Spring 2017 Hall of Commitment

We will be celebrating with the graduating seniors of Sigma chapter on Sunday April 30, 2017 with a brunch and the Hall of Commitment ceremony.  Please join us at 12:30 at the Sigma Chapter house at 828 E Washington in Iowa City.  We will begin the ceremony at 1pm, followed by a brunch provided by the alumnae chapter.  Be sure to attend this wonderful event that we all look forward to each year.

Founders' Day 2016: A time to reflect and celebrate!

October 15, 1885 was a beautiful fall day on the DePauw University campus.  Even though we are not completely sure of the weather forecast that day, for Alpha Chi Omegas everywhere, the day was beautiful because it was the day our beloved fraternity was founded by these seven women who we honor each year.  The scarlet and olive chosen as the fraternity colors and our Symphony are  heartwarming reminders to Alpha Chis that we have a heritage that is worthy of remembrance.

This year we will celebrate the 50 year membership of some of our Sigma sisters with a 50 year pin ceremony that will be held at the chapter house at 828 E. Washington in Iowa City on Saturday, October 15, 2016.  All alumnae and collegiate members are cordially invited to attend the ceremony which will begin at 10:30am.  We will host a small reception after the ceremony, and also celebrate the fraternity by watching the current collegians' videos from recruitment this fall.  A Domestic Violence Intervention Project presentation will also be given and members and alumnae are encouraged to bring any of the following items to donate to the local DVIP:

1. Pillows

2. Baby Bottles

3. Conditioner

4. Baby Formula

5. Laundry detergent (HE and regular)

6. Used cellphones, with chargers

7. Travel size ibuprofen and tylenol

8. Womens' underwear size 7-10

9. Pull-ups for children

10. Towels and washcloths

We hope you can attend this wonderful event!  For more information, please contact Elaine McCullough at lainedawg@yahoo.com

Fun Kickoff for Fall 2016!

It was a tiny but mighty group that got together last night to kick off the new year for the IC Alums.  Karen Daubenberger hosted a salad supper and six other Alpha Chis joined her for a relaxing evening, getting re-acquainted with old friends and meeting new ones.
     There are plenty of opportunities to get involved--we are always looking for volunteers for House Corporation Board, and for Advisory Board at Sigma Chapter.  If you are interested, please contact Brenda Griebahn at 319-621-6605, or email at icalphachialums@gmail.com.  Our next event is Founders' Day on October 15.  We will be recognizing several 50 years members with a ceremony at the Chapter house.  Follow this blog and be the first to get more details!!

Salad supper to kick off the season!
Left to right:  Sharon Kay Stang, Anne Dierking, Jane Harbit, Elsie Foerstner,
Dee Vanderhoef, and Sarah Perkins.

Left to right:  Dee Vanderhoef, Elsie Foerstner, Karen Daubenberger,
Leslie Soule, Sharon Kay Stang, Sarah Perkins and Jane Harbit.

Sunshine and Sisterhood Convention has everyone glowing!

The biennial National Convention was held in Orlando, Florida from June 24-26 at the beautiful J.W. Marriott Resort.  Several members from our Epsilon Theta Epsilon Alumnae Chapter (Iowa City) attended, as well as members of Sigma Chapter, alumnae and collegians.  The new National President and National Council were elected and they are:
Angela Costley Harris-National President
National Council- Jari Askins, Mikelle Holy Brady, Jennifer Daurora, Lynne Biggio Herndon, Jill Sabatino Lacy.
These women will serve the National Fraternity for the next two years.
The next National Convention will be held June 29-July 1, 2018 in Austin, Texas at the JW Marriott.  It is an exciting event and if you have never attended, you should plan now to attend!  It is a great time to learn more about your sisterhood, meet up with old friends, and catch the spirit of Alpha Chi Omega at its brightest!
Here are some pictures of this year's event-

Brenda Griebahn and Sarah Griebahn make attending Convention
a Sisterhood event and share the legacy of AXO

Florida had plenty of sunshine and AXO reflected it on everyone!

Meeting up with friends at the National Chapter meeting.
Delegates from every Chapter-Alumnae and Collegiate- are seated in order
by Chapter name.  Everyone wears white to the first National Chapter meeting.
It's an awe-inspiring sight with the collegiate banners of every Chapter
hanging from the ceiling.  Makes us proud to see the Hawkeye Black and Gold!

