Xi Omega Xi Founder – Dana Brookes

Dana Brookes was initiated into Beta Eta in 1997. While a collegiate member Dana received the Red Carnation award her first year, was a member of the Standards Board and served as Chapter President in 1997. Dana was very active on campus and served as a Student Senator in 1996-1997 and again in 1999 and 2000. Dana served on the board of the Student Alumni Association, Seminole Ambassadors, Gold Key, and Order of Omega. Dana was a student member of Burning Spear Inc. and served as their new member educator for two terms.

After college, Dana moved to Washington D.C. and lived with pledge sister Hannah Highfill. Dana worked for U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), and became a fundraiser for the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee (DSCC). Dana worked her way up to become the director of the Majority Trust of the DSCC, responsible for development of major gifts from across the country. Dana also worked for U.S. Senator Joe Lieberman during his Presidential campaign, Tony Knowles’ (former Governor of Alaska) Senate Campaign, and the John Kerry/John Edwards Presidential Campaign as the DSCC liaison in Louisiana. After working for U.S. Senator Bill Nelson’s re election campaign in Palm Beach County, Fl, Dana left political work and began raising funds for the YMCA of South Palm Beach County.

Dana is currently the Director of Financial Development and Marketing for the YMCA of the Palm Beaches in West Palm Beach, Fl. Dana serves on the Board of Directors for the Palm Beach Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP), and is the Chairperson of National Philanthropy Day. Dana was the recipient of the AFP’s Chamberlin Scholarship in 2010. Dana is a member of the YMCA Professional’s Organization and a member of the National Association of YMCA Development Officers. In Palm Beach County, Dana volunteers for Sunfest, Democratic Professionals Council and other non profits. Dana is an active alumni member of Burning Spear, Inc.

Dana has a five year old son named Samuel whom she enjoys spending all of her free time with. Dana and Samuel love living at the beach and can be found surfing and paddle boarding. Dana also enjoys staying active and completed her first ½ marathon in Orlando in March 2010.

Dana is currently leading a Philanthropy Discussion group for Xi Omega Xi and is excited to stay in touch and involved as an Alpha Chi Omega Alumna with her Beta Eta sisters through our new Virtual Alumnae Chapter.

Happy Bid Day!

Photos of the new members are coming soon, but while we’re waiting for those, we thought you’d enjoy seeing some of the adorable details that went into making Bid Day 2010 a successful event for all the sisters!

The banner = the theme Alpha Chi Life is Good ❤

Bid Day tank – front:
Bid Day tank – back
Letters on the lawn painted to match the letters on the shirts:
A new member with her her yard dec:
Rho Gamma banner:

Close up of the Rho Gamma banner:
The darling Bid Day bag:
Three times the sidewalk love:
Cupcakes from Lucy & Leo’s frosted in colors to match the party:
Gerbera daisies:
Fun for all in the Disney Princesses bounce house
Waiting for the new members:
And here they are:
Welcome to Alpha Chi Omega!!

Xi Omega Xi Founder – Patty Renick Garrard

Patty is a 1970 initiate of Beta Eta. Her campus activities included student government, Junior Counselor (JC), President of Broward Hall during her junior year, and 1st Vice-president of Beta Eta as a Senior. She graduated in 1972 with a BA in English Education and returned to South Florida to begin her teaching career. Patty will celebrate her 38th wedding anniversary with her Alpha Chi Sweetheart, Walter, in December. Their wedding included three Alpha Chi attendants and bouquets of red carnations.

In Miami, Patty joined Beta Omicron Beta alumnae and served as president 1978-79. She attended the convention in Scottsdale, AZ in 1978 as a delegate and proudly remembers the vote to form the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. Patty and Walter moved to Cooper City in 1979 where she became active in the South Broward Alumnae club. From 1986-1992, Patty was Province Alumnae Chair for Florida/South. This experience truly cemented her love and loyalty to Alpha Chi Omega; meeting and working with the many talented Alpha Chi Omega women was a pleasure and taught her much. Patty also served as PACE Alumnae Chair 1996-98 and chair of the Alumnae Awards Recognition Committee. Closer to home, she served as President of her local alumnae group for over 10 years. During this time, the South Broward alumnae became Theta Phi Theta and merged with the North Broward alumnae chapter. Patty represented Alpha Chi Omega in the Fort Lauderdale Area Panhellenic through the years as a Board Member and President 1999-2000.

