"You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.You must do the thing which you think you cannot do."
We are so lucky to have Kristen's Story come to So Cal thanks to Iota Xi chapter (UC Riverside). Your chapters are welcome to attend the campus event on October 20, 2012. I will post additional information regarding the exact location very soon.
If you would like to bring Kristin’s Story to your school you might want to think about applying for a gran through the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. This is an excellent way to promote domestic violence awareness on your campus and educate your peers on issues like relationship violence and depression through an engaging and personal presentation? Grant applications to host Kristin’s Story in spring 2013 are now available! Kristin’s Story is a program in which Andrea Cooper tells the story of her daughter Kristin (a member of Alpha Chi Omega) and her struggle with acquaintance rape and her suicide that followed. Andrea educates university communities about depression and sexual assault in hopes of bringing awareness for the cause and support for victims.
To be considered for a grant to bring Andrea to your campus, please fill out the application. Grant applications are due by Friday, October 26. Contact Alexis Kollay D’Ettorre with any questions.
Domestic Violence Awareness month has a very special meaning to us Alpha Chis. More often than not, society envisions those affected by domestic violence as other people. That “other” may be closer than you think! Start the conversation with your sisters and peers on prevention, healthy relationships, self worth and confidence. Offer prevention opportunities and raise awareness by working with local non-profit agencies to provide education or develop your own curriculum based on your own research. Prevention is key in any cause!
Resources from HQs
OnWatch Safety App: Technology Program Ideas for Domestic Violence Awareness MonthAlpha Chi Omega is teaming up with OnWatch™, the smart phone safety app, to promote well-being and safety for all of our sisters during Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October.OnWatch has six programmable features that, when activated, send text and email alerts with your GPS location. It is designed for you and your college lifestyle and it won the Apps Against Abuse Technology Challenge sponsored by the White House.‘Emergency Friends’ is one OnWatch feature that allows you to discreetly alert your friends that you need help or you are in an uncomfortable situation.Contact the marketing department at headquarters if you would like more information about how your chapter can use these program materials to promote safety and awareness during October.
DV Awareness Event Ideas: To learn more about domestic violence awareness and for event ideas, resources, and more, utilize your chapter’s Domestic Violence Awareness Resource Guide. This guidebook was sent to your chapter in August 2011 and should be passed down through officer transitions. View an electronic copy here.
Our sisters at HQs have produced a wonderful video to share what Alpha Chi Omega has been up to in 2012 and where we are going in the years ahead. Check out the 2012 State of the Enterprise!
It would be a great idea to share this at chapter meeting!
National Hazing Prevention Week: September 24-28, 2012
Start the conversation by learning more about how you and your chapter can promote prevention of hazing on the National Hazing Prevention website. As human beings we make a commitment to respect those around us. It is our responsibility to be proactive and a part of the solution.
Hazing Facts
Hazing is a plague in our society. Incidents are on the rise – particularly among younger and younger kids committing increasingly more violent acts. Take a look at some statistics:
•1.5 million high school students are hazed each year; 47% of students came to college already having experienced hazing.
•55% of college students involved in clubs, teams and organizations experience hazing.
•Alcohol consumption, humiliation, isolation, sleep-deprivation, and sexual acts are hazing practices common across all types of student groups.
•40% of athletes who reported being involved in hazing behaviors report that a coach or advisor was aware of the activity; 22% report that the coach was involved.
•2 in 5 students say they are aware of hazing taking place on their campus. More than 1 in 5 report that they witnessed hazing personally.
•In 95% of cases where students identified their experience as hazing, they did not report the events to campus officials.
•Nine out of ten students who have experienced hazing behavior in college do not consider themselves to have been hazed.
•36% of students say they would not report hazing primarily because "there's no one to tell," and 27% feel that adults won't handle it right.
•As of February 12, 2010, the number of recorded hazing/pledging/rushing-related deaths in fraternities and sororities stands at 96 – 90 males and 6 females.
Taryn & Brianna (Iota Nu) met under the Arch to celebrate 2012 National Convention!
AXOs from across the nation shared the excitement of 2012 National Convention at the Arch in St. Louis! This was a great way to reconnect, share ideas and enjoy the society of our sisters from a big picture perspective. Convention offered exciting updates regarding the State of the Fraternity, new initiatives, and ongoing training for our local leaders and advisors. Presentations on risk management, balancing life, domestic violence awareness, and how we can empower eachother as women. The culmination of convention's events and discussions made it clear that we as real.strong.women all have a role in leading the way for our sisters of today and the future.
Convention Heights & Highlights
Kailyn, (Iota Tau Chapter President) Serving as IT Delegate
Many California chapters and individuals were recognized:
Kappa Lambda (USD): Chapter Relations & Standards Board & National Council Trophy Finalist
Iota Nu recognized on the Foundation's Carnation Roll for cumulative giving
Iota Tau recognized on the Medallion Roll for cumulative giving
Stephanie Sibley (Gamma Nu) recognized on the Foundation's Medallion Roll for cumulative giving
Alpha Psi - Outstanding Advisory Board
California AXOs truly had many reasons to celebrate that weekend! Congrats to all national award recipients and finalists!
CA Attendees Celebrating @ Final Banquet
AXO Alum, Melissa d'Arabian (Alpha Iota), wowed us with her phenomenal talk on balancing life through prioritizing value added opportunities in our individual lives...Pearls of wisdom we all continually strive for!
Karina Shaver and Stephanie Sibley w/ Melissa d'Arabian after her phenomenal speech!
Dr. Caroline Heldman (Occidental College), exposed how the media’s misrepresentations of women have led to the underrepresentation of women in positions of power and influence. She shared the documentary, MissRepresentation by Jennifer Siebel Newsom, premiered at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival, and aired on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. It is a MUST see for all! For more info go to, http://www.missrepresentation.org/. You might want to consider sponsoring a film screening at your university...or even as a chi connection. A topic that would definitely get you and your sisters going!
Just some food for thought!
Headquarters launched For Now/Forever Campaign aiming to enhance and sustain the Alpha Chi Omega experience for today and beyond. To see how your chapter can support the campaign visit the Alpha Chi Omega website and watch the video below. Keep an eye out for CA AXOs Christine Chung (CP, Gamma Nu) and Breanna Lopez-Barajas (VP CRS, Iota Xi) in the video!
Thank you to Iota Xi for pledging a generous gift to the campaign in honor of AXO's future!
Sisterhood Moments at National Convention!
Ladies of Iota Xi Showing off AXO Love at the Arch
A Few AXO Convention Moments!
Coordinated...but Definitely Not Planned! :)
Our Lovely SoCal Alumnae Leadership Closing out Convention @ the Final Night Banquet
Making Legacies One Woman at a Time!
Ladies of Iota Tau Getting Ready for Opening Chapter Meeting!
Kappa Lambda Advisors, Past, Present and Future Celebrating Chapter Honors
Thank you to Brianna Blumenthal-Cohen, Abigail Breitenbach, Taryn Huhn, Karissa Joiner, Karina Shaver and Brooke Stites for sharing your pics with us!
Until 2014 Ladies...AXO National Convention is heading to California! Time for CA AXOs to show our sisters a wonderful time!
JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, California, July 11-14, 2014!
It's a new school year and it is back! So Cal AXOs stay tuned for new posts to keep you updated on deadlines, upcoming events, programming ideas and resources.
If you have any chapter updates that you would like to share please message me @ cvhines@gmail.com. Thank you!
.png)
