This blog
was written by Chelsea Hogan, our VP Ritual and Fraternity Appreciation.
Alpha Chi
Omega Leadership Academy 2013 was easily one of the most enlightening and
enjoyable experiences I have participated in since becoming an Alpha Chi. When
I joined Alpha Chi Omega I thought to myself, “Wow, I have 175 new sisters!”
Little did I realize I have well over 800 collegiate sisters. Throughout the
duration of the conference I found sisters at other chapters who I can now
continue to seek the heights with. This conference was more than just knowing
and learning our ritual, it was about connecting with sisters and realizing
that we may all not look the same or speak the same but we all share one thing:
the bond.
I learned
the importance of being a strong leader, contributing to our chapter as much as
possible, and other worldly skills such as communicating with different
generations. One of the most important lessons I learned while at Leadership
Academy was that there is a difference between feeling important and feeling
valued. I did not learn this from one of the speakers, but rather from a
collegiate sister at the Arizona chapter. Now each day I think of how I want to make
others feel valued, as well as myself.
One of the
most memorable moments when Melissa d’Arabian spoke at the opening ceremony.
She talked to us about playing the game according to our strengths. Under all
of her funny stories and jokes there was real meaning. Later that night Katelyn
Trane and I had the pleasure of meeting our national president, Diana
Blackwelder. She was so sweet and kind and genuinely excited to meet us and get
to know us. Katelyn and I are so grateful we had the opportunity to attend
Alpha Chi Omega Leadership Academy 2013. We took away so many fantastic ideas
and cannot wait until we have the chance to implement them this year! Thanks
again Alpha Chi, you once again have exceeded my expectations.
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