SoCal AXO

Southern and Central California AXOs Celebrating Sisterhood!

2011-04-15T16:04:00.000-07:00

Southern & Central California Exec Board Sisterhood Hosted by Epsilon Kappa (CSU Fullerton) – March 4, 2005

THANK YOU ANNA GOLKA for helping to coordinate this!!! THANK YOU EPSILON KAPPA FOR OPENING UP YOUR BEAUTIFUL CHAPTER HOUSE!!!

April: Sexual Assault Awareness Month

2011-04-05T19:58:00.001-07:00

One in four college women report surviving rape or attempted rape. As sisters and friends this issue is very near and dear to our hearts. We may never know just who this has affected in our own lives. The month of April has been designated Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) in the United States. The goal of SAAM is to raise public awareness about sexual violence and to educate communities and individuals on how to prevent sexual violence. Each day, people witness a continuum of behaviors that range from being respectful and safe, to sexually abusive and violent.

There are many things that you as a sorority woman can do to educate yourself and friends to prevent sexual assault or serve as the safety net when it does occur. Your first step is to start that conversation…don't be afraid to bring a speaker in to your chapter meeting to talk about a range of prevention focused topics like healthy relationships/communication, self defense, social safety, etc. In addition, recognize that there may be women in your very own chapter that may be victims of sexual assault be prepared to listen and believe in them. Prepare your chapter members by building awareness around local/campus wellness resources to help nurture a healthy collegiate experience or be ready when your sisters need you most.

Resources:

Request a speaker - The Voices and Faces Project

National Sexual Violence Resource Center

Rape Abuse Incest National Network

Local Resources:

Center for Community Solutions - San Diego

Community Service Programs (Victims Assistance) - Orange County

Riverside Rape Crisis Center - Riverside

Alpha Chi Omega Foundation Student Trustee Applications

2011-01-15T20:03:00.001-08:00

Applications to serve as a student trustee on the 2011-2012 Alpha Chi Omega Foundation Board of Trustees are now available!

Serving as a student trustee is an excellent opportunity to get involved with Alpha Chi Omega leadership on a national level by acting as the voice for the collegiate member. Along with attending board meetings and weighing into important discussions, student trustees have the opportunity to work directly with collegiate chapters by building relationships and investing them in the mission of the Foundation. Applicants must be a junior or senior during the 2011-2012 academic year and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.

Applications and additional information are available on the website. If you have any questions please contact Theresa Loth.

Save the Date - March 6 Province/Career Day @ Cal State Fullerton

2011-01-15T19:57:00.001-08:00

Province/Career Day, which will be held for all Southern California Alpha Chi members on March 6, 2011 in Fullerton, California. This is a valuable event that will be held every two years, bringing together successful alumnae in various industries together with college students focusing on sisterhood and personal development. There will be a special focus on personal development to help you prepare for and build your career. This event will bring distinguished Alpha Chi speakers from all over the state to provide experienced insights on topics such as effective resume writing and interviewing, securing the best internships, how to network for career advancement, graduate school applications, business etiquette, salary negotiation and financial/401K planning.

Keep posted for registration information!

Alpha Chi Omega Foundation Scholarship Applications Open

2011-01-15T19:40:00.000-08:00

Alpha Chi Omega Foundation gave over $120,000 in scholarships last year...collegiate and alumna members can apply here. Deadline is March 1. If you have questions please contact Amber Latta.

Celebrating 125 Years of Real.Strong.Women!

2010-10-06T17:17:00.000-07:00

With help from our founders, headquarters put together a fabulous short film to commemorate the 125 years of our amazing sisterhood. If you have not had a chance to view, the video can be found by clicking here.

Happy 125th Birthday Alpha Chi Omega! May there be many years of faith, hope and love to come!

LITB,
Charissa :)

Getting the Conversation Started: October - Victims of Domestic Violence Month

2010-10-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

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 for ideas:

http://datingviolence.org/

http://www.loveisnotabuse.com/web/guest/downloadfile (specific curriculum and resources developed…great for a chi connection!)

Local resources (San Diego): http://www.ccssd.org/services_eando.html

Local resources (Riverside): http://www.alternativestodv.org/programs/communityeducation.html

Some Food for Thought: New Members or Babies?

2010-09-29T00:10:00.000-07:00

Stephania Rudd from Alpha Phi just might be on to something! Check out her blog on her perspectives on new members. Real.Strong.Women are not babies. :)

Thanks to National President, Marsha Grady for highlighting her blog via Facebook!

National Hazing Prevention Week 9/20-24

2010-09-08T20:50:00.000-07:00

National Hazing Prevention Week is nearing...and a little reminder never hurt anyone. What is hazing? :)

Hazing is - Any action taken or situation created intentionally:

that causes embarrassment, harassment or ridicule

risks emotional and/or physical harm

to members of an organization or team

whether new or not

regardless of the person's willingness to participate

Still confused? Ask yourself these questions:

Would I feel comfortable participating in this activity if my parents were watching?

