A New Philanthropy: Circle of Sisterhood

The Circle of Sisterhood is an organization created by sorority women that has made it's way onto many college campuses. Now, we have decided to bring it to KU. Below is what the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation calls their story;

"In the mid 1800s in America, women stood together for the right to go to college and thus began the sorority movement.  Now, almost 150 years later and more than 5 million strong, we vow to continue our Founders' legacy by standing together again to help girls and women go to school around the world.

As women, who have in common a college education, we know that access to quality schooling affords a better life for a woman and that of her family. For too many girls and women around the world, access to quality education is often limited. And education is the answer to many of the global issues related to women - poverty, oppression, misogyny, brutality. Ultimately, more and more educated girls will mean stronger and healthier villages, communities and entire countries.

One person can make a small difference. But as a community of 5 million, our collective efforts will be transforming for generations to come."

© Copyright 2011 by Circle of Sisterhood Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charity

This organization was created based off of a book called Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide by Nicholas D. Kriston and Sheryl WuDunn. The Panhellenic Association has decided to introduce this organization to campus by creating awareness and becoming educated ourselves on the issues and problems Circle of Sisterhood is trying solve. In order to do this we will read a chapter and present a story from one of the women featured in Half the Sky during each council meeting. We then encourage all our members to bring this story back to their chapters by reading the information at their own chapter meetings. Stay tuned to our blog and website for updated information and story summaries. 

April Scholar of the Month: Laura Vinci

Laura Vinci of Kappa Kappa Gamma has been awarded the April Scholar of the Month for her outstanding academic and leadership achievements. Laura is a senior majoring in journalism with a 3.35 GPA. Outside of her successful academic career she has found time to volunteer, participate in campus organizations and be an outstanding member of her sorority. Laura is currently Alumni Relations Chairwoman for the Rock Chalk Revue Advisory Board, a member of the Student Alumni Leadership Board and previously served as newsletter appointed officer for the Panhellenic Association. Congratulations Laura! 

Alpha Delta Pi and the Ronald McDonald House

Spring becomes a busy time for the Panhellenic community because almost every chapter on campus starts to host their own philanthropy event to raise money for their national cause. Alpha Delta Pi held their Race for Ronald, a 5k walk/run with proceeds benefitting the Ronald McDonald house, the morning of April 2 at Hollywood Southwind Theater track in Lawrence.
Their philanthropy coordinator was pleased with this year's turnout and wanted to share their success with the Panhellenic community!

"When I became philanthropy chair of Alpha Delta Pi, I knew I wanted to get involved as well as get the women of my house more involved with our cause. When I walked into the Ronald McDonald House for the first time, I was immediately welcomed into a calm, happy environment. From then on the Ronald McDonald House became a personal mission. My goal was to find a way to help this house become even more comfortable, well- stocked and friendly. More and more girls began volunteering and taking pride in their dedication to the house. On April 2, 2011, we held our 7^th annual Race for Ronald. This is a 5k race followed by a raffle that has become a yearly tradition at Alpha Delta Pi. I had an absolute blast organizing this. The weather was beautiful, we had a lot of wonderful people show up, and the CEO of Ronald McDonald House Topeka spoke a couple words before the race. With over 250 registries, we raised almost 5,000 dollars. With this generous amount of money Alpha Delta Pi and I couldn’t be happier in continuing to support the mission of the Ronald McDonald House." - Lauren Lottino is a freshman Alpha Delta Pi serving as Philanthropy Cordinator

Vote! Support Panhellenic Women in Campus Elections.

Leadership is one of the four pillars of Greek Life. Don't forget to vote and support these Panhellenic women in their run for Student Senate! Vote April 13-14th!

KUnited

 

Libby Johnson – Member of Kappa Alpha Theta. Presidential candidate

Sarah Kenning: Member of Pi Beta Phi. Running for Freshman/Sophomore CLAS

Kendall Kraus- Running for Freshman/Sophomore CLAS
Nell Neary- Member of Chi Omega. Running for Freshman/Sophomore CLAS

Alex Kincaid- Member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Running for Freshman/Sophomore CLAS
Allison Kohn- Member of Alpha Chi Omega. Running for Freshman/Sophomore CLAS 

Jenny Pisklo- Member of Gamma Phi Beta. Running for Freshman/Sophomore CLAS
Megan Ketchum- Member of Alpha Delta Pi. Running for School of Engineering
Lauryn Reinhart- Member of Delta Gamma. Running for School of Architecture
Sarah Weaver- Member of Kappa Alpha Theta. Running for Off-Campus Representative
Lizzy Watson – Member of Delta Delta Delta. Running for Off-Campus Representative
Kait Perry- Member of Kappa Delta. Running for Off-Campus Representative
Hannah Bolton- Running for Junior/Senior CLAS
Christine Lee- Member of Alpha Chi Omega. Running for Junior/Senior CLAS
Enaam Gettino - Member of Kappa Delta. Running for Junior/Senior CLAS
Whitlee Douthitt – Member of Delta Delta Delta. Running for School of Journalism

RenewKU

Caroline Godfrey - Member of Alpha Gamma Delta. Running for School of Education
Sarah Schwalm - Member of Alpha Gamma Delta. Running for Freshman/Sophomore CLAS
Emily Fike - Member of Kappa Delta. Running for Off-Campus Representative

April is Advisor Appreciation Month

Advisors are often the lifeblood of our organizations. They provide a constant to our ever changing executive and leadership boards. They offer advice and comfort to our over-worked and over-stressed leaders. They make sure the chapter stays a well-oiled machine and they double-check every detail. They are our friends, our support and our sisters. They do so much for us behind the scenes, that this month we need to put them center stage. Take the time to thank your advisors this month. They donate their time so that we can have an amazing collegiate experience. Thanks advisors!

