THE SPRING SPRING 2014 ALPHA ALPHA CHI OMEGA 2014 NATIONAL || THE LYRE THE CONVENTION Registration FAQs, Speakers and More BON VOYAGE TRISTA SUTTER Plan Your Trip Like a Pro Wife, Mother, Reality Star, Author, Designer, ΑΧΩ VOLUME 116 : ISSUE 3 ISSUE : 116 VOLUME Spring 2014 Volume 116 : Issue 3 alphachiomega.org Corner Office It’s a Great Time to Be an Alpha Chi Omega Diane Blackwelder, National President (Omicron, Baker University) Reflecting on our family of real, strong women. to provide a meaningful and useful the past year as Where has this momentum come experience. your National from and where is it going? And for those wanting to make a President, I am difference in the world, the Global delighted with the Organizational Growth Service Initiatives program is breaking progress Alpha Alpha Chi Omega welcomed 6,042 boundaries! This May, 18 students will Chi Omega has new members in 2012-2013, up six travel to Negril, Jamaica, to work with enjoyed. When percent from 2011-2012. The total local laborers to improve educational I ask if it can collegiate member number was 16,024, facilities for those local families. The possibly get any better, I am convinced the highest in our history. The recent Global Service Initiatives program the momentum will continue and we re-colonization of Beta Lambda chapter combines direct service, global can indeed reach even greater heights! at University of Arizona resulted in immersion and Alpha Chi Omega values Along with my sisters on the National Alpha Chi Omega’s largest initiation into one unique experience. Will you be Council, having just determined ceremony ever as we welcomed nearly among the thousands who follow this the slate for the 2014-2016 National 200 sisters into the bond! journey through Alpha Chi Omega’s Nominating Committee, and preparing One key for future growth is to Facebook page? to develop the 2015-2020 strategic plan, provide our chapters the resources they As our programs continue to grow, I am excited about what lies ahead. I am need to maximize their recruitment I offer a huge thank you to my sisters. proud to be able to serve our sisterhood potential. Another element is to give Because of your loyalty and giving spirit in this capacity, and I can say with careful consideration to each extension to Alpha Chi Omega, even more young confidence that it’s a great time to be an opportunity to ensure we open new women will be impacted in the future Alpha Chi Omega. chapters in the right place at the right through programs like these. As your National President, I feel time. We look forward to welcoming privileged to meet many sisters in my the charter members who will lay the Alumnae travels. I never tire of hearing stories of foundation for success on two campuses The commitment of an alumna as she how Alpha Chi Omega has touched and new to Alpha Chi Omega this fall— volunteers, mentors, donates or just speaks changed so many lives. It impresses me to University of Southern Mississippi and about how her Alpha Chi experience learn of sisters discovering unbreakable University of North Carolina - Charlotte. has made her a better person always is bonds with each other. It makes me proud In 2016, Alpha Chi Omega will heartwarming. Alumnae play a critical role to hear about the influence our sorority colonize at Indiana University - Purdue in ensuring our future. Knowing this to has had in inspiring so many women to University Indianapolis. be true, we strive to understand the needs give back through service. When I learn and desires of our alumnae as we carefully a woman was initiated as an alumna, Collegiate Programming consider programming. it warms my heart to know even after Alpha Chi Omega’s collegiate The 58th National Convention is fast college, we want to draw other real, strong members have more opportunities than approaching. This is a wonderful venue women into the fold. These stories make ever to develop skills crucial for success for alumnae and collegians to network, me think, “Yes, this is a great time to be an beyond campus. Programs such as find personal inspiration and inspire Alpha Chi.” MyJourney, InTune and REPRESENT others. I am confident, if you attend, The Alpha Chi Omega Foundation’s are designed to complement the you will learn something about the For Now/Forever campaign is the most academic journey with relevant, useful organization, your sisters and yourself aggressive fundraising effort in our materials. you didn’t know before. I have had a history. The overwhelming support Earlier this year, 267 women sneak peak at the complete lineup of for the campaign ensures continued participated in Leadership Academy. speakers and