Would we get in trouble if the Dean of Students walked by?

Am I being asked to keep these activities a secret?

Am I doing anything illegal?

Does participation violate my values or those of my organization?

Is it causing emotional distress or stress of any kind to myself or others

Wanna learn more, click here for more info and resources.

Alpha Chi Omega Celebrates 125 Years of Friendship, Leadership & Service!

2010-08-10T19:17:00.000-07:00

Remember Alpha Chi Omega bid day? UCLA new members need you!

2010-08-10T14:57:00.000-07:00

Do you remember your first day as an Alpha Chi Omega? Bid Day! The cheers. The hugs. The songs. And how could you forget your first Alpha Chi Omega swag? T-shirts, picture frames and various other bright red and green trinkets just waiting for you in your new member goodie bag. Now imagine instead, that goodie bag never happened due to budget constraints. What a sad thought…The Alpha Psi (UCLA) new member classes of 2011 are in jeopardy of not having the memories we all shared. The budget is tight and we need assistance. We need alumnae donations to cover the costs of New Member swag next year and we are looking to the Southern California alumnae to help. We estimate that each bid day bag and all of its associated treats will cost $30 per new member. Please sponsor one member or many. Your support really will make a difference for our newest Alpha Chis!

There are two ways to donate:

Paypal : harper.christie@gmail.com (the chapter advisor’s account)

Check made payable to Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Chi OmegaMail to: Alpha Psi Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega c/o Lori Smiley, 2261 Strickler DriveFullerton, CA 92833

For more information, please contact the Alpha Psi Finance Advisor, Lori Smiley @lorismiley@hotmail.com

Regional Sisterhood Idea - Making Strides Against Breast Cancer - October 17

2010-08-06T13:20:00.000-07:00

I know that many of your chapters already take part in Making Strides Against Breat Cancer...so why not make it a partnership sisterhood! Contact a fellow Alpha Chi at another school or local alumnae chapter to build a team with more capacity to raise funds to fight breast cancer...and get to know one another just a little bit more along the way! :) You could even meet for brunch after the walk is all said and done...just an idea!

For more information about the walk go to: http://main.acsevents.org/site/TR?sid=55931&type=fr_informational&pg=informational&fr_id=27984

Welcome Collegiate Consultant, Melissa Norrbom!

2010-08-05T21:23:00.000-07:00

Please welcome Melissa Norrbom, region 4's newest collegiate consultant. Melissa is very excited for this opportunity to support the SoCal chapters this year. She will be traveling Region 4, specifically California, New Mexico, Arizona, Oklahoma State University and the University of Colorado.

She is an initiate of Epsilon Psi chapter of Alpha Chi Omega at the University of California, Irvine in Southern California. She graduated in June 2009 with a degree in Criminology, Law and Society.

During her time as a collegiate member of Alpha Chi Omega, she had the opportunity to serve the chapter as VP Chapter Relations and Standards, Secretary of Order of Omega, Warden, Parents Coordinator, and often served as a Recruitment Day Chair. In the UCI community she was a Resident Advisor for freshmen students, campus tour guide, and also an orientation program staff member. As a recent alumna, she has been actively involved in Epsilon Psi chapter, as well as the recent colonization of the Alpha Psi chapter at UCLA.

I have posted her contact information on the blog. Melissa is super excited to support the region and looks forward to visiting your chapters. Please feel free to use her as a resource....she is here to ensure that you all have the most positive collegiate experience!

California & So. Nevada Girls @ Convention 2010!!!

2010-07-27T15:49:00.001-07:00

CA and S. Nevada members - One of the only times we ever all get to be in one place! :)

KL Accepts Award for Risk Management with Past Nation President Julie Burkhard

Province Alumnae Stephanie & Allison Serving as Convention Delegates

Just a little R&R Alpha Chi Style!

California Chapter Heights & Highlights from D.C.

2010-07-19T11:35:00.000-07:00

Lifetime members from all over the country gathered for four days to share in the bond of Alpha Chi Omega and reflect on how very special that is...regardless of background, initiating chapter, etc. It was a wonderful time to reflect on how to bring back the basics of what being a part of a values based organization really means to each of our collegiate and alumnae members. We were reminded that we should have faith in our sisters, hope for the brightest future for all including those sisters that we do not even know exist yet, and share love and appreciation for our values.

National council announced the launching of a pilot project temporarily called the Four Year Collegiate Experience. This program will assist in the personal development of collegiate members based on each individual life stage (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior). Two California chapters were fortunate enough to be a part of the pilot this year, Cal Poly SLO and UC San Diego. Get excited for the expansion of this program! Opportunity may come sooner than you think!

Last but not least many California collegiate and alumnae chapters were honored with tons of awards and recognition. Congrats to all!

