AXO and UF Support National Hazing Prevention Week!

Support National Hazing Prevention Week!, September 22-26, 2014

BACKSTOP 1:“My choices impact my sisters, so what choices do I have?”

BACKSTOP 2: “Where is the dignity in what we are doing?”

#TBT Chapter Leaders & Achievers: Alpha Chi Omega in FFA

#TBT So amazed by all that @joenellefutrell accomplished this past summer! As a National FFA Officer she presented her research at a national conference and facilitated National Leadership Conferences for State Officers! 

Here she is with fellow sisters at Bid Day rockin' the Peacock theme (shout out to Hera).

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

This fabulous blog post is perfect as we enjoy our first 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?

Alpha Chi Summer Adventures: Camp Edition

When I was younger some of my best memories were made at summer camp. 

From singing fun songs, staying up late at night, trying crazy new things, being away from home, and making long-lasting friendships; Summer camp was the best! 

Now looking back it was ultimately just preparing me for sorority life! Today I do all those things in the sorority house with my AXΩ sisters by my side! 

Many of my fellow sisters loved summer camp just as much as I did, and decided this summer to lend their talents to be camp counselors! We have sisters all across the country working as counselors so others can have the same great experiences we had when we were younger. 

Below is what some of them had to say about their adventures:

Rebecca Sacks  
Counselor at Eagle Nest Camp in North Carolina

"I'm lucky enough to work at Eagles Nest camp and I live in a cabin with 12-15 year old girls. It's truly amazing seeing them grow into strong powerful women! We just went on a campout and made our own fire. The other day I took campers down the blue ridge parkway to explore some of the south east's most luscious waterfalls. It's so awesome seeing kids loving nature!!

As a counselor, I've learned great skills that I can bring back to Alpha Chi such as risk management, how to manage groups, working together, and teaching people new skills. It's been a really great summer so far but I can't wait to see my sisters in August!!"

Lindsey Brock
Counselor at Camp Illahee in North Carolina

"I always knew as a kid that I would come back as a counselor at Camp Illahee because I spent so much of my childhood there. Illahee means "Heavenly World" in the Cherokee language and going back this summer really reminded me of how rewarding of an experience it is to be there."

What's really great is that fellow Gamma Iota Lauren Martin (PC 13) is also working at Camp Illahee this summer! Together they are having a blast and showing their campers how great it is to be an Alpha Chi! 

Carnation Chroncile Time! Share the @UFAXO love

Sisters!

We know you all love the chapter's newsletter:  Carnation Chronicle.

The company that produces if or us, Pennington, reminded us the deadline for fall approaches quickly!

Please gather and send your good-quality photographs from Spring and Summer of social functions, legacies, meetings with sisters from alumnae chapters, tailgates, philanthropy, or get-togethers. (Reminder:  Please keep the photographs classy and free of alcohol, etc.)

Materials are due Monday, September 1st!

Please send your items to:

Rebekah Knackstedt

re:  Carnation Chronicle, AXO-GI

PENNINGTON & COMPANY

501 Gateway Drive, Suite A
Lawrence, KS  66049
(785) 856-9526 (Direct)
rebekahk@penningtonco.com

What Exec Boards Bring to Alpha Chi Omega Or How we cultivate Real.Strong.Women.

Building on our recent post highlighting our Executive Board, we bring you these thoughts from Forbes and Dan Rockwell's Leadership Freak:

What we want to cultivate in all our Alpha Chi Omega members:

THE SEVEN QUALITIES OF PERFECT TEAMMATES

What does a perfect teammate look like?

Perfect teammates:

1. Give more than they take. Bloodsuckers are burdens.
2. Acknowledge your smartness and ask what you think. Perfect teammates consider your thoughts before quickly dismissing them. It feels good to be asked even if you don’t know.
3. Smile at you. My wife has a perfect smile. We joke that I only need one thing from her, a smile. I look at her and wait. In takes a moment, then she smiles. Life is better. A smile is admiration.
4. Want you to have more success than you currently enjoy. They aren’t threatened when you get ahead.
5. Enjoy your point of view and have their own.
6. Say, “I like it when you _______,” frequently. (A note to my sarcastic friends. You’re supposed to fill in the blank.)
7. Share things that make you better, not just theories or complaints. “You should focus on the future more,” doesn’t help.

What we want to cultivate in our Executive Board Leaders:

Top 10 Qualities That Make A Great Leader

When money is tight, stress levels are high, and the visions of instant success don’t happen like you thought, it’s easy to let those emotions get to you, and thereby your team. Take a breath, calm yourself down, and remind yourself of the leader you are and would like to become. Here are some key qualities that every good leader should possess, and learn to emphasize.

Honesty

Whatever ethical plane you hold yourself to, when you are responsible for a team of people, it’s important to raise the bar even higher. Your business and its employees are a reflection of yourself, and if you make honest and ethical behavior a key value, your team will follow suit.

Ability to Delegate

 It’s important to remember that trusting your team with your idea is a sign of strength, not weakness. The key to delegation is identifying the strengths of your team, and capitalizing on them. Find out what each team member enjoys doing most. Chances are if they find that task more enjoyable, they will likely put more thought and effort behind it. This will not only prove to your team that you trust and believe in them, but will also free up your time to focus on the higher level tasks, that should not be delegated. It’s a fine balance, but one that will have a huge impact on the productivity of your business.

