A blog about the Beta Eta Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega, by/for the sisters; Alumnae & parent.
Sponsored by the ΞΩΞ (Xi Omega Xi) Beta Eta Virtual Alumnae Chapter
Hi! My name is Erica Heinrichs and i was recently elected our Vice President of Fraternity Relations. So I will post a blog weekly on Monday mornings to update all the followers on what the chapter has done in the previous week and any upcoming events that we may have (possibly a couple just for fun too). I have never blogged before so this will be an all new and fun experience for me. :) So this past week for Alpha Chi was a cluster of fun, excitement and anticipation. We have been having our Spring Recruitment due to the increase in total for Florida State's campus so our VP Recruitment, Rachel Richards, and her committee have been hard at work finding amazing girls who exemplify all 5 criteria to join our sisterhood. We have already had 8 girls accept their bids and they are looking forward to their upcoming education and initiation. Here was last weeks breakdown...(I'm a list kind of person lol)
Monday & Tuesday -
We had girls over for lunches and dinners for Spring Recruitment.(YAY!) Also, We had our first executive meeting for the new Executive Board 2011. Additionally, Our Education Committee held a meeting for all future mystagogues/bigs for the new Spring new members. This was a really good opportunity for some of our seniors to get involved with the new pledge class coming so they can teach them how the ladies of Alpha Chipresent themselves and participate in events.
Wednesday-
This was a big night for us because it was the night of Winterfest which was the Greek communities formal way of allowing girls going thru spring recruitment to interact with all of the sororities on campus instead of a select few where they may previously know someone. We met some great girls and got positive feedback on our house.
Saturday Thru Monday-
This weekend was actually our annual Executive Board retreat!!! We spent the weekend on St. George Island at an amazing beach house called Beach Fever. We spent the weekend learning in depth about our individual responsibilities for our positions as well as discussing out goals for the future. We also made the calendar for the upcoming months which included planning social events, sisterhood activities, chapters, recruitment workshops, ritual workshops, chi connections, academic study groups, senior appreciation activities,initiation, education for new members, Pahellenic activities,Par-tee, and the list goes on. It was a very productive weekend. I think we have a very solid executive board that has a lot of fresh idea for the future which with a little time and effort are not unattainable. We have a lot of work ahead of us but we would be lost without our advisors, Britain Dwyre, Jennifer Butler & Amy Zoldak. They are the glue that holds us together. So below is a link so you can see the amazing property and then i added some pictures from the retreat.
That's all i have for now but feel free to contact me anytime! My email is Erica.Heinrichs@gmail.com so if you have any questions or would like more information on anything I mention just let me know because I'd be glad to share whatever I have. HAVE A GREAT MARIN LUTHER KING DAY! LITB
Edu in review's blog had an article recently ranking the top sororities based on their website traffic. I am proud to say that Alpha Chi Omega was high ranking.. If you haven't been lately be sure to check it out, and use your bond number to log in, update your mailing information, etc.
The sorority culture in a year end review has been the source of numerous news stories. From the Fraternity and Sorority Concert Series to the sorority girls at Florida State University who fell victim to an online predator. It seems that because of these headlines and many more, sororities were heavily trafficked for online news and information. Here is a list of the most popular sororities of 2010 based on website traffic:
Pi Beta Phi: Founded at Monmouth University in 1867 although its original name was I.C. Sorosis. Pi Beta Phi, also commonly known as Pi Phi’s symbols are the arrow, angel, and its colors are wine and silver blue. Pi Beta Phi was the first sorority to be a national organization.
Alpha Chi Omega: Founded at DePauw University in 1885 and was first founded around the school of music. Commonly known as A Chi O, Alpha Chi Omega’s philanthropy is the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, which focuses on domestic violence awareness and prevention.
Delta Gamma: Delta Gamma, known commonly as DG, was founded in 1873 on the campus of the Lewis School for Girls in Oxford, Mississippi. The official philanthropy for Delta Gamma sorority is Service for Sight, which helps those who are visually impaired. The symbol of DG is the anchor and its colors are blue, pink and bronze.
Kappa Delta: Founded at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, Virginia, known today as Longwood University in 1897, Kappa Delta supports four philanthropies Girl Scouts of the USA, Prevent Child Abuse America, Children’s Hospital of Richmond, Virginia and Orthopaedic Research Awards. Kappa Delta’s colors are olive green and pearl white, and it is commonly known as KD.
Delta Zeta: Commonly known also as DZ, was founded in 1902 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio the same year that women were given status to enroll as full-time students at the school. DZ’s colors are green and rose and its philanthropies are the Painted Turtle and the Starkey Hearing Foundation.
Kappa Kappa Gamma: Founded on the campus of Monmouth College in Monmouth, Illinois in 1870, Kappa Kappa Gamma is known commonly as also KKG or simply, Kappa. Its colors are dark and light blue and the official philanthropy of Kappa Kappa Gamma is Reading is Fundamental.
Chi Omega: Founded in 1895 at the University of Arkansas, Chi Omega is also commonly known as Chi O. Chi O is the largest sorority in America, according to the National Panhellenic Conference. The official philanthropy of the Chi Omega sorority is the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Delta Delta Delta: Known commonly as Tri Delta or Tri Delta, Delta Delta Delta was founded in 1888 at Boston University. Their national philanthropy is St. Jude and Cancer Research and it is widely known that March is St. Jude/Tri Delta month.