Chapter Milestones:

UC Berkely, Pi - Centennial Anniversary

University of San Diego (USD), Kappa Lambda - Medallion Roll (Cumulative gift to Foundation of over $10K)

CSU Fullerton, Epsilon Kappa - Carnation Roll (Cumulative gift to Foundation of over $25K)

National Award Winners & Finalists:

CSU Fullerton, Epsilon Kappa & House Corp Board

Facility Management (winner)
Recruitment (finalist)

Delta Omega Delta - No. Orange County

Collegiate Support (finalist)

Gamma Theta Gamma - West Los Angeles

Collegiate Support (Winner)

Kappa Omicron Kappa - No. Coastal San Diego

Collegiate Support (Finalist)

UC Irvine, Epsilon Psi & House Corp Board

Alum & Parent Relations (winner)
Intellectual Development (winner)
Best Lyre Project (winner)

UC Santa Barbara, Delta Psi House Corp Board

Safety/Security & Risk Management (winner)

USD, Kappa Lambda

Panhellenic Participation (winner)
Philanthropy (winner)
Risk Management (finalist)

Welcoming our Newest Alumnae from Iota Tau

2010-05-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

Just thought I'd share this picture from Iota Tau's Hall of Commitment on May 3.

Cheers to a lifetime of friendship, sisterhood, and growth! :)

Real.Strong.Women in SoCal!

2010-05-13T11:42:00.001-07:00

So excited to read in the May issue of the Flyre that SoCal's own, Lauren Caris, Gamma Nu, won Chapter President of the Year at San Diego State University!

Congratulations Lauren!!! Your leadership and strength makes me SO proud!

Fast Approaching Deadline to sign up for Billhighway training - April 30

2010-04-26T12:04:00.001-07:00

Hi Advisors!

Your April 30th deadline for scheduling your Billhighway training session is quickly approaching. If you have not already completed your Drive Thru training, please contact Billhighway to schedule it.

Sessions are filling up quickly, so as long as you have scheduled your training session by Friday (4/30) Alpha Chi Omega Headquarters will include your chapter in meeting this deadline. Give them a Call! Staff is available Monday - Friday, 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. EST at 1-866-245-5499, prompt 2. You can also email staff at axosupport@billhighway.com.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week!!!

2010-11 Budgets - Due April 30

2010-04-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

The 2010-2011 budget form was sent March 24th. If you did not receive a copy of the new form, you can download it on the HQ web site. Final budgets are due to Headquarters no later than April 30th.

I listed the finance specialists who are available to assist you in budgeting:

Region 4:
Brynn Mitchell
Casey Ewy
Tammy Bachecki

Sharing Best Practices

2010-04-22T21:32:00.001-07:00

Tip: If you'd like to post to this site, you can do so by clicking on the "Comments" link below any post. If you haven't registered for Blogger (it's free), it will prompt you to do so. We can all share ideas/thoughts this way, and everyone can view all the comment posts.

Mint.com - Making the Dollars and Cents Understandable

2010-04-22T21:13:00.000-07:00

How many times are you tempted to splurge on that amazing top, at an even more amazing price or forgot your homemade lunch and have to stop at the closest Subway? If you ask me, one too many times!

More and more, I come across our collegiate sisters who are experiencing financial difficulty due to these tough times we are all in. Financial responsibility is one of AXO's five standards, and I found a wonderful tool to help members support just that! I recently started using www.mint.com, a one-stop-shop for budget building, monitoring and analyzing. It aggregates all of your banking, credit cards, loans, and assets to analyze your finances. It shows you what your spending characteristics and trends really are. It is quite opening when you realize how often you might eat out or grab a Starbucks on the way to an event.

I highly recommend sharing this financial resource with collegiates and anyone else for that matter! There is no time like the present to start budgeting and monitoring! :)

Find Your Inner Mr. AX with Iota Nu!

2010-03-28T19:01:00.000-07:00

Iota Nu is hosting their sixteenth annual Mr. Alpha Chi talent pageant 2010 to raise money for victims of domestic violence in San Diego. It is guaranteed to be an extremely entertaining and memorable night! The women of Iota Nu are looking forward to sharing this night with all who are able to make it!

When: Tuesday, Aptil 13 @ 7pm
Where: UCSD, Price Center
Ticket Info: $7
As AXOs, you can choose to reserve tickets through the chapter, ready for pick-up @ will-call the night of!

Contact for tickets or to make donations:

Elaine Andres

Alumnae Chair

ekandres@gmail.com

909-557-0418

http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=357592480717

Welcome back SoCal AXO!

2010-03-24T14:05:00.000-07:00

Welcome back SoCal AXO! I am finally getting up and running. In my experience as a chapter advisor, I found Karina Shaver's blog extremely helpful so I decided to carry on the practice! Fortuntely for all of us, Karina has been kind enough to allow me to revive the original SoCal AXO blog to serve as our centralized method of communication. Please remember to sign-up for FeedBlitz if you would like to receive notification of blog updates via email.

