Alpha Chi Omega Kappa Omicron Kappa Alumnae Chapter The Carnation Post
February 2016
Upcoming Events
Tuesday, March 8, 6:00 PM--Game Night at Donna Poey's Home Join your sisters for a fun night of bunco--with prizes! Don't worry if you've never played before. It's a simple, social game, and we'll show you the ropes.
But the evening isn't all fun and games. We'll be giving back by collecting items to donate to Carol's House. Scroll down to the Philanthropy Corner for a full list.
For dinner, we'll enjoy a baked potato bar. Potatoes and some toppings will be provided, but we would welcome additional toppings. Here's your chance to get creative. Curry-topped potatoes, anyone? We're also looking for contributions of green salad and beverages.
Thursday, March 17, 11:30 AM--Lunch Bunch meets at Beach Plum Kitchen, 6971 El Camino Real, Carlsbad. RSVP to Stephanie Sibley.
Saturday, April 2, 5:45 PM--Painting Event with San Diego Alumnae Panhellenic at Paint N Vineyard, 10035 Carroll Canyon Rd. Ste G, San Diego Get to know members of other sororities while painting a beautiful landscape. There will be wine! Get all the details and register online.
Saturday, April 30, 10:00 AM--Art Alive at the San Diego Museum of Art, Balboa Park (PLEASE NOTE THE DATE CHANGE!) Each year, this is one of our most popular events. We meet at the museum and explore breathtaking floral displays crafted to complement various masterpieces. After soaking up some culture, we move on to The Prado for lunch at noon. Stay tuned for more details!
Sister Snaps
Watch this space for news of your sisters' major life events, such as notable career achievements, engagements, marriages, and births. We'll also share fun photos of Alpha Chis at KOK events and out and about in the community. Please submit news and photos to Alexa K. Apallas.
Valentines and Floral Arrangements for MacDowell Month KOK members got in touch with their artistic side at February's meeting. We learned how to create beautiful arrangements of (what else?) red carnations. Thanks to Stephanie Sibley for hosting us all and providing delicious desserts, and thanks to Selby Werner for pressing her grandmother into service as our instructor. Just take a look at these gorgeous creations!
Lunch Bunch The Lunch Bunch had a surprise guest this month--past national president and current advancement officer Marsha Grady! We feasted on Cal-Italian cuisine while enjoying the society of our sisters.
Alpha Chi Omega Night Out On Thursday, February 11, Kappa Omicron Kappa and Eta Kappa Eta members came together at Clay 'N Latte in Vista to celebrate Alpha Chi Omega Night Out. We unleashed our creativity to paint some truly lovely items, including spoon rests, serving dishes, home decor, and a goblet. This was a great opportunity to mix and mingle with our sisters from another local alumnae chapter.
Seeking a New Treasurer
Kristin Comunale has served KOK as treasurer extraordinaire, but she and her family will be leaving San Diego for a new military posting next February. In order to give Kristin time to train her replacement, we're looking for a new treasurer to join the board starting on August 1, 2016, and serve through the end of the term on July 31, 2017. Duties include:
Presenting a chapter budget to the membership by August meeting.
Collecting dues annually as set forth by chapter and remitting administrative fees to Headquarters.
Managing and directing the general operating fund of the alumnae chapter.
Presenting monthly profit & loss statements (income vs. expenses) to the board each month.
Filling out and uploading the Annual Financial Report (A105) into Lyre Links by the due date indicated by Headquarters.
Filing a 990 e-postcard annually with the IRS and the Province Alumnae Chair and responding to any requests regarding those filings.
The treasurer will need to use online accounting software, but it's user-friendly and training will be provided.
If you have any questions or if you would like to be considered for this position, please contact Maya Botvinick.
Collegiate News
The Iota Nu chapter at UCSD held its winter philanthropy, Cupcakes for Compliments, during Healthy Relationships Week. For just $3, participants were able to send a punny Valentine and a sweet treat to that special someone. The chapter raised $1,437.25 for Hidden Valley House, a shelter dedicated to housing and assisting victims of domestic violence. Excellent work, ladies!
Philanthropy Corner
We are collecting supplies once more for Carol's House, a shelter for victims of domestic violence. Requested items include:
Toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss
Combs and brushes
Shampoo and conditioner
Soap
Deodorant
Razors
Feminine hygiene products (pads, not tampons)
Sunscreen
Makeup, especially mascara
Journals
Day planners/mini calendars
Sewing kits
Post-Its
Pens
We create bags for the shelter to distribute, and we like to ensure that each bag contains all the items listed above. Please bring donations to the meeting on March 8, or contact Donna Poey to make arrangements for drop-off.
Maybe a Musical?
A number of KOK sisters expressed interest in attending North Coast Repertory Theatre’s musical production of "Ain’t Misbehaving’," running this summer from July 13 through August 7. If we get a group of 10 together, tickets could be purchased for as little as $43, depending on the date we choose. Saturday matinees and Sunday evening performances are least expensive, while Saturday evening performances and Sunday matinees are most expensive, at about $50. Weeknight performances are projected to cost $46.