Zeta Tau Alpha: Founded in 1898 at the State Female Normal School, which is now Longwood University, The Susan G. Komen for the Cure is the Zeta Tau Alpha national philanthropy as is breast cancer research and awareness. Zeta Tau Alpha colors are turquoise and steel gray and its symbols are the five pointed crown and strawberry.
Delta Sigma Theta: Founded in 1913 at Howard University, Delta Sigma Theta boasts that it is the largest sorority in the world. Sorority members are known commonly as Deltas and its colors are crimson and cream.
He got his start as an intern but rose to become one of Gov. David A. Paterson’s most trusted and powerful aides, with a designated room at the Executive Mansion in Albany for overnight stays.
But he became embroiled in a domestic violence case, fueling a scandal that crippled Mr. Paterson politically and led the governor to abandon his campaign for a second term. And in November, Mr. Paterson finally fired the aide, David W. Johnson, who had been by the governor’s side for most of his adult life, the administration confirmed on Monday.
Mr. Johnson’s termination, according to payroll records, came one day after a Bronx judge denied a motion to dismiss a domestic violence charge against him.
Mr. Johnson was suspended on Feb. 25 after a report that he had assaulted his former companion, Sherr-una Booker, at her home on Oct. 31, 2009. Further revelations, including that the Paterson administration had intervened in the case and contacted Ms. Booker after the episode, wracked Mr. Paterson’s administration this year. But Mr. Johnson remained technically on the state payroll, granted so-called discretionary leave for almost nine months, drawing no salary. He remained a member of the administration even after his arrest in August on charges of assaulting Ms. Booker, and he was not formally fired until Nov. 19, according to state payroll records.
Mr. Johnson’s lawyer, Oscar Michelen, said his client had not taken a new job.
“He’s not employed,” Mr. Michelen said. “I can say he has not started a new position anywhere.”
Jessica Bassett, a spokeswoman for Mr. Paterson, declined to comment on the timing of Mr. Johnson’s dismissal. But on Nov. 18, one day before he was fired, the judge in Mr. Johnson’s case, Miriam R. Best, denied a motion by Mr. Johnson’s lawyer to dismiss the case for lack of evidence. Judge Best also extended an order of protection against Mr. Johnson.
Ms. Booker had accused Mr. Johnson of tearing off her Halloween costume, choking her and shoving her into a dresser.
Asked if Mr. Johnson was discussing a potential plea deal with prosecutors, a spokesman for the Bronx district attorney, Robert T. Johnson, said he could not comment on pending cases. No trial date has been scheduled in the domestic violence case.
Mr. Michelen said that Mr. Johnson was preparing to go to trial.
Mr. Michelen also said there was no particular significance to the date of Mr. Johnson’s termination and described it as a housekeeping matter that accompanied the winding down of Mr. Paterson’s term and the conclusion of an inquiry into the administration’s handling of Mr. Johnson’s domestic violence case. Mr. Johnson asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in that investigation and refused to provide testimony.
In addition, Mr. Johnson was a central figure in a series of investigations into how he acquired tickets to the 2009 World Series for himself, Mr. Paterson and several others.
The Albany County district attorney, P. David Soares, is weighing perjury charges against Mr. Paterson stemming from the investigations into the World Series tickets.
Mr. Johnson’s departure represents a coda of sorts to Mr. Paterson’s tumultuous three years in office, a period during which the governor sought to address New York’s fiscal crises while buffeted by scandals and resignations.
Mr. Johnson began his career as an intern and then a driver in Mr. Paterson’s district office, when the governor, a Democrat, was a state senator from Harlem. He ultimately became the governor’s closest confidant, a man whose day-to-day job — as Mr. Paterson’s “body man” — belied his influence and reach in the executive chamber.
In July, Judith S. Kaye — the special counsel assigned by Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo to investigate whether Mr. Paterson had sought to persuade Ms. Booker not to pursue charges against Mr. Johnson — concluded that Mr. Paterson had indeed spoken with Ms. Booker and had urged her to help him contain any political fallout, but that the governor’s actions and those of other aides were not criminal.
Such was Mr. Johnson’s perceived power in the Paterson administration that a job offer from a Pennsylvania lobbyist came in within days of his suspension.
Carolina is a Fall 2000 initiate. During her time at Beta Eta she participated in Tiger Toss, served as PACE, Sisterhood Support Chair, Banner Chair and House Manager. She was also a proud Seminole Ambassador and Lady Spirithunter. Carolina graduated in 2003 with a BA in Communications and a minor in Art.
Currently living in Orlando, Florida, Carolina has an exciting sports marketing career as a Media Manager at Golf Channel. She's continued her sorority experience by serving as the VP Communications and VP Fraternity Relations advisor for Alpha Chi’s Stetson University chapter for over three years. She also coordinates activities for the Orlando Beta Etas.
Carolina is currently pursuing a Masters in Liberal Studies at Rollins College. When she’s not working, advising or studying she enjoys running -- last year Carolina ran two half marathons! Her passions also include travel, dancing, yoga, art, her dog Rocco and cooking; she has a vegetarian cooking and fitness blog: www.peasinablog.com
Some of her best memories are from her time at Beta Eta. From the Lucky Stars Reunion this past homecoming, to the amazing friendships she created, Alpha Chi Omega is an important part of who she is today. She hopes all of us continue to seek the heights.
The article below is from Edu in review's blog. It gives a good deal of info about some of the "biggest" and more prominent sororities in the nation.
