THE I vre ive! THE AROUND THE WORLD ISSUE 40 YEARS OF FOUNDATION PEACE CORPS DIRECTOR JODY OLSEN AMPLIFY My Alpha Chi Omega story is.. sorority but once I became an I never saw myself joining a ALPHA CHI in Alpha the Chi Omega, I knew A PEEK INTO THE right place. Being the I was been president of my chapter has 60TH NATIONAL my greatest honor. M CONVENTION FALL 2018 Volume 121 : Issue 1 alphachiomega.org Join Alpha Chi Omega on Two Exciting 1998 Travel Experiences Mediterranean Air/Sea Cruise Aboard the Grand Princess June 6 to 19, 1998 Trace the historical time line from the cosmopolitan luxuries of Spain, the French Riviera and Italy to the mysteries of antiquity in Greece and Turkey. This comprehensive Mediterranean itinerary reveals Spanish fortresses, Roman temples and Greek theaters. Visit five countries in comfort aboard the Grand Princess. Our 14-day voyage begins in Barcelona, Spain, cruising to Monte Carlo, Monaco; Livorno, (Florence/Pisa), Naples (Capri/Pompeii) and Venice, Italy; Piraeus (Athens), Greece; Kusadasi (Ephesus) and Istanbul, Turkey. For a more in-depth exploration of Istanbul, join an optional two-night extension. From $3,773 per person, double occupancy, with reduced air add-ons from most major North American cities For reservations or more information, contact: Barbara Warren c/o INTRAV 7711 Bonhomme Ave. St. Louis, MO 63105-1961 1-800-825-2900, ext. 262 The Danube - From Vienna to the Black Sea and Istanbul Aboard the all-new M.S. Amadeus August 7 to 20, 1998 The exclusively chartered, all-new M.S. Amadeus is our luxurious floating hotel as we cruise the legendary Danube. From the Black Sea, the Danube waltzes her way across Eastern Europe, through the Transylvanian Alps to the enchanting Wachau Valley. We begin our 14-day adventure in the fabled city of Istanbul, Turkey, at the crossroads of Europe and Asia. Fly to Bucharest. Romania, to embark the Amadeus in Oltenita. Cruise through five countries discovering beautiful scenery, great cities and hilltop fortresses lining the Danube's banks. Our voyage ends in exquisite Vienna, where you can join an optional two-night extension. From $3,590 per person, double occupancy, includes early bookino discount and round-trip international air from The fall 1997 Lyre advertised two trips abroad to take with Alpha Chi 49 Omegas. Though headquarters no longer plans trips, you'll find in this issue that sisters still love to see the world! contents Fall 2018 Volume 121 : Issue 1 The Around the World Issue 10 Real. Strong. Woman. Jody Olsen Beta Nu (University of Utah) The 20th director of the Peace Corps FEATURES 14 2018 National Convention Relive the weekend in Austin 29 40 Years of Foundation Celebrating the major milestone 40 Making a Difference A sister practicing law in Nepal Courtesy of the Peace Corps The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 1 Table of Contents Editor's Note In addition to suggesting sorority recruitment, my top advice for college students is always to spend a semester abroad. My four months in Alcalá de Henares, Spain were some of the most transformative of my life. I learned about the traditions of my host family, practiced my Spanish, experienced new cultures, and traveled to five countries and more than a dozen Spanish cities. And I stayed connected to my Alpha Chi Omega sisters back home through Skype and a huge care package filled with notes, pictures and the prized treat abroad - peanut butter! For this Around the World issue, you'll notice maps with a state or country Sisters of Alpha Chi Omega can be found around the world, and highlighted in red. This will help you place the impact of our organization is felt globally too. In this issue, you'll where in the world the sister in the story was! read of sisters making a difference from abroad, like finance specialist See how Indiana, where the editor works at Tamsin Davies (page 49), and for others abroad, like Hailey Guerra Alpha Chi Omega headquarters, is red here? (page 40) and Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen (page 42). So the only question left to ask is where will you travel next? Lauren Stark Alpha Chi (Butler University) IN EVERY ISSUE ON CAMPUS 50 Accomplished AXQ CONNECT 3 Contributors 36 Housing Alumnae 60 Collegiate Notes 4 Letters to the Editor 38 On Campus 54 Fraternity Business 62 Alumnae Notes 6 Corner Office 56 Archives LIFE 68 Reunions 7 Perspectives 40 Making a 59 Alumna Initiate 70 Accolades Difference Spotlight 8 AXQ News 72 In Memoriam 49 Volunteer Spotlight 29 Foundation The following staff members contributed articles to this issue: Arianna Bradley Marsha Grady Emily Rose Jacobsen Dena Norrod Eliza Payne Allison Summers Kappa Xi Alpha Upsilon Iota Chi Delta Zeta Delta Chi Alpha Omicron Pi (University of West (University of Alabama) (Middle Tennessee State (Central Michigan (William Woods Fraternity Florida) Chief Development University) University) University) Assistant Director Associate Director of Officer Assistant Director of Risk Assistant Director of Housing Operations of Education and Consultant Training and Management Lifetime Engagement Coordinator Leadership Initiatives Volunteer Support 2 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Contributors 2 Alpha Chi Omega REAL. STRONG WOMEN. Alpha Chi Omega National Council Members: Angela Costley Harris President Jari Askins Vice President Mikelle Holt Brady JAN VAN EKEREN JILL KINISON Vice President DELTA NU (IOWA STATE THETA TAU (RUTGERS UNIVERSITY) Jennifer Daurora UNIVERSITY) Vice President Travel has always been part of Jill Lynne Biggio Herndon Vice President Sixty-seven countries later, you can safely Kinison's life, and she brings Alpha Chi call Jan Van Ekeren a world traveler. She Omega along on her trips across the Jill Sabatino Lacy Vice President shares about her adventures in this issue. world. She has also volunteered as a Page 50 province collegiate chair for the Pacific Editorial Staff: Northwest region of Alpha Chi Omega Lauren Stark and now as the president of lota lota Editor (Seattle, Washington) alumnae chapter. Erin Witt Page 7 Director - Marketing and Communications Amy Colvin Mustafa Senior Director of Education and Engagement The Lyre of Alpha Chi Omega Amplify is published quarterly. Alpha Chi POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Lyre of Alpha Chi Omega, 2018 National Convention 5939 Castle Creek Parkway North Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46250-4343. Submission Deadlines: Fall issue July 1 Winter issue - October 1 JOAN PERRY CONVENTION REPORTERS Spring issue - January 1 ZETA LAMBDA Five sisters share their convention Summer issue April 1 (UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA) experiences. Starting on page 16, read more from Leslie Abramsky Contact Information: A member of Pi Pi (Philadelphia, Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity, Inc. Block (Theta Tau, Rutgers 5939 Castle Creek Parkway North Drive Pennsylvania) alumnae chapter, Joan University), Becca Block (Theta Indianapolis, IN 46250-4343 Perry gives back to Alpha Chi Omega Upsilon, University of South Phone: 317.579.5050 through her gifts to the Foundation as Carolina), Rachael Palmer (Beta alphachiomega.org part of the Leadership Circle. Page 29 Nu, University of Utah), Emma editor@alphachiomega.org Brown Horn (Alpha, DePauw Our Mission: University) and Audra Levi Priluck Alpha Chi Omega is a national women's (Alpha Psi, UCLA and Epsilon, organization that enriches the lives of University of Southern California). members through lifetime opportunities for friendship, leadership, learning and service. FRATERNITY COMMUNICATIONS ASSOCIATION The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 3 Editor's Desk Letters to the Editor Where Has Your Lyre Been? Editor's Note We received some questions and comments regarding the summer 2018 Corner Office on cultural appropriation. National President Angela Costley Harris provides further explanation: The language in the area of cultural COFFEE appropriation is constantly changing. For my Corner Office article, I wanted to give you the best information available, so I checked in with our inclusion advisors. These are people who advise all NPC groups in the area of inclusion, and they have been invaluable to Alpha Chi Omega as we have navigated some of these complicated realities of today's college campus Sadie Menth (Gamma Zeta, Kansas State environment. Our advisors confirmed that the University) took her Lyre to Minneapolis' Black word "appropriates" is the correct and most Coffee and Waffle Bar. up-to-date terminology in this context and in the larger conversation going on in the country today. The definition of "cultural appropriation" by Cambridge Dictionary is "the act of taking or using things from a culture that is not your own, especially without "So excited to finally have a showing that you understand or respect #lyremagazine in my hands and be at this culture." This definition is exactly what the National Convention! Thank you we advise our members to avoid. We have encountered significant risk situations this to my amazing sisters for honoring past school year with what started out as me this way. #amplifyalphachi innocent intentions like tacos on a Tuesday #womenofdistinction #axo with sisters, which slipped into cultural #alwaysalphachi proud to be an appropriation that threatened the continued @AlphaChiOmegaHQ" existence of that chapter on a particular Karen White Siladi (Delta Zeta, Central campus. It has been a very serious problem From Alma Hernandez (Beta Lambda, Michigan University) brought her Lyre along on for the organization this past year, which is her 30th anniversary trip. She and her husband what prompted the article. University of Arizona), a 2018 Real. traveled by cruise ship around Italy and Greece. Alpha Chi Omega is committed to Strong. Woman. of Distinction via promoting self-worth, human dignity and Twitter a positive fraternity/sorority image and welcomes further discussion on this ever- evolving and important topic. Editor's Note In the summer 2018 issue, a photo of Beta Zeta Beta (Houston, Texas) chapter was included in the Archives feature on Beta Lambda Beta (Austin, Texas). The photos are below and labeled correctly for these Texas chapters. The Lyre regrets the error. Beta Lambda Beta at a flower arranging class Beta Zeta Beta at their last meeting of the 2018 academic year 4 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Alpha Chi Omega REAL. STRONG. WOMEN. CONVENTION FAVORITES ARE STILL AVAILABLE LYRE SE hjgreek.com 800.451.3304 HERFF H JONES. 34-4626 Corner Office Memories Make the Home By Cassie Gerhardt (Alpha Pi, University of North Dakota), National Housing Corporation President My family and "We must remember that it is the I recently built and moved into a experiences that occur within the new house about three blocks from space that matter most to our our old house. The new house is in members." a neighborhood we have grown to love, and it includes a few touches what we miss when we leave. It is not relationships we have with our family our old house lacked. During the necessarily the physical space we miss, members in our homes, so too must long construction period, anticipation but rather the feeling and emotions we tend to the experiences of our about life in the new house grew as created within that space. members in our facilities and beyond. moving day drew near. At least most As I meet Alpha Chi Omega My hope is that all chapters provide of the family was excited. My oldest collegians and alumnae from different members with experiences that enrich son, Jack, did not share the enthusiasm chapters, I am often reminded that their lives and that our chapter facilities the rest of the family felt for the new regardless of whether they have shared are places where members feel joy, house and often indicated his desire to a house, a residence hall floor, a suite comfort and support. Our chapter stay in our old house. or a lodge (or even if they haven't had facilities should be homes to our Jack is 14 years old and was 6 a chapter facility), it is the memories members during their undergraduate when we moved into our old house. made with sisters that keeps them years, not just houses they occupy Although it isn't the only house he has connected, not a house or physical during college. My collegiate experience ever lived in, it is the only house from space. The space is just the physical brought just that to my life. When I which he has memories. The thought representation of their memories, as graduated, I felt the same sadness in of leaving the house that has been a our old house was for Jack. leaving the chapter house that Jack felt in place of security, happiness and love Just as my family took care of leaving our old house. Like Jack, it wasn't for the past eight years was unsettling. our old house, we need to take care the house I missed, it was the memories For Jack, there wasn't excitement for of our chapter facilities. We must made in the house that I missed 22 the house we were moving to, but invest resources to ensure they years later, I still miss those memories instead, there was sadness about the remain relevant spaces that support and that home. "home" we were leaving behind. our members and chapters as they In terms of our move, once Jack was When places give us feelings of create lasting memories. More able to understand that with time, our contentment and comfort, it is easy to importantly, we must remember new house would become a "home," develop a strong connection or affinity that it is the experiences that occur his enthusiasm for the move increased. for them. Whether a stay is measured within the space that matter most to I hope we can all help instill that same by years in a house, months in an our members. A post I recently saw enthusiasm and excitement in our apartment, semesters in a sorority on social media illustrated this: "A collegiate and alumnae members as house, weeks at an Airbnb or days house is made of walls and beams, they transition through the various in a hotel room, the memories and but a home is built with love and chapters of their life. It is what allows experiences created in a space are dreams." Just as we must nurture the our sisterhood to continue! 