Winter 2015 Newsletter - A lpha O micron P i - PUGETSOUND

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Alpha Omicron Pi Newsletter
1 | Winter 2016
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Upcoming Events:
Get to Know
DeLeo
“Throw kindness around
like glitter.”
page
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Officer Update!
Find out everything
you need to know
about Upsilon
chapter! Turn to page
5 for all the details.
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2/11
Strawberry
Shortcake Feed
AOII House
7 PM – 11PM
2/20
February Brunch
Wildfin,
Renton
11 AM
ALUM ONLY
4/14
Pie Feed
AOII House
Night
4/30
Sharing the
Sisterhood: Tea Party
UW Club
11:30 AM
May
Miss Greek Pageant
Neptune
Theater
8 PM
A New Kind of Big Little
By: Gabby Rivera
“What are you most excited for in
joining a sisterhood?” Recruitment
Week may have been thirteen weeks
ago, but a week like that sticks with
you so I remember it very clearly.
Every house, without fail, would ask
this question practically echoing
throughout the streets of the UW
Greek Community. For me, the
response was quick and automatic—
“Getting a big.”
I was the big sister, so I wanted
someone to look up to. Someone that I
could confide in, someone that would
inspire me to be a better person and
uphold the values that make me
honored to be in AOII, someone that
could be my best friend but with
something more than that. I lucked
out, and got exactly what I wanted,
needed, and so much more.
While Marlene (my big, aka the
coolest person ever) has my back in
any possible scenario, sometimes I
need advice from an adult, adult.
more on
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Alpha Omicron Pi - Upsilon
University of Washington
1 | Winter
The idea that I
joined not only a
house, but a
network of women
who have similar
ideals as my own.
A New Kind of Big Little: Mentor Program
Marlene is definitely one of my
favorite people in the whole
world, but when it comes to
specific career or life long
questions that come to mind in
this time of change, someone a
little wiser is needed.
One thing that’s so great about
the idea of sisterhood is the
longevity behind it. I’m grateful
that I joined not only a house, but
a network of women who have
similar ideals as my own. There
are women all around the country
making a difference that have the
same roots as I did. They
probably have so much life
experience to offer. Now what if
newly initiated members could
tap into that?
Here at the University of
Washington, the Upsilon Chapter
would like to foster that
relationship, by creating a mentor
system—think of it as a new kind
of “big/little” relationship.
Dolor Sit Amet
Mentors are role models and
confidants, and what better way
to do that than asking your older
sister. The idea of putting this
system into place demonstrates
the values of our sisterhood,
“Exceeding the Expectations.”
These relationships could be
more career focused, or could
create an unexpected friendship
that spans generations.
The ideal would be for every
sister to have not only a big in the
traditional sense (within the
house, in the PC above them), but
to have their own individual
mentor. With the alumnae group
growing, there’s definitely
potential to see this through, but
as with everything in life, we
need to start small.
Throughout the rest of the school
year and early next fall, the
Upsilon Chapter is asking that
alumnae come to our chapter and
host a workshop. Some example
topics for workshops could be:
• Resume and Cover Letter
Workshop
• Where AOII has gotten you
• Alumnae advice
• Advertising internships
In the future, we can pair newer
members and alumnae based on
interest and similar career goals.
They can meet personally on a
regular basis, and grow a bond
that’s beyond a career mentor.
If you are interested at all in
serving with our chapter to foster
this multi-generational sisterhood
in your own backyard, please
contact
aoiiupsilonarc@gmail.com with
ideas that you may have for a
workshop that you’d like to put
on.
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Alpha Omicron Pi - Upsilon
University of Washington
1 | Winter
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Hello Ms. President
Getting to know DeLeo
Anna DeLeo, Junior, is known for
her enthusiasm in the house, her
internship with the sports
program, and her love of life.
Taking office this 2016, she is
excited for all the new things she
can bring to our chapter. She’s a
gem, really, sometimes funny, and
I sat down with her to ask her a few
questions.
really meant a lot as the outgoing
president for her to push me to
run. Those two were the big ones.