As you can see the upcoming events sidebar is a bit empty. Please let me know if your chapter has any upcoming events that you would like to share with the entire province and I can post on the blog.

Happy spring quarter/semester!!!

Three ways to support Epsilon Kappa

2009-04-13T16:56:00.000-07:00

Many of you have asked me privately how you/your chapters can help – I wanted to pass along three ways:

1) Support the chapter’s participation in the upcoming MADD walk, scheduled for May 9. They had already planned to participate in this event because of the loss of another sister years ago, Ashley Nelson. Certainly this year it will be even more important, given their recent loss. Please visit the MADD walk website at www.walklikemadd.org and donate to the CSUF Alpha Chi Omega team.

2) Celebration of Life. There will be a celebration of Courtney Stewart’s life at the Fullerton Campus, in front of the Titan Gym, at 7 pm this Wednesday. If you would like to attend with a group of chapter members, please feel free to do so.

3) Send a condolence card to the chapter at 700 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92831

Thank you to all the local alumnae and advisors who have been so incredibly supportive and helpful since the accident.

Please send your thoughts and prayers to Epsilon Kappa

2009-04-09T18:13:00.000-07:00

I'm so sad to share that the Epsilon Kappa chapter has suffered a terrible loss, chapter member Courtney Stewart. She was killed in a car accident early this morning along with two other victims, and the chapter is mourning her loss.

Please send your thoughts and prayers to her family, friends and sisters right now. Condolence cards can be mailed to 700 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton, CA 92831.

Lots of love in the bond to all of you ...

New recruitment/bid day shirt idea (inspired by Plain White Tees song)

2009-03-06T10:02:00.000-08:00

Shared by a clever collegian in SoCal (inspired by a Plain White Tees song):

"There's only ...

1 thing
2 do
3 words
4 you

Alpha Chi Omega!"

Amazing sisterhood idea for tonight, March 5!!

2009-03-05T13:07:00.000-08:00

CARE Celebrates International Women's Day with A Powerful Noise Live

Posted by The Women's Conference on March 4, 2009

Acclaimed documentary film, A Powerful Noise, will be showing in 450 theaters throughout the U.S. for one night on March 5th.

Not just another movie ticket but a passport into the lives of women worldwide.If you’re looking for a night out with a purpose, here’s the perfect ticket for you. On Thursday, March 5, in honor of International Women’s Day, CARE and NCM Fathom – in partnership with ONE and the UN Commission on the Status of Women – will present A POWERFUL NOISE Live in 450 movie theatres nationwide, including across California. The one-night event will feature the acclaimed documentary, “A Powerful Noise.” “A Powerful Noise” takes viewers into the lives of three women, making you cry with a young widow in Vietnam, hope with a mother in Bosnia and cheer with a matriarch in Mali. But when the credits start rolling, you’ll be transported into something else: a movement. After the film ends, you don’t want to miss the live panel discussion broadcast live via satellite from New York City to your local big screen.

The panel features Madeleine K. Albright, former U.S. Secretary of State and Principal, The Albright Group LLC; Christy Turlington Burns, CARE advocate for maternal health and contributing editor for Marie Claire magazine;Dr. Helene Gayle, CARE president and CEO; Nicholas Kristof, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, New York Times columnist and acclaimed author; and Natalie Portman, actress and activist.

A POWERFUL NOISE Live is in select theatres nationwide for only one night Thursday, March 5 at 8:00 p.m. PT (tape delayed). Tickets are on sale now and cost $15- $18 for adults and $12.50 for children. For more information, including a complete list of participating theatres and to purchase tickets, please visit www.apowerfulnoise.org.

Please give a warm welcome to Brittany Helm, our new Chapter Consultant!

2009-02-13T16:00:00.000-08:00

I'm especially excited to welcome Brittany Helm, our newest Chapter Consultant for our province. I met her several years ago when she was a founding member of the Kappa Lambda chapter (USD), and she's been a phenomenal values-based leader ever since. Please show her what Southern (California) hospitality is, and welcome her warmly when she comes to visit! Her contact info. is listed on the speed dial section on the right margin.

Revised chapter bylaws due to HQ by Apr. 14

2009-02-10T08:55:00.000-08:00

It's that time of year again ... bylaw revisions for Alpha Chi Omega! All chapters have until April 14 this year to get your revised chapter bylaws to Salina, your Regional Manager. She just emailed the model bylaws to each Chapter President - remember to start from those, and then customize for your chapter's specific rules and processes. If you start instead from your chapter's bylaws from last year, you'll miss all the new Alpha Chi national policy changes and the bylaws will not be approved. If you're a housed chapter, also remember to revise your house rules as part of this process; your House Corp. Board may have suggestions on house rules they need changed/added/deleted, so touch base with them first. Also, keep in mind spring breaks and other holidays, to make sure you have enough time to do the entire process below and get them in by the deadline!