There’s obviously been a lot of passionate commentary posted here. We won’t disagree that the sororal community is one that is strong. When this article was first created nearly two years ago, it was done so as a way to capture all of our sorority profiles in one place (and at that time, we’d, admittedly, only completely ten), it was never meant to place one above another or diminish the value of another. Although, we recognize, the headline says otherwise. Since that time we’ve written, to the best of our knowledge, profiles on most, if not all, of the major collegiate sorority organizations in the U.S. You can find those here. The list of ten presented here is in alphabetical order, again, in no way meant to give preference.
Being a part of a Greek organization is often the first order of business for life on campus for college freshman. Typically a rush week just prior or at the start of the fall semester makes it possible for women to visit each sorority house on campus, before an invitation is extended to join one house or another. These sororities can be a major part of a student’s college career, being a source of social activies, cultivating relationships and keeping students accountable for their academic performance.
Ten sororities stand out as some of the oldest, largest and most popular Greek organizations for women. Learn more about their histories, philanthropic efforts, traditions and even celebrity alumnae.
Alpha Chi Omega
Founded 1885 on the Depauw University campus in Greencastle, IN by the dean of the music school, in an effort to cultivate a music culture for women. The Alpha Chis support charities for domestic violence, and famous alumnae include former Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice and Bachelorette Trista Rehn Sutter.
Alpha Phi
Alpha Phi was the fourth Greek organization ever founded for women, in 1872 at Syracuse University. The sorority promotes sisterhood and character with philanthropic efforts focused on cardiac care and research. Famous alumnae include actress Jeri Ryan and Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey.
Chi Omega
The Chi Omega sorority was founded at the University of Arkansas in 1895, with the purpose of promoting friendship, scholarship, campus socializing and personal and career development. The Chi-O women support the Make-A-Wish Foundation and is currently the nation’s largest sorority. Celebrity alumnae include actress Lucy Liu and Tamira Cole, the sorority’s first black member and 2009 Miss Black Kentucky.
Delta Delta Delta
Not feeling as though they fit in with the other sororities at Boston University, four women began Delta Delta Delta in 1888. Their goal was for the women to be “kind alike to all” and to “think more of inner self and character than of personal appearance.” The Tri-Delts support children’s cancer charities, namely St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. In 1992, a famous SNL skit made the sorority a household name. Celebrity alumnae include actress Elizabeth Banks and CBS Evening News anchor Katie Couric.
Delta Gamma
In 1873 at the Lewis School for Girls, Delta Gamma began with a purpose of helping women strive for excellence. The sorority has historical ties with the Phi Delta Theta fraternity. The philanthropic efforts of the DGs is focused on Service for Sight, matching their motto to “Do Good.” Celebrity alumnae of Delta Gamma include actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus and ESPN Sports Reporter Jill Arrington.
Delta Zeta
Delta Zeta was founded at Miami University in Ohio in 1902 by six women. This was the same year that women were given status to enroll as full-time students at Miami University. Their purpose was to cultivate friendship, knowledge, social culture and unity. The Delta Zeta women support organizations for the hearing or speech impaired. Famous alumnae include The View co-host Joy Behar and “Brady Bunch mom” Florence Henderson.
Kappa Delta
The sorority was founded in 1897 at the State Female Normal School, now Longwood University, by four women aged 15 to 23. Their objective was to perpetuate friendship, fellowship and sisterly love. The Kappa Deltas support four organizations — Girl Scouts, Prevent Child Abuse America, Children’s Hospital of Richmond, Virginia and Orthopaedic Research Awards. Famous Kappa Delta alumnae include former Miss USA and actress Ali Landry and the Army’s first three-star general Claudia Kennedy.
Kappa Kappa Gamma
The KKG sorority was founded at Monmouth College in 1870 by six women. It remains one of the oldest and largest active Greek organizations. The principle ideals set forth by the founding women were friendship, scholarship and leadership. The official philanthropy of Kappa Kappa Gamma is Reading is Fundamental. Famous Kappa alumnae include actresses Ashley Judd and Sophia Bush.
Pi Beta Phi
The Pi Beta Phi sorority was also founded at Monmouth College in 1867 by a group of women who wanted their own version of the men’s secret societies. The Pi Phis philanthropic efforts focus on literacy organizations like Champions Are Readers. Celebrity alumnae include actress Jennifer Garner and former First Lady Barbara Bush.
Zeta Tau Alpha
The State Female Normal School, now Longwood University, also produced the Zeta Tau Alpha sorority. Founded in 1898 by nine women pursuing education degrees with the purpose of promoting friendship and happiness that would help build a purer womanhood. The Zetas philanthropic work benefits breast cancer awareness, with their national charity being The Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Famous ZTA alumnae include ESPN reporter Erin Andrews and President Gerald Ford’s daughter Susan Ford Bales
above is the poster produced to encourage fathers to play a positive role in ensuring their children find violence against women unacceptable.
BRIAN DONNELLY
1 Jan 2011
Footballers in the Hearts vs Hibs new year derby match will today wear white ribbons as part of a new campaign to halt domestic violence. All frontline Lothian and Borders Police officers will also wear white ribbons, and campaign messages will be sent out via Bluetooth to mobile phones in the stadium and the immediate area. The campaign will also feature on the stadium’s LCD screen, the match programme, and posters and postcards distributed nearby.
Designed to make men think about how their actions influence the actions of their children, the campaign features a father and son playing football, and has the slogan: “You’re his role model. Teach him violence against women is never OK.”
Created in conjunction with White Ribbon Scotland – the Scottish organisation which forms part of the global campaign to get men to take more responsibility for reducing the level of violence against women - the new push encourages men not to commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women. Approximately 5% of all annual domestic abuse incidents force-wide are reported between December 24 and January 4, reaching a high on New Year’s Day.