6 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Perspectives O #axoonthego By Jill Kinison (Theta Tau, Rutgers University) 163 floors up, 2,717 feet to the soak it in. Lather, rinse, repeat. ground, I stood looking out from an Fast forward years later, about the observation deck in Dubai, United Arab same time I began my term as province Emirates in February 2018. With me, collegiate chair (PCC) for the Pacific my Alpha Chi Omega canvas tote bag - Northwest region of Alpha Chi Omega, a staple I rarely travel without. There's I accepted a job with a commercial nothing quite like taking a mantra you've airline. When my flight benefits kicked spent the last 14 years chanting in your in, I began living out of a suitcase head and pursuing it literally: "seek the professionally and visited six out of heights." I did seek the heights. I sought seven chapters in my region. In my first the highest of heights: the Burj Khalifa, six months, I was home for only two known as the world's tallest building. weekends. Any excuse to travel I took it, And the view. it was spectacular. and this sense of adventure brought me In 2004, I was initiated into the Theta even closer to Alpha Chi Omega. Tau chapter of Rutgers University, and Something I've heard time and again at some point a sister asked me what I in person and on social media is, "You wanted to do with my life. I remember just seem to travel all the time!" One day, telling her I didn't care as long as I didn't my coworker was with me when I heard have to wear a suit, I didn't work 9 to 5 this, and he named it: traveling is my and I could travel the world. personal brand. Traveling has been a part of my "Personal branding allows you to world for as long as I can remember. establish a reputation and an identity Growing up, my parents took us while still maintaining a personal level of everywhere: Israel, Paris, Russia, trust and interaction," so says Wikipedia. traveling. But this time, I adopted a Estonia. my passport couldn't keep up. Bingo: "a personal level of trust." As PCC, new hashtag, #tourdeslalom. I wanted It was no surprise to anyone when faced I was trying to build a level of trust with to test if I could replicate the level of with college graduation I searched for the chapters and advisors I remotely engagement with the remote teams at ways to travel and turned to Alpha Chi advised. When you live hundreds of Slalom that I did with the chapters in Omega. I interviewed for a job as a miles away from a chapter, especially my region. Over a year and 15 markets traveling consultant [now called chapter one you've never visited, you need to later, I'm proud to say that not only has consultant]. Combine my two loves, create the feeling of understanding their our program grown, but our remote right? Wrong. I was ultimately not worlds as best you can. During a trip teams are beginning to do to their own selected, and instead of dwelling on to visit Chi chapter at Oregon State, I #tourdeslalom and taking opportunities the rejection, I turned the opportunity stumbled across and adopted the hashtag to visit with and learn from other into an acceptance: I could explore #axoonthego for all my travels. markets' experiences. somewhere new and go to graduate As my term as PCC wound down, my I'm proud of this work and that I've school wherever I wanted. new job at Slalom Consulting ramped been able to hold true to those three And so, I went. Without knowing up. I was hired to create an Office values I wished for in my life 10+ years anyone there, I moved across the Operations Program, overseeing all our earlier. I don't have a traditional 9-to-5 country to Seattle, Washington to attend remote office operations teams across 24 job. I definitely don't wear a suit. And Seattle University. The success of that domestic and two international markets. I do travel. I am a traveler. I am an move gave me the courage to keep on I decided to keep up #axoonthego, adventurer. I am an Alpha Chi Omega. I doing that: find a new place, explore, because this AXO would still be am an #axoonthego. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 7 OMEGA Alpha Gamma Chapter President Alexis O'Neill ALPHA GAMMA CHAPTER Founded JUNE 6, 1918 receives the centennial plaque from National President Angela Costley Harris. Cheers for 100 Years of Alpha Gamma The Alpha Gamma chapter was established at the University of New Congratulations on 100 years strong! Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico, alpha Gamma Chapter on June 6, 1918. The ceremony was conducted in the chapter's new lodge, and at The University of New Mexico the 15 new sisters "gave their pledge VOWS with an earnest appreciation of the step they were taking," according to the 1918 Lyre. These first initiated members would be proud to see that their sisterhood has grown to a current collegiate chapter membership of almost 60! To celebrate the first 100 years throughout 2018, the chapter held a picnic at the Albuquerque Zoo on April 21 and later hosted a Centennial Gala on June 16. National President Angela Costley Harris celebrated with the chapter, and all sisters received a one-of- Licensed AXQ Merchandise ZIA GRAPHICS AFFINITY LICENSED a-kind charm and book of highlights of Provider for the PRODUCT Alpha Gamma Chapter IIIIII the chapter's history. Centennial 2018 EMBROIDERY & SCREENPRINTING contact Sarah@ZiaGraphics.com (Ar'88) for your ALPHA CHI CHAPTER EVENT CUSTOM SWAG PROGRAM 2730 Carlisle NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110 (505)881-1478 8 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre #MEMBERDISCOUNT geico.com/greek/axo GEICO # MemberDiscount All's Good WHEN YOU'RE Saving Money Alpha Chi Omega sisters could save even more on auto insurance with a special discount from GEICO. Some discounts. coverages, payment plans and features are not available in all states or all GEICO companies. GEICO contracts with various membership entities and other organizations, but these entities do not underwrite the offered insurance products Discount amount variesa in some states. One group discount applicable per policy. Coverage is individual. In New York premium reduction may be those organizations. GEICO is registered service mark of Government Employees Insurance Company, Washington, D.C.a 20076; a Berkshire Hathaway Inc. subsidiary. 2018 GEICO AXO News Collegiate Global Service Initiative Learn how Alpha Chi Omega made an impact during the 2018 trip to Jamaica. By Lauren Stark (Alpha Chi, Butler University), Editor Thirty-four collegiate members. Seven days. Two Jamaican towns. Unquantifiable impact. In late May, the Alpha Chi Omega Collegiate Global Service Initiative kicked off its trip as collegiate members touched down in Jamaica. Participants performed service work, like painting, building and playing with children, in the Jamaican communities of Treasure Beach and Negril. "I now know how to serve, not just help," said a church service, dinner at one participant, and another local restaurants and tours of said, "I never knew about the area. the concept of being a global "This has been the most citizen. I really want to utilize amazing and life-changing this knowledge in the future week of my entire life," and become more involved added one participant. "The with my community and the people I met and the lessons I world." learned have changed me and Additionally, participants inspired me to serve others engaged in nightly reflections more. I have fallen in love on their Alpha Chi Omega with Alpha Chi Omega all experience, as well as over again, and I have gained involvement with the a new appreciation for my Jamaican culture, including sisters and what we stand for." DIANA Cycling AXQ News Sisters Serving Around the World The mission of Alpha Chi Omega is to enrich the lives of members through lifetime opportunities of friendship, leadership, learning and service. And while many of these opportunities are found on college campuses, the rest of the world abounds with chances to grow into real, strong women. These sisters have found the joy of service in all corners of the globe. Chris Bush (Theta, University of Michigan) has made global service part of her life. Along with participating in both Alumnae Global Service Initiatives, she has taken five mission trips around the world. She's pictured here on a dental mission to Jamaica. "I have always felt that it is more blessed to give than to receive," she says. "In the friendships I have made, in the gratitude I have felt, and to know that I have helped make someone's life a little better, this is why I serve." On a 10-day mission trip with her church, To help inform her decision to become a Rachel Haley (Omicron, Baker University) says, "I see McKenzie Mathis (Theta Lambda, Clemson vet, Bailey Skinner (Delta Chi, William Woods it as my duty to pay it forward and be an active University) volunteered at two schools in the University) traveled to South Africa through citizen dedicated to civic engagement." In doing SO, she commits to at least one immersion service slums of Kibera in Nairobi, Kenya, visited a Safari4u veterinary program. In addition to experience a year and has volunteered in Kansas women's prison and cut the ribbon on the new deworming dogs and removing fleas and ticks, City, Chicago, South Dakota, Puerto Rico (where she property of a school for which she has been she also learned about working with the unique is pictured) and Jamaica on the Collegiate GSI trip. fundraising since high school. species of wild animals that live there. "Whether it be for a full week or just a weekend, in my own neighborhood or continents away, service work humbles me and continues to radically shape my understanding of the world." Katy Smith (Delta Omega, University of This summer, Stephanie Van Horn (lota Chi, After fundraising for Pothawira Safe Haven by Kentucky) and Sacha Brockmann (Delta Middle Tennessee State University) took her climbing Mt. Kilimanjaro, Miranda Schneider (Gamma sixth mission trip to Honduras. Rho, Texas Tech University) worked in the medical Omega) visited Ecuador on a medical brigade. clinic and orphanage in Pothawira, Malawi. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 11 AXO News Celebrate the real, strong role models in your life! Who is that sister who has shaped your Real. Strong. Woman. Experience? Who is that advisor who helps you succeed in your officer role? Who is that alumna who gives countless hours to support our sisterhood? Applications for individual collegiate and alumnae awards are open until October 31. Real, strong women lift each other up. Take the time to honor a sister who is making a difference in her chapter or community. Individual collegiate awards include: Amy Dubois Reith Emerging Leader Award Estelle Leonard Outstanding Senior Award Outstanding Collegiate Advisor Award Collegiate Chapter Advisory Board Award Outstanding Fraternity/Sorority Advisor Award Individual alumnae awards include: Award of Achievement Alumna Appreciation Award Young Alumna Award Outstanding Dedication Award Visit the Alpha Chi Omega website for award descriptions and applications. Here's where you'll find our 2018-19 Resident at Zeta Iota (Stanford Traveling consultants: Michelle chapter consultants! University): Karly Derschmidt Critchfield, Molly Haeg, Kam Khan, Residents at Rutgers University: Molleigh McCann, Alex Pear, Kim Resident at Lambda Mu (Trinity Taylor Tolley and Alex Tidswell Romo, Eden Sanders, Chloe Sekhran, College): Kellie Greene LA-based traveling consultant: Karly Zrake Kaitlin Girtin 12 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre AXQ News Domestic Violence Awareness Month 2018: Digital Abuse By Allison Summers, Assistant Director Talking about your boundaries, including of Education and Leadership Initiatives digital boundaries, is a great way to make sure each person's needs are being met ince 1992, Alpha Chi Omega members and each person feels respected S nationwide have worked to bring in a relationship. First, check awareness and change to domestic in with yourself SO you know violence issues. This October, what feels comfortable to you Alpha Chi Omega will focus our education and before talking to your partner. awareness efforts through the lens of digital abuse In your reflection, and during during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. your conversation with your Digital abuse, like other forms of abuse, is partner, consider the following: an attempt to control a partner's actions. Digital Do we post our relationship abuse is defined by Loveisrespect as the use of status? technologies such as texting and social networking What are our expectations for communication to bully, harass, stalk or intimidate a partner. Often and responding? this behavior is a form of verbal or emotional abuse Is it OK to use each other's devices? perpetrated online. Is it OK to post, tweet or comment about our A digital abuser may: relationship online? Tell you who you can or can't be friends with No one deserves to be mistreated, online or on Facebook and other sites. off. If someone you know is a victim of domestic Send negative, insulting or threatening emails, violence, make sure to provide support without comments or messages online. judgement or criticism, respect their decisions even Use social media and apps to keep constant if you don't agree, help them recognize the signs tabs on you. of domestic violence and digital abuse, tell them Put you down in their posts or tag you you are concerned for their safety, and/or connect unkindly in others' posts. them with confidential 24/7/365 resources such as Send unwanted, explicit pictures and demand the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800- you send some in return. 799-SAFE (7233) and the loveisrespect hotline by Pressure you to send explicit video. texting "loveis" to 22522. Steal or insist to be given your login and With Alpha Chi Omega now in its 26th year of password information. commitment to domestic violence awareness as our Constantly text you and make you feel like national philanthropy, we hope you join us and our you can't be separated from your phone for Mary Kay and The Allstate Foundation partners fear you will be punished. in raising awareness throughout the month of Look through your phone frequently or check October and all year long. Additional information up on your photos, texts and calls. about our domestic violence initiatives can be found on the Alpha Chi Omega website on the domestic violence awareness page. