MyJourney November – PROGRAM WITH PURPOSE: DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND OPPRESSION

We are fortunate to have a variety of trainings available to share at the chapter level from our education and leadership initiatives department at Headquarters! To continue with our DVA focus and lead us into our #donutsforDVA “drive-thru edition”, we picked a Programs with Purpose (PWPs) to focus on our values of devotion and altruism.

Proceeds go to survivors of DV and support of DVA initiatives through Refuge House and Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. Buy a ticket or donate for the cause: $5 – donut & water; $10 donut decorating kit!; $15 – 1/2 dozen donuts; $30 – dozen donuts)

Again we want to give props to our SISTERS who were engaged and interested in this challenging, but important topic! And, of course, our bold facilitators who led us through the exercise: Sam Kao (senior, DVA representative and Refuge House liaison), Lila Dudley, McKenzie Clark, Jaiden Gurbuz, Steph Flegal and Tia Kearney. We love y’all all!

It was a serious topic, but before we jumped into our breakout rooms we took a smile selfie
Powerful and upseting statistics: Leading us to ask How is Alpha Chi Omega helping locally and nationally?
Facilitators find that Zoom can be helpful for sensitive topic discussions – people are more comfortable posting in the chat than speaking

Sisterhood via Zoom

Thank you Hannah for motivating us to work hard and encouraging us with positivity (even when we were panting!) during the Tabata workouts you shared via Zoom, summer and fall. You helped make COVID-19 better!

Clips from one of Hannah’s classes from this Fall. Hannah is MC19. She lettered in volleyball and soccer in high school, was a lifeguard and is a registered personal trainer.

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MC20 Connecting Mystagogues-Mystagees

Beta Eta gets life! from our connections with new members. We ensure the new members meet sisters and assimilate into the chapter with their many mystagogues, aka mentors. New members connect with study buddies, work-out/outdoor buddies, major buddies and five mystagogues over the semester: Alpha, Chi, Omega, Guardian, Hera and Big. Thank you Ayva, mystagogue coordinator, McKenzie, VP-NME, and the NME committee for all your hours of work (Lily, Natalie, Jazmin, Steph)!

Big-Little Virtual Reveal (fun photos came later): Alexa & Tatem; Leanne & Maya; Meredith & Lexi; Tessa & Sam; Alara &Piper)

We remind our new members and lifetime sisters “Every person is an important part of the [mystagogue] process, and the role you have been given is important for the development of the new member and the chapter as a whole. Take time to get to know the sister who was assigned to you and identify what ways this person can bring value to your relationship. The Symphony teaches us two very important lessons that apply to being a successful mystagogue: First, “to see and appreciate all that is noble in another.” Though you might not know the person assigned to you as well as you know other new members, this is a perfect opportunity for you to better understand the value this star brings to Alpha Chi Omega. Second, “to spread the light of love and friendship round me:” It is important your [mystagee] feels this element as an aspect of your relationship. Mystagogue-Mystagees (and ultimately a big and little sister team) create a mentorship bond with each other.”

MyJourney – What Makes a Great Leader

To prepare us for elections and choosing our 2021 leaders, our clever MyJourney facilitators (Cameron Rotbart, Jordan Blitzer, Jaiden Gurbuz, Tia Kearney, Stephanie Flegal, Natalie Alexander) chose a dynamic Leadership talk by Roselinde Torres to celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month for our October MyJourney. The talk and session created the perfect segue for Natalie, asst vp nme, to speak in-depth with the new members about elections, platforms, speeches, due dates, etc. We were so proud to see our MC20 engaged in the process and excited to run for offices to guide the chapter’s future to continue Seeking the Heights!

This talk and these questions apply to Beta Eta and as we venture into our careers – we were glad to broaden our thinking
Repeating the questions from Roselinde Torres in the chat box (oops for the mistypes!)
LOVED this interaction and comfortable time with the New Member Education Committee and MC20, so they could jump into Alpha Chi Omega Leadership!

Orientation Retreat – DVA & Self Worth Focus

We proved we could adpat by transforming our yearly September Sisterhood Retreat, aka Orientation Retreat, to a virtual Zoom session. Thanks Lily Stallings, MC17 Nursing, for coordinating our focus this year with collaboration from Refuge House, VP Risk Management Molly Reinking, VP Finance Megan Skipper, and VP Intellectual Development Sierra Morris. We focussed on four topics: local DVA Assistance with Michelle Frier at Refuge House; Cultivating Unconditional Self-Worth with Adia Gooden from TEDx DePaul University; Finance schedules and questions; and Studying/Career Resources to keep Beta Eta top in grades!

Michelle sharing how Refuge House continues to support survivors of domestic and sexual violence during COVID-19

Sisters “Zooming” in for Orientation Retreat – Fall 2020 style adaptations – THANK YOU REFUGE HOUSE for your work in Leon County and surrounding areas!
Adia Gooden at TEDx DePaul

Spring 2020 and Fall 2020 caused angst amongst our sisters and the VP Risk Management commitment this semester was mental and emotional support and help for our sisters. We watched this empowering and grace-filled TEDx Talk and then opened up to share how we were giving ourselves and others grace and how we were coping with the changes in our mental and physical health with our families and friends.