Inspector Paul Matthews said: “It’s a harsh fact, but call-outs for domestic abuse traditionally peak on New Year’s Day. Alcohol and post-Christmas stress both play their part, although every situation is different. Hearts manager Jim Jefferies, said: “Hearts is proud to support this campaign, particularly at our biggest match of the season. Any act of violence is cowardly, and we’re very enthusiastic and strong as a club in supporting this very important message.”
Hibs manager Colin Calderwood said: “Any form of violence against women should not be tolerated – it is not acceptable behaviour – and hopefully our involvement will have a positive impact on getting that message across.”
Callum Hendry, Campaign Co-ordinator for the White Ribbon Scotland campaign, said: “This is a great opportunity to get the message out to an audience of thousands of men and boys that violence against women is unacceptable, and that they can play a significant part in its prevention.”
The chapter house will open today, and the spring term will start tomorrow. Congratulations to the 2011 Executive Board..
President Jaclyn
VP CRSB Lindsey
VP Communications Jenna
VP Finance Amanda
VP Education Caitlin
VP Fraternity Relations Erica
House Manager Brittany
VP Intellectual Development Libby
Vp Membership Development Kate
VP Panhellenic Kate
VP Philanthropy Stacia
VP Recruitment Rachel
VP Risk Management Katherine
We look forward to updating you on collegiate events this semester.
Some of the events to look forward are:
Executive Board retreat
Leadership Academy Recap
Dance Marathon
Hera Day Festivites
Beta Eta Founders Day
Semiformal
Hayride
If there is anything you would like to see us blog about please feel free to leave a comment below!
www.stophazing.org is a great website, that works to educate readers to stop hazing, not just in fraternities, but in all realms of life. Below is a blurb from their landing page. We encourage all collegians and alumnae to check out the website, and sign the petition to stop hazing!!!
When most people hear the term "hazing" it conjures up images of fraternities. In reality however, hazing occurs in many arenas including fraternities and sororities, the military, athletic teams and student organizations (like marching bands) at both the high school and collegiate levels. Many believe that hazing in fraternities and in general is nothing more than silly antics and harmless pranks like those remembered from the 1980s hit comedy Animal House. The realities of hazing are dramatically different than the humorous images many people associate with the term. Hazing is an abuse of power that can have debilitating and life-threatening consequences. According to the research presented by Hank Nuwer (1990), journalist and author of several books related to hazing, hazing has been associated with more than 50 deaths in college fraternities and countless more physical injuries including paralysis, not to mention the devastating emotional effects that can result for so many young men and women.
Eileen Stevens, a mother (and now grandmother) from New York lost her eldest son Chuck Stenzel in 1978 when he was a victim of hazing at Klan Alpine, a fraternity at Alfred University. One evening, the older fraternity brothers came to the dorms to pick up pledges (including Chuck who was a strong athletic young man) and bring them back to the fraternity house for a party. That night, Chuck died and the coroner told Ms. Stevens that the cause was alcohol poisoning. The fraternity and the university refused to accept responsibility or provide a thorough investigation. Incredulous, Eileen set out to investigate on her own. Over the next few weeks and months, Stevens refused to give up her quest to find out the truth. While she was stonewalled at nearly every turn by the institution and the fraternity, witnesses eventually came forward to share details of the night's events. Eventually, Eileen had a much clearer picture of what had happened to her son that fateful night. As it turned out, Chuck and two other pledges were locked in the trunk of a car and were allegedly given a pint of Jack Daniels, a 6-pack of beer and a quart of wine and was told to consume it all by the time the car stopped. Later, the pledges were coerced to drink even more at the fraternity house until many passed out.
When Chuck passed out, he was carried upstairs and left on a mattress where he ceased breathing soon afterward (Adapted from Broken Pledges, Nuwer 1990). Eileen Steven's story is not the only one of such tragic proportions. Far too many parents have been awakened in the night to receive the devastating news of the loss of their child to hazing. For example, many are familiar with the devastating death of Scott Krueger a promising young freshman who died of alcohol poisoning while pledging a fraternity at MIT in the Fall of 1997. That same year, Binaya Oja died of alcohol poisoning while pledging a fraternity at Clarkson University and in 1992 Jonathan McNamara was killed after falling from a cliff while participating in a pledge outing. Tragically, these are not the only incidents of this kind. The most up-to-date and comprehensive account of such tragedies is summarized in Wrongs of Passage (1999).
The story of Eileen Stevens and her son Chuck is familiar to some as it was detailed in the book and subsequent television movie Broken Pledges. The story describes Eileen's courageous battle to uncover the true cause of her son's death and to educate others about the realities of hazing. Stevens' tenacity in the face of such tragedy--her refusal to accept the notion that the fraternity had no responsibility for her son's death--resulted in a host of controversy and public attention to the issue. Her efforts to educate and eliminate such dangerous traditions eventually led to the passage of an anti-hazing law in the state of NY. Eileen's anger and grief were channeled, at least in part, to her amazing public awareness campaign that began in the state of NY and eventually spanned the country. Eileen's compassion influenced thousands of lives as she told her story to student groups, university staff, faculty and administrators at hundreds of campuses as well as national meetings of fraternities and sororities over a 20-year period.