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 13 Q Convention Real sisterhood Alphac Strong 2018 National Convention 10 connect - Women Credit for many photos on these pages to Greek Yearbook. Visit the Alpha Chi Omega website to view more and purchase. AM Trinity 2017 from Convention june 2.9 By Leslie Abramsky Block (Theta Tau, Rutgers we traveled back to the hotel and went and new in an informal setting. What University) and Becca Block (Theta Upsilon, right to bed. was particularly special this year was University of South Carolina) After some sleep, it was time for introducing Becca to the women who the fun to begin! Walking into the had watched her grow up (on Facebook) registration area, you could hear squeals and who had cheered when she joined hether it's your first of delight as sisters greeted sisters they W Alpha Chi Omega in fall 2017. convention as a collegiate hadn't seen since the last convention The highlight of the first day is member (like Becca) or or even longer. Big hugs and ear-to-ear always the Welcome Dinner. As a group, your ninth convention as an alumna smiles were everywhere. The Star Booth we were welcomed to Austin by National (like Leslie), the first day brings the was busy with sisters picking up their President Angela Costley Harris, and we promise of a weekend filled with stars and purchasing additional stars to enjoyed our first of many delicious meals sisterhood, fun and learning. The theme honor sisters and support the Alpha Chi together. After dinner, awards were of this year's convention was Amplify Omega Foundation. The mood was presented. SaulPaul, an Austin-based Alpha Chi. Dictionary.com defines enhanced by the music from the rapper/singer/songwriter, entertained "amplify" as "to make larger, greater Sisterhood Stage, and sisters excitedly us by creating a song on the spot about or stronger." For us, convention was shopped the vendor tables. Alpha Chi Omega with input from "amplified" due to the fact that we were Just after noon, with her black dress volunteers. He had us all singing, "Be experiencing it together as mother and on, Becca met with the pages for the the change, Amplify Alpha Chi," a tune daughter! With Leslie a member of the first time - collegiate women from that stayed in our heads all weekend. NPC Delegation and Becca serving chapters all over the country. As they After SaulPaul, the convention choir led as a page, we looked forward to the went through the tasks for the weekend, us in a sing-a-long of several well-loved opportunity to experience convention Becca was inspired by the passion Alpha Chi Omega songs. together and share our sisterhood. for Alpha Chi Omega of Director of Closing out the evening, some The first day of convention Chapter Operations Gina Fox (Iota sisters chose to enjoy mocktails at the actually started very early for us and Phi, Quinnipiac University), Associate Rooftop Social at the pool, while others demonstrated the true sisterhood of Director of Collegiate Growth Ann attended an invitation-only Foundation Alpha Chi Omega. When Becca's flight Reightler (Epsilon Tau, Virginia Tech), Celebration (with a Kendra Scott pop- was delayed and scheduled to land at and Director of Lifetime Engagement up shop benefitting the Foundation). 1:40 a.m., sisters stepped in to help. Kristyn Tomlinson. The pages donned After dinner duties, Becca and the One sister Leslie just met lent her car their red sashes and prepared for the other pages assisted with chapter-staff so Leslie could pick up Becca from the next day's national chapter meeting by meetings, then went to bed eager for the airport rather than Uber to the hotel. practicing counting votes and roll call. weekend and ready to learn more about Another sister stayed awake SO Leslie One of the best parts of the first Alpha Chi Omega. As mother/daughter wouldn't have to drive alone. With the day - and every day of convention is roommates, we were excited for the sister Becca met on the plane, together the opportunity to bond with friends old future experiences we would share. 16 Fall 2018 The Lyre june 30 First-time attendee and current collegiate member Rachael Palmer (Beta Nu, University of Utah) and seven-time attendee Emma Brown Horn (Alpha, DePauw University) interviewed each other to share their experiences. EBH: What was your impression of bonded over being collegiate members [Past National Presidents] Julie Cain your first national chapter meeting? together. Burkhard and Donna Smith Chereck. RP: That was a pretty powerful The information they delivered opened experience. I thought I knew what to EBH: What was your favorite part of my eyes to the power of advocacy by expect, but sitting in the national chapter attending your first convention? women for women and the importance meeting matching all your sisters and RP: I attended the alumna initiation of protecting our experience. We need sharing the Ritual is a powerful, unifying ceremony. Afterward, I saw one of our more Alpha Chi Omegas involved in experience. Sitting in that room, it didn't new sisters leaving the hotel and wished local, state and federal government! matter if you were an Alpha Chi Omega her congratulations. I'll never forget for four or 40 years, if you were in a what she said: "Thank you. I've wanted I was also struck by comments from the leadership position, or from a large or to be an Alpha Chi Omega for 50 years." National Council during the first chapter small chapter, we were all there together. It was SO obvious that meant a lot to her, meeting. Jari Askins challenged us all to and we should never take sisterhood for action - that our open motto calls us to EBH: Which education sessions did granted. not just think about seeking the heights, you attend and what did you think? but to act and reach for the heights. RP: I attended the panel with all the Past RP: What keeps you coming back for Mikelle Brady reminded us that the National Presidents. It was a honor to convention? word "empowerment" has the word "we" learn about each of their terms in office, EBH: For me, it's about seeing women in the middle. It takes all of us, working the challenges they faced and how they that I deeply respect and treasure from together, to reach the heights. each have personally contributed to an all across the country all at once. I've organization I love SO much. had the honor of connecting with many RP: How does going to convention sisters who span decades and geography, impact your daily life and continuing EBH: How was your first Reunion but we always come back together and connections with Alpha Chi Omega? Night dinner? start talking like we saw each other the EBH: I leave every convention inspired RP: Reunion Night was SO much fun! day before. Everywhere you look, there to not only be a better volunteer for We brought flags for our table and hung is another friendly face that you already the organization but to be a better pennant flags from our chairs. We had know or a new person to meet! person. Listening to our opening Ritual SO much fun planning table decorations reminded me how closely I hold the and cheering for our school. It was also RP: What did you learn from the values of Alpha Chi Omega in my daily fun meeting an alumna from my chapter Austin convention? life - a good reminder to be a kind, that I hadn't ever met before convention. EBH: I attended the education session compassionate woman to all those We also had a great conversation with Preserving our Sorority Experience around me. sisters from Washington State and through Government Relations led by The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 17 Convention evening's Carnation Celebration, the By Audra Levi Priluck (Alpha Psi, UCLA and presentation of our Fraternity's more Epsilon, University of Southern California) prestigious awards and the Appreciation Reception. Our Fraternity's CEO, "Dear Alpha Chi Omega, I always will National Council, and NHC and treasure, wherever I wander, you'll always Foundation board chairs were escorted be home difference on their campus or in their city." into the gala, and our gentleman guests We found our home in Austin by day Following the keynote session with Dr. participated in The Royal Order of three. There was a comfortable familiarity Mari Ann Callais, attendees enjoyed two the Red Carnation, which included a in the air as we gathered to start the sets of afternoon educational sessions that "Sweetheart Song" serenade. Fraternity's business at the morning's allowed collegians and alumnae to engage National President Angela Costley national chapter meeting. We installed the in a wide-range of topics. Joelle Johnson Harris was the toastmistress and inspired 2018-20 National Council which will be (Epsilon) said, "One of my favorite things all of us to take action with the tools we led by National President Angela Costley about convention on Sunday was the gained during convention, saying, "What Harris (Alpha Beta, Purdue University). Alumnae Chapter Officer and Lifetime does it mean to you to be an Alpha Chi The morning session concluded with Engagement Volunteers Track. I was able Omega influencer? This is our moment. attendees participating in our closing to connect with other alumnae chapter We're better than we were yesterday, and Ritual. It is awe-inspiring to experience presidents from across the country and our best day is yet to come." this ceremony with 1,000 sisters, and this exchange ideas. Out of those two hours Jessica Striebich (Epsilon) explained, moment for me was a highlight of the came new friends, new connections and "It was SO amazing finding myself sitting convention weekend. new ways to share best practices." next to another sister at dinner who The Foundation Luncheon celebrated "In the two afternoon education happens to also live in the Bay Area. We 40 years of altruism and included sessions, there were some a-ha moments built a connection, and I'm now looking an informative and emotional video regarding our Ritual and values, and forward to the next time we can get retrospective of how the Foundation connecting and applying them to my together." began, the history of Fraternity programs, volunteer positions that made me SO Lauren Thurman Haislup (Beta Psi, and the hundreds of local nonprofit happy I attended," added Michele Donner Lousiana Tech University) truly summed organizations our collegiate and alumnae (Beta Lambda, University of Arizona). it up best when she said, "The Carnation efforts have supported through the "They provided ideas that will help me Celebration is a bittersweet event. We years. Lisa Mann (Epsilon, University of approach our Ritual in different ways for spend a compressed amount of time Southern California) said, "My favorite different circumstances that I loved and catching up with sister-friends and part was the Foundation Lunch. I love know will be so helpful." meeting new sister-friends, and then we seeing all the GOOD Alpha Chi Omega Jessica Yoos (Delta, Allegheny College) oh-too-quickly part ways. It does excite does for our community to raise awareness noted, "My favorite part of Sunday was us to know we will see them again in two for DVA, and it makes me want to get the afternoon session on mental health. years, if not sooner." up from my chair and get hands-on Ross Szabo very poignantly explained And with that, my 10th national immediately. I guess it makes sense as a the importance of managing our mental convention and our Fraternity's former VP philanthropy that this luncheon health the same way we manage our National Convention came to a marvelous is my favorite event. The stats given and physical health." conclusion. See you in Baltimore! the video montage make me proud to see The grand finale of our 60th National Dear Alpha Chi Omega spells beauty SO many real, strong women making a Convention weekend came with Sunday for me." 18 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Convention O Convention Stories Britain Riley, Beta Eta (Florida State University) Chapter advisor for Beta Eta and chapter president for Xi Omega Xi (Tallahassee, Florida) "I left this convention as I did my last full of wisdom from the sessions, in awe of the devotion of SO many Alpha Chi Omegas across the country and humbled by the achievements of individual members, chapters and the organization as a whole." Three Generations in Attendance It was Katie Sykes (right, Zeta Nu, Texas A&M University) first convention, but she had two special sisters to guide her: her grandmother Agnes Bourgeois (left, Gamma Phi, Lamar University) Britain (right) with Susan Fiorito (Beta Eta), a 2017 Award of Achievement winner and her mother Julie Sykes (center, Alpha Phi, University of Texas - Austin). The family attended keynotes, breakout sessions and meals together and sported matching homemade badge holders. Lynn Demos, Alpha (DePauw "Though mom, Katie and I attended different universities, we University) share the same bond of our sisterhood," says Julie Sykes. "Katie Chapter advisor for Beta is my only daughter, and I am my mother's only daughter, so this Rho (American University) makes it very special to be sisters in the bond along with being daughters/mothers.' "Convention was a great time for me to reconnect Kristin Hathaway, lota Lambda with my chapter sisters (Texas Christian University) and also get to know my Chapter advisor for Alpha Nu province sisters better. We (University of Missouri) all represent collegiate chapters that are very "I really liked Sally Hogshead's different, but convention keynote. The collegians sent out the Lynn (second from left) with was a great reminder that link to the Fascination Advantage Kesley O'Connor (left, Beta at the end of the day, we're assessment right away to their Rho, American University), who all Alpha Chi Omegas with chapter and were immediately served as a convention page, the same membership comparing notes. We talked about and Celine Charmey (Beta Rho), the collegiate chapter standards and goals." having all of our exec board take it and get together in August to president