National Panhellenic Conference has declared April as Advisor Appreciation month and they have provided a list of 30 ways to thank an advisor. We have picked our top ten and posted them here! These small gestures are easy ways to show you care. For more information on National Advisor Appreciation month visit http://www.npcwomen.org/.

Top Ten Ways to Thank Your Advisor

1.    Send a heartfelt e-mail with personal details about how an advisor has made an impact.
2.    Throw a small surprise luncheon in recognition of advisor service.
3.    Feature National Advisor Appreciation Month on your website.
4.    Write a profile on a special advisor, and submit it to your sorority magazine for possible publication.
5.    Offer to provide free childcare for advisors with children for a personal night off.
6.    Personally deliver a single flower to your advisor.
7.    Send an e-mail or thank you note to an advisor’s supervisor.
8.    At a chapter meeting write thank you notes and notes of appreciation to your  advisors.
9.    Sponsor a dinner for your chapter advisors and Panhellenic administrative staff.
10.   Purchase a small Panhellenic gift or sorority-themed gift for your advisors. 

How have your Advisors helped you or your chapter? What are you doing this month to show your appreciation?

Like Mother Like Daughter

Every spring sorority mothers flock to Lawrence to spend some quality time with their daughters. Many of our chapters have either celebrated Mom's Weekend last weekend or are getting ready to celebrate this weekend.

Each chapter usually has a few fun things planned as a group and then some free time just to hang out with Mom. Mom's and their daughters can always be found shopping on Mass St. or even, like these Delta Delta Deltas, at a KU Baseball game!

As sorority women, Moms tend to be a big part of our lives! So if you and your Mom are looking for ideas to spend time together and support your sorority at the same time, we suggest looking at the Sorority Parents blog for tips! http://sororityparents.com/ also has great information for parents on any topic related to Greek Life. But, we thought we'd share with you some of our favorite ideas.

The following ideas were posted on International Badge Day, but they can really apply to everyday! Visit http://sororityparents.com/2011/02/our-family-international-badge-day/ to read the full article.

"My daughter is coming home next week. So I started thinking, what we could do together.  After all, we are our own little Panhellenic-she an AOII and me a ZTA.Here is what we have come up with to promote Panhellenic spirit.

• Since we can’t have matching letters, we have decided to select a “family pattern” and have a set of sewn letters made in that pattern.  I haven’t had sewn letters in years and I am excited to have a pair that represent our family.  Even cooler, this was her idea!  And should my younger daughter decide to go Greek, she can then get a shirt with the same pattern.  Heck, we may get a set for my husband with DAD!
• We are looking for a way to volunteer our time to some cause or organization that might need help-a food bank or a clothing donations center.  Just something we can do together to give back.
• We are definitely going to get dressed up and put on those shiny badges.  Its been a long time since she and I went to lunch together (other than Chick-Fil-A). So we will go somewhere a little more formal and dine like ladies.

I love that I get to share this experience with my daughter.  And I hope the traditions we start become long standing in our family!"

Is your mom in a Panhellenic chapter? What are your favorite things to with your mom?

Chi Omega Founder's Day: April 5, 1895

Happy 116th birthday to Chi Omega Fraternity! Today Chi Omega has more than 235,000 members in more than 170 chapters. Here's a little history of the organization and its founders.

Chi Omega was founded April 5, 1895 at the University of Arkansas by Ina May Boles, Jean Vincenheller, Jobelle Holcombe and Alice Simonds, with help from Dr. Charles Richardson (an initiate of Kappa Sigma Fraternity).

Ina May was an artist and designed the official Chi Omega ring worn by members of the Governing Council. She also designed the seal of Chi Omega and the first crest. Ina May served as the New York City Alumnae chapter president while living in the City with her husband, Benjamin Morton. Many of her paintings are signed Christina Morton. Ina May's sister, Flora, was an initiated by Xi Chapter at Northwestern University.

JeanVincenheller was very active in establishing Chi Omega's esoteric traditions. Jean was a student of music, the editor of a college magazine called "Cardinal," and President of Math and Literary Societies. She served as the first National President in 1900 and as National Vice President from 1900-1901. Jean was married with two daughters; one was initiated at Psi Chapter. Jean is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Jobelle Holcombe was a true intellectual. After graduation, she became an English professor at the University of Arkansas and was the first woman to receive the honor of "Doctor of Laws" from the University. There is a women's Residence Hall named after her at the University called Holcombe Hall. Jobelle served as National Vice President from 1906-1908. She is buried in Fayetteville, Arkansas and marked as a founder of Chi Omega.

Alice (Allie) Cary Simonds was the oldest of Chi Omega's female founders. In school, she specialized in zoology. Allie served as the first President and Vice President of Psi Chapter. She married and had one son, but died shortly after he was born. She was only 27 years old. Allie is buried in the Congressional Cemetery and is marked as a Founder of Chi Omega.

Dr. Richardson studied dentistry at Vanderbilt University where he was an initiate of Kappa Sigma Fraternity. He never married, but was a big brother figure to many Chi Omegas. Dr. Richardson designed the first Chi Omega badge from dental gold. He is buried in Fayetteville, Arkansas and is marked as a founder of Chi Omega.

Information taken from the Chi Omega National website