What interests you about your
position?
I love that we have a new officer,
the Diversity Chair. I see a lot of
growth and doing a lot with her
this year and really educating our
chapter. One of my main goals is
Who inspired you to run for office? bring education and really utilizing
There were a lot. Nadina was one
our Diversity and Inclusion Chair,
of them, our chapter advisor. She
so that we can become a really
reached out and talked to me
before elections, as well as Linnea.
(continued)
Linnea really pushed, and that
Dolor Sit Amet
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Alpha Omicron Pi - Upsilon
University of Washington
progressive chapter in that
sense of educating and being
inclusion with all sorts of
backgrounds and cultures and
ethnicities and disabilities and
not turning anyone away
because of that. I think that will
really play into recruitment as
well, if we’re informed about
diversity and inclusivity, we’ll
go in with a different mindset.
What’s your favorite quote?
How will you motivate your
sisters to get the job done,
attend events, or participate in
activities?
I think I wear my letters in the
way I treat people, in that I try
and show everyone kindness
regardless if I care for them as
a person or not because I
believe that everyone should
be treated equally no matter
what is going on. So by
showing everyone kindness
and being inclusive with
everyone I come in contact
with everyday I represent AOII
and shows what we stand for.
I think by, first of all, going to
the activities, me, myself
making a presence there
shows a lot. If I’m telling
people to go and do all these
things and I don’t go and do
that it kind of says “Mmmm.
She doesn’t care that much.
She’s a sayer instead of a
doer.” So one of my goals is go
to events. Another thing is my
office hours. I want the officers
to come to my office hours and
talk to me about what they’re
doing, see if I can give them
tips or feedback on what
they’re trying to accomplish.
“We could
be a really
progressive
chapter.”
Dolor Sit Amet
The quote I live by is “throw
kindness around like glitter.”
So if I threw glitter at you, it’s
like kindness. I also really like
the phrase “agape,” it’s one of
the ideals that we learned in
leadership camp.
How do you wear your letters
everyday?
1 | Winter
me to grab them. So I started
out as Panhellenic Delegate,
and since then the chapter has
been a resource for me to
keep leading, keep using my
leadership skills. But also the
best friends. I have 120 best
friends, 120 people that I know
I can talk to about anything. It’s
BLAH BLAH BLAH
- sodales.
What does this chapter mean
to you?
This was kind of like a re-start
of college in a sense because
in freshmen year living in the
dorms, I didn’t do much. I went
to the classes and I went
through the motions, I played
on an intramural team, but I
didn’t get involved with any
clubs or any leadership
opportunities which I was
really involved with in high
school and I wanted to
continue into college. I didn’t
do that as a freshmen, but
coming in as a sophomore in
the chapter, all of the
leadership opportunities in the
chapter were right there for
cliché, but I’ve found my
bridesmaids. I found my
friends that when I’m my
mom’s age I can call up on a
Wednesday and we can talk
about what our kids are doing
and just talk about our lives.
What have been your happiest
times in the sorority?
There’s a lot. I think it’s the
little things. Staying up late
when I have a really early
class, sitting in one of the study
lounges laughing over stupid
things, spending two hours
doing nothing with the people
I care about the most.
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Alpha Omicron Pi - Upsilon
University of Washington
1 | Winter
Joining the Panhellenic Judicial Board
What’s
going on?
KP, 2016 Panhellenic
Judicial Board Member
The Panhellenic Judicial Board is a hearing body that adjudicates cases
specific to the Panhellenic community, and provides the women who serve on
the board opportunities for leadership and service. As a member of the
Panhellenic Judicial Board, I will be responsible for identifying and
appropriately confronting violations of Panhellenic ideals and policies. I will also
be helping to educate the Greek community as to the procedures and sanctions
that are a part of the Panhellenic bylaws in order to ensure that everyone in our
community feels safe, happy and respected.