discuss." The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 19 Convention 20 Star Booth * 18 Thanks to your generosity in honoring your sisters, the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation's Star Booth surpassed its goal of $200,000, raising a grand total of $202,011 from more than 680 donors! These gifts will support the greatest needs of the Fraternity through the Real. Strong. Women. Fund. We brought back the exciting Decade Challenge this year to see which decade of initiation could raise the most for Star Booth to amplify Alpha Chi, and the results are in! First place: the 1960s raising $49,000 Second place: the 1980s raising $41,900 Third place: the 1990s raising $32,190 Thank you to our dedicated match donors for each decade: 1950s and before: 2000s and later: Past Foundation presidents and board chairs Margaret Kilner Grady (Gamma, Northwestern University) 1960s: Headquarters staff: Donna Smith Chereck (Alpha Phi, University of Texas Elizabeth Donaldson (Alpha, DePauw University), Austin), Lillian Davis (Alpha Phi) and Katie Lampinen Gaffin (Delta Zeta, Central Michigan Pam Graham (Alpha Phi) University) and Marsha King Grady (Alpha Upsilon) 1970s: Collegiate chapters: Miek Hart (Sigma, University of Iowa) Gamma Upsilon (University of Houston), Delta Kappa (Sam 1980s: Houston State University), Zeta Nu (Texas A&M University), Iota Pi (Houston Baptist University), lota Sigma (Southern Kathleen Castro (Alpha Psi, UCLA), Methodist University) and Kappa Mu (University of Texas - Lynne Biggio Herndon (Alpha Upsilon, University of Tyler) Alabama) and an anonymous donor 1990s: And special thanks to: Lead Star Booth match donor MerLynn Harris Pitcher (Beta Erin Bley (Psi, University of Oklahoma) and Xi, Utah State University) for her overall gift to honor all Kori Whitener Fellows (Alpha Phi) convention attendees 20 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Convention O Vendors & Sponsors Thank you to our 2018 National Convention sponsors! Olympian Level HERFF H JONES TM MJ INSURANCE SORORITY DIVISION Scarlet Level College Chefs® Olive Level Purple My billhighway Chapter Purse GEICO GOELZER Room PDDR findgreek #MemberDiscount Allstate Foundation INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT INTERIORS Pearl Level CSL Management Greek Yearbook, the official convention photographer Mary Kay, Inc. National Bank of Indianapolis Shelle Design Carnation Level Bloom Sorority Apparel Computer System Innovations Gabriel Group Additional support provided by: Alpha Chi Omega Store by Sorority Specialties (service project T-shirts), GreekU and Sorority Girl Store (volunteer buttons and Carnation Celebration gift) The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 21 Convention Award Winners Congratulations to these individuals and chapters for bringing home 2018 awards! Individual Awards Award of Achievement Candice Millard (Omicron, Baker University) Amy Dubois Reith Emerging Leader Award Toni Marwitz (Delta, Allegheny College) Molly Shannon (Zeta Sigma, Missouri State University) Valerie Morrison (Theta Sigma, University of North Florida) Estelle Leonard Outstanding Senior Award Alumna Appreciation Award Cassandra Wood (Beta Omega, University of Toledo) Marlene Whitehead Small (Epsilon Lambda, University of Texas - Arlington) Outstanding Collegiate Advisor Award Erin Brudvik (Alpha Lambda, University of Minnesota) Outstanding Dedication Award Stephanie York Sibley (Gamma Nu, San Diego State University) Outstanding Fraternity and Sorority Advisor Award John Bulcock, Assistant Director for Student Activities for Greek Life Young Alumna Award and Off-Campus Housing, Minnesota State University - Mankato Julie Hall (Theta Psi, Columbia University) 22 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Other Notable Awards Outstanding Advisory Board Award Beta Eta (Florida State University) Local House Corporation Volunteer of the Year Award Kim Smith Grime (Epsilon Kappa, California State University - Fullerton) Sigma Sigma took home the 2018 National Council Trophy for alumnae chapters. Local House Corporation Collaboration Award The Local House Corporation of the Chi Chapter (Oregon State Alumnae Chapter Awards Communication Award Kappa Omicron Kappa (San Diego North Coast, University) California) National Council Trophy Vision Award Sigma Sigma (St. Louis, Missouri) Creative Idea Award Kaye Schendel, Director Gamma Gamma (New York, New York) of Global Initiatives, Delta Continuing Excellence Award Upsilon Fraternity Beta Kappa Beta (Dallas, Texas) Domestic Violence Outreach Award Mu Mu (Kansas City, Missouri) Kappa Omicron Kappa (San Diego North Coast, Corporate Award California) MJ Insurance Sorority Collegiate Support (Local) Award Division Beta Zeta Beta (Houston, Texas) Fine Arts Award Gamma Upsilon Gamma (Orlando, Florida) Collegiate Support (Distance) Award Rho Phi Rho (Gamma Omicron Alumnae) Increased Membership Award Zeta Chi Zeta (Marin County, California) Foundation Award Delta Pi Delta (South Gulf Coast, Florida) Sisterhood Award Alpha Chi Alpha (Tulsa, Oklahoma) Membership Outreach Award Kappa Omicron Kappa (San Diego North Coast, Special Event Award California) Delta Pi Delta (South Gulf Coast, Florida) Promoting Alpha Chi Everyday (PACE) Award Alpha Chi Alpha (Tulsa, Oklahoma) The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 23 Delta Chi chapter won the 2018 National Council Trophy for small chapters. The 2018 National Council Trophy for medium chapters went to Epsilon Kappa chapter. Collegiate Chapter Awards National Council Trophy Small chapter: Delta Chi (William Woods University) Medium chapter: Epsilon Kappa (California State University - Fullerton) Large chapter: Zeta Sigma (Missouri State University) Chapter Progress Award Small chapter: Zeta Upsilon (Case Western Reserve University) Medium chapter: No 2018 recipient Large chapter: Delta Rho (University of Arkansas) Seeking the Heights: Chapter Leadership Small chapter: Delta Chi (William Woods University) Medium chapter: Alpha (DePauw University) Large chapter: Epsilon Chi (University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill) Zeta Sigma chapter received the 2018 National Council Trophy for Seeking the Heights: Chapter Relations and Standards large chapters. Small chapter: Alpha Pi (University of North Dakota) Medium chapter: lota Sigma (Southern Methodist University) Large chapter: Theta Lambda (Clemson University) 24 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Convention O Seeking the Heights: Chapter Finance Seeking the Heights: Membership Programming Small chapter: Gamma Tau (Oklahoma City University) Small chapter: Delta Kappa (Sam Houston State University) Medium chapter: Gamma Zeta (Kansas State University) Medium chapter: Kappa Lambda (University of San Diego) Large chapter: Delta Rho (University of Arkansas) Large chapter: Gamma Mu (Ball State University) Seeking the Heights: Risk Management Seeking the Heights: Panhellenic Small chapter: Alpha Omega (Birmingham-Southern College) Small chapter: Zeta lota (Stanford University) Medium chapter: lota Phi (Quinnipiac University) Medium chapter: Alpha Lambda (University of Minnesota) Large chapter: Alpha Nu (University of Missouri) Large chapter: Beta Lambda (University of Arizona) Seeking the Heights: Ritual and Fraternity Appreciation Seeking the Heights: Intellectual Development Small chapter: Delta Tau (Minnesota State University - Mankato) Small chapter: Omicron (Baker University) Medium chapter: Beta Nu (University of Utah) Medium chapter: Beta Delta (College of William & Mary) Large chapter: Kappa Tau (University of Connecticut) Large chapter: Alpha Chi (Butler University) Seeking the Heights: Recruitment Seeking the Heights: Facility Operations Small chapter: Gamma Phi (Lamar University) Small chapter: Zeta Upsilon (Case Western Reserve University) Medium chapter: Alpha Beta (Purdue University) Medium chapter: Chi (Oregon State University) Large chapter: Zeta Sigma (Missouri State University) Large chapter: Epsilon Phi (Georgia Institute of Technology) Seeking the Heights: New Member Education Seeking the Heights: Philanthropy Small chapter: Gamma Upsilon (University of Houston) Small chapter: Alpha Eta (University of Mount Union) Medium chapter: Kappa Sigma (University of Southern Mississippi) Medium chapter: Beta Rho (American University) Large chapter: Beta Eta (Florida State University) Large chapter: Epsilon Omega (California Polytechnic State University - San Luis Obispo) Seeking the Heights: Public Relations and Marketing Small chapter: Beta Omicron (Florida Southern College) Medium chapter: Epsilon Lambda (The University of Texas Arlington) Large chapter: Delta Omega (University of Kentucky) We'll l travel coast to coast for our next two conventions. 61st National Convention in Baltimore, Maryland June 26-28, 2020 62nd National Convention in Seattle, Washington July 8-10, 2022 The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 25 Foundation > $5 million raised, including $700,000 for housing projects and $1M through the LPI program > $23,000,000 assets $575,000 awarded in scholarships and educational assistance grants to almost 400 members Over $1.5 million in DAYOF grants for Fraterni- Empowered GIVING 1st Day of Giving initiative in April 2017, women ty programs and altruisms EMPOWER 4.4.18 A day of celebration with > $220,000 raised since women EMPOWERMENT #AXOempower through GIVING Founders Day Challenge FOUNDERS. Over $300,000 raised during 7 DAYS. Founders' Day Challenges, including 12 new endowed funds record-breaking $165,000 in 2017 National Housing Corporation 6 6 The NHC has helped ease every transition > 3,400 members housed and has made building a smooth and easy process. They 've listened to our needs and about our campus culture and tied it all in to our new facility. Theta Anticipated completion of AP, University of Omega is so grateful to have had the support and Arkansas and AQ, University of Kentucky encouragement of the NHC - Chapter advisor 99 ground-up builds, opening August 2018 $4.8 million for capital improvements on Budget and leasing process NHC-owned and managed properties streamlined to reduce staff and volunteer time; timeline transitioned for efficiency g 5 new facilities secured: , Syracuse University; , Marshall University; EX, University of North L Began work on new housing opportunities Carolina - Chapel Hill; Z, Cornell University; and IA, for OQ, Marquette University and ZII, Texas Christian University Arizona State University, opening August 2018 Fraternity 143 collegiate chapters, average chapter size 143 Introduced 4 new programs: Gatekeeper training with Jed Foundation to recognize when 180 alumnae chapters a sister may be in need Let's Talk Love rotation program focused on relationships 3 Not Anymore an online sexual assault awareness program, new collegiate chapters: , Syracuse University; with > 8,000 participants ZI, Stanford University; AM, Trinity College Women & Wisdom online mentoring program: > 300 participants & 3 Women & Wisdom in-person professional development events 5 new or re-established alumnae chapters: Let's Talk i'i JED Love Women Wisdom PP, Gamma Omicron alumnae; AXQ PXP, alumna initiates; PYP, Upsilon alumnae; POP, Hattiesburg, MS area alumnae; . Central Massachusetts alumnae New national DVA partnerships with the Allstate Foundation Purple Purse Campaign, RAINN, One Love Foundation and It's On Us and continued with Mary Kay Celebrated 99% of chapters reaching quota during formal recruitment > 60,000 educational/leadership experiences Nearly 15,000 recommendations for 2017-18, up 25% from prior year > 3,000 volunteers > 700 chapter consultant visits to collegiate chapters AXO Recognized 25th anniversary supports of supporting domestic violence DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AWARENESS awareness 25TH ANNIVERSARY 66 This was hands down one of the best experiences of my life. I feel so much more connected to Alpha Chi Omega as a national fraternity rather than just my individual chapter. My heart is very full of Alpha Chi love and I can 't wait to share all of the information I learned with my board and chapter. - 2018 Leadership Academy participant 99 Fraternity cont. 6 6 I love volunteering because it gives me a chance to provide other women with access to the same amazing leadership opportunities and skills that Alpha Chi Omega offered me. Through volunteering I have met some of my closest friends and gotten to continue growing personally through a real lifelong connection. - National volunteer 99 AIRHA CHI ONION 429 members attended 2017 Leadership Academy plus 555 lyre Mailed > 195,000 issues of ACCOUNT members for 2018 Leadership Academy The Lyre to all 50 states and 30 countries LORNA DALLAS Hosted 456 women for Social Excellence Training in 2017 132 awards to collegiate and alumnae 241 AXQ volunteers participated in 2017 chapters and individuals over the biennium. Volunteer Summit 90% increase in social media friends in one year: f 46,000+ Facebook followers 18,000+ Instagram followers 18,000+ Twitter followers 1,000+ viewers on Snapchat (launched fall 2017) in 100% increase in engagement on revitalized Alpha Chi Omega headquarters page on Linkedln Alpha Chi Omega Foundation My Journey to Leadership Circle By Joan Perry (Zeta Lambda, University of Virginia) As the only girl in my family and surrounded by male cousins, Alpha Chi Omega gave me a circle of sisters that continue to impact my life. My journey to Leadership Circle began before my collegiate experience, but my time at University of Virginia solidified it. Over the years, I gave back to Joan Perry with sister Wendy Thompson Kulick as collegiate members of Zeta Lambda chapter. the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation as often as I was financially able. I started working for nonprofits and understood even more the need for The Leadership Circle is a community financial support. In the mid-2000s, I of our generous and engaged sisters who remember meeting with Jennifer Maude invest $1,000 or more each year in gifts to the Real. Strong. Women. Fund and other Carlin (Alpha, DePauw University) qualifying priority programs. By making a at a coffee shop in Philadelphia when Leadership Circle gift, you join Alpha Chi I set up monthly contributions. The Omegas philanthropic