Communication

Being able to clearly and succinctly describe what you want done is extremely important. If you can’t relate your vision to your team, you won’t all be working towards the same goal. Training new members and creating a productive work environment all depend on healthy lines of communication. Whether that stems from an open door policy to your office, or making it a point to talk to your staff on a daily basis, making yourself available to discuss interoffice issues is vital. Your team will learn to trust and depend on you, and will be less hesitant to work harder.

Sense of Humor

If your website crashes, you lose that major client, or your funding dries up, guiding your team through the process without panicking is as challenging as it is important. Morale is linked to productivity, and it’s your job as the team leader to instill a positive energy. That’s where your sense of humor will finally pay off. Encourage your team to laugh at the mistakes instead of crying. If you are constantly learning to find the humor in the struggles, your work environment will become a happy and healthy space, where your employees look forward to working in, rather than dreading it. Make it a point to crack jokes with your team and encourage personal discussions of weekend plans and trips. It’s these short breaks from the task at hand that help keep productivity levels high and morale even higher.

Confidence

 There may be days where the future of your brand is worrisome and things aren’t going according to plan. Part of your job as a leader is to put out fires and maintain the team morale. Keep up your confidence level, and assure everyone that setbacks are natural and the important thing is to focus on the larger goal. As the leader, by staying calm and confident, you will help keep the team feeling the same. Remember, your team will take cues from you, so if you exude a level of calm damage control, your team will pick up on that feeling. The key objective is to keep everyone working and moving ahead.

Commitment

If you expect your team to work hard and produce quality content, you’re going to need to lead by example. There is no greater motivation than seeing the boss down in the trenches working alongside everyone else, showing that hard work is being done on every level. By proving your commitment to the brand and your role, you will not only earn the respect of your team, but will also instill that same hardworking energy among your staff. It’s important to show your commitment not only to the work at hand, but also to your promises. If you pledged to host a holiday party, or uphold summer Fridays, keep your word. You want to create a reputation for not just working hard, but also be known as a fair leader. Once you have gained the respect of your team, they are more likely to deliver the peak amount of quality work possible.

Positive Attitude

You want to keep your team motivated towards the continued success of the company, and keep the energy levels up. Whether that means providing snacks, coffee, relationship advice, or even just an occasional beer in the office, remember that everyone on your team is a person. Keep the office mood a fine balance between productivity and playfulness.

Creativity

Some decisions will not always be so clear-cut. You may be forced at times to deviate from your set course and make an on the fly decision. This is where your creativity will prove to be vital. It is during these critical situations that your team will look to you for guidance and you may be forced to make a quick decision. As a leader, it’s important to learn to think outside the box and to choose which of two bad choices is the best option. Don’t immediately choose the first or easiest possibility; sometimes it’s best to give these issues some thought, and even turn to your team for guidance. By utilizing all possible options before making a rash decision, you can typically reach the end conclusion you were aiming for.

Intuition

When leading a team through uncharted waters, there is no roadmap on what to do. Everything is uncertain, and the higher the risk, the higher the pressure. That is where your natural intuition has to kick in. When something unexpected occurs, or you are thrown into a new scenario, your team will look to you for guidance. Drawing on past experience is a good reflex, as is reaching out to your mentors for support. Eventually though, the tough decisions will be up to you to decide and you will need to depend on your gut instinct for answers. Learning to trust yourself is as important as your team learning to trust you.

Ability to Inspire

Make your team feel invested in the accomplishments of the company. Whether everyone owns a piece of equity, or you operate on a bonus system, generating enthusiasm for the hard work you are all putting in is so important. Being able to inspire your team is great for focusing on the future goals, but it is also important for the current issues. When you are all mired deep in work, morale is low, and energy levels are fading, recognize that everyone needs a break now and then. Acknowledge the work that everyone has dedicated and commend the team on each of their efforts. It is your job to keep spirits up, and that begins with an appreciation for the hard work.

2014 Executive Board Ready to Continue Greatness in the Fall

The 2014 executive board is so excited to tackle a new semester and make it even better than Spring 2014. Our sisters are always Seeking the Heights! Need to reach an officer? See below:

President - ufaxopresident at gmail.com

VP Chapter Relations & Standards - ufaxostandards at gmail.com

VP Facility Operations - ufaxofacilityops at gmail.com

VP Finance - ufaxofinance at gmail.com

VP Intellectual Development - ufaxointellectualdevel at gmail.com

VP Member Programming - ufaxomembership at gmail.com

VP New Member Education - ufaxonewmembered at gmail.com

Panhellenic Delegate - ufaxopanhellenic at gmail.com

VP Philanthropy - ufaxophilanthropy at gmail.com

VP Public Relations & Marketing - ufaxopublic at gmail.com

VP Recruitment - ufaxorecruitment at gmail.com

VP Risk Management - ufaxoriskmanagement at gmail.com

VP Ritual & Fraternity Appreciation - ufaxoritual at gmail.com

For more information and full bios, visit ufalphachiomega.com


Calling all writers-- we are looking for posts by alumnae bloggers to supplement the weekly updates from Gamma Iota. If you want to share exciting news about yourself or another Gamma Iota alumna, or you want to share some of your  collegiate experiences, please email your post to ufaxoalumnae AT gmail.com or ufaxoritual AT gmail.com. Can't wait to hear from all of you! L&L