One of the most commonly asked questions about hazing in fraternities is why do young men and women participate in such horrific and life-threatening activities just to belong to a group? This seems like a reasonable question--but it reveals the lack of understanding about the dynamics of the hazing process. For example, many states that have passed legislation to prohibit hazing have recognized that the intensity of the peer pressure prevents hazing victims from providing true consent to participate in the activities in question. Additionally, many prospective members don't realize and are not informed of what the pledging process and hazing will entail because this information is shrouded in secrecy by the brotherhood. This, combined with the increasing severity of the hazing over the weeks and months of the pledging process places the pledge in a very vulnerable position and hence, more susceptible to victimization. Compounding these dynamics in fraternities and other male groups is the desire for the pledge or prospective member to "be tough," "stick it out" etc. and prove his masculinity rather than risk being identified as a wimp or sissy.
Expand education and awareness efforts to increase positive attitudes toward nonviolence and encourage individuals to report family violence.
Form or task forces to assess the problem, develop an action plan, and monitor progress.
Mandate training in domestic violence for all social services and criminal justice professionals.
Advocate laws and judicial procedures at the state and local levels that support and protect battered women.
Establish centers where visits between batterers and their children may be supervised, for the children's safety.
Fund shelters adequately.
Recruit and train volunteers to staff hotlines, accompany victims to court, and provide administrative support to shelters and victim services.
Improve collection of child support.
Establish medical protocols to help physicians and other health care personnel identify and help victims of domestic abuse.
Provide legal representation for victims of domestic violence.
Advocate for the accessibility of services for all population groups, especially underserved populations which include immigrants and refugees, gays and lesbians, racial and ethnic minorities and the disabled.
Adapted from: "Preventing Violence Against Women: Not Just A Women's Issue," the National Crime Prevention Council, 1995.
Every individual in an abusive relationship needs a safety plan. Shelters and crisis counselors have been urging safety plans for years, and police departments, victim services, hospitals, and courts have adopted this strategy. Safety plans should be individualized -- for example, taking account of age, marital status, whether children are involved, geographic location, and resources available -- but still contain common elements.
When creating a safety plan:
Think about all possible escape routes. Doors, first-floor windows, basement exits, elevators, stairwells. Rehearse if possible.
Choose a place to go. To the home of a friend or relative who will offer unconditional support, or a motel or hotel, or a shelter - most importantly somewhere you will feel safe.
Pack a survival kit. Money for cab fare, a change of clothes, extra house and car keys, birth certificates, passports, medications and copies of prescriptions, insurance information, checkbook, credit cards, legal documents such as separation agreements and protection orders, address books, and valuable jewelry, and papers that show jointly owned assets. Conceal it in the home or leave it with a trusted neighbor, friend, or relative. Important papers can also be left in a bank deposit box.
Try to start an individual savings account. Have statements sent to a trusted relative or friend.
Avoid arguments with the abuser in areas with potential weapons. Kitchen, garage, or in small spaces without access to an outside door.
Know the telephone number of the domestic violence hotline. Contact it for information on resources and legal rights.
Review the safety plan monthly.
Adapted from: "Preventing Domestic Violence" by Laura Crites in Prevention Communique, March 1992, Crime Prevention Division, Department of the Attorney General, Hawaii.
The new member class of 2010, and soon to be alumnae initiate and two time Beta Eta mom, Mrs. Corso, decorate the house for the holidays! The house director provided cider, and Christmas music for the occasion!
We have a sister from pledge class '97 in dire need of our help. Due to her extreme circumstances she would like to remain anonymous, but she lives in a northern state that gets a lot of snow, and she is without the funds or resources to supply herself with some of the very basic necessities including winter clothing, toiletries, and money for medical needs. She recently had some truly horrifying things happen including a car accident that has resulted in her becoming a Traumatic Brain Injury Survivor also suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Initially she was very hesitant to share her situation with me, but I reassured her that we have sisters out there who would be willing to do whatever they could to assist. She agreed to let this be shared with you, knowing that we would not reveal anything she was uncomfortable sharing. Believe me, I cried when I read her emails and cannot for the life of me understand how one woman can endure so much in such a short period of time and still remain so optimistic, but she is certainly a Real. Strong. Woman. - and I admire her now more than ever.
So, before your gift-giving money runs out please consider our sister in need. I cannot think of anything more in the spirit of the season than helping one of our own. Even the smallest gesture makes a huge difference.
Here's how you can help:
Donate funds via PayPal and we will send that money directly to her.
Thank you so much, ladies. Your assistance in any way is tremendous and greatly appreciated.
LITB,
Jessica Harwood Bouwsma
President, Xi Omega Xi Virtual Alumnae Chapter for Beta Etas
Although statistics on family violence are not precise, it's clear that millions of children, women and even men are abused physically by family members and other intimates.
Myth:Family violence is confined to the lower classes...
Reports from police records, victim services, and academic studies show domestic violence exists equally in every socioeconomic group, regardless of race or culture.
Myth:Alcohol and drug abuse are the real causes of violence in the home...
Because many male batterers also abuse alcohol and other drugs, it's easy to conclude that these substances may cause domestic violence. They apparently do increase the lethality of the violence, but they also offer the batterer another excuse to evade responsibility for his behavior. The abusive man -- and men are the abusers in the overwhelming majority of domestic violence incidents -- typically controls his actions, even when drunk or high, by choosing a time and place for the assaults to take place in private and go undetected. In addition, successful completion of a drug treatment program does not guarantee an end to battering. Domestic violence and substance abuse are two different problems that should be treated separately.
Myth:Battered wives like being hit, otherwise they would leave...
