Senior Spotlight

Senior Taylor Kerns has earned Senior Spotlight this week for the amazing job she did during initiation last week. Taylor and her assistant, Madison Cappeller, organized and delivered a beautiful initiation ceremony with a record number of new sisters being initiated. 

Not only did Taylor put on an initiation ceremony that our new members will remember forever, but she devoted hours of her time rehearsing ritual with chapter members throughout the semester thus far. She did all of this while studying for an extremely important test, the FTCE Content Exam. 

Taylor aspires to be a first grade teacher, a position for which passing this exam is necessary. As we all know she could, Taylor passed her exam with flying colors. 

We could not be more proud of you Taylor. Congratulations on getting one step closer to your dreams.


Written by Megan Mollan, Publications Chair 2015

#Ritual #reblog from @AlphaChiOmegaHQ & @LizRagland (@OCUAChiO)

This fabulous blog post is perfect as we enjoy our first, regular chapter meeting of 2014!
Thank you Liz (OCU, Gamma Tau) and our Alpha Chi Omega Ritual Specialists.
Let us Seek the Heights in 2014-2015 and keep our lives in tune with the world around us!

8 Reasons Why I Love Lyres, Red Carnations and Lyrebirds (and why you should too)

By Liz Ragland, Gamma Tau
I can’t pretend that it’s not true. It’s not a dirty secret or anything to be embarrassed about so I’m just going to put it out there: I’m kind of obsessed with all of the things that remind me of Alpha Chi.
I’m taking a detour from the typical ritual-themed post and borrowing a trick from Buzzfeed - a list! There is no sensational title or pictures of boy bands, or cats (or boy bands with cats) just an honest list of why our symbols, rituals, traditions, and history remind me of our common bond as sisters. Next time you see a red carnation, lyre, or a lyrebird out in the wild I hope you’ll think of our sisterhood!

1. Red carnations are everywhere – If you have ever been tasked with buying red carnations for bid day or any Alpha Chi ceremony you may think that they are hard to find but really, they are almost always available! It’s kind of awkward to get sentimental standing in the floral section at Trader Joe’s, but every time I spot a red carnation it reminds me of the important events in my life as an Alpha Chi. It takes me back to many times I was handed a red carnation: Bid Day, after Initiation, after Hall of Commitment, and after my last formal meeting.
2. Lyre spotting makes me smile – Next time you are in museum, go lyre spotting. Our beloved symbol was used in many styles of art and architecture and it’s always fun to count how many times you can find our symbol in art, or even at Walt Disney World. Next time you do spot a lyre, snap a picture be sure to send it to Coffeewithcelia@gmail.com so we can feature it on Facebook!
3. Stars are always present (and so are your sisters) – Look up. You may not see the stars right now but they are there. Just like your sisters, stars are always present even when it’s daylight. In good times and in bad, remind yourself that your sisters are always there to help you along your journey even when they might not be totally visible, they are there. Perhaps it’s time you get away from the pollution of light and a busy life and seek them out.
4. Fall, full of olive greens and scarlet reds, reminds me of a fresh start – Our sisterhood was founded during the season of olive green and scarlet red. To me, Fall is a fresh start. This is most likely because it’s the beginning of the school year but there is something in the crisp air that reminds me to refocus and reorganize. Do you know what I mean? Perhaps this Fall you can use the season as an opportunity to reboot your attitude, your studies (or your work’s to do list), and your commitment to help your sisters seek the heights.
5. Hera Day makes you a better you – Part of being a Real. Stong. Woman. Is donating your time and skills to make someone else’s life better. Every March 1, in honor of our patron goddess Hera, we are called to do work that brings happiness and well-being to others by engaging in projects in our own communities. When was the last time you donated an hour or two of your time to make someone else’s life better? If it’s been too long, find an opportunity! Visit serve.org for some ideas.
6. Life would be dull without the arts – Music, dance, theatre, and visual art bring joy to our lives and help us explore new ideas or shine a light on an old idea. Our founders were bonded by their mutual love for music and I think any sister who has experienced a piece of music that gives you goose bumps or brings a tear to your eye understands why their passion for music was so strong and why it’s important to our heritage.
7. Who doesn’t want to “seek the heights”? – Our open motto was just as relevant in the late 1800s as it is now. Together, as sisters, we are called to support and inspire each other to seek the heights in every way possible. We seek the heights in our professional and personal lives. We seek the heights so we can continue to grow emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. Next time you’re faced with a challenge or stuck in a rut, remember our open motto and reach out for help if you need some support so you can reach your own “height” whatever that may be.
8. Because doing a lyrebird impression is awesome – need I say more?

National Ritual Celebration Week!

This week, we the collegians will join the thousands of Alpha Chi Omega alumnae scattered across the US, and beyond as we leave Tallahassee for Spring break..

But we'd like to encourage you to celebrate

National Ritual Celebration Week!