Here's how it's done:
1. CRSB makes a list of suggested bylaw revisions. Anyone in the chapter who wants to propose a revision can come into a CRSB meeting and propose it, but CRSB decides what ends up proposed to the chapter for vote.
2. Suggested revisions are submitted to the chapter for review by March 15. It helps to go over the proposed revisions in chapter meeting so members can ask questions, and you're sure most of them know what the changes mean.
3. The chapter must have at least one week to review the suggested revisions before it votes on them.
4. The chapter votes on the entire bylaw document (not one change at a time), and must approve the bylaws by a two-thirds (2/3) majority vote of the members present at a regular meeting of the chapter at which a quorum is present. You're basically saying, "here's what our new bylaws document will look like if you vote to approve them."
5. After the bylaws are approved by the chapter, a copy is sent to Headquarters no later than April 14.
6. The bylaws will be registered and filed for the 2009-10 academic year.

Alpha Chi returns to UCLA!

2009-02-02T10:56:00.000-08:00

Great news, ladies ... the National Council this past weekend voted to accept the invitation from UCLA to recolonize our chapter there. The Alpha Psi chapter (UCLA) will live again! Stay tuned to hear more about when it will happen, and how you can help support this new colony. They have a beautiful chapter house that their VERY dedicated House Corp. Board has been keeping open and working just in case we ever had the chance to re-open the chapter. Hats off to Mary Davids and her team for making that happen.

UCLA will take us to 10 Alpha Chi chapters in Southern California ... looks like I'll have to update my blog header :)

SoCal Career Day Registration opens Feb. 1

2009-01-26T12:06:00.001-08:00

Information has just been sent to all chapter presidents and Career Day Chairs, noting that registration to the SoCal Career Day event will open at 12:01 am on Feb. 1, and will close at midnight, Feb. 10. Chapter chairs must send me a list of their members' email addresses by Jan. 30 if they want to receive the SurveyMonkey link to register! Spread the word - we expect the event to sell out very, very quickly - first come, first serve! Make sure you mark your calendars to register and check your emails for the SurveyMonkey link ...

Scholarships applications now open

2009-01-26T09:12:00.000-08:00

The Alpha Chi Omega Foundation gave over $120,000 in scholarships last year ... collegiate and alumnae members can now apply here. Deadline to apply is March 15, 2009 - tell all your members!!

Grassroots Facebook standards

2009-01-15T10:03:00.001-08:00

It's one thing to have an electronic contract for your members, or to educate them on why it's important (for SO many reasons) to keep Facebook profiles, pics and comments clean. But holding members accountable when they don't? That can get tricky. Check out this easy idea from the Zeta Xi chapter on how they use more of a grassroots, peer-accountability method to keep Alpha Chi's image spotless:

"Our members post the word "PEARL" under any pictures they see on Facebook that aren't representing Alpha Chi in a positive manner (PEARL = Presenting Every Action Representing a Lady). Every member has the responsibility to post PEARL whenever they see a sister using poor judgment on pictures/comments - this has really helped keep down our CRS cases. Of course if a member fails to remove something inappropriate after being PEARLed and if the VP-CRS sees it and feels it is inappropriate, the member will then be called into a CRS meeting."

You know I love ideas where we ask everyone to be their sister's keeper ... not just exec members!

Congratulations to all the new incoming officers!

2008-12-06T13:47:00.001-08:00

Being selected by your peers to lead your chapter is an honor, a privilege and a responsibility. Congratulations on your election, and may the coming year bring you lots of fun, life lessons and memorable experiences! I look forward to meeting you all at Province Officer training on 2/28 in Fullerton, and at Province Career Day on 3/1.

Welcome to our new Regional Manager, Salina!

2008-10-31T14:36:00.001-07:00

Many of you received her email today, but I wanted to personally welcome Salina Flores to Headquarters Staff as our Southern California (now known as Region 4) Regional Manager! I happened to be out in Indy at HQ when she was in the office, and had a chance to meet her. Salina is bright, outgoing and one dedicated Alpha Chi. I know she'll be a wonderful asset to all of our collegiate chapters and advisory boards. If you get a chance, drop her a phone call to say hello and introduce yourself!

Electronic membership selection tallying using Survey Monkey

2008-10-17T09:31:00.000-07:00

While some of you have finished formal recruitment, others are gearing up to start in January. I wanted to share some feedback from Charissa Hines, the UC San Diego (Iota Nu) Chapter Advisor, who tried using Survey Monkey to streamline membership selection tallying this year.

Since this is a public blog, I won't post all her instructions and lessons learned here, but please let me know via email if you'd like a copy of her process and insights. I think what's most compelling is her comment: "Overall, I will definitely incorporate this process next year as this shaved off a good 1.5-2 hours off CRIB. It was also less stressful as [alumnae] no longer had to sit there and tally hundreds of score sheets."

We can all benefit from that!