The most common response to battering-- "Why doesn't she just leave?"-- ignores economic and social realities facing many women. Shelters are often full, and family, friends, and the workplace are frequently less than fully supportive. Faced with rent and utility deposits, day care, health insurance, and other basic expenses, the woman may feel that she cannot support herself and her children. Moreover, in some instances, the woman may be increasing the chance of physical harm or even death if she leaves an abusive spouse.
Adapted from:: "Preventing Violence Against Women, Not Just a Women's Issue," National Crime Prevention Council, 1995.
Women were attacked about six times more often by offenders with whom they had an intimate relationship than were male violence victims.
Nearly 30 percent of all female homicide victims were known to have been killed by their husbands, former husbands or boyfriends.
In contrast, just over 3 percent of male homicide victims were known to have been killed by their wives, former wives or girlfriends.
Husbands, former husbands, boyfriends and ex-boyfriends committed more than one million violent acts against women.
Family members or other people they knew committed more than 2.7 million violent crimes against women.
Husbands, former husbands, boyfriends and ex-boyfriends committed 26 percent of rapes and sexual assaults.
Forty-five percent of all violent attacks against female victims 12 years old and older by multiple offenders involve offenders they know.
The rate of intimate-offender attacks on women separated from their husbands was about three times higher than that of divorced women and about 25 times higher than that of married women.
Women of all races were equally vulnerable to attacks by intimates.
Female victims of violence were more likely to be injured when attacked by someone they knew than female victims of violence who were attacked by strangers.
Based on the portrayal of sororities and fraternities in movies such as "Animal House" and television shows such as MTV's "Sorority Life", it wouldn't be a surprise that a parent sending
their child off to college for the first time may send them with a big anti-Greek message: Don't join up with one of those organizations. Based on the media, you can't blame parents for being worried.
When I started college, I swore I would never join a sorority. I'd fallen into the trap of believing everything I'd heard, from hazing horror stories to the high cost of being part of these groups. Besides, I wasn't sorority material. I'd never been the popular girl, nor was I even the pretty one. Yes, I went to college with a great many judgments, but sorority and fraternity life had never been portrayed to me as anything but a big party that only those higher up on the social ladder were a part of.
In my first year of college, I found out that I wasn't completely right about the whole thing. As a founding member of my own sorority, I was given the chance to mingle with other Greek organizations on my small college campus as well as sororities from other colleges in the state. What I found was quite surprising to me. Fraternities and sororities weren't all bad. Granted, there were a few stereotypes that were met quite well. They did throw some good parties after all. But my predetermined impression was all but shattered and I spent my college career reaping the benefits of being in a sorority.
To any parent worried about their student joining a fraternity or a sorority, or to any college student unsure if a Greek organization is for them, the following is a list of the positive benefits of joining. You won't see these on a movie or a reality show, but they are just as real and can make for a great college experience.
The house is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and Hanukkah. The new member class of 2010 joined together to decorate the house for the holiday season. The house director, Marie provided Holiday Music, warm cider, and snacks... Photos from outside the house will be posted soon!
Beta Eta's own Whitney Payne was elected and installed as the 2011 Panhellenic Vice President of Public Relations for Florida State Universities Panhellenic! The chapter could not be more proud.
You can send her a congratulations card at
Alpha Chi Omega
518 West Park Avenue
Tallahassee, Fl 32301
attn: Whitney Payne
They offer a great deal of information.. We found the protecting your identity helpful.. and it offers great tips we can all use...
Identity theft is rampant in the United States. Survivors of domestic violence must take extra precautions to proect themselves from abusers who use identity as a means of power and control. Abusers may use survivors' credit cards without their permission, open fradulent new credit cards in survivors' names (ultimately ruining their credit) or open credit cards in children's names. Misuse of survivors' social security numbers is also common in the context of domestic violence. Abusers may fradulently use survivors' social security numbers to stalk, harass or threaten survivors. Read more to learn how to protect yourself if you are experiencing this type of abuse.
Survivors experiencing abuse should contact their local domestic violence program for immediate support.Check your local yellow pages or call the National Domestic Violence Hotline (operated by the Texas Council on Family Violence) at 1-800-799-SAFE to be connected to the program in your area.
Steps to Take to Protect Your Identity
¨Relocate.Moving across town, across the state or across the country puts physical distance between you and the abuser.Be sure to obtain an unlisted phone number and be aware of the Full Faith and Credit provisions in your restraining order, which make the order valid when you travel to another state or tribal jurisdiction. ¨Apply to the address confidentiality program in your state.These types of programs allow individuals who have experienced domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking or other types of crime to receive mail at a confidential address, while keeping their actual address undisclosed.Rules and eligibility vary from state to state.Click here to see a list of address confidentiality programs in states across the country.
¨Open a post office box to receive mail.Abusers may be able to open fraudulent credit cards by responding to credit card offers received in the mail.A post office box may prevent this if only you have access to it.Be wary of the confidentiality policies of non-government post office box centers such as Mail Boxes, Etc…and the fact that it may not be possible to remain anonymous in rural towns while accessing the post office.
¨Protect your incoming and outgoing mail.Shred all credit card offers that come in the mail along with other documents that have your name, address and/or social security number on them.Mail bills and other sensitive documents directly from the post office instead of from the mailbox on your porch or at the end of your driveway.Call 1-800-5OPT-OUT to stop receiving credit card offers in the mail.
¨Guard your social security number.Do not use your social security number as a general ID, PIN or password.Request to have your social security number removed from documents you receive in the mail and ID cards for health insurance, driving, work, etc…Click here to read about changing your social security number.