leaders in shaping more I reminisced on my Alpha Chi the future of our Fraternity by helping Omega experience and learned about to underwrite important philanthropic, the Foundation's goals, the more my educational and leadership initiatives. monthly giving increased. Today, I give monthly as a member Many benefits are included in a of Leadership Circle and participate Leadership Circle membership, such as: in quarterly webinars exclusive to Opportunities to enjoy invitation-only Leadership Circle members. These events with Fraternity and Foundation leaders. webinars keep me up-to-date on the Recognition in the Foundation Honor latest happenings in the Fraternity Joan Perry Roll and at national conventions. - like hearing from collegians who Special communications throughout participated in the Global Service have a different experience and the year. Initiative, learning about housing perspective than I do and creating An exclusive charm bracelet for the first changes and improvements, and community. year of membership. gaining an understanding of the With the current #MeToo movement, A yearly membership charm uniquely extension process and chapter closures. I am honored to support an organization designed for Leadership Circle As a Leadership Circle member, I that works to empower real, strong members. understand more than the sound bites women and hope I am helping to do the the media provides. I love hearing We look forward to welcoming you to the same. questions from other members who Leadership Circle! Foundation Thank you to our 2017-18 Leadership Circle donors! Maurine Anderson Judy Anderson Jari Askins Mary Baker Julie Balk Cindy Ballard Mary Jane Barger Constance Barsky LaVone Bartine Ruth Bartlett Leadership Emilie Beagle Rhonda Bean Caryn Beck-Dudley Catherine Bessant Gircle Diane Blackwelder Marilyn Blanch Erin Bley Leslie Block Cathy Boragno Kami Borden Christine Bornand Maya Botvinick Lynn Bower Jenn Cornell Danielle Durocher Lorraine Franckle Mikelle Brady Julie Crawford Janice Dyer Amy Jo Gabel Lisa Brock Jennifer Crotty Kristin Edwards Katie Gaffin Julie Burkhard Nancy Crowther Susan Eich Shannon Gallagher-Bolton Sandra Burr Jan Culver Elaine Ellertson Phyllis Gambill Christine Bush Kelli Currie Vicki Elmore Patty Garrard Kathy Butkiewicz Jan Curschman Diane Erdman Mary Gendry Sally Callahan Jill Dale Kaye Evleth Traci Gerdes Heather Carrio Megan Dauenhauer Rosie Fairhead Cassie Gerhardt Tanya Case Jennifer Daurora Jan Faulkner Marykay Gillam Kathleen Castro Mary Davids Judy Fecel Robin Gladstein Monica Cepero Lillian Davis Kori Fellows Laura Glenn Dorothy Chambers Gwen Deal Amanda Finch Kathy Gore Jenny Champlin Kitty deKieffer Joyce Fleming Marilyn Grace Susan Chandler Ann DiAntonio Lynn Ford Marsha Grady Donna Chereck Polly Dobbs Mary Ford Margaret Grady Suzanne Cobb Elizabeth Donaldson Sherry Forsee Pam Graham Mary Cochran Janelle Donaldson Sylvia Foster Leigh Grantham Lauryn Coit Shawn Donnelley Allison Foster Sue Greathouse Heather Coleman Ginny Duffy Ellie Fox Martha Gschneidner June Cook Jean Durling Lorna Fox Liza Hallsten 30 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Foundation Lisa Hancock Georgia LaRoche Tracy Poff Katie Stivers Chelsea Hardy Jean Laughlin Tammy Porsche Shirley Stone Angela Harris Esther Lawson Susan Pyke Lynne Strasser Miek Hart Sharon Lease Lee Pyper Suzanne Symcox Ginny Haviland Carolyn Lee Mary Ramser Joanna Tabit Michelle Hawes Shirley LeForge Karen Rayburn Tonya Tatum Alice Hawk Linda Legg Susie Rehorn Glenna Taubert Jennifer Healy Yvonne Lentz-Kelley Carmen Rene Melissa Taylor Maureen Heekin Amy Lescher Jensy Richards Anne Teaford-Cantor Anne Helliwell Jo-Ann Little Cheryl Richardson Christi Tennyson Betty Hemmeter Kaitlyn Lowery Britain Riley Carrie Tergin Amanda Hene Lee Lucas Bridget Riordan Jennifer Terry Shannon Heotaky Carol Lutz Jennifer Riso Marion Thompson Lynne Herndon Barbara Lynch Lisa Roane Jan Thomson Eryn Hicks Katy Madsen Gail Roper Dinah Thornton Deirdre Hill Terrie Maki Patty Russell Diane Tolliver Kristin Himsel Yvette Martinez Katie Samuels Tori Trobak Marsha Hobel Suzanne Masters Babs Sandeen Virginia Ueberroth Bonnie Hockema Carla Mattson Linda Sanford Shanna Ullmann Lisa Hoegerman Max Maxwell Mona Schmidt Janice Van Ekeren Sharon Holbrook Maxine Mazur Judy Schmuck Nancy Vance Gail Howell Virginia McCahan Judy Schubert Ellen Vanden Brink Carolyn Hrach Marsha McClary Christina Sechrest Lindsay Vise Jo Hurley Susan McLendon Nancy Selleck Faythe Vorderstrasse Janis Hurter Michelle Merrick Willie Shafer Lauren Voth Carol Hutcheson Karen Miley Betsy Shannon Maggie Ward Jennifer Jackson Mary Beth Mintzer Kara Sheets Deb Wehrman Jill Javors Valerie Morrison Ann Shepard Jennifer Weilbach Margaret Johnson Lynne Murphy-Gere Margi Shostedt Mary Welch Alice Johnson Deborah Musa Sheri Shoup Lynette Wert Tim Johnson Bev Nichols Kara Shuror Suzanne Wester Kassy Kaiser Dena Norrod Stephanie Sibley Jan Whitlow Amy Kates Laura Noteware Mari-jean Siehl LouAnn Wilcox Joyce Kennedy Cynthia Nugent Karen Siladi Margaret Wilcox Kelly Kilgour Joyce Oliver Janet Sinegal Susan Wilson Florence Kirschbaum Janet Olsen Sandra Singleton Mary Winkler Donna Klinge Rebecca Olson Susan Smith Julie Wisbrock Kristin Koppen Frances Pastuszenski Alice Snedeker Corinne Wolffe Angie Kucharski Melissa Patterson Joyce St. Clair Suzanne Wyness Jill Lacy Joan Perry Aggie Steiner Penny Zamkov Jessica Lahey Kimberley Phillips Joan Stephans Marni Zarin Mary Beth Lake MerLynn Pitcher Darlene Stevenson Mary Pat Lambke Deborah Poelstra Karen Stewart The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 31 Foundation The Alpha Chi Omega Alpha Chi Omega Foundation's Foundation's first seven trustees Reckord (Alpha Rho, University of Idaho), Marian McKee Smith (Alpha Nu, University of Missouri) and Karen Years of Impact Aunan Miley (Alpha Lambda). In 1982, only four years after the Foundation began its important work, a By Marsha Grady (Alpha Upsilon, University of Alabama), goal was set to reach $500,000 in assets Chief Development Officer by the 1985 Centennial - which was met within the first year! Through its first 40 years, the Foundation has also been a trailblazer his year, the Alpha Chi both educational and philanthropic within the National Panhellenic T Omega Foundation purposes. Conference. In 1988, the Foundation celebrates its 40th At the 1978 National Convention, celebrated the public launch of the anniversary. the convention body voted to establish Second Century campaign with a Since its earliest days, the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. The $2 million goal - which, at that time, was Alpha Chi Omega has embraced service Foundation was created so members and the largest announced campaign ever to others as an important expression friends could financially support priority for an NPC sorority foundation. And in of our core values and belief systems. programs and receive the benefits of 2014, the Foundation concluded the For Our members have long provided making a charitable contribution. Now, Forever campaign by exceeding its volunteer and financial support to the Starting with $100,000 from the goal with over $10.4 million in gifts. communities in which we live. National Altruistic Fund, seven real, Donor cultivation and recognition By the late 1970s, it became clear that strong women began the impactful has always been a priority of the merely increasing member dues and work of creating the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. In 1990, then-Foundation fees to fund educational programs was Foundation. The first trustees were President Diane Blackwelder (Omicron, not viable if Alpha Chi Omega was to true servant leaders - Dorothy "Dot" Baker University) asked twenty women remain relevant and competitive. The Thompson Chambers (Alpha Omega, to join her in becoming charter members need to provide innovative programming Birmingham-Southern College), Harriet of The Circle of Twenty by giving at propelled our Fraternity leaders to Thwing Holden (Alpha Lambda, least $1,000 annually to support a examine alternative funding sources, University of Minnesota), Barbara training retreat for chapter advisors and and a decision was made that Alpha Chi Deady Horton (Gamma, Northwestern province officers. Today, this concept Omega would benefit from a separate, University), Jessie Fanyo Payne (Upsilon, has morphed into Leadership Circle and nonprofit corporation that could support Millikin University), Helen Benson includes more than 270 women who 32 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre make annual unrestricted gifts of $1,000 FOUNDATION PRESIDENTS/CHAIRS or more to support greatest need and leadership initiatives. Harriet Thwing Holden (Alpha Lambda, University of Minnesota), 1979-83 "I am reminded time and time again Faythe Luther Vorderstrasse (Alpha Rho, University of Idaho), 1983-87 that the Foundation has no life and Diane Wilson Blackwelder (Omicron, Baker University), 1987-91 breath of its own," said former Executive Ellen Little Vanden Brink (Alpha, DePauw University), 1991-92 Director Nancy Leonard (Alpha Chi, Jo Sicking Hurley (Phi, University of Kansas), 1992-95 Butler University). "It is the members, Judy Evans Anderson (Alpha Lambda, University of Minnesota), 1995-96 the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega, who Mary Harrison Ford (Alpha Beta, Purdue University), 1996-97 provide its life and breath and who Carol Edmundson Hutcheson (Epsilon Zeta, Auburn University), 1997-2001 exemplify the altruistic spirit which has Marny Hardiman Gilluly (Gamma Chi, Stetson University), 2001-05 been part of Alpha Chi Omega since its Kitty Cannon deKieffer (Epsilon Kappa, California State University-Fullerton), 2005-09 founding." Anne E. Helliwell (Gamma lota, University of Florida), 2009-12 The Foundation looks forward to Mary Kacmarcik Baker (Delta Mu, University of Massachusetts), 2012-14 continued growth and support of the Agnes Smith Steiner (Beta Eta, Florida State University), 2014-18 needs of the Fraternity in the next 40 Mary Pat Lambke (Beta Epsilon, Michigan State University), current years and beyond. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 33 40 Years of Impact Alpha Chi Omega Foundation 1978-2018 $ Over $41 million raised Over $12.5 million granted to the Fraternity for educational and leadership Almost $3.5million programs awarded in scholarships and educational $243,487 awarded in assistance grants member assistance grants $5.5 million raised by collegiate and alumnae Nearly $1 million chapters through the LPI awarded in housing grants for educational spaces program $5.8 million Growth in Assets Over $25,000,000 granted to local charities and domestic violence agencies $20,000,000 $15,000,000 159 endowed funds $10,000,000 276 Leadership $5,000,000 Circle Members* *as of July 31, 2018 0 1979 1989 1999 2009 2018 11 Alpha Chi Omega Foundation lphachion ohaChiOn STANFORD STANFORD Ega phaChi Omega STANFORD STANFORD alphachiomega.org/recommend Know someone who would make a great sister? As a member of Alpha Chi Omega, you are our best resource for helping recruit real, strong women into our sisterhood. If you know an outstanding young woman who plans to participate in recruitment on her campus, be sure to take advantage of our convenient online recommendation form to let the chapter know. Visit alphachiomega.org/recommend to create and submit a recruitment other resources to discover what's new with recruitment! recommendation form. While you're there, view our helpful videos, FAQs and Housing Delta Zeta Summer (Central Michigan University) The Delta Zeta chapter saw some fantastic Renovation upgrades to their bathrooms this summer! The bathrooms were completely renovated from top to Reveals bottom, including new sinks, showers, cabinetry, lighting and more. By Eliza Payne (Delta Chi, William Woods University), Housing Operations Coordinator Before As you may have read in the last issue of The Lyre, summer is a busy time for the National Housing Corporation. While our collegiate members were enjoying their break, the NHC was hard at work completing projects in our facilities! We were SO excited for these chapters to move in this fall and continue to enjoy their Alpha Chi Omega experience. Here are a few renovation updates that were completed at our properties. After AXQ The NHC would also like to thank every member who stopped by our table during the 2018 National Convention in Austin! We hosted more than 40 local house corporation officers at several sessions regarding housing trends, strategic planning, financial budgeting and more. We appreciate all who were able to attend and look forward to seeing everyone in 2020! Housing O Zeta Eta Before After (Bradley University) The Zeta Eta chapter house received AID a total bathroom renovation this summer! The interior was gutted, and new backsplash, sinks, countertops, mirrors, showers and faucets were installed. Before Before Theta Upsilon (University of South Carolina) The Theta Upsilon chapter members returned to changes in their study room After and house director suite. Paint, light fixtures, furniture and décor were updated in both spaces. After 10 Theta Lambda (Clemson University) The Theta Lambda chapter boasts a beautiful suite within a university residence hall. This summer, the suite was upgraded with new furniture and décor for the space. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 37 On Campus Introducing the 1923 Behind Happy Faces Colorado Nebraska Curriculum 1907 1907 By Emily Rose Jacobsen (lota Chi, Middle Tennessee State University), Assistant Director of Risk Management t is no secret that mental health and personalized. Szabo has spoken I is a serious issue on today's to more than 2 million people about college campuses. Over the past the importance of mental health and few years, Alpha Chi Omega provides a positive example to empower has noticed that many of our them to seek help. He is the co-author chapter members have faced, are facing of Behind Happy Faces: Taking Charge or will face mental health challenges of Your Mental Health and a blogger throughout the course of their academic for The Huffington Post. Human Power careers. Alpha Chi Omega recognizes Project's first curriculum, titled "Behind the importance of assisting our members Happy Faces," is being utilized by more with engaging in this critical topic. than 200,000 students. We are thrilled to announce that we To help us build the best curriculum have partnered with Ross Szabo, CEO for our tailored Behind Happy Faces of Human Power Project, to create an program, Alpha Chi Omega enlisted exclusive program designed to provide the assistance of four pilot chapters, Alpha Chi Omegas with a better each of which participated in two of the understanding of their own mental curriculum's four lessons. Zeta Sigma health. This program is called Behind (Missouri State University), Alpha looking at each other in a completely Happy Faces and is now available as of Tau (University of New Hampshire), different way. Several sisters came up to this fall. This comprehensive mental Delta Pi (University of Tennessee) and me saying how great they thought the wellness program provides chapters and Epsilon Psi (University of California - program was, and how more attention members with a springboard to start Irvine) chapters participated in the pilot needs to be put towards mental health healthy conversations about the topic process, as well as pre- and post-tests on college campuses. Additionally, in their chapters. This peer-facilitated that provided feedback when finalizing others had reached out saying how program encourages members to the program. During Alpha Chi Omega's this program made a large chapter feel open up and engage in conversation 2018 National Convention, the pilot smaller, and gave sisters a reason to feel about mental health. Coupled with our chapters had the opportunity to share connected in a whole new way." JED Foundation Gatekeeper training their experience during a Collegiate In the post-test, participants provided program, Behind Happy Faces positions Track education session. additional comments on the impact of Alpha Chi Omega to be a leader in "Overall, the program had an their experience with the curriculum. prioritizing mental health awareness extremely positive effect on our "I think this was the most beneficial within our chapters. chapter," shared the Alpha Tau chapter educational event we have had all year," This program was created with you, representative. "We've used some one participant responded. "I was very our members, in mind. In collaboration activities in this program at sisterhood appreciative of the program because I with Szabo, we worked diligently to retreats, where we had similar results. myself have struggled with mental health. create a program that is both effective Sisters left the room after the program It's nice to know I'm not the only one. I 38 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre "1 think P Iowa Washing this was Baker 1911 1908 1910 1909 the most beneficial educational event we have had all year." peer leaders from the chapter. Ideal facilitators may be those members who are chapter leaders, senior members, members with facilitation experience or those with a strong interest in psychology, mental health awareness or higher education. The guides and participant handouts to facilitate the lessons are available in the Resource Center on the Alpha Chi Omega website. Ross Szabo spoke to collegians and advisors about Behind Happy Faces at the 2018 National Convention We also know we can't educate just our collegians on this topic - have been trying to decide if I should go potential impact of this carefully crafted our advisors stand beside collegiate to counseling or not, and I think after this education on a critically important members and provide endless time, care talk I'm going to try it out!" topic facing our members. The four and support. We need to give advisory Another added, "I thought it was nice lessons range in length from 18-40 board members the skills to continue to have a safe space to (anonymously) minutes. The program is built to be a these conversations with chapter say something about my life that nobody continuous conversation and should be leaders and members. In addition to the else knows. The program opens and broken up throughout the year during collegiate program, Alpha Chi Omega welcomes discussion for topics that chapter meetings and other already- also offers the Behind Happy Faces: most of us have been through or are programmed chapter gathering times. Advisor Resource Series. This series going through; I was shocked to learn The VP risk management is is comprised of online courses each about how similar all of our experiences responsible for overseeing the advisor can take to better understand with hardships and mental health implementation of Behind Happy Faces her own mental health and help guide were. I think that this program will be at the chapter level. She should work our chapter members through mental immensely beneficial for many sisters with the executive board to identify the health issues. and has the potential to change how we best times for conducting the lessons Alpha Chi Omega looks forward view and react to mental health." and also work with the risk management to sharing the collegiate lessons and Alpha Chi Omega believes in the committee to identify and prepare advisor series with members this year! The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 39 Making a Difference Learning Law and Saving Lives By Lauren Stark (Alpha Chi, Butler University), Editor Along with her decision to practice law, Hailey Guerra (Theta Sigma, University of North Florida) made a second resolution: to learn more about the world while pursuing her degree. This plan carried her nearly 8,000 miles from her law school at the College of William & Mary to the country of Nepal. Guerra spent three months interning with Winrock International, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering the disadvantaged, increasing economic opportunity and sustaining natural resources in 40 countries. Guerra worked with Winrock International's Hamro Samman Hailey Guerra sharing her Alpha Chi Omega pride at Mt. Everest Partnerships to Combat Human Trafficking. This USAID-funded project partners with the local communities and governments to address trafficking-in- international law would be like." how Nepal could implement the Palermo persons throughout Nepal, with the goal Nepal is a hub for labor, sex and protocols from the United Nations to to strengthen and build infrastructures organ trafficking, with some studies create anti-trafficking strategies. By that will be self-sustaining by 2022. estimating 250,000 victims at any given using her legal research skills, Guerra "I knew I wanted to spend my summer point. Guerra spent her time evaluating contributed to studies of how changes in helping others and with an organization I victims' shelter compliance with the Nepalese law can support survivors and felt passionately about," Guerra explains. national standards and then used these lead to justice. "I also wanted the opportunity to evaluations to monitor the shelters' This is not the first time Guerra has explore international law and receive a growth throughout the project's timeline. given back through law. She spent a year better understanding of what a career in She also developed a document outlining as a domestic violence pretrial officer, 40 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre WEL COME Nepal Sagarmatha document is inclusive of different genders, religious groups and ethnic minorities. National "It shows Nepal's desire to create a more equal and just society" she says. World Heritage Natural "There is SO much progress being made in the country, and I wanted to be here to see the emergence of its legal (Estd. in 1976) foundations." 30 Guerra has always been interested in travel, noting that her upbringing in Miami, Florida gave her an appreciation for the traditions of other cultures. In taking the leap to spend the summer in Nepal, she leaned on the support of her Alpha Chi Omega sisters. "Alpha Chi Omega introduced me to SO many incredible women, many of whom inspired me to be brave enough to go to a new country on my own for three months and support me on this journey," she says. "My alumnae chapter rooted for me, and it really was remarkable to have so many women who I admire supporting me." While many of her days were spent Guerra on her trek to Everest Base Camp working and living in Kathmandu, Nepal, where she stayed with a host family, Guerra found time to explore intimate partner violence over the years as well. She visited local markets, has volunteered with domestic nce shelters through her collegiate prepared her for the summer of working monasteries and Swayambhunath, to end human trafficking, which is often known locally as "Monkey Temple." And a Chi Omega time and now as ter president of Iota Upsilon Iota connected with gender-based violence. before her internship began, she and her lliamsburg, Virginia). Though the organization estimates younger brother went trekking to Everest I fell in love with Alpha Chi Omega that millions of Nepalis are vulnerable Base Camp over the course of 10 days. to trafficking due to poverty and lack "It was an unforgettable experience ause the entire organization is women of resources, Guerra is hopeful to see which I'm glad we could share," she says, powering women, whether through change. Nepal ratified its constitution "but it was exhausting!" : sisterhood or our philanthropy," erra says, adding that her work with in 2015, and Guerra explains that the The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 41 Real. Strong. Woman. Courtesy of the Peace Corps 42 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Real. Strong. Woman. Peace Corps Leading Change Across the Globe By Lauren Stark (Alpha Chi, Butler University), Editor In 1966, Jody Olsen (Beta Nu, University of Utah) flew across the world to Tunisia to serve with the Peace Corps. More than 50 years later, she is beginning her role as director of the organization that transformed her life. The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 43 Real. Strong. Woman. Few people can pinpoint the "That moment in the sorority house took me back to those stories he would tell of how important that year was exact moment the trajectory for him," she says. But leaving the traditional path for two years abroad is of their life changed. But a large leap of courage for anyone. Without the support of her sisters, Olsen may not have been ready to respond to for Dr. Josephine (Jody) K. that speech with a "yes." Olsen, the moment is clear. "The sorority had helped prepare me," she says. "I was shy, a scared-of-my-own-shadow kind of person. To be with a group of women, to discover that you could have "It was the spring of my junior year when I was at good friends and there were leadership roles you could the Monday dinner [at the Beta Nu chapter house]," have - in its own quietness, it was a way for me to gain she reminisces. "There was this guy sitting next to our more self-confidence." president, and no one knew who he was. When we were The Real. Strong. Woman. Experience was crucial for eating dessert, the president stood up and asked him to Olsen, who is a 2010 recipient of the Alpha Chi Omega speak. He talked for about 10 minutes about the Peace Award of Achievement. She emphasizes the need for Corps. I put my fork down, and I thought, 'I'm going to fraternity/sorority life on campuses. do that." "We take a lot of what we do in college for granted. And she did. She told her then-fiancé about her plan to You do it because 'that's what my friends are doing.' But join the Peace Corps, and both applied and were accepted there's a deliberateness in some of these decisions that for service. After graduation, Olsen headed to Tunisia. we don't realize," she says. "We're trying to find the best Olsen has come a long way since that Monday night of ourselves. The ways we can be there for each other are dinner. After holding various positions in the Peace really important. I really honor that experience I had. It Corps - including regional director, chief of staff, and gave me that quiet yet strong foundation." deputy and acting director - and in other organizations, Olsen steadied herself on that foundation and then Olsen was nominated by President Trump in January to launched herself into the unknown as she boarded a plane head the organization and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to the other side of the world in 1966. in March. She is the 20th director - and sixth woman - to hold the position since the Peace Corps' founding in 1961. Courtesy of the Peace Corps Building Her Foundation Olsen explains that her original decision to join the Peace Corps was completely out of her comfort zone. She was raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, and lived at her parents' house while attending the University of Utah. She planned to get married, settle down and follow what she calls the "culturally traditional" path -until she heard that presentation at Alpha Chi Omega. "This moment was, 'Wait a moment, there's a bigger world. There's something more than was normally going through my head on a day-to-day basis. There's a world, there's difference, there's a whole new way of learning," she explains. Olsen grew up hearing stories from her father about a year he spent in France during his childhood. 