Great Bid Day/sisterhood bonding event idea

2008-09-29T16:09:00.000-07:00

While the concept isn't new, it still seems to get members laughing, bonding, and having a great and memorable time ... hypnotist shows! Gamma Nu (SDSU) has been using "Hypnotwyz" (TwylightPro@aol.com / 951-733-5566) for years now as their Bid Day activity, and it's been a wonderful way to lighten the mood, build sisterhood, and not have too much conversation required after many, MANY days of recruitment convos :) Alpha Chi even had a hypnotist show at National Convention a few years back in Orlando (we're still teasing folks about their "performances" on stage to this day ...) But whether for Bid Day, a kick-off to a all-chapter retreat, or just for a surprise for chapter members on a Chi Connection night, consider a fun event like this!

Sisterhood Packets - chuck out the old, order the new!

2008-08-14T22:30:00.000-07:00

Remember to order Sisterhood Packets for any new members that your chapter is taking this fall. It is required that you order new packets each year (and not use leftover packets from previous years—those are out of date). New members pay your chapter for these packets as part of their fees. Please contact HQ with your fall orders as soon as possible. Indicate a mailing address and the date by which you need the packets. If HQ hasn't received a packet order by the end of your formal recruitment or upon receipt of the C3 New Member Report, they'll place the order for you (and bill you for it!).

Congratulations to Epsilon Kappa, Kappa Lambda and Epsilon Psi!

2008-07-16T10:34:00.001-07:00

Our province was well represented in the awards this year, with Kappa Lambda and Epsilon Psi both being finalists in national awards categories, and a BIG CONGRATS TO EPSILON KAPPA for being the national winner in both Advisory Board and House Corp. Board categories!! Way to go!!

I know that every chapter in our province can be a national winner in multiple categories - but that requires some clever award application strategies. Lynn Bower, Chapter Advisor for the award-winning board for Epsilon Kappa, gave this sage advice: "Give the AXO awards application to each respective exec. board officer now, and ask them to plan their programming to specifically match the criteria/focus of the award." The more visuals, information and details you can provide, the better - some award-winning chapters send in application binders that are many inches thick!

You all do wonderful work in your chapters, and I'd love to see you all recognized for it. Gold stars to those outgoing Chapter Presidents and Awards Chairs who spearhead this effort each winter!

Convention Summary - Hot Ideas from Hot Climates!

2008-07-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

Convention was amazing - lots of information, lots of inspiration, lots of Alpha Chi bonding - and while the heat and crazy monsoon storms were new to us SoCal ladies, I know we all grew from the experience. Here are some pics from the province dinner at Carrabba's, where we shared some key news for the province:

1. All-Province Career Day 2009! We're expanding our successful San Diego Career Day to an all-province one to be held on March 1 (yes, Hera Day!). This will likely be held in the Orange County/Anaheim area as that's the most central for all chapters. Please block out this weekend on your calendars and avoid overprogramming the days leading up to it. We'll be asking for a Career Day Chair from each collegiate and alumnae chapter, so start thinking of who that might be!

2. Exec. board training. Based on your feedback at dinner, we'll plan to schedule an all-province exec. board training for Saturday afternoon, Feb. 28, in the same place where we're holding Career Day the next day (Mar. 1). This way, they can attend exec. board training, stay the night, and then attend Career Day the next day. This training is required for all exec members, so please promote this requirement and date to all candidates during exec. elections this fall!

3. Province Facebook page. Several of you mentioned loving the interaction with other chapter officers, and thought this would be a great way to stay connected and use each other as a resource. Gold star to whomever would like to set this up!!

4. Getting together with other chapters more often. I've heard wonderful ideas already from chapters about bringing great speakers (like the "Myth of Having It All" from convention, or "Kristin's Story") and inviting other nearby chapters to attend. I encourage all of you to also review your existing school or chapter calendar and invite another chapter at least once a semester/quarter to join you in something you've already planned! Some schools don't have football teams and would LOVE to experience fall football madness, others are rock stars at ritual and would love to have someone to practice it with. Whatever the topic, reach out and connect!

Please also always feel free to comment to posts on this blog if you have more ideas, needs, or just want to spread that AXO love.

Two days until early registration deadline!

2008-05-21T10:29:00.000-07:00

May 23 and you have to pay $50 more to register for Convention. If you haven't already, register now here!

Matt's Law - hazing now a felony in Calif.

2008-04-29T19:00:00.000-07:00

Amanda Ebner, a co-PCC for this province, just gave a phenomenal workshop to Iota Tau (who was proactively fulfilling their annual risk management workshop requirement - way to go!) on hazing. Tons of great information shared in this interactive workshop, but one fact stood out to me ... as of 2007, hazing is now a felony in the state of California. So not only is it a criminal offense punishable by imprisonment, but it also takes the statute out of the educational code and puts it in the penal code - making it possible for anyone (including officers, advisors, parents, etc.) to be named in a hazing lawsuit - whether they were at the incident or not. Gulp. As if we needed even more proof that hazing - however subtle - has NO place in Alpha Chi Omega.