¨Check your credit report.The best way to determine if someone has committed fraud against you is to check your credit report with all three credit bureaus at least once per year.Visit www.annualcreditreport.com to obtain a free yearly credit report.You can also make a request to have a fraud alert placed on your credit report.Click here to find out how to contact the credit bureaus.
¨Report suspected fraud.Contact local law enforcement if you know of or suspect fraud and ask to file a report. Check and/or close accounts you believe have been tampered.File a report with the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-ID-THEFT and the Social Security Administration Fraud Hotline at 1-800-269-0271.File copies of police reports with credit bureaus.
¨Protect information you give out.Never give any identifying information over the phone or through email or the internet unless you initiated the call or have verification that the website or email communication is secure.
Other Helpful Websites:
Privacy Rights Clearinghouse: Nonprofit Consumer Information and Advocacy Organization: www.privacyrights.org
Carolyn Cox spoke at the Foundation Luncheon during Alpha Chi Omega's 2008 Convention.
She has since launced her website, Carolyn, the Silent Secret. Click here to visit. She has a video on you tube, which can be viewed below. It is truly an amazing story..
Joanna was initiated into Beta Eta in the fall of 2003 . During her time as a Beta Eta, she served as Philanthropy Chair, VP Membership Development, participated in Dance Marathon, and wrote the skit for Alpha Chi Omega's recruitment with AXO sister Sarah Howell. She was also a member of the Honors college and Order of Omega. Joanna graduated Magna Cum Laude in 2007 with a BA in English (Creative Writing) and a minor in Psychology. Joanna is one of several Beta Etas in her family. Her stepmom, Lisa Brock, was a Beta Eta in the late 70s, and her younger sister, Cheyenne Overby, was a new member in the fall of 2006.
After graduation, Joanna moved to Los Angeles, where she'd interned the previous summer for Jimmy Kimmel Live (and lived with sorority sister and friend Erin Price, NM 01). She took a job on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in June 2007 and worked there for three years as a writers' assistant until the summer of 2010 when she left to pursue a career in scripted television. She can be seen in reruns of the Ellen DeGeneres Show doing various silly things from demonstrating the Shake Weight to giving George Lopez a massage. Joanna currently lives in Los Angeles with sorority sister (NM '04) Brittany Canasi.
Most recently, Joanna entered a contest to win a job as a vitamin company's Good Mood Blogger. She's remained consistently in the Top 20, and if chosen, will be Nature-Made Sam-E Complete's Good Mood Blogger for 6 months. The competition is vote-based, and today is the final day to vote for round 1. Please support a fellow Beta Eta by clicking this link and voting for Joanna: click here
Last week was a CRAZY busy week for the collegiate chapter, full of homecoming festivities... The week began with WarChant, the Chilli Cook off (the chapter placed 3rd) and a concert by Ludacris. On Monday, members participated in a blood drive, and Spear-it night. Tuesday, the chapter participated in skit night with their pairing Phi Delta Theta. Wednesday was the Seminole Festival and Garnet and Gold Gala (attended by some members). Thursday, members participated in Renegade recess. Friday, members enjoyed a half day of classes, the homecoming parade and Pow-Wow.
Pictures will be added soon... so be sure to check back
Saturday, the chapter attended the tailgate with their pairing Phi Delta Theta, and of course the Football game.
Sunday, the chapter welcomed alumnae home for a brunch and then enjoyed some downtime before Chapter, and slating for elections!!!
Below article, as published in the Association of Fraternity and Sorority AdvisorsEssentials E-Newsletter. Essentials is a monthly educational e-newsletter provided to AFA members to learn about a variety of topics. The Essentials Editorial Board plays an important role in the Association’s Strategic Plan and ongoing efforts to provide excellent resources and services to members. If you like the article below, you should consider subscribing to Essentials for $45 per year.
by:John Shertzer, Leadership Ventures
August 2009
Questioning the relevance of fraternities and sororities is a powerful approach for catalyzing change. We, as members and advocates for fraternal organizations, should always be concerned with relevance. However, exploring this topic is not without its dangers.
When examining fraternal relevance we need to add the question, “Relevant to what?” A thing cannot just be relevant on its own. Fraternal organizations can ask if they are relevant to any of the following: their members, their future members, and the growth of society. Our relevancy to institutions of higher education should also be considered, but this is far less important than the others.
Take first, the question of whether or not we are relevant to our current members (both undergraduates and alumni). We do not exist without our members, and they will only stay invested if they find their organizations to still be relevant to their lives. Are we contributing something to their lives that would not otherwise exist? Are we making our members better? Are we instilling transformational values? Are we developing their leadership capacity? Are we providing them with a band of brothers/sisters that pushes them to be more than they otherwise would be? The ideal fraternal experience should grow an individual in all of these areas – but that assumes all men/women start their journey at the same developmental place. Of course, this is not the case. To borrow a baseball analogy, if our goal is to help young men/women reach home plate, we should remember that some start on third base, while others are only in the batter’s box. In addition, many will not reach home plate until they are alumni. Regardless, the relevant fraternity can demonstrate that the individuals who took the oath of membership were changed in a positive and substantial way.
What about future members? We are membership-based organizations, and thus, the greatest determinant of our sustainability is our relevancy to future generations. Colleges and universities could tell us to go away tomorrow, yet we could survive if unaffiliated men and women still saw us as relevant. Is this not how many NPHC organizations are able to grow their rosters significantly outside of the walls of higher education? To determine our relevance to future members, fraternities and sororities need to ask the following question: Do we offer a choice to men and women that is so compelling and so unique, that they feel something will be missing from their lives without it? A fraternal organization that can answer this question in the affirmative can then build a confident recruitment plan.