Patty and Walter have two grown daughters, Elizabeth and Danielle, and two very special granddaughters, Skylar and Ashlyn. After 30 years of teaching middle school language arts, Patty retired in 2009. She spent 25 years at Pioneer Middle School where she was Department Chair and became a National Board Certified Teacher. Patty and her husband moved to Vero Beach after their retirement where she is an active volunteer at The Environmental Learning Center and as a tutor with Literacy Services of Indian River County. Of course, she found her new alumnae chapter, Iota Nu Iota. Retirement means more time to enjoy the beach and water recreation, good books, Florida State Football, theater, and most importantly her family — especially her granddaughters.

Patty attended her twelfth convention this summer, representing Theta Phi Theta as a delegate. Participating in the installation of our Xi Omega Xi virtual chapter was a very special highlight filled with emotion and devotion for Alpha Chi and Beta Eta. She is grateful for the award-winning BH advisory board and hopes our new alumnae chapter will help continue the excellence of BH.

Recruitment is here!!

The past two days were the start of formal recruitment! We are pleased to share that Recruitment had a record number (1,341) potential new members attending the first round

Scholarship (first round, formerly called Ice Waters) Round took place Monday evening and all day Tuesday, with BH hosting 20 parties over the two days.

Can’t wait as the next round, service is one of our favorite..photos to come..

Xi Omega Xi Virtual Alumnae Chapter Installed at Convention

Xi Omega Xi Virtual Alumnae Chapter for alumnae of Beta Eta Chapter, Florida State University, was installed on July 11, 2010 in Washington D.C. during Alpha Chi Omega’s 56th National Convention.


Back Row, Left to Right: founding members Katie Halliday, Britain Dwyre, Aggie Smith Steiner, Jessica Harwood Bouwsma, Jessica Beers, Sylvia Miller Foster and Sarah McDaniel.
Front Row, Left to Right: founding members Claudia Wenzel Thomas, Province Alumnae Chair Lorraine Franckle, and founding members Karen Buffer Rinehart and Patty Renick Gerrard.

Province Alumnae Chair, Lorraine Rubis Franckle, administered the installation while National Song Chair, Audra Levi Priluck, graciously contributed by singing the music during the ceremony – a huge thank you to both of these ladies!!!

Jessica Harwood Bouwsma and Audra Levi Priluck, National Song Chair

Assistant Director of Lifetime Engagement, Megan Houghton, visited us at the end of installation, presenting us with this President’s Gavel.

President of Xi Omega Xi, Jessica Harwood Bouwsma at her delegate seat during Convention.

Beta Eta Honored by Alpha Chi Omega Foundation


In Foundation news, we are very proud of Beta Eta for reaching the President’s Roll at Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. Beta Eta attained $50,000 in cumulative giving to Foundation this year. The collegians received this plaque to hang at the chapter house; a second copy will be displayed at Alpha Chi Omega Headquarters!

Also, it was so nice to see Beta Eta alumna Tracy featured at the Foundation Luncheon on Monday, July 12th:

Ten sisters were profiled at the luncheon, one per each place setting at the tables. We’re so proud of you, Tracy!

Xi Omega Xi Founder – Katy MacDiarmid Leach

Katy was initiated into Beta Eta in the Fall of 1998. During her collegiate years, she held the offices of Warden, Recording Secretary and Par-Tee Chair. She was also a memeber of the Lady Spirithunters.

She graduated in 2001 with a BS in English/Creative Writing. She moved back to St. Petersburg, FL and started working with Cox Radio Tampa in the promotions department. At the same time, her relationship with Ryan Leach was growing more serious and when her parents told her that they were moving to Louisiana, she decided to see where the relationship would lead and she followed her heart to Orlando where he was living. She started her new job with Everything But Water as the Executive Assistant. In the summer of 2002, Ryan proposed to Katy at her annual family reunion…he got down on one knee in front of 96 of her family members! They were married November 8, 2003 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, with 3 Alpha Chi sisters standing by her as bridesmaids and her Big Sister as her maid of honor! During the reception, they ladies serenaded Ryan with the Sweetheart Song in the garden.

