Welcome Home NM'16!

Yesterday, we welcomed home NM '16 to Alpha Chi Omega @ Florida State University!!!!! Congrats Savannah Schaler, VP Recruitment, Mckayla Michaud, VP CRIC and the ladies of AXΩ on an amazing week. 281 strong!! 

New Member class 2016!

Our Amazing New Members! #NM14 - There's Always Sunny Skies with Alpha Chi by Your Side

Katy Alexander, Plantation

Sara Anderson, Orlando

Kylie Ariotti, Jupiter

Kristi Babb, Saint Johns

Sari Babkes, Plantation

Erika Bailey, Ringoes

Hope Baisley, Fuquay Varina

Erica Baranski, Lakeland

Stephanie Bernal, Miami

Katie Blumenthal, Fort Lauderdale

Alex Bretz, Jupiter

Bailey Brown, Acworth

Kaitlyn Brown, Palm City

Megan Brownell, Northville

Lauren Burkhart, Coral Springs (L - mom - Gamma Iota)

Katie Campbell, Rockledge

Rachel Cantelou, Melbourne

Mia Carastro, Tampa

Brittany Casciano, Fairport

Colleen Chatfield, Pembroke Pines

Kayla Copley, Coral Springs

Alexa Copperstone, East Williston

Taylor Dake, Jacksonville Beach

Hannah Dawkins, Saint Petersburg

Cori Day, Gulf Breeze

Adriana Diaz-Granados, Boca Raton

Mindy Do, St. Petersburg

Taylor Dowling, Saint James

Hailey Edwards, Chester

Alicia Ferrari, Miami

Jessica Gehring, Palm Beach Gardens

Emily Gibson, Jupiter

Celia Gisleson, Upper Saint Clair

Lexi Goldberg, Cape Coral

Corinne Gorant, Boynton Beach

Jordan Greene, Viera

Stephanie Haley, Jensen Beach

Carrie Hall, Largo

Mia Harding, Sarasota

Ashley Hartford, Milton

Chelsea Hauck, Ocean Ridge

Sarah Hoffman, Harrisburg

Danielle Hogan, Ocoee

Cory Hohler , Bradenton (L - mom & aunt - Alpha Omicron)

Alexa Huffman, Lake Mary

Erin Kahle, Coral Springs

Gabrielle Kilker, Jacksonville

Rebecca Koontz, Weston

Sari Kossoff, Orlando

Katie Krueger, Debary

Gabriella Lipson, Ft. Lauderdale

Emily Malcom, Palm City

Kyla McAuliffe, Palm City

Kayla McNulty, Bradenton

Megan Miller, Jacksonville

Michelle Moore, Hillsborough

Mackenzie Murray, Ft. Lauderdale

Shannon Nichols, Lutherville

Sarah Pedersen, Simsbury

Skye Pennebaker, Miami

Abby Pruitt, Jupiter

Michelle Reese, Coral Springs

Delaney Riggins, Bradenton

Yahira Rodriguez, Coral Springs

Carly Roman, Doylestown

Madison Schiefelbein, Lake Mary

Lauren Schwerdt, Highlands Ranch (L - gmom - Sigma)

Monica Shevock, Boca Raton

Andreia Silva, Westfield

Sarah Smith, Caldwell

Violet Soliz, Springfield

Morgan Stuckert, Naples

Kadi Swiniarski, Naples

Rachel Taspek, Sarasota

Alyssa Tencza, Fort Lauderdale

Gianna Traylor, Bradenton

Makenzie Wirth, Orlando

New Member Love! NM14 #BidDay14 at @FSUPanhellenic

We were so excited to welcome home 87 new members from 2014 Recruitment at Florida State University! We love them all and can't wait to highlight them on our blog.

We have 62 freshman, 21 sophomores and 4 juniors. Three of our freshman are legacies! NM14 comes from cities as close as Gulf Breeze, FL and as far as Highlands Ranch, CO.

Here are a few amazing things these Real. Strong. Women. accomplished:

Varsity Swim Team

Varsity Field Hockey Team

Travel Softball

Competitive Cheerleading 

Peer to Peer Counselor
Mission trip to Jamaica

Mission trip to Haiti

Torch Night at FSU

FSU Garnet and Gold Key

Christian Campus Fellowship

TEDxFSU

Cotillion

Cross Country Team

Mu Alpha Theta

National Honor Society 

Varsity Soccer Team

Florida Travel Soccer Team 

National Art Honor Society

DECA

FBLA

HOSA

Flag Football

Master Musician

Relay for Life

Orchestra Student Board

National Physics Honor Society

Dance Team and Competitions 

We can't wait to see what all they do for Alpha Chi Omega and The Florida State University!