Alpha Chi Omega is very pleased to announce that we will be participating in the second annual National Ritual Celebration Week, March 4-10. Collegians and alumnae are encouraged to take time each day that week—either by participating in collegiate or alumnae chapter activities or personally—to reflect on the meaning of our Ritual and how living our Ritual improves your life and your chapter.

To get you excited for the week and in honor of our seven founders, here are seven suggestions for celebrating our Ritual to get you and your chapter started planning:

1. Organize a Service Day activity. This can be with your chapter, a group of sisters, your family or friends. If you don’t have time to volunteer this week, reflect on the opportunities you have to give in the upcoming year.
2. Reflect on the meaning of the The Symphony of Alpha Chi Omega. Re-read The Symphony at least once during the week. How does it relate to where you are in life right now? What is your favorite part of it? Why? Also, put a framed photo on your desk at work or home and share The Symphony with others.
3. Connect with a sister you haven’t spoken to for awhile. Go to lunch. Have a phone date. Send a card. Write a text. Make time one day this week to reach out to and tell her why you’re glad she’s your sister. If there is a sister that you have lost touch with over the past couple of years, please feel free to contact headquarters to see how we can help the two of you reconnect.
4. Participate in National Panhellenic Conference’s International Badge Day on March 5. Wearing your badge to work, on campus, to your community gatherings not only honors Alpha Chi Omega, but gives you a chance to connect with other sorority women in your area and celebrate the history of women’s fraternities. The VP Ritual and Fraternity Appreciation handbook has great tips for appropriate badge attire.
5. Change your Facebook profile picture, timeline cover photo or recent photos to the Ritual Celebration Week logo. Also, post your Ritual reflections and other Alpha Chi Omega stories and thoughts as your status updates and on the Alpha Chi Omega Facebook page. In addition, tweet your Ritual reflections during the week. Use #AXORitualWeek at the end of your tweet and follow that hashtag throughout the week to see what sisters are saying on Twitter.
6. Reflect on how you personify Alpha Chi Omega’s values of Wisdom, Devotion and Achievement. Consider a conversation about one of these ideals with a non-Alpha Chi and tell him or her why you value your Alpha Chi Omega experience so much. Also, the Ritual Best Practices (available in the resource section) has Ritual discussion questions on Wisdom, Devotion and Achievement. Talk about your answers with your chapter and sisters.
7. Perform the Rededication of the Bond Ceremony (in the green Ceremonies binder) at your chapter meeting. Collegians: Invite area alumnae to your chapter meeting that week and perform the ceremony for both collegians and alumnae. Alumnae: If you don’t live near a collegiate chapter or don’t have an alumnae club, take time one day to reflect on your Initiation ceremony. Are you living the life you pledged to live that day? If so, how else could you show that every day? If not, there is no time like the present to start!

This year Alpha Chi Omega will be hosting guest bloggers each day to share their Ritual stories with our members. Please visit our website (alphachiomega.org) each day during the week to learn about and celebrate our Ritual, sisters and history. Alpha Chi Omega will also share daily Ritual thoughts on Facebook and Twitter.

Thank you, Alpha Chi Omega Headquarters, for these great thoughts, excerpted from the February Flyre, the monthly collegiate officer newsletter.

Ritual & Resoutions

With the end of January, winter is truly here and those New Year’s resolutions may have already faded in our memories.  Recently I participated in a webinar which reviewed the meaning of our ritual and how to make it relevant to us in real life.  This made me refresh my goal of good health in the New Year.

As Alpha Chi Omegas, we commit to strive for our personal best.  This can well include a commitment to take time for ourselves and our personal well-being. This commitment is often overlooked in our hurried lives as we balance work and family obligations.  Some of us find ourselves caring for aging parents and giving support to our children and or grandchildren. 

So first and foremost schedule that time to exercise, rejuvenate, and relax.  There is no doubt that regular moderate exercise promotes good health, particularly as we age.   This is not a frivolous enjoyment which requires an excuse when we say we are BUSY. 

Secondly, schedule those routine recommended exams.  We all have our “sister” stories regarding breast cancer and mammograms.  I have at least three Alpha Chi sisters who are survivors because of a routine mammogram.  I scheduled my first at 40 when an Alpha Chi sister was diagnosed and shared her story.  Likewise, I had my first colonoscopy after I shared a good friend’s successful but difficult struggle with colon cancer.

Finally, eat well!  Ok we all want dessert at that girlfriend lunch, so do it.  But on a daily basis, try not to eat on the run or at the drive-through window.  Remember your fruit and veggies just like mom told you, and don’t skip breakfast.  Take care of your bone health by listening to your doctors suggestions for diet and strengthening (See exercise above.) 

Connecting the ritual to healthy habits may seem a reach beyond the “heights” of Mt. Olympus, but nothing is more vital to achievement than feeling well.   Treat yourself like a goddess and you will keep Hera smiling while you serve as a model for your sisters.

LITB & BH hugs,
Patty

Patty Garrard