After returning from their honeymoon, Katy started working with Plato’s Closet as the Orlando district manager and opened 3 stores in the area. In March 2005, they were excited to find out that they were expecting their first child. Gavin Micheal Leach was born November 25, 2005. Katy decided to stay home to raise their son, but also started her own wedding coordination business (Event Fabulous) that has been steady since day one with referrals from past clients and other wedding vendors. On January 7, 2010 Ryan, Katy & Gavin welcomed the newest member of their family; Caden Michael Leach.

Katy has enjoyed staying in touch with her Beta Eta sisters and in looking forward to meeting more as the Xi Omega Xi chapter continues to grow.

Beta Eta Receives Awards at Alpha Chi Omega Convention

Great news! Beta Eta was a finalist for the 2010 National Council Trophy, Alpha Chi Omega’s highest honor!

The suspense began Monday evening July 12th as the Finalists were announced.

It was thrilling and exciting to know there was a chance Beta Eta could win the Trophy!

Congratulations, Omicron chapter, Baker University on winning the 2010 National Council Trophy! It was pretty amazing to be one of three Finalist for this huge award!
Chapter President, Liz, (third from left) and Vice President – Education, Vaneese, (center) receive the National Council Finalist Trophy from the Alpha Chi Omega National Council:
Vaneese and Liz pose with the Trophy:
The excitement didn’t end there!
The Beta Eta Advisory Board won Advisory Board Award for 2010! What a wonderful surprise and a well-deserved honor for the hard-working Chapter Advisor, Britain, and the whole board! The Board is represented below by the Convention-attending Amy (Zeta Upsilon), Fraternity Relations Advisor (left), Jennifer (Theta Lambda, Clemson), Education Advisor (center) and Britain (Beta Eta, FSU), Chapter Advisor (right). Amy and Britain are holding the two engraved crystal book ends that make up the 2010 Advisory Board Award.

Alpha Chi Omega Vision Award

It was wonderful to see Florida State University alumna Andrea Fuller Cooper (Delta Delta Delta) honored with the Alpha Chi Omega Vision Award. The Vision Award goes to a non-Alpha Chi Omega who is making a difference in the Greek Community. Through her years of presenting Kristin’s Story on campuses and in communities, Andrea has made a difference for students, their friends, and their families as she shares the story of her Alpha Chi Omega daughter, Kristin, the acquaintance rape she endured, and the depression and suicide that followed. In spring 2000, when Andrea told Kristin’s Story for the first time, she did so at her alma mater, Florida State University. Beta Eta hosted her (with Tri-Delt) and she’s remained close to our hearts since then.

The award is announced:

Andrea accepts the Vision Award from National President Marsha Grady:
Andrea’s remarks were very moving. There was hardly a dry eye in the room.
Andrea Cooper (on left) with Beta Eta alumnae Jessica and Britain. On the right is Kate, daughter of the late Past National President Jan Crandall who accompanied Andrea to FSU for the inaugural Kristin’s Story.

Summer Updates at the Beta Eta House Underway!

Sharing some “in progress” photos from improvements that are underway at the Beta Eta House.

First, additional security cameras have been installed on the front porch to monitor the front yard. The outdoor lights in the front landscaping have been run over a couple times in the last few years, so hopefully the camera will be a deterrent!

Second, the public powder room on the first floor, off the informal living room, is getting a make-over. This room originally was the chapter room (which is now the Exec Office upstairs on the senior hallway). It now has a tile floor (replacing the old linoleum). You can also see in the photo that the old metal stall dividers are being replaced with walls and doors.
In this second photo you can see the new vanity, sink, mirror and lighting, and at least a hint of the new wall color, which is a soft green:
Look for photos of this completed project, coming soon!
Third, the kitchen has a new accent wall. Fun, right? The chapters chef actually picked out the color!
And lastly, the new flooring has been installed in the upstairs hallways:
The first photo is taken from the senior side looking through the TV room (past the stairwell to the first floor) into the sophomore side and the mailroom at the end of the hall. The second photo is the sophomore side, looking down into the study room, and it shows the shoe-molding and thresholds installed.