Successful Par-Tee Weekend..

This past week/weekend was Beta Eta’s annual philanthropy week. Ending with Par-Tee Charity Golf Tournament and Tea on Saturday. Below are some photos from the event. We will be back on Wednesday to give full details of the event, including money raised for the Refuge House!!! & the charities the winners selected, etc..  Hope you can make it for Par-Tee 2012!

Domestic Violence Awareness….

For those collegians and alumnae living in Tallahassee, be sure to check out to Domestic Violence exhibit in Stroizer library

By Doug Blackburn • DEMOCRAT Senior WRITER • Published: March 23. 2011
http://www.tallahassee.com/article/20110323/NEWS01/103230322/Exhibit-spotlights-domestic-violence
 
Strozier Library patrons will have more than friends, Facebook and the occasional homework assignment to focus on during the next three weeks.
An engaging exhibit called See Red was unveiled Tuesday at Florida State University’s main library. It features four crimson mannequins and tells their inter-connected stories as they relate to domestic violence.

“A batterer doesn’t slow down when he sees red,” said Kisha Wilkinson, assistant news director at WTXL-TV and a domestic violence survivor.

Wilkinson, one of three speakers at Tuesday’s press event, shared her horrifying story of being beaten by “the man of my dreams,” her husband. He is serving a 20-year sentence for the violence he inflicted on Wilkinson and her teenage daughter in 2008.”My dream marriage became my nightmare— a nightmare I still remember,” Wilkinson said. “Every time I share this story, the pain does ease up a little. It’s helping me to heal.”

Robin Leach, associate dean of students at FSU, said her office sees the impact of domestic violence on students on a daily basis. FSU’s 24-hour Victim Advocate Program is reporting higher numbers in 2011 than at this time last year, she added.”Thirty-two percent of our students report dating violence by a former partner,” Leach said.

Ghia Kelly, training and community education program director at Refuge House, the Big Bend’s shelter for victims of domestic violence, said her agency is encountering ever younger clients. It’s not unusual for Refuge House to work with middle-school students, she said.
“Dating violence is a huge issue. It’s something we need to talk to our children about,” Kelly said.
Children who witness abuse are twice as likely to become perpetrators or abusers, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, and child abuse occurs in 50 to 70 percent of the homes where there is domestic abuse.

See Red is a community awareness program sponsored by Verizon Wireless. The exhibit is located in the Learning Commons on Strozier Library’s first floor, and it will be on display until April 14.

if any one makes it to the show, please be sure to snap a few photos, and we will add them to the blog. Send us an email at axofloridastate {at} gmail {dot} com

Alpha Chi’s Annual Philanthropy Week

This week marks Alpha Chi Omega’s annual philanthropy week!

Each day of this week, the ladies of Alpha Chi come together and provide several events for their community which exhibit the leadership and support each has for their philanthropy.

Listed below are the events in which each sister must participate in.
Tuesday (Yesterday) – Walk a Mile in Her Shoes: If you happened to be on campus at 5 pm, you probably saw plenty of men walking around in high heal shoes. Yes, we managed to find sizes twelve through fourteen for these willing gentleman to run around Florida State’s campus in high heal shoes to support the efforts of awareness. It was a comic relief at it’s best!
Thursday – The sisters gather around their front lawn, circling hand-in-hand to form the DVA vigil. Many other Panhellenic women and local Tallahassee patrons who support the cause also come together to join this inspirational vigil.
Friday – All of the Par Tee guests are invited for Mom Marie’s famous Friday Lunch! This will provide the golfers a chance to meet the sisters that host the golf tournament, and understand the importance of Domestic Violence Awareness. It is also a fantastic way to feed all of the hungry fraternity boys who’s passion for volunteering and playing for a good cause is greatly appreciated.
Saturday – The annual golf tournament, Par Tee kicks off! It truly is a wonderful event that allows the golfers to have fun and play for a fantastic cause. Each sister is willing to help during this event, and takes the time to make sure every opportunity is spent supporting the efforts of awareness. There is a closest to the hole competition, where golfers try to make their shot closest to the hole. Of course, all of the proceeds from the competition and the silent auction, which this year includes a signed Jimbo Fisher and Christian Ponder football, go to the overall fund.
Last year Alpha Chi’s philanthropy was voted Number 1 most outstanding philanthropy on Florida State’s campus. This year, we shall hope for the same outcome as we all stand together as sisters and brothers in the fight against Domestic Violence.
Alpha Chi Omega – Supporting the efforts of Domestic Violence Awareness. Always and Forever.
Remember,
Together Let Us Seek the Heights!
-JKC.

Annual Sisterhood Retreat

 This weekend, while some members of our chapter traveled to SEPC (see below post) the rest of the chapter traveled to St. George Island Beach, for our annual Sisterhood Retreat. Past retreats have included Skiing in North Carolina, and White Water Rafting in Tennessee.

The event always promises to be a good time, as it is a day/weekend set aside for sisters to reunite our bonds, relax, and get away!!

This year, the beautiful beach scenery, and relaxing day in the sun, was all the chapter could of hoped for.

Beta Eta Travels to SEPC…

This weekend, Jaclyn- Chapter President, Kate- Chapter VP Panhellenic, and Whitney- FSU Panhellenic VP of Public Relations- traveled to Atlanta, GA to attend the South Eastern Panhellenic Conference.  The event was jam packed with events, from speakers to luncheons, Silent Auctions to Awards and Educational Programming. The event allowed Panhellenic Women from throughout the South Eastern United States a place to unite, share, learn and create partnerships!

Our very own, VP Fraternity Relations Advisor, Amy Zoldak, was also in attendance representing Alpha Chi Omega as the 3rd Alternate National Panhellenic Delegate.