Contact Amanda to have her come and give this really interesting and informative workshop at your next Chi Connection - great dose of preventative medicine!

Strong arms

2008-04-12T15:57:00.000-07:00

It's with a heavy heart that I share that one of our chapters, Epsilon Psi (UC Irvine), has lost a sister unexpectedly. Senior Kyrstin Van De Voort passed away in the early morning hours of April 1, and the chapter is doing their very best to deal with this terrible loss. Please respect their privacy during this difficult time and refrain from seeking out more details. All that needs be known is that across this province, both physically and virtually, the strong arms of their sisters are around them now and always.

Convention-ready

2008-04-09T16:02:00.000-07:00

Only 3 months until National Convention in Scottsdale, and for those of you who have never been, this is the perfect time to make sure you have an all-white pin attire outfit ready by July. One of the national business meetings, which all delegates attend, requires you to wear all white. Many wear tasteful dresses, some choose business attire (suit jacket and pants), others get creative with separates. Just remember: nothing too short, too low-cut, too see-through, or too much like denim. And most white items are no longer in stores come June (they'll start stocking fall clothing) - so if you don't already own it or can't borrow it, start shopping for it!

SoCal Alpha Chi Omegas in the News

2008-03-31T15:51:00.000-07:00

Members from two of our Southern California chapters, Epsilon Psi (University of California, Irvine) and Epsilon Kappa (California State University, Fullerton) have been featured in local newspapers this past month!

Epsilon Kappa President Ashley Jupin and other chapter members were quoted in front-page coverage of their MADD Bash, an alcohol-free event in remembrance of a sister killed by a drunk driver last November.

Epsilon Psi VP and co-President of UCI Hillel Michelle Eshaghian spoke out about the climate for Jewish students at UCI in support of both the campus and the Chancellor.

Please offer your congratulatory words and support to these collegiates as they continue to represent Alpha Chi Omega and the Southern California region in empowering, positive ways.

Box Girls - fun Chi Connection or sisterhood event bonding in a box!

2008-03-19T16:44:00.000-07:00

Just came across this fun website, and instantly thought of how this could make for some fun sisterly bonding at an upcoming retreat or Chi Connection - or even fun icebreaker at a mother-daughter function!

Couldn't you see handing out cards to various members during chapter meeting, and then at the end of meeting, the members who were picked as a "box girl" would answer the question for everyone to hear? Especially for those non-housed chapters, this can be a quick, fun and easy way to really get to know all your members.

Dose of preventative medicine - effective bylaw revisions

2008-03-11T15:56:00.000-07:00

Yes, March may be all about Easter and crazy-early daylight savings time changes, but it's also bylaw revision season! This year, think strategically about ways to utilize bylaws as a dose of preventitive medicine - set clear and specific expectations for members, and also find creative ways to proactively address issues that your chapter members may (or should!) care most about. Below are 3 classic areas to read closely (and perhaps update), and 3 creative additions you may consider this year. Ah, we Alpha Chi's love our 3's!

Classic challenge areas (refer to the P&P manual/CD for guidelines!):

Special Status - what is it? what isn't it? Bylaws are all about the balance between clear and specific and yet not too specific that it becomes limiting in practice.
Elections - refer to the elections guide for ideas. Setting a moratorium on bylaw amendments once the elections process has begun and until it has concluded can help keep "over-enthusiastic" candidates in check down the line.
Mandatory events/positive points/"member in good standing". Is it 85% positive points in order to go to formal? Are you allowed one "free miss" to chapter meeting once a semester/quarter - no excuse needed or wanted?

Creative opportunity areas:

Add a "Career & Internships Chair" to your non-exec. elected officers list. This could sit under the VP-MD or VP-ID and be responsible for keeping a networking database of local alumnae in various fields, be a liaison to the campus Career Services Center and Internship Office, notify members of career/internship fairs on campus/in the community, and offer tips on resume-building, interviewing, or business etiquette.
Add a Ritual Chair, or expectation that a "member in good standing" means they know opening and closing ritual by heart. It's amazing how many women will memorize it when going to spring formal is on the line :)
You decide! What does your chapter love or struggle with the most? What could you add, change, or remove in your bylaws that would help members better live up to the Code of Conduct or value their membership more?

The $100,000 question is ...

2008-02-19T16:08:00.000-08:00

... will you let the Foundation Scholarships application deadline pass you by? Yes, ladies, it's right around the corner - March 15th, in fact! - and over $100,000 was given in scholarships to deserving Alpha Chi Omega members last year by the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. Now that's what I call service to your sisters!

More information can be found at - you guessed it! - www.alphachiomega.org.