If we can achieve relevance to our members and future members, is that enough? Not quite. We do exist within a larger entity, and thus, we must ask ourselves if we are meeting the needs of that entity. You may be thinking this entity is higher education. I would look beyond higher education and see our “host” as society at large.
We have been connected to colleges and universities since our founding, and it would be foolish to ignore that relationship. However, I think it is fair to wonder if we would have come about even if colleges and universities never existed. If our values are timeless, our lessons are transcendent, and our fellowships are lifelong, I believe society would have found a way for us to exist regardless. Our connection to colleges and universities brought about the Greek letters that give many of our organizations identity and has always provided us with the opportunity for more academic discourse. We are stronger organizations because of the resources provided to us by colleges and universities. In addition, since we draw almost exclusively from college student populations, we would not be fulfilling our relevancy to our members if we did not help them achieve their scholarly goals.
In our earliest beginnings – starting with Phi Beta Kappa at William and Mary – we were founded to add something that was not available elsewhere. The men who started this movement, which eventually would lead to the Union Triad and Miami Triad, did not ask permission from their institutions to exist (Anson & Marchesani, 1991). Neither did the women who bravely followed suit some years later. The idea of fraternity was such a powerful idea that, like the inalienable rights for which our nation’s revolutionaries fought, this idea deserved a right to exist. I wonder if we have forgotten this and have fallen victim to the idea that we have to continuously justify our existence. Our right to exist is defined by whether we are still relevant to our members and the larger society. With all due respect to colleges and universities, who give us so much, it cannot be truly up to them to decide. They can make it far more difficult for us to exist, which is why we nurture the relationship.
Ask yourself if you believe a fraternity or sorority to be just a part of a college or university, or if you believe a fraternity or sorority to have its own place in the world? Belief in the former is a belief that we go wherever colleges and universities wish to take us. Belief in the latter is a belief that we go wherever our purpose allows. Our organizations are one of the greatest social inventions in human history, deserve to exist at no one’s behest but our own, and will persevere as long as our purpose, our members, and society want us to exist.
The tension between fraternities and their “host institutions” has always been present (as demonstrated by the Great Snowball Rebellion of 1847) (Anson & Marchesani, 1991). This tension, if managed and balanced, actually helps both sides. In some ways, fraternal organizations provide colleges with a “voice of the people” and colleges challenge fraternities to raise their standards. This tension is becoming increasingly imbalanced in favor of higher education. Much of this started with the work of the Franklin Square Group, in which fraternities and sororities gave far too much away to college/university presidents. Ever since then, umbrella organizations have been reacting to the demands of presidents, all the while asking for very little in return. By allowing that group to affect so much, and to take the reigns on the discourse, we may have betrayed our founders by implicitly asking for permission to exist.
Simply by asking the question of whether or not we are relevant to our host institutions, we are positing the possibility that we are not. We are falsely expressing that we might not matter. We do matter – now more than ever.
I do not propose that we fight against institutions of higher education whenever we can. We should do everything we can to build a bridge, since that will ultimately benefit our members and make us stronger. However, we should be careful to tie our relevance (and thus our destiny) to institutions that did not really want us to exist in the first place. What can we give our members? What can we give our future members? What can we give our society? Those are the questions of relevancy we were meant to answer.
References
Anson, J., & Marchesani, R. (Eds.). (1991). Baird’s manual of American college fraternities. Indianapolis, IN; Baird’s Manual Foundation, Inc.
The Beta Eta Collegians will walk with their team in Light the Night on Veteran's Day.
As a fundraiser, they will be wearing banana suits, sundae suits and serving ice cream (and taking tips) on THURSDAY, November 4th, at the Brusters on 1709 W Tharpe St, Tallahassee
PLEASE, stop by between 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. to buy some ice cream and help support Light the Night.
* Potbellys- $20 • Meet anytime after 11:00AM on the patio at Potbellys. • Parade begins at 2:00pm.
* Talk n Tours- FREE! 3:00-5:00pm at the Beta Eta House • Come for house tours and to learn more about Xi Omega Xi. • Be entered into a raffle for a free membership (or renewal) for stopping in! • If you wanted to add any XOX weekend event, you may register here.
* Decade Waltz- $25 • Meet at 9:00pm at Bullwinkles and then we will be visiting Ken’s, Red Rocks (the old Big Daddys), Tomahawk Sports Bar, Lower Lounge, and end again at Bullwinkles.
SATURDAY
* Tailgate- $20 • Final location to be published. Starting at 12:00pm. • Wear XOX shirts! • Bring your own chair, warpaint, and games to share! • $20 payment includes beer, snacks, and XOX cup.
* Football Game • Game starts at 3:30pm. • Tickets purchased with the XOX block may be picked up at the tailgate.
SUNDAY
* Brunch- FREE! • Come to the house 10:00am-12:00pm for brunch, reconnect with sisters, and to learn more about Xi Omega Xi. • Be entered into a raffle for a free membership (or renewal) for stopping in!
All weekend we will be selling raffle tickets for a Faith Hope Love necklace. All proceeds will benefit the Beta Eta Love & Loyalty Fund. $1 for one ticket; $5 for 6 tickets; or $10 for 15 tickets.
Weather Report: Be sure to check www.weather.com for the most up-to-date weather information for Tallahassee! Looks like it’s going to be chilly!