 
Kate (in Black floral in back) and Jaclyn (in center holding teal shirt) participate in T Shirt Swap

 Amy, Jaclyn Kate and Whitney with Julie Cain Burkhart (past NPC President, and Alpha Chi Omega president)
 Alpha Chi’s take time for a quick group photo after the T-shirt swap
Large group photo.. there were 42 Alpha Chi Omegas in attendance at SEPC!

Greetings from the back row…

Fraternal Thoughts blog has done it again.. here is a great article recently posted on their blog


Greetings from the back row.

I’m the brother you hate. I’m apathetic. I’m lazy. I’m the one who contributes nothing worthwhile, except an occasional laugh from one of my sarcastic comments. I like to come to parties and a meeting every once in a while. My lack of attendance drives you crazy. So does my smokeless tobacco habit.

I’ve been referred to as Joe Spitcup. Mr. Apathy. Bluto. The Chapter Idiot.


I wasn’t always this unlikable fellow you see before you. In fact, when I first joined the chapter, I was ready to go. I had a lot to offer. I was the captain of my high school’s wrestling team and served on the yearbook staff. I’ve been a leader in clubs before. I’ve been good to my friends, and great to my two little sisters. I’ve always considered myself to be one of the good guys.

So how did I get this way? How am I now sitting in the back row? You may assume that I was just a bad recruit; that I joined for the wrong reasons. Perhaps you think I’m just one of those jerks who will always be this way. Actually, I bet you stopped thinking about me long ago. I am a waste of your time. I’m an impediment, a roadblock.

I don’t blame you for thinking these things. This whole back row is full of guys that fit that description. It’s not me, but I’ve chosen to be with these guys. I’ve chosen the back row, and so I deserve the perception that comes along with it.

However, I didn’t choose the back row at first. I started in the front.

I used to sit up close. I was eager to participate. I wanted to matter. But then a series of things began to happen.

I once had an idea in a chapter meeting that someone else said was “fucking stupid.” At the next meeting, I sat a little further back.

There was another time when I volunteered to go to the IFC meeting for the chapter. I forgot to go, and our president was pissed. I don’t blame him. I felt terrible about it. I’m still learning how to be better organized in my life, but that’s not an excuse. Anyhow, I volunteered to make it up by going the next week, but it was decided to send someone else.

I really haven’t been asked to do anything since, and I haven’t really volunteered. I just decided to sit a little further back in the meetings.

At the next meeting, I received the “dumb-ass brother of the week award” for messing up that part in our initiation ritual. I laughed along with everyone, but I felt really uncomfortable. By the way, I have an idea for other awards we could give that might actually inspire some positive action. Let me know if you want any of those ideas. I don’t think they’re stupid.

Anyhow, I didn’t really want to be called out again for an award like that, and so at the next meeting, I sat a little further back.

Then there was the time at our Spring mixer when an older brother offered me a joint, and I tried it. You heard about that, and I think you’re comment was “great – another pothead.” I regretted doing it immensely (and instantly), but I didn’t want to admit that. I didn’t want to be seen as weak. I didn’t want to show how low my confidence level really is.

So, at our next meeting, I just sat a little further back.

And I found myself in the back row.

Since then, I really haven’t been a good brother. I stopped going to meetings. I found a group to hang out with who aren’t the best influence. I started playing the roles of “jock” and “big drinker” because at least they gave me an identity. I’m not what I expected to be, but at least I’m something.

The funny thing is, I joined a fraternity because I wanted to be better. I actually think I might be a lesser person because of it.

By the way, I’m not looking for sympathy or welfare. I’ve decided to be here in the back row. It’s not really your job to reach out to every low-contributing member of the chapter, or even acknowledge our presence. You’re busy, after all. You’ll be just fine paying no attention to me. 

I just wanted you to understand a few of the things that led to my life in the back row. Perhaps you can stop the next guy from drifting back here.

And I guess I also want you to know that if you were just to offer me a small invitation to engage, just a minor role or opportunity, I would do absolutely amazing things for this chapter. I would be the best member you could ask for. 

But I can’t expect that. I can’t even expect you to notice me anymore. After all, it’s quite a distance from where you are and where I sit. Here. In the back row.

Beta Eta Celebrates Founders Day

Yesterday the Beta Eta chapter celebrated Founders day, by inviting our local Alumnae Chapter Epsilon Tau Epsilon to Founders Day dinner. We were so pleased that so many local Alumnae joined us..

 collegians enjoying dinner with two of our servers.
 collegians at dinner
 collegians at dinner
 
collegians at dinner
After dinner, we were able to celebrate with alumnae as they preformed the 25 year pin ceremony
 Group of Alumnae in attendace
 Congrats on 25 years, as an Alpha Chi Omega (you all look to young )
 
Alumnae enjoying dinner at the chapter house!
And a big thank you to the ladies of the XOX Virtual Alumnae Chapter for donating $82.00 to Foundation in honor of Beta Eta’s 82 years on Florida States Campus!

Watch Beta Eta, Marice Leo, on Rachael Ray Thursday, 3/31!

Last week the Seminole Boosters contacted fellow Beta Eta Alumna, Marice Leo, and let her know they had given her name to the Rachael Ray Show. The show interviewed fans from all of the Sweet 16 teams and she was chosen as one of the four finalists for the “Final Fork” cooking competition. She will represent Florida State with Seminole Sliders – a Pork Parmesan Cutlets dish. Her culinary creation went up against University of Kentucky, BYU and Marquette… she was filmed yesterday and will be on tomorrow’s show!

(To all Seminole friends: It pays to be a Seminole Booster! If you’re not a Seminole Booster you should be!)

The show is the Rachael Ray Show on regular TV not the foodtv network.
CLICK HERE for the time and network the show is on in your area.


Marice with Beta Eta Alumnae at recent FSU Football Games!