#TBT Recruitment in the 1960's at @AXO_FSU

This fabulous photograph was shared by one of our chapter's most devoted and FUN alumnae:  Linda Sanford. Linda moved to California years ago, but loves visiting Tallahassee often for football and sisterhood. She stayed involved with alumnae chapters and advised at collegiate chapters (SDSU, Gamma Nu) in the San Diego area, and of course Xi Omega Xi!

Of this photo Linda wrote, "Thinking of [recruitment] reminds me of the “ice water teas” on the first 2 days.  We wore long white formals, long gloves, & red & green sashes in the 60’s.  That’s me in the photo."

Recruitment info for Alumnae...

a message from HQ..

Alpha Chi Omega alumnae:

As formal recruitment for fall 2013 approaches, here is a brief review of Alpha Chi Omega's legacy policy. We wish to provide you this information so that you are able to assist potential legacies as they enter into formal recruitment, as well as better understand the policies regarding legacies of Alpha Chi Omega.

Questions? Contact Jen Patterson, Associate Director-Recruitment, or Gina Fox, Assistant Director-Lifetime Engagement.

Our Policies

As outlined in the Polices of Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity, the legacy policy states:

R7 Legacy
A legacy to Alpha Chi Omega is a sister, daughter, granddaughter or great-granddaughter of a member. The Alpha Chi Omega member and her family member define their legacy relationship, i.e. step relations, blended families, etc. Alpha Chi Omega values the relationship between a legacy and an alumna member. Chapters are regularly educated regarding the national legacy policy. Additionally, alumnae members are encouraged to prepare legacies to meet the standards of membership set forth by the national organization and local chapter.

R7.1 Preferred Candidate for Membership
An undergraduate legacy who meets membership standards and eligibility requirements is considered a preferred candidate and:

[a] Is invited to the first invitational round of events during the formal recruitment process.
[b] Is invited to at least one recruitment event in an informal or continuous recruitment process.

R7.2 Placement on Final Bid List
A legacy who attends a formal recruitment preference event is placed on the first bid list by the collegiate chapter.


Membership Selection

While legacies are not guaranteed membership in an Alpha Chi Omega collegiate chapter, all collegiate chapters welcome the opportunity to meet Alpha Chi Omega legacies. It is our intent to educate both alumnae and collegians about the importance of inviting legacies to membership.

It is always difficult when a legacy gets released during recruitment, but as long as the chapter follows the national policy, the final decision of membership selection is the informed responsibility of the collegiate chapter. Recruitment can be a difficult and stressful process, particularly on large campuses—there are often as many legacies going through recruitment as the chapter will have spots in quota. While our legacy policies and our recruitment procedures are national level policies, membership selection is a chapter-level decision, which is truly made by the collegiate members at that time.

Long before it is time to submit any recommendations to a collegiate chapter, alumnae have the privilege and responsibility of helping to grow Alpha Chi Omega’s membership in the following ways:

Promoting Alpha Chi Omega as an active part of her life. Doing so will increase the name recognition and familiarity of Alpha Chi Omega to legacies and other potential new members prior to recruitment.
Increasing the strong reputation of Alpha Chi Omega by identifying and connecting with young women who would make valuable additions to our membership.
Educating legacies and other potential new members regarding Alpha Chi Omega’s standards and values, as well as privileges of membership.

Legacy Webinar

For more information on legacies going through formal recruitment, please join Jen Patterson, Associate Director-Recruitment, and Gina Fox, Assistant Director-Lifetime Engagement, on Tuesday, April 9, 2013, at 9:00 p.m. (EST) for the legacy webinar. This webinar will provide alumnae with information regarding legacies participating in the formal recruitment process. We will review Alpha Chi Omega policies, give attendees a deeper understanding of the recruitment process, and help prepare members who may have legacies going through recruitment this year or in the future. Register here for this webinar.

