dr. Dalisha Herring, a Panhellenic friend and professor at FSU. It was a fun surprise for sister Ava R to see her professort sharing with us! Thanks sisters who partcipated with feedback questions – more of that, always!

What a great use of our time to “enjoy the society of our sisters” at 3/15 chapter (35 + Exec in person and the rest on Zoom – rotating) *and* learn something useful from an invited speaker! Can’t wait to do it again!

Initiation!

What makes us sisters? Our shared ritual, values and experiences. Our New Member Education committee (Lila, Bri, Alex, Lucy, Zoe, Amelia, Morgan) and Ritual and Fraternity Appreciation committee (Leanne, Alexa, Emma, Morgan, Sydnie, Lauren) really showed up this week and we are proud of them!

The NME committee planned Fireside, painting and songs on Sunday to get the “Ladder to the Lyre” started. The new members reflected in their last meeting with special “why I chose Alpha Chi” and “why I stayed” stories. And *surprise* for the NME committee meeting this week they made cookies for all 19 new members/initiates. So wholesome.

The RFA committee mades us feel the WDA with the Inspiration Ceremony on Sunday, Lavaliere Ceremony on Tuesday, Dream Cake on Wednesday culminating in Initation with all the big sisters on Thursday.

Our Lyre Legacy

The NME committee set their minds to make the week of Initiation special for the Spring new members and have fun and connect within the committee. The super team of seven enjoyed baking cookies (and getting to know each other better) for the member class to enjoy at … CANVAS Paint Night! That’s right. The NME fashioned the dining room into an art studio for some fine art fun (see how we ties that into Alpha Chi history? 😘)

Spring MC ’21 Big Little Reveal

Such an exciting day for Spring MC ’21!!! Big little reveal! Enjoy some amazing photos from the reveal. VP New Member Education Lila and her committee planned a great reveal at the chapter house. MC ’21 Spring members gathered inside and were greeted by their big sister when they opened the door! You can almost feel the excitement and emotion in these photos and we love it!

Dance Marathon 2021

Dance Marathon at Florida State University was committed to providing a safe marathon experience for each of the participants. This year they hosted a hybrid marathon, where each of the participants experienced the marathon from the comfort of Alpha Chi Omega’s house and events on campus. Dance Marathon took place this weekend within two shifts. The first shift, the Garnet Experience, was 10 hours, beginning on March 5th at 10am and ending that evening at 9pm. The second shift, the Gold Tradition, was 20 hours, beginning on March 6th at 3pm and ending on March 7th at 1pm. The final Total Reveal was then hosted as a drive-in event in the Civic Center parking lot today, March 7th.

We are so thankful to our chapter delegate Emily Balog for leading our chapters involvement with Dance Marathon this year. We are so proud of our dancers: Stephanie Flegal, Alexa Strauch, Morgan Marisa, Abbie Melvin, Nina Chong, Addison Nance, Bianca Giordano, Meredith Grimm, Piper Hope, Elizabeth Hoffmark, Tessa Kowalski, Natasha Raja, Kylie Stamler, Ryleigh Taylor, Hannah Rosenblum, Maya Nadelek, Nicole Feldman, Leah Solomon, Elizabeth Simmons, Maya Bertig, Amelia Sieg, Haley Higbea and Kylie West

We are also so proud of our sisters involved with Dance Marathon overall: DM Morale Captains: Abby Bolger, Lori Purcell, Tyla Seelye and Collen Toner DM Recruitment: Blake Novak and Lauren Rosenblatt, DM Creative Development: Emma Romano, DM Hospitality: Samantha Puwalski, DM InspiratioNOLE: Marni Rosenblatt.

Overall the weekend was a huge success! The members were able to hear from Miracle Child Sage, member Emily Balog’s sister Ashley who defeated cancer, and Florida State University’s VP of Student Affairs and Alpha Chi Omega sister Dr. Amy Hecht who shared her daughters story with the chapter – we even got to Facetime with her daughters – who shared what they loved about Shands – “The toys”… During the event we were able to participate in the DM Experience Silent Disco, Ring the Gong for fundraising efforts, Watch the virtual kick off and closing ceremonies from the chapter house, participate in DM FoodTrucks and Car-chella and bond with our sisters while raising money for a great cause. The best part was watching the final total be revealed at the Civic Center – with cars honking and all dancers and volunteers safely celebrating from their cars – honking and screaming!