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Alumna BH ’88, Monica Cepero is 1 of 6 appointed to Florida Commission on Human Relations by Governor Ron DeSantis

Tallahassee, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis announced the appointments of Darrick McGhee, Dawn Hanson, Angela Primiano, Monica Cepero, Libby Farmer and Larry Hart to the Florida Commission on Human Relations.

Monica Cepero

Cepero, of Broward, is the deputy county administrator in the Office of the County Administrator for Broward County. Since 2008, Cepero has served in the County Administrator’s Office, first as an assistant to the county administrator then as assistant county administrator. Prior to joining the County Administrator’s office, Cepero served as the environmental policy advisor to Governor Jeb Bush. Cepero earned her bachelor’s degree in international affairs and her master’s degree in public administration from Florida State University. Cepero is appointed to a four-year term.    

The appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

BH ’71, Alumna, Gail Morgan named President of Film Florida, Entertainment Production Association

Gail Morgan, BH ’71 & Film Commissioner for the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Film Commission, has been named President of Film Florida. It was announced at the Film Florida Annual Meeting, along with the entire Film Florida Board of Directors for 2020-2021. “It is an honor to serve as President of Film Florida. The organization continues to grow and I’m proud of our accomplishments in recent years,” commented Morgan. “I look forward to working side by side with industry professionals as we seek opportunities to strengthen the film, television and digital media production industry. Our state faces unique challenges right now. Our industry can be an important piece in Florida’s economic recovery and we look forward to doing so as we compete for high wage jobs in the film, television and digital media production industry.” Gail has been with the Destin-Fort Walton Beach Film Commission (formerly the Emerald Coast Film Commission) for ten years. Prior to becoming the Film Commissioner, she was a Producer and Production Manager for more than twenty years. Gail has exceptional experience working on a variety of productions in the entertainment industry including feature films, television series, commercials, documentary films, large arena events, parades, festivals, musicals and musical tours, theatrical events, corporate entertainment events, conferences and celebrity galas. Gail’s strengths include client relations, team building and overall project budget management. Gail has been a member of Film Florida for nine years and on the Executive Board for the last three years as the 1st Vice President. Immediate Past President Bonnie King added, “It has been a privilege to serve Film Florida and our entire Florida entertainment production community over the past three years. I enthusiastically support Gail Morgan and believe that her vision, enthusiasm, and tenacity will continue to show the far reaching benefits our industry has on the state of Florida including creating jobs, spurring economic development and enhancing tourism.” 

About Film Florida: Film Florida is a state-wide not-for-profit entertainment production trade association that serves a leadership role in Florida’s film, TV, production and digital media/tech industry by representing all aspects of the business including film commissions, industry, labor, associations and education. The growing membership driven organization provides a network, a platform, and the benefits of playing an active part in solidifying Florida’s position as a major entertainment production destination, positive economic development driver and tourism generator. For more information about Film Florida visit FilmFlorida.org.

Supporting Sisters via Social Distancing

It’s safe to say everyone in the world has been experiencing their own version of craziness during these unsettling and nerve-racking times. College students from all over had their Spring semester cut short, with many anticipated events cancelled as universities, including Florida State University, decided to move all classes online in response to COVID-19. As upsetting as this has been, the sisters of Beta Eta have made an initiative to make the most of this unfortunate situation and uphold a strong (virtual) presence of sisterhood.

Our devoted advisors and executive board members have been working hard to find ways to make up for the time lost that otherwise, would’ve been spent together at the 518. From movie nights via the Netflix Party feature to Zoom cooking lessons with our talented chefs, Duski and Owen, the Alpha Chi bond has shone through it all! Our thoughtful Chapter President, Paris Thie, even organized a pen pal exchange for active members to connect with alumni based on their shared career field interests!

And for our beloved seniors who have had to say an early goodbye to their final year as FSU undergraduates, the entire chapter has made extra efforts to shower them with love and appreciation. Senior spotlights were featured on our Instagram account last week, as well as story templates for other members to tag seniors in who are more than deserving of a shoutout!
                   
Senior Caitlyn Daley spoke about how appreciative she is for everything AXO has done for her, not just this past week, but for the past four years. She said, “While I’m thankful for the date functions, formals, and other big events that we’ve shared together, what I’m most thankful is for all of the little things that have made the past four years so special. Seeing sisters in between classes, sitting with different sisters at meals than at chapter, and feeling the overall support from my sisters throughout my college experience has made my time here at FSU all the more memorable.” 
So, even with all the sudden changes and unfortunate turn of events, our sisters have decided to keep a positive outlook and continue to support one another in any way that we can can! The truth of the matter is, regardless the amount of social distancing keeping us apart, the sisterhood we share will always keep us bonded together, at heart.