Membership Recommendation

When the time comes, it is the responsibility of alumnae to utilize the Membership Recommendation Form to make the chapter aware that a legacy or other potential member will be participating in recruitment. All alumnae are encouraged to complete this form for any relative or friend who will be participating in recruitment. To send a recommendation (the preferred way to notify a chapter of a legacy or friend), you will need to register and log into alphachiomega.org. Then, simply click on "Recommend a Member" located on the homepage. This will take you to the Membership Recommendation Form and recruitment directory, which contains the recruitment contact information for all collegiate chapters.


Please be aware that Alpha Chi Omega has updated the Membership Recommendation Form for 2013. Be sure to use the updated form when writing recommendations for potential new members.  If you are writing one for Beta Eta chapter of Alpha Chi Omega.. be sure to mail to 518 West park Avenue Tallahassee FL 32301 Attention CRIC

We encourage you to share this message with other Alpha Chi Omega alumnae whose email addresses may not be in our database.

The Lyre, Summer 2012 / Legacies and Recruitment

the article originally appeared in the Lyre

Hugging her tightly, you cannot believe you are already saying goodbye.  You try not to cry and remind yourself she is not a little girl anymore.  She is a young woman about to start her journey to independence and maturity.  Her dorm room is furnished; her first collegiate classes are only days away.  She has never been on her own before, and that worries you.  But, she plans to “Go Greek,” and you find a sense of knowing comfort for the time being.  After all, you are an Alpha Chi, and you just know she will be one, too.
It is easy to remember what Alpha Chi Omega gave you as a collegian—your “home away from home,” a solid support system of caring sisters, all of those “we stayed up too late and our parents should never know” memories.  Alpha Chi Omega and the women you met were integral in your transition from childhood to adulthood.  It is only natural that you would want the same memories and opportunities for your daughter.
But what happens when she is not invited to return to Alpha Chi Omega during recruitment?  What happens when, after meeting the different sororities on campus, she admits that Alpha Chi Omega is not the best fit?
Every one of Alpha Chi Omega’s collegiate chapters has its own personality and style.  And although it may be hard to imagine your chapter is any different today than it was when you were a collegian, with every year, every chapter’s persona shifts.  Our chapters are as unique and ever-changing as our sisters are themselves.  Legacies, participating in recruitment decades after their Alpha Chi Omega relatives, often struggle between what they are supposed to do and what feels right for them.
Alpha Chi Omega understands this struggle, but also knows being a legacy is an honor.  Through the Fraternity policies and continuing education, it is Alpha Chi Omega’s hope that not only will legacies want to join Alpha Chi Omega, but also that they and their relatives understand what is to be expected.

The Policy
As outlined in the Polices of Alpha Chi Omega Fraternity, a legacy to Alpha Chi Omega is a sister, daughter, granddaughter or great-granddaughter of a member.  In the case of step relations and blended families, the Alpha Chi Omega member and her undergraduate family member (the potential new member) define their legacy relationship.
While legacies are not guaranteed membership in an Alpha Chi Omega collegiate chapter, all chapters welcome the opportunity to meet Alpha Chi Omega legacies.  With the legacy designation, the potential new member, if she meets membership standards and eligibility requirements, will be considered a preferred candidate.  This means she will be invited to the first invitational round of events during the formal recruitment process.  If this is during an informal recruitment or continuous recruitment process, she will be invited to at least one recruitment event.
If both the legacy and the chapter have expressed interest in one another, she may be invited to attend the preference event.  If in attendance at this event, the legacy will be placed on the first bid list by the chapter.
Why a Legacy May Not Receive a Bid
The recruitment process is only for a short period of time and it is difficult to really know what each sorority is all about.  So, how does each woman choose her sorority affiliation?  She picks because of her strong pull to the women of the chapter, just as most sorority women did before her.
In most cases, a legacy does not receive a bid because the sisterly connection between today’s chapter members and the legacy is just not there.  The legacy feels she fits best within another sorority on campus and chooses not to pursue Alpha Chi Omega.
In some cases, there is not enough space available in the chapter to accept all legacies.  Based on fellow Greek organizations on campus, facility capacity, and other local technicalities, the university’s Panhellenic council decides the number of new members each sorority is able to accept.  Particularly on large campuses, there are often as many legacies going through recruitment as the Alpha Chi Omega chapter is able to accept in new members.
It is always difficult when a legacy is released during recruitment, but as long as the chapter follows university and Fraternity policies, the Fraternity respects the decision of the collegiate chapter.
Alumnae Responsibilities
Long before it is time to submit any recommendations to a collegiate chapter, alumnae have the privilege and responsibility of helping to grow Alpha Chi Omega’s membership in the following ways:

• Promoting Alpha Chi Omega as an active part of her life.  This will increase the name recognition and familiarity of Alpha Chi Omega to legacies and other potential new members prior to recruitment.
• Increasing the strong reputation of Alpha Chi Omega by identifying and connecting with women who would make great additions to our membership.
• Educating legacies and other potential new members regarding Alpha Chi Omega’s standards and values, as well as privileges of membership.