Inspiration comes from every direction.
Decorations, vendors and the Star Booth are just a few
of the great experiences of every Convention.

Leslie Soule, House Corp President and Sarah Griebahn, Advisory Board member
attend the Foundation Luncheon, and great educational workshops.

Every meal is a time of beauty, with Alpha Chi themes
even in the desserts and table decorations.

Alumnae and Collegians mix it up at the Formal Banquet
on the final night.

Even the gentlemen who attend are honored by being inducted
into the Royal Order of the Red Carnation.

Reunion night brings old and new friends together.
Sigma had great representation at all levels.

Banquet beauty:  Each attendee received a necklace inspired by
our beloved red carnation, that was donated by one of the vendors.

Jensy Richards, Brenda Griebahn, and Leslie Soule
were all Sigmas during the 1970's.
Jensy was a workshop presenter who was involved with the Peace Corps
after college and now serves AXO
by working at Leadership Academy.

Rhonda Warren, another proud Sigma, is a Province Alumnae
Chairman from Texas.

Another beautiful luncheon table, for the
Panhellenic Luncheon.
"Be her badge what what it may"

Housing Breakfast Awards Program
Congratulations Sigma for your
Silver Level Certification!

Reminders everywhere of why we are
Real. Strong. Women.

Hall of Commitment and May Meeting Review

We were delighted to welcome the new alumnae from Sigma Chapter into the Hall of Commitment on May 1, 2016.  The ceremony was attended by approximately 20 seniors and 6 alumnae from Epsilon Theta Epsilon (Iowa City) as well as three members from the Epsilon Chi Epsilon Chapter (Cedar Rapids).  Following the ceremony, we enjoyed a lovely brunch provided by the alumnae chapter and spent time socializing with the collegians and learning their plans for the future.  What an encouragement to meet the next generation of Real. Strong. Women. who are entering into the life-long experience of Alpha Chi Omega!

Following the brunch, we held a formal meeting of the alumnae chapter.  Minutes will be emailed to local members and alumnae.  Here is the tentative calendar for 2016-2017 and the organizers for each event:

Late Summer/Fall Membership Event:  Karen Daubenberger and Elsie Foerstner

                Founders Day/50 Year Pin Ceremony:  Collegiate Chapter/Elaine McCullough

                Fall Joint Event with Cedar Rapids Alumnae Chapter

                Christmas Event:  Sharon Kay Stang

                Hera Day Luncheon, March 2017:  Anne Dierking

                Hall of Commitment, May 2017:  Sarah Griebahn

Stay in touch with Alpha Chi by updating your personal information at www.alphachiomega.org

We look forward to seeing you in 2016-2017!

2015 Hall of Commitment

Our seniors will be inducted into the Hall of Commitment on Sunday, May 3, 2015 at 1pm at the Sigma Chapter house.  After the ceremony, we will have a brunch with alumnae and the collegiates who attend.  Please RSVP to brenda@writeitdown.org if you are able to attend.  This will be our final event of the year--we hope you can join us!

Celebrate Hera Day today!

Today we honor the commitment and dedication of our Founders to the principle of service to others by "shed(ding)the light of love and friendship" to those who are in need.  Whether you are an intentional volunteer at a local shelter, hospital or school, whether you are a grandmother who is babysitting or a co-worker who offers a ride, the service we give to others is uplifting not only for others but also for our own spirits.  Reflect on our Symphony today and carry the light with you whatever services you do!

It is also National Ritual Celebration Week.  http://blog.alphachiomega.org/2011/03/its-national-ritual-celebration-week/  Show your support for Greek life by wearing your badge on March 7--our beautiful Lyre Badge is a symbol of our lifetime commitment to Alpha Chi and the value of Greek life to young people today.

And don't forget the luncheon with the Cedar Rapids alumnae chapter this Saturday, March 7 at 11:30am at the Hotel Kirkwood.  Make it a grand AXO day!  Wear your badge, fellowship with sisters and celebrate Alpha Chi Omega.  Email janeyn76@gmail.com to RSVP.

Remember to save the date for Hall of Commitment with the Sigma seniors on May 3. Stay tuned for more details.