44 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Real. Strong. Woman. The countries shown in red Though Tunisia does not currently have an active project, here are those with active it will always hold a special place in Olsen's heart as the Peace Corps projects. country that started her Peace Corps journey. * Life as a Peace Corps Volunteer that she focused specifically on using Tunisian imagery. In applying for the Peace Corps, Olsen didn't know To teach about food, she drew the local cuisine; to teach where she might end up or what she might be doing. the word "rug," she drew the Tunisian mats she had in her The Peace Corps places volunteers in a country of need own home. based on each volunteer's skills and background, such as "They had come from years of colonialism," Olsen education and language competencies. Since its founding explains. "They saw this foreigner who bought and in 1961, the Peace Corps has served 140 countries, ate and dressed the way they did, and they were SO though current volunteers are active in 60 countries appreciative. By showing them respect for what they had, today. they could ask me about myself." The Peace Corps website defines the organization as Olsen points out that although volunteers like herself "a service opportunity for motivated changemakers to are placed with a specific need in mind - English immerse themselves in a community abroad, working education in her instance - volunteers' focus often side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing becomes less about the technical skills and more about challenges of our generation." Volunteers sign up for a relationship-building. two-year commitment and are placed in a country to As she built these connections with Tunisians meet one of six specific needs: agriculture, community throughout the first year of her placement, Olsen realized economic development, education, environment, health she needed a change. and youth in development. "They (the boys she taught) already spoke several Olsen was placed as a teacher in Sousse, Tunisia, languages. All of a sudden this funny lady was thinking teaching English to forty 14-year-old boys. She explains they needed to learn English. I had a degree in education, that when her foreign language skills failed her, she used but I completely lost control of my classroom," she says. pictures to illustrate the concepts she was teaching, and So she reached out to the hospital in her city and to The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 45 Real. Strong. Woman. Courtesy of the Peace Corps the Peace Corps staff to request a change. She received comments that are not built on any experience I had?" permission to work with mothers and babies, and to teach she remembers. "I needed to observe how they cared English at night to adults. for children in order for me to be helpful. There's a "What was scary and exciting was that I could make a deliberateness in listening." change and that would be OK," she says. "I was the first Olsen also says she rediscovered herself during her person in this new program, and I set up a program for service. volunteers coming later. It gave me a whole new kind of "You grow up in a very conservative religious role I didn't dream would be possible for me." environment, and then you find yourself in a conservative In her new role, Olsen found herself interacting with religious environment that doesn't look anything like Tunisian women to understand their cultural framework. your own," she says, specifically pointing out the head "You have to build a lot of trust, to sit with women in coverings that the women wore. "We could get to where their front rooms, to speak in their language, to hear what we could understand why something was fine from their concerns them and what's important to them," she notes. perspective and my perspective I learned to let go of any "And you learn what's important to them is very different judgement I had, and to listen and respect." from what you thought." Olsen recalls one occasion when she tried to give advice for treating diarrhea straight from Dr. Benjamin Back in the United States Spock's American bestselling childcare book. Then a After their two years of service, returned Peace Corps Tunisian grandmother jumped into the conversation and volunteers go on to find successful careers in a wide range instructed the new mother to give her child rice. of fields. "And then I thought, "Who am I to bring in "The commitment to service, to teaching, to 46 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Real. Strong. Woman. communities really gets intensified among most Peace Corps volunteers," Olsen explains. "We are disproportionally represented among teachers, foreign service, nonprofit leaders, local politicians. We infuse ourselves in the existing fabric of what makes this country very strong." For Olsen, her path to her current role as director brought her back to the Peace Corps time and time again, with intermediate stops at various organizations that primarily focused on education and development. These stops included the University of Maryland Center on Aging as director, Youth for Understanding as vice president, the Council for International Exchange of Scholars as executive director and the Academy for Education Development as senior vice president. She also earned a master's in social work and a doctorate from the University of Maryland. But the Peace Corps kept pulling her back in. She worked as the Togo country director, followed by regional director for North Africa, the Near East, Asia and the Pacific. In 1989 she returned to work as chief of staff. And in 2002 she earned the title of deputy director of the Peace Corps, eventually serving as acting director in 2006 and 2009. Courtesy of the Peace Corps After her January nomination by President Trump to head the Peace Corps, Olsen spoke before the Senate country they are serving and to in return share about that Foreign Relations Committee to secure the position. In country to those in the United States. that hearing, she outlined three goals for the future of the "We need to share who we are as this terrific, Peace Corps: diverse nation with colleagues around the world," 1. To "ensure that the Peace Corps remains the world's Olsen emphasizes. "It's that sharing, both personal and preeminent volunteer agency that offers all Americans the technical, for us to learn in that context. And we share opportunity to serve their country." it here, so that we are stronger citizens because of what 2. To "conduct a full country portfolio review to both we've learned of our own values. We understand ourselves make certain that Peace Corps is sending volunteers to better and share the values we learned from around the interested countries where they are most needed, where world." they stand poised to achieve greatest impact and where That communication has been a foundational part of they deliver the best return on investment for American Olsen's life and guides her as she continues her first year taxpayers." as director. 3. To "ensure that the Peace Corps recruits the most "I have always felt that the Peace Corps made me a resilient volunteers and that while serving, the agency's stronger person, and hopefully a stronger person in a top priorities will always remain keeping them safe, caring way," she says. "I've had this passion for wanting to healthy and productive in doing their jobs." give that back, for others to have this experience." Olsen emphasizes that in addition to performing And for the more than 7,000 active Peace Corps their technical work in their host country, Peace Corps volunteers around the world today, that's just what Olsen volunteers have two additional goals centered on will provide. communication: to share about the United States in the The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 47 Real. Strong. Woman. The Life of a Current Peace Corps Volunteer By Lauren Stark (Alpha Chi, Butler University), Editor As Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen Olson-Williams with her parents and host heads the organization, she impacts the sister Mpho outside her house in Lesotho lives of the thousands of active Peace Corps volunteers worldwide. One of these is Hannah Olson-Williams (Zeta Upsilon, finishes her Peace Corps service. Case Western Reserve University), who is Olson-Williams notes that some of the serving as a secondary math teacher in the biggest differences in her life in Lesotho country of Lesotho in Africa. have been infrastructural. She needs to fetch Olson-Williams teaches math to water in a bucket from a tap every day, since students in Forms B and C (similar to U.S. she does not have a sink, toilet or shower. grades 9 and 10), as well as a life skills Olson-Williams with her former student Kabelo But just like Director Jody Olsen explains, class that focuses on topics of health and the biggest changes Olson-Williams has wellness, HIV/AIDS prevention, goal and host sister Ithabeleng during winter seen have been in her own life. setting and positive living. She has set a "I will return to the U.S. a different goal to see all her Form C students pass person that I was two years ago when I their exam and move to Form D the next first departed for Lesotho," Olson-Williams year, and pursues this by teaching extra says. "I have a greater appreciation for how sessions on weekends and holidays. big the world is and a better understanding In a typical day, she arrives at school of how privileged I am to be an American early to help with math during the and a native English speaker. I am also very morning study period. After a morning uncomfortable knowing that I have done assembly, where students sing hymns, nothing to deserve my many privileges and recite prayers and present speeches, Olson- Lesotho knowing that I will never be able to repay Williams teaches three to six periods of the love that my host family, my colleagues class. After watching her students play and my students have shown me during soccer or netball, she returns home to cook my time here in Lesotho." dinner and chat with her host family. Olson-Williams is in the process of Though teaching takes up most of her expand her school into a high school applying for graduate school, where she time, Olson-Williams is working on many starting in January 2019. plans to pursue a master's degree in public additional projects to benefit the people of And she's made time for exploring health in biostatistics that will help her on Lesotho. She and another teacher created too. She traveled to eSwatini (formerly her way to a career in epidemiology. a program at a nearby orphanage that Swaziland), Mozambique, Malawi and "The Peace Corps has informed and combines soccer with an HIV prevention several cities in South Africa; she even solidified my decision to pursue public curriculum, and a team of Peace Corps met up with an Alpha Chi Omega sister health," she explains. "I hope to use my volunteers will host a STEAM (science, in Madagascar who was doing dental career to help remove systematic barriers technology, engineering, art and math) outreach. And after completing a half and make the world a place where more camp in October, the first of its kind in marathon in Lesotho last year, Olson- people have the opportunity to live the country. She has also fundraised and Williams is now training for her first full healthily and happily." helped build a new classroom that will marathon in November, the week she 48 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Volunteer Spotlight Tamsin Davies Theta Psi (Columbia University) Finance specialist for NY/CT and new chapters, and finance advisor for Theta Psi (Columbia University) and Kappa Omicron (High Point University) "all whilst splitting my time between London and New York" Through my volunteer roles I have been able to meet sisters across the country and the world. If I was not involved, I would never be able to meet these women! " What is something that not everyone may and I sat there at the dinner and thought know about you? "Nah, this is not us" until they started My middle name, Angharad, is a highlighting what the winner had done traditional Welsh name that has a long and our thoughts went to "Holy cow, we association with Welsh royalty, history think this is us" to hearing our name. and myth. It translates to "Much Loved Needless to say we had to get ice cream One" in English. afterwards! If you could have a conversation with I look forward to future friendships anyone in the world, who would it be with and adventures at various Leadership and what would you discuss? Academies, conventions and volunteer The Queen! I would love to know how summits! she remains unbiased in the public and neutral on many matters impacting the What does "volunteer" mean to you? UK and the Commonwealth. Also at the and Young Alumni Annual Fund chair It means helping out and creating same time I think she has a great sense of and was my 10-year class reunion chair situations for others to achieve their in 2017. humour! potential. What keeps your Monday through Friday What is your favorite Alpha Chi Omega busy? memory as an alumna? I am a product manager for a financial I have two, both in a past role as Theta Psi service firm. chapter advisor: Are you involved with any other Getting the text message from Katie philanthropic or service commitments? Huryk, Theta Psi's chapter president at Currently, I am a board member of the the time, that we had been selected for a Junior League of London and actively brownstone by Columbia University. At volunteer for Columbia University. My the time, they were the only Panhellenic partner Nick and I are also patrons of organization without one. the National Theatre and the Zoological Society of London. Previously, I had At the Palm Desert convention in 2014, Theta Psi won the National Council served on the Columbia Engineering Young Alumni Board as social director Progress Award. Ali Macke, the VP CRS; Rachel Wagner, the Panhellenic delegate; The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 49 Accomplished Alumnae Traveling the World By Jan Van Ekeren (Delta Nu, lowa State Chinese food for the first time in San Van Ekeren and her husband Kevin Sypolt University) Francisco's colorful Chinatown; trying visited the Great Wall of China this April. to imagine how a river could create rowing up in Iowa something as spectacular as the Grand G I looked forward Canyon. plan when I graduated from college, with excitement and The trepidation came into play as but after two years in Des Moines, I was sometimes trepidation we camped along the way. My parents lured away to a job based in Chicago to the three weeks every slept in a camper while my two sisters requiring 95% travel. After obtaining August my family spent traveling around and I slept in a tent with 52 parts that I my first passport I was immediately the US and Canada. By the time I assembled every night. One particularly on my way to Paris. What a fantastic graduated from high school we'd visited memorable summer we managed introduction to travel abroad! I traveled almost every state in the continental to squeeze my parents, an aunt, our most weekends with a cost effective US. (Sorry Maine, your beautiful