When the time comes, it is the responsibility of alumnae to make the chapter aware that a legacy or other potential new member will be participating in recruitment.  To do this, all alumnae are encouraged to complete a recruitment information form, also known as a recommendation, for any relative or friend who will be participating in recruitment.  All information contained on the recruitment information form is highly confidential and for membership selection purposes only.  It is never discussed with non-chapter members or with the prospective member.  This confidentiality is the responsibility of both alumnae and collegians.  To submit a form, visit alphachiomega.org and click the “Recommend a Member” link featured on the homepage.
Legacy (and All Potential New Member) Responsibilities
Sorority recruitment is like one interview after another.  When going on an interview you want to have well-thought-out answers and provide specific details that pertain to the questions.  At each chapter, a potential new member will have several minutes of conversation to meet members of the chapter and to make a good impression.  Standing out in a positive way is critical when the sorority members are meeting so many women and must make membership decisions based on these interactions.  It is the responsibility of all potential new members to do what they can in preparation for the recruitment process.
While recruitment can be an exciting time, many potential new members will put in a good amount of work before they ever step foot on campus.  The following are a few suggestions for all potential new members:

• Involvement in high school.  Whether it is through community service, leadership experience in clubs, playing on sports teams, involvement in youth group, or scholastic clubs, it is important for potential new members to be involved and to help demonstrate their character, leadership ability and personal development.
• Meeting GPA requirements.  The national requirement for membership in Alpha Chi Omega is a 3.0 GPA for incoming freshman from high school and a 2.5 GPA for all prospective members with previous university grades.  Many collegiate chapters have voted to have a higher GPA requirement than required in the national policies.
• Reading all information provided by the campus Panhellenic.  Most campus Panhellenics provide specific information regarding recruitment on that campus.  It is important to read through the information provided to get a better understanding of how the recruitment process works and what to expect throughout the process.  Often, this information includes wardrobe guidelines as well as financial specifics.
• Recruitment conversation preparation.  Recruitment is the time to shine and for potential new members to show their personalities.  Just as the collegiate chapters prepare to host exciting and memorable conversations, potential new members should be prepared to answer questions about themselves and what they are looking for in the sorority experience.  Remember, the recruitment conversations are a time for all potential new members to listen, smile, speak sincerely of themselves and express interest to the chapter.

Be Her Badge What It May
Whether your legacy joins Alpha Chi Omega or another sorority on campus, she will, no doubt, have a memorable experience just as you did.  The letters may be different from sorority to sorority, but we all share a common value: We all wish for our sisters a most beneficial, unforgettable and healthy collegiate experience.
Kristen L. Soltis (Gamma Iota) stated in her article “Be Her Badge What It May” (The Lyre, fall/winter 2009), “I realized that what I wanted for her wasn’t a certain set of letters on a shirt.  I wanted her to have an experience as rewarding as the one I had.”  Alpha Chi Omega welcomes the opportunity to get to know every legacy during the recruitment process, but in the end, it is not about our letters.  It is about each woman and knowing she has found her fit in the Greek community.
FAQs
Do legacies automatically get a bid from a chapter?
No, a legacy does not automatically get a bid from a chapter during recruitment.  The chapter is required to follow the Fraternity’s legacy policy, but that does not mean a legacy will automatically receive a bid.
How does the legacy policy work during informal recruitment?
According to the Fraternity’s policy, a legacy who meets membership standards and eligibility requirements is considered a preferred candidate during the informal recruitment process and should be invited to at least one continuous recruitment event.  Most often during informal recruitment, all events are “open events” and do not require an invitation to attend.  Therefore, during informal recruitment, a formal invitation may not be extended by the chapter because the event is open to all unaffiliated students.
Are chapters required to call alumnae when a legacy is released?
Alpha Chi Omega does not have a policy requiring chapters to notify alumnae when a legacy is released during recruitment.  However, through continued education, we are now recommending chapters send an email to the alumna who completed the recruitment recommendation form to inform her if a legacy has been released during formal recruitment.  This practice will be done for alumna members who indicate on the recommendation form that they would like to be notified.
While some alumnae may prefer a phone call, due to the time of night (sometimes as late as 3:00 a.m.) when the membership selection decisions are finalized and due to the amount of time between when the membership selection decision is made and when the potential new members find out their bids, the best way for chapters to notify alumnae is through email.  Fall 2012 will be the first formal recruitment season in which chapters will be notifying alumnae through email in regard to legacies released during formal recruitment.  It is our hope that this will close the gap of phone call notification and not notifying alumnae at all.
Where do I send recruitment recommendations?
All recruitment information forms should be sent directly to the collegiate recruitment information chair (CRIC) from the collegiate chapter of which the alumna is recommending the potential new member.  The contact information for all CRICs may be found in the recruitment directory at alphachiomega.org, Resource Center, Recommend a Member.