San Diego Career Day

2008-01-29T13:30:00.000-08:00

Well, the buzz is growing about the upcoming San Diego Career Day, being hosted at Univ. of San Diego on March 1st (Hera Day, of course!). This is a full-day, all expense paid event offering a variety of experienced Alpha Chi alumnae speakers on the topic of resume writing, interviewing, business etiquette, salary negotations, internships, financial planning and networking. Collegians from all four San Diego chapters are invited, and we expect a great turnout. If this goes as well as planned, we'll have a great template from which to plan additonal similar career development events for the rest of the province! Stay tuned for more details, or contact Karina at karina@ardellgroup.com with questions.

Creative ways to celebrate MacDowell month

2008-01-29T13:18:00.000-08:00

Can you believe February is this week? My, how time flies when we're all having fun! MacDowell month is a celebration of the fine arts in February, and some collegiate chapters are finding unique ways to do that, along with the usual trips to museums, art galleries, plays and concerts. Showcasing members' art like paintings, poems or songs can be a wonderful way to recognize the artists right there in your own chapter, or bringing in a local artist (even better if it's an Alpha Chi alumna!) to talk about how she's turned her passion for art into a career. Happy MacDowell month, everyone!

SoCal Fire Update

2007-10-25T19:32:00.000-07:00

Though many members' families have been affected by the terrible wildfires in Southern California, we're very fortunate that all our collegiate members have been accounted for, and chapter houses were unaffected. This is an important time to reach out to alumnae chapters and local domestic violence shelters to see if anyone needs assistance or donations. The Kappa Lambda chapter went through their storage unit earlier this week and brought boxes of donations to Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego. If a donation drive isn't already underway on your campuses, let's have Alpha Chi lead the way and start one!

Kristin's Story comes to UC San Diego Nov. 14

2007-09-27T10:57:00.000-07:00

If you haven't had the chance to see Kristin's Story lately, here's your opportunity! Iota Nu (UCSD) is hosting Kristin's Story on Nov. 14 at 7 pm, at the Price Center Theater. Admission is free, and it can truly be a life-saving event for you or someone you know. Feel free to contact Iota Nu's VP-Risk Mgmt., Jessica Lally, for more details. An overview of Kristin's Story can be found here.

Avoid a $50 fine! Due dates for Recruitment Report

2007-08-28T09:29:00.000-07:00

Here are your due dates for the Formal Recruitment Report - due to HQ via e-mail, fax or mail. Note - to avoid the $50 late fine, Amanda DeCollo at HQ must RECEIVE the form by the dates below (not postmarked).

Gamma Nu September 28th
Epsilon Kappa September 28th
Delta Psi October 9th
Epsilon Psi October 9th
Iota Xi October 17th
Iota Nu October 17th

Honor Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Oct. with a Shower!

2007-08-27T13:27:00.000-07:00

A great Chi Connections/philanthropy idea from Delta Chi chapter (William Woods): throw a "Wish Shower" during meeting to benefit your local DV shelter. Each Chi Connections group is responsible for an area - invitations, decorating, clean-up, food, games, collection boxes on campus, etc. The Chi Connections Chair gets a wish list from your local shelter. The list is posted around campus with collection boxes - a great way to PACE. Invite other fraternities and sororities to the shower and to give something off the "wish registry". The faculty advisor, Greek advisor, and other administrators were also invited. You can even make up educational and fun DV awareness "shower games" to play at meeting. Fun meeting, great philanthropy, wonderful campus awareness of domestic violence, AND amazing PACEing!

VP-Risk Management's New Best Friend

2007-06-15T09:14:00.000-07:00

Well, aside from a well-worn copy of FIPG and emergency contact numbers, VP Risk Management - and VP Membership Development - now have a new best friend: Alpha Chi Omega's insurance company! HRH Kirklin is one more resource to check with when pondering, "is our chapter's rear covered if we plan this event, in this way?" Of course, your first line of defense is always to check with your advisors, and then leadership mentors and regional managers at HQ, but now you have a specialist also on the team you can call on. Rohnda Roehrs is her name, and she can be reached by e-mail or (800) 736-4327 x. 205. I've added her to our "speed dial" list on the right.

Chi Connection Idea - Dating Violence Prevention

2007-06-08T10:21:00.002-07:00

The Center for Community Solutions is a San Diego-based organization that offers free seminars regarding dating violence prevention, and also offers a self-defense class. There are three seminars, and you can take part in all three, or pick and choose. Iota Nu will be implementing this program as a Chi Connection in the fall. The contact number for the trainer is 858-272-5777. Feel free to share other great speakers/trainers in the SoCal area by posting to the comments below.

Posting to this site

2007-06-04T09:51:00.000-07:00

Welcome!

2007-05-31T12:07:00.001-07:00

I'm so honored to have been chosen as your new Province Collegiate Chair (PCC), and to support all nine amazing chapters and their advisory boards in the Southern California province. I hope you'll find this site helpful - check back weekly or monthly to make sure you're on top of form deadlines, creative chapter event ideas and other great tips on how to create a truly inspirational and rewarding Alpha Chi experience. This is your site - so share feedback with me (my e-mail is in the "speed dial" section) on what you'd like to see!