parks, Siamese cat, my two sisters and me all in EuroRail pass enjoying the icy blue mountains and coastline are still on my a Chevy Caprice to trek across Canada. fjords of Norway, touring the majestic bucket list!) The cat escaped twice but thankfully was castles of Germany, dining on thin crisp The excitement always manifested found before we had to move on. We pizza paired with a $3 bottle of chianti itself in different ways - mistaking a survived a close call one night in Jasper in Rome and on and on across Europe. barrel cactus for an outdoor stool in National Park when a bear came into I became totally smitten with travel, Mesa, Arizona at the age of 3; seeing a our camp, ripping open a stainless steel enjoying the sights, sounds and tastes of US Navy submarine sail down Hood cooler sitting next to our tent. different cultures. Canal in Washington state; eating Leaving Iowa was never part of my While in graduate school, our 50 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Accomplished Alumnae O Van Ekeren and Sypolt saw the Panama Canal in January 2018. In October 2016, Van Ekeren and Sypolt stopped by the Louvre in Paris, France. professors encouraged everyone to traveling to explore new countries flooding and participating in the broaden our experiences by "going or reunite with old friends who have creation of a free community library that global." Newly married, my husband moved on to their own new adventures. further enriched our travel memories. Kevin Sypolt and I both transferred to We started this year with a two-month The 67 countries I've visited to London where we immersed ourselves cruise around South America learning date have broadened my view of the in day-to-day British life. Six years how diverse and unique each country world. While people and cultures can and two sons later we were off to is before returning to Asia to enjoy be very different, I've learned we also Singapore for three years to continue cherry blossom season in Kyoto, Japan, have SO many things in common. I've the adventure in Southeast Asia and followed by a reunion trip to Beijing developed a much greater appreciation add a daughter to the mix, followed with friends and family. of viewpoints different from my own. It's by three years in amazing Hong Kong Over the years my all-time favorites an experience that I wish everyone could before heading to Connecticut for an include the theatre scene in London, the share. Never would I have imagined how assignment at company headquarters. amazing food of Thailand, the striking much my adventures early on with my Good fortune shined on us when I geographic diversity of Chile and the family and as an Alpha Chi (spring break was offered a chance to once again go view of the Himalayas on a cold clear road trip to Padre Island!) would set me abroad to a newly acquired investment morning on the Annapurna Circuit. on a lifelong journey of cultivating new in Bangkok, Thailand. Along the journey my husband and friendships, ideas and perspectives. It's Thailand was our home for 11 years. I also capitalized on opportunities to never too late to expand your horizons Although I retired two years ago we still give back to our local communities. by plane, train, automobile, cruise ship, spend the winter months in Thailand, Memorable activities included bicycle or even your own two feet. Take the summer months in Washington building Habitat for Humanity homes, a risk, jump in and be all you can be - a state and all the weeks in between constructing check dams to help prevent real, strong woman! The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 51 NPC News Promoting the Benefits of the Sorority Experience Reprinted from the July National Panhellenic The activities of fraternity and sorority collegiate members and young Conference e-newsletter written by Carole J. members that have led to deaths, mental alumnae the assistance they need in Jones, the 2017-19 NPC Chairman and physical injury, poor academic building relationships as they seek achievement and health problems job opportunities. We should also be When each of are a contradiction to our rituals and telling our sorority stories and sharing us chose to become founding principles. our experiences SO young women a member of a Therefore, we have to have conviction participating in recruitment today will fraternal organization, to fight the negative and promote the have heard the good news about our we found lifelong positive. We are the best public relations organizations or know someone who is friends, support we have. When asked why you belong to a member long before they enter college. to excel in studies or are still involved in a sorority, tell them The bond of fraternity and sorority and opportunities why. Talk about the friendships you've membership is strong. We know for leadership made, the experiences and lessons that it inside our hearts and inside our development and have helped shape who you are, the skills communities. To ensure others can community service. What many of us probably you've developed and the memories you've continue to share in this bond, we must created. did not expect was the bond rooted in also be strong in telling others about our Greek traditions that we not only share with For sorority alumnae, it's our positive experiences and the benefits of members of our specific fraternity or sorority, responsibility and privilege to give membership we all enjoy. but also with members of other fraternal organizations. There are more than 4 million sorority women and more than 4.5 million fraternity men - that's a lot of people who share a common bond of sisterhood and brotherhood. Think EVENT PRODUCTS about those numbers and the networking opportunities! If you are a college student embarking in a summer job or internship, or Tents Table Covers Podium Counters even beginning your first full-time job after graduation, you are joining a work environment Pull Up Banners Step & Repeat Walls where you no doubt will have the opportunity to network with fellow fraternity and sorority ups Free Ground Shipping alumni. By talking about your fraternal OFFICIAL LICENSED experiences, you most likely will be opening PRODUCT doors to endless possibilities in career and volunteer opportunities. I speak from experience. When I interviewed for my first job, the person Alpha Chi Omega interviewing me asked about my sorority experience listed on my resume. She shared REAL. STRONG. WOMEN. she was a member of Kappa Delta, and we "clicked" immediately. She hired me on the spot. I'm convinced it's because we bonded over sorority life. Alpha Chi Omega Whether you joined a fraternal organization two months ago, five years ago or 50 years ago, hopefully, your experience, like mine, was amazing. So, don't be afraid to tell your story even when it is sometimes hard to be a fraternity or sorority member. Our organizations have become tarnished Alpha by heavy alcohol consumption and binge drinking, hazing and lack of responsibilities. www.greekitup.com 52 Fall 2018 The Lyre greekyearbook BID DAY PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGE FEATURES Oketta BID DAY CANDID PARTY PICS DIGITAL IMAGES AND PROFESSIONAL PRINTS SNAPCHAT FILTER ARTWORK PROVIDED NO ORDER FORMS NECESSARY - UP TO - $250 OFF PLATINUM & GOLD PACKAGES PROMO CODE: PACKAGE250 EXPIRES 12.15.2018 Coupon discount is subject to change and is based on the number of members in your organization. COMPOSITE PHOTOGRAPHY ALL INCLUSIVE LOWEST PRICING PREFERRED SCHEDULING ONLINE PROOFING FAST DELIVERY - UP TO - O 00000 52 R F 00000000000000 $500 OFF O U 06 Alpha Alpha Alpha Q I 2018 2019 0000 YOUR NEXT COMPOSITE 1991 University of Hunt Valley 0000 N 0000 R @0000 PROMO CODE: CONV500 OF EXPIRES 12.15.2018 Q B *Discount is based on chapter size and available to new customers only. WWW.GREEKYEARBOOK.COM// 1.866.GREEK.YB Fraternity Business Serving Our Provinces Appreciating every little service rendered By Arianna Bradley (Kappa Xi, University of West Florida), Associate Director of Consultant Training and Voluneer Support, and Dena Norrod (Delta Zeta, Central Michigan University), Assistant Director of Lifetime Engagement Current PCCs reconnected and shared ideas in Austin Province officers have been a long-standing volunteer be right for you! position within the Fraternity. In 1921, the first province The province collegiate chair is charged with supervising, assembly met, and attendees decided to stage province recruiting, training and mentoring chapter advisors and gatherings in the off-year from conventions. advisory boards to assist and support collegiate chapters. Alpha Chi Omega's collegiate and alumnae chapters Additionally, the PCC is instrumental in resolving chapter are divided into geographical areas called provinces. Each and province issues, as well as providing historical context province is served by a province collegiate chair (PCC) and for a chapter. It is expected that the PCC will work closely a province alumnae chair (PAC). and collaboratively with Alpha Chi Omega headquarters The Province Officer Nominating Committee (PONC) is and the collegiate experience specialists in her province to looking for the next group of women to serve in these vital coordinate resources and provide the support necessary volunteer roles for a term of June 2019 - May 2021. to ensure Alpha Chi Omega's strength on a regional level. The duties of the province officer are to promote Finally, as a voting delegate at our biennial conventions, excellence in collegiate or alumnae chapter development; to the PCC will attend all conventions during her term as she lead, guide and impact collegians or alumnae in a province; serves as a Fraternity representative for the chapter advisors, and to grow and support an active and engaged collegiate or collegiate chapters and collegiate members within her alumnae community in her province. While each position province. has a specific set of responsibilities, our PACs and PCCs also The PCC communicates with chapter presidents and work together to plan province and state day gatherings. chapter advisors frequently, and has the opportunity to build strong relationships with the collegiate and alumnae Province Collegiate Chair members in her province. A successful PCC creates Are you interested in connecting alumnae to collegiate community through in-person and remote engagement, chapters in advisory roles? Can you guide chapter presidents and has the ability and desire to train and coach others. The through challenges? Would you be willing to provide PCC is the manager of her province and a mentor to the training and support to chapter advisors? The PCC role may women she serves. 54 Fall 2018 Il The Lyre Fraternity Business Amplify Alpha Chi PACs gathered at the 2018 National Convention Province Alumnae Chair Are You Ready To Volunteer? Would you be interested in connecting alumnae new to The women who serve in these vital elected positions an area with their local alumnae chapter? Can you advise have the opportunity to build relationships with members alumnae on leadership and volunteer opportunities? Are of different chapters within the province, as well as with you able to provide support and ideas to alumnae chapters? Alpha Chi Omega staff and other national volunteers; serve The PAC role would be a great fit! as a mentor to other Alpha Chi Omega members; reach out As a representative of the national Fraternity, the and develop connections with sisters across the country; province alumnae chair is responsible for growing and gain in-depth knowledge of different aspects of Alpha Chi supporting an active and engaged alumnae community in Omega; develop and enhance skills that are applicable to her province. Expectations include serving as a primary professional and personal work; and impact the lifelong resource to alumnae and alumnae chapters; educating commitment of our members to Alpha Chi Omega. members about Alpha Chi Omega Strategic Plan initiatives There are currently 51 members serving as province and alumnae programs; fostering communication with officers, and Alpha Chi Omega is grateful for their service. and between alumnae, collegians, headquarters and The PCC team is led by volunteer director Lindsay regional volunteers; and serving as an advocate for lifetime Butterfield (Gamma Epsilon, Oklahoma State University), engagement in Alpha Chi Omega. The PAC also serves as and the PAC team is led by volunteer director Linda a voting delegate at the biennial conventions during her Sheldone (Rho, University of Washington). Our province term representing the alumnae chapters and alumnae in her officer teams are integral to the success of Alpha Chi province. Omega's sisterhood across the country, and we look forward to welcoming more sisters to this role! For information on how to apply to be a province officer for the upcoming 2019-21 term, visit https://www.alphachiomega.org/stay-connected/volunteers/become-a-volunteer The Lyre Il alphachiomega.org 55 Q Archives CONVENTION: THEN AND NOW Reunion Night Have you ever thought about what your chapter was doing 10, 20 or 50 years ago? Have things changed? Are the same traditions still in place? Taken Reunion Night from previous Lyre magazines, the "My Chapter: Then and Now" series offers a brief glimpse into what life was like for Alpha Chi Omega throughout the decades. A favorite convention tradition The winner! Alpha Delta's table (U. of is Reunion Night, when women Cincinnati) with an Alpha Chi doll with ribbon streamers showing honors the gather with those from their chapter had won. Left is Bobbie Willough with Eunice Egged, president. college days and meet sisters of all generations from the same Table of the Utah chapters (Beta Nu and Beta Xi) tied for second place chapter. There's also a layer of with a symbolic presentation of the story of the sea gulls which in 1848, saved the wheat crop of the Mormons from a grasshopper plague and thus saved the competition to see whose table new settlement which was to become Salt Lake City. décor best displays school pride. A candle set fire to the replica of the mission (see scorched place) but that failed to daunt these members of Alpha Gamma chapter, New Mexico, who won an honorable mention anyway. They are Linda Jones (left) and Marsha McElderry