I wanted to become a member of this board to aid our community by
helping to ensure that everyone feels safe and welcome by its members. Part of
my application process to become a member of the Judicial Board was to think
critically about ways to improve safety within the community. Realizing how
much of a concern safety really is—not just for my AOII sisters, but for all of the
women who are in our community—I knew that the Judicial Board was my
opportunity to make a difference along side my fellow Greek women. I know
that there will be some tough decisions to make in the coming year, and I know
that I will have to be firm in confronting violations to Panhellenic’s policies, but I
believe that I am in a position to make a lasting impact on my community. I could
not be more excited to be a part of the 2016 Judicial Board.
~KP
A Message from our Keeper of the Ritual:
As KOR, my primary goal has been to encourage
understanding and appreciation of Ritual, and
ultimately daily application of its teachings and
values. Ritual is supposed to serve a purpose for us,
and I believe that amid the anxiety and confusion
from not fully understanding Ritual, our chapter has
lost or misconstrued that purpose. Coming together
to reaffirm values, declare goals, and reassure one
another of our purpose should be a meditative and
refreshing experience that we look forward to. In
order to reestablish this purpose, my committee and
I are actively working to educate and inspire our
chapter. Each week, I have been sharing an update
that includes announcements, definitions of
important Ritual words, and a small soap-box style
blurb that talks about an aspect of Ritual or a
reflection about how it can be applied. Our chapter
has also conducted a Ritual Rehearsal to better
understand the logistics of Ritual and alleviate stress
caused by confusion. Within the next few weeks, we
will also initiate a new member and hold an
educational discussion to welcome her into the
Ritual aspect of our beautiful sisterhood.
~ Alyssa Bell
Dolor Sit Amet
Getting involved with Miss Greek
Gabby Rivera, PC ’15, will be competing in
the 30th Annual Delta Tau Delta Miss Greek
Pageant. This year all money raised will go
directly to Cancer for College, which
collects money for scholarships for cancer
patients.
Want to you know how you can help?
Like her page on Facebook!
https://www.facebook.com/missgreekaoiig
abbyrivera/
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Alpha Omicron Pi Newsletter
1|Winter
Lending a hand:
All alumni are invited to all of the following
events taking place this year:
Check out our
Philanthropy!
Strawberry Shortcake feed: Feb.11th, 7pm11:30pm, at the Chapter House for 3 dollars
each
Spike Out Arthritis: Volleyball Tournament
Arpril 13-15th, Pie Feed April 14th, potential
Ram Fundraiser night April 13th.
First Annual Auction: exact date and location
TBD, but it will be taking place in October of
2016, it will be lots of fun! More
information/save the date cards will be coming
to you soon!
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Alpha Omicron Pi – Upsilon Chapter
Anna DeLeo
Alanna Hu
Chapter President
VP of Academic Development
Tracey Andrews
Amelia Berner
VP of Standards
Marlene Chuang
Treasurer
Jenny McGinty
VP of Education
Leandra King
VP of Communications
Tammy Nguyn
VP of Administration
Communications Assistant
Alex Ivy
Lauren Moore
VP of Administration
Megan Eide
Secretary
Kristina Holm
VP of Membership Recruitment
Panhellenic Delegate
Megan Harrison
Kelsey Hewson
Membership Recruitment Assistant
Maleena Johnson
Historian
Alyssa Bell
VP of Chapter Development
Keeper of the Ritual
Emily Nelson
Anna Tegelberg
New Member Educator
Property Manager
Rebecca Bernstein
Songleader
Emily O’Hare
Philanthropic Chair
Gabrielle Rivera
Alumnae Relations Chairman
Gabrielle Morris
Internal Social Chairman
Quyen Pham
External Social Chairman
Amber Caudle
Activities Chairman
Hayli Ellenbest
Assistant New Member Educator
Kiara Wilson
Assistant Philanthropic Chairman
Larissa Rogers
Diversity and Inclusion Chairman