If you're interested in seeing the show, please contact Pauline Nutt and let her know which date you would prefer.
News from Alpha Chi Omega Headquarters
Remembering MacDowell Month One of the best things about MacDowell Month in February is that each Alpha Chi Omega can celebrate individually and together. Music, literature and fine arts have been the framework for shaping American culture throughout the years. We have looked to art for inspiration, used music as a means to come together and embarked on imaginative adventures in books.
Edward and Marian MacDowell founded the MacDowell Colony is 1907 and it was the first artists’ colony in the United States. When Edward passed away, only one year after its founding, Marian continued the dream that was set forth by her husband. Alpha Chi Omega’s association with the MacDowell colony began with Fay Barnaby Kent, a Delta chapter member who would later go on to become a member of Alpha Chi Omega’s National Council. Faye was a pupil of the MacDowells and always celebrated the fine arts. Today, the MacDowell colony has had over 6,000 artists come to have their passion and imagination be nurtured by the inspirational environment of the colony.
Celebrating the fine arts forces us to awaken our mind, dream the impossible and see the inner beauty that each day has to offer. Thank you for appreciating what the MacDowell colony has given to the world of fine arts.
Hera Day Celebrations In honor of the patron goddess Hera, Alpha Chi Omega celebrates Hera Day on March 1 each year. On this day, Alpha Chi Omegas across the country honor Hera by giving personal service to others. Hera was chosen as the patron goddess of Alpha Chi Omega because of her dignity, womanliness, efficiency and loyalty. In the 120 years since Alpha Chi Omega’s founding, thousands of hours and dollars have been contributed to altruistic projects. We are recognized for the quality of our altruistic endeavors and for the varied groups that receive our help.
How did you celebrate Hera Day this year? We would love to know! Please share you accomplishments, stories, and pictures with Alpha Chi Omega by emailing Dena Norrod. You can also post them on our social media groups and accounts.
National Ritual Celebration Week March 7 – 11, 2016 Alpha Chi Omega is very pleased to announce that we will be participating in the second annual National Ritual Celebration Week, March 7 - 11, 2016. Collegians and alumnae are encouraged to take time each day that week--either by participating in collegiate or alumnae chapter activities or personally--to reflect on the meaning of our Ritual and how living our Ritual improves your life and your chapter.
To get you excited for the week and in honor of our seven founders, here are seven suggestions for celebrating our Ritual:
Organize a Service Day activity. This can be with your chapter, a group of sisters, your family, or friends. If you don’t have time to volunteer this week, reflect on the opportunities you have to give in the upcoming year.
Reflect on the meaning of the Alpha Chi Omega Symphony. Re-read The Symphony at least once during the week. How does it relate to where you are in life right now? What is your favorite part of it? Why? Also, put a framed photo on your desk at work or home and share The Symphony with others.
Connect with a sister you haven’t spoken to for awhile. Go to lunch. Have a phone date. Send a card. Write a text. Make time one day this week to reach out to and tell her why you’re glad she’s your sister. If there is a sister that you have lost touch with over the past couple of years, please feel free to contact headquarters (317-579-5050) to see how we can help the two of you reconnect.
Participate in National Panhellenic Conference’s International Badge Day on Monday, March 7. A tradition since 1997, International Badge Day celebrates the common sorority experience. In the spirit of global interfraternal relations, NPC invites the National Pan-Hellenic Council Inc., the National Multicultural Greek Council, the National Asian Pacific Islander American Panhellenic Association, and the National Association of Latino Fraternal Organizations Inc. women’s groups to participate. Wearing your badge to work or to your community gatherings not only honors Alpha Chi Omega, but gives you a chance to connect with other sorority women in your area and celebrate the history of women’s fraternities. The VP Ritual and fraternity appreciation handbook has great tips for appropriate badge attire. Additional information about International Badge Day can be found here.
Change your Facebook profile picture, timeline cover photo, or recent photos to the Ritual Celebration Week logo. Also, post your Ritual reflections and other Alpha Chi Omega stories and thoughts as your status updates and on the Alpha Chi Omega Facebook page.
Reflect on how you personify Alpha Chi Omega’s values of Wisdom, Devotion and Achievement. Consider a conversation about one of these ideals with a non-Alpha Chi and tell him or her why you value your Alpha Chi Omega experience so much.
Perform the Rededication of the Bond Ceremony (in the green Ceremonies binder) at your chapter meeting. Collegians: Invite area alumnae to your chapter meeting that week and perform the ceremony for both collegians and alumnae. Alumnae: If you don’t live near a collegiate chapter or don’t have an alumnae club, take time one day to reflect on your Initiation ceremony. Are you living the life you pledged to live that day? If so, how else could you show that every day? If not, there is no time like the present to start.