cannot wait to hear their growth, making it possible to reach This weekend workshop offers executive messages! more women, change more lives and board officers an impressive array of It truly is a great time to be an Alpha celebrate more success as individuals in subject matter, all thoughtfully tailored Chi Omega. xx 6 Spring 2014 The Lyre SS–sterling silver, SP–silver-plated. Prices subject to change. Colored stones are synthetic. Refer to website FAQs for additional information. AChiO 2014Spring ad R1.indd 1 12/18/13 9:09 AM On Campus ccepting a job offer in Houston, Texas, to start my career after college will be my first major move—much farther thanA when I moved across town to attend Auburn University. I have lived in Auburn, Alabama, my entire life and am blessed with parents who make family a priority. My parents will help me transition to Houston, just as they helped me throughout my college days and before. As I leave Auburn, I am leaving my parents with wonderful Alpha Chi Omega friendships and memories we all shared during my college years. I was incredibly lucky to have parents who not only supported me, but also supported my sisters and joined in as much of the Alpha Chi Omega experience as they could. My parents even became “Auburn parents” to many of my Alpha Chi Omega sisters, who dubbed them “Momma Ryan and Daddy Ryan from Auburn.” With my parents, Janice and Jim. Photo contributed by Auburn University Growing up in a college town and being the daughter of an Epsilon Zeta alumna, I became aware of Greek life ALPHA CHI OMEGA: and Alpha Chi Omega at an early age. As a preschooler and in elementary school, I had Alpha Chi babysitters who would take me to the chapter A Family Affair room and the dorm when they were studying or had project deadlines. By Mary Elizabeth Ryan (ΕZ, Auburn University) Many of my Alpha Chi babysitters are now moms themselves and continue to be dear family friends. On bid day, my parents and my brother attended the celebration. It was a great beginning as three other high school classmates and I joined the Epsilon Zeta chapter. During our first semester, my mom and other local Alpha Chi Omega moms hosted new 28 Spring 2014 xx The Lyre member dinners that helped us get to know our new sisters. It was also a very special moment when my mom gave me her pin at initiation. Attending Auburn football games and tailgating on the Auburn library lawn is a tradition for my family and me. The freshman women’s dorms are centrally located near the library lawn, and my parents were always happy to invite my new sisters and dorm mates to our family tailgates. My sophomore year I moved across campus into the chapter dorm, and my parents moved Epsilon Zeta parents’ weekend with my little sis, Kendal Terreson, and my parents their tailgates to accommodate. During the 2010 national championship year, my family joined some of my mom’s Epsilon Zeta sisters, and we all made memories together, alumnae and collegians. We also learned from my mom and her sisters that Alpha Chi Omega is for a lifetime. My parents always enjoyed the activities to bring families and sisters together each semester. From new member receptions and homecoming tailgates, to mother-daughter teas and father-daughter bowling, we all Blessed to spend a wonderful wedding weekend with my big sis and some of our Epsilon Zeta sisters enjoyed including our parents and alumnae in our college experience. At our 2012 spring formal, Epsilon Zeta alumnae joined us to celebrate the chapter’s 45th anniversary. I got to visit with some wonderful women and had so much fun seeing them dance the night away. I also got a chance to sneak in a few dances with the man who taught me to dance—my dad. Our chapter advisor frequently says she gets more from Alpha Chi Omega than she gives. I am certain many parents would say the same, especially my own. During my senior year, my mom served on the Alpha Chi Omega parents’ task force and enjoyed Auburn vs. Georgia football game prior to celebrating the “Miracle in Jordan- Hare” with my mom and Amanda and David Sweeney The Lyre xx alphachiomega.org 29 On Campus conference calls with the other parents, sharing ideas and learning what other groups are doing to get their parents involved. My parents were always willing to help my sisters and me when needed. They stored recruitment items in our home, hosted countless dinners with my sisters and dorm friends and attended Auburn University Singers concerts to watch my sisters perform, and I could always count on them to attend chapter fundraisers. I will always remember my dad asking for more domestic violence awareness bracelets to distribute at his office.