you can download a recommendation from on the chapters website under recruitment.
The chapter will accept rec's up until the 1st round of recruitment. 

Recruitment Preview- Round 2- House Tours

During Round 2- Service Round, the collegians give the potential new members a house tour. We were able to snap a few photos of several of the bedrooms in a hope to give alumna a virtual house tour.. Be sure to check back throughout the fall semester for posts featuring other rooms in the chapter house

 the photo above and below showcase the 2 girl room to the left of the TV room. They have a view of park Avenue!

 The photos below showcase one of the 2 girl rooms on the East side of the chapter house. These girls have their desk in the study room.

The photos below showcase a two girl room on the West side of the house. It is located at the end of the hallway.

 The photos below showcase a 2 girl room on the West side of the house. The room is part of the 2003 addition. It also has the new bedroom furniture (beds, desks and chairs) that will be phased into the house in upcoming years.

We hope that you enjoyed this post. Do you have a room in the house that you would like to see what it looks like today?? or photos of the chapter house from your time in college?? Be sure to email us at axofloridastate{at} gmail {dot} com and let us know.. We love to hear from our fellow alumnae, parents, sisters and friends!!

Recruitment Preview - Service Round

Round 2 of Recruitment is this Wednesday and Thursday. The round focuses on the chapter's philanthropic endeavors, as well as their involvement in campus and community philanthropic efforts.  This year the chapter created a philanthropy video which was shown to all Potential New Members and focused on Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention.

The ladies wore khaki bottoms and teal tops with nude shoes.  The flowers were white and green. All of the dining room chairs donned the chapter's chair covers, and blue ribbons were tied on the outer chairs.

The 2nd round also allows the women to take all Potential New Members on a house tour. Check back tomorrow for an update on the house tour!

Sneak Peak of the Chapter's Sun Porch below

 

Preview of Scholarship Round - Take 2

Today marks day 3 of Recruitment... just 4 more days till Bid Day!!! With that being said, below are additional photos from Day 1 & 2 of Recruitment. The first two days are formally called Scholarship Round. They were formally known as Icewaters (when the chapter used to only serve icewater on the 1st two days, and serve "fancy" drinks the remainder of the week).

The chapter women wore dark denim jeans, and coral and light blue tops with nude heals. Their Scholarship Round video was themed after the Real Housewives (we will post after Recruitment on the blog) and the flowers were white and green arrangements (as seen in yesterday's post).

 

Today the ladies participated in the first day of the Service Round of Recruitment.  We will be sure to share photos with all of you at the end of day on Thursday, after the round has finished, so be sure to check back!

Recruitment: Preview of Scholarship Round

The ladies of the Beta Eta chapter of Alpha Chi Omega have been working hard to ensure that 2011 Recruitment is a success. From stair practice, to conversation workshops, Sisterhood bonding, to Skit practice and tons of fun in between, the ladies made the most of their pre-recruitment week!

Below are some photos that will allow our alumnae readers to have glimpse into recruitment thus far... 


 

The front sidewalk

 

The dinning rooms set for the first round. Formally called "Icewaters" but now called Scholarship.

 

Day 1 video is set, and ready to play. We will post the video online at the conclusion of recruitment.

The front table is set, and ready "just add water" 

 & close up of small arrangement in the formal living room

 Kelsey (Assistant) & Vaneese (VP Recruitment)