PiperThe

Alpha Omicron Pi | Back To School 2015

Upcoming Chapter Anniversaries

Strike Out Arthritis! Events

AOII Volunteer Opportunities... and more!

Photo: Delta Delta/Auburn U

1

SAVE THE DATES President’s Message Gayle FitzpatrickInternational President(Alpha Rho/Oregon State U)

Welcome to almost fall! With the summer coming to an end, we are approaching one of my favorite times of the year. It is time for returning to school, recruitment, alum-nae meetings, and college football.

For all of our members who were able to attend our International Convention in June, I hope that you will take the oppor-tunity to share your experiences with all of your collegiate and alumnae chapter mem-bers. There are many stories to share from the Candlelighting Service, Ritual, Business Sessions, Education Sessions, Awards Night, the PIP Skit and Storytelling, free time in LA, and Rose Banquet. The great feeling of new/renewed friendships, and the sharing of our AOII sisterhood were felt through-out Convention.

For those chapters going through fall recruitment, I know that you have spent or will be spending many hours diligently preparing for recruitment. Our collegiate mem-bers have the chance to share their AOII story with so many potential new members. Another big part of recruiting success is the support our alumnae provide to our col-legiate chapters during workweek and recruitment. It will be very exciting to see the successes of recruitment this fall as we expand our AOII sisterhood.

Our Educational Leadership Consultants (ELCs) for 2015- 2016 have hit the road. I had the opportunity to spend a half-day with these outstanding women in Nashville during their training. I know that our ELCs will make an impact on every chapter they will visit this fall.

Another exciting event this fall for two of our AOII sisters will be Miss America 2016. We are AOII-proud of Miss New York Jamie Lynn Macchia (Theta Pi/Wagner Col-lege) and Miss Tennessee Hannah Robison (Tau Omicron/U of Tennessee Martin) as they compete for Miss America 2016 on September 13!

As a sports fan, college football is one of my favorite sports. I will be cheering for my Oregon State Beavers. I am a loyal fan through the ups and downs. There is nothing better than spending a fall afternoon with your AOII sisters enjoying a football game. So, no matter what conference you are in, if you like college football, I hope that you enjoy the season.

As you can see, it is a busy time in AOII. I hope that everyone has a great fall. I know that our members will focus on exceeding the expectations!

Bid Day Statsreports due 24 Hours after Bid Day

Alpha Pi Chapter House DedicationSeptember 12

Healing Hands for Arthritis with Massage EnvySeptember 16

Phi Upsilon Chapter House GroundbreakingOctober 3

International Strike Out Arthritis! events September - October(check page 3 for details!)

2

President’s Message

CHAP

TER

NOTE

S

1 Bid Day Statistics ReportsCongratulations to each of our chapters as you welcome new members into the AOII family! Membership selection is the distinct honor and responsibility of our collegiate chapters, and we thank you for your hard work. Please don’t forget to submit your Bid Day Stats report within 24 hours of Bid Day to ensure that each new member gets connected to AOII right away! (Photo: Alpha Gamma/Washington State U)

2 Chapter Anniversaries These chapters will celebrate milestone anniversaries this fall!Upsilon/U of Washington - 100 years (installed on 9.18.1915); Kentucky Lakes Alumnae/Paducah, KY - 50 years (installed on 9.30.1965); Palo Alto Alumnae/Palo Alto, CA - 50 years (installed on 10.2.1965); San Mateo Alumnae/San Mateo, CA - 50 years (installed on 10.2.1965); Sarasota Area Alumnae/Sarasota, FL - 25 years (installed on 10.13.1990); Chicago South Suburban Alumnae/Chicago, IL - 75 years (installed on 10.27.1940); DeKalb-Kane Alumnae/DeKalb, IL - 25 years (installed 11.3.1990)

3 Alpha Omicron Pi + GINsystemAt Convention in Los Angeles, AOII unveiled a new partnership with GINsystem that will provide website and chapter management tools to all collegiate and alumnae chapters. These tools will enable chapters to simplify and enhance both internal communication, as well as an external presence through beautifully branded websites. Any chapters or members with questions about AOII and GINsystem should email aoii@GINsystem.com for more information.

2

1

4 Stay Connected!AOII’s social media outlets are the best way to stay up-to-date on AOII news - from recruitment results and photos, to Strike Out Arthritis! and other philanthropic events, to notes of congratula-tions to exemplary members and chapters for accomplishments and good works in the community, we are always sharing the latest information. If your chapter has news or photos to share with us, please send them to aoiionline@alphaomicronpi.org! Photos to be considered for To Dragma should be sent to todragma@alphaomicronpi.org and must be 1MB or larger in size.

3

4

1 2 3

2015 Fraternity Strike Out Arthritis! Events

In 2011, Alpha Omicron Pi Fraternity began planning fundraising events with professional baseball teams to further the reach of Strike Out Arthritis! This is in addition to the hundreds of outstanding events that our collegiate and alumnae chapters hold each year. We’re excited to continue these events into 2015 and bring entire communities together for this important cause. Stay tuned to AOII online for additions and updates!

1 & 3 | Colorado RockiesMembers of the Denver Area Alumnae Chapter came together to Strike Out Arthritis! with AOII and the Colorado Rockies on August 21, making this AOII’s third event with the Rockies.

2 | New York Yankees Alumnae and collegians from New York, New Jersey, and other surrounding states/areas came out to support Strike Out Arthritis! with the Yankees on September 5.

Reno AcesApril 21

Colorado RockiesAugust 21

Memphis RedbirdsSeptember 3

New York YankeesSeptember 5

Arizona DiamondbacksSeptember 12

Philadelphia Phillies September 12

Tampa Bay RaysSeptember 19

Los Angeles Dodgers September 19

Houston Astros September 19

Toronto Blue JaysSeptember 25

Cincinnati Reds September 25

Boston Red Sox September 26

San Diego PadresSeptember 26

Kansas City RoyalsSeptember 27

Oakland Athletics September 27

Atlanta Braves October 1

Pittsburgh Pirates October 2

Seattle MarinersOctober 2

Texas RangersOctober 2

Chicago White Sox October 3

3

AOII FIGHTS ARTHRITIS

4

3

Fraternity Strike Out Arthritis! Events

Kansas City RoyalsSeptember 27

Oakland Athletics September 27

Atlanta Braves October 1

Pittsburgh Pirates October 2

Seattle MarinersOctober 2

Texas RangersOctober 2

Chicago White Sox October 3

Get jingling with the Arthritis FoundationIt’s never too early to register for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis! This national event series raises millions for arthritis research, education and programming. We are proud to have a national team, which includes AOII collegiate and alumnae chapter teams across the United States. Last year, our members raised over $100,000 for the JBR! Let’s raise even more in 2015 - visit the AF website to find your nearest event and get your team signed up under Team AOII. If you don’t know how to register under Team AOII, contact strikeoutarthritis@alphaomicronpi.org! (Photo: Houston Alumnae Chapter)

Jingle with the Arthritis Society, too!While the Jingle Bell Run happens throughout the United States, the Arthritis Society’s Jingle Bell Walk/Run is happening at the same time in select Canadian provinces. Because of the event simil-iarities, they are a great way for AOIIs across North America to take part in the fight against arthritis together and battle the number one cause of disability in both countries. To find an Arthritis Society event, visit www.arthritis.ca. Whether you’re jingling in the U.S. or Canada, snap some photos and share them online using #AOIIFightsArthritis and #JinglewithAOII to create a buzz!

Healing Hands for ArthritisMassage Envy Spa will host its national Healing Hands for Arthritis campaign on Wednesday, September 16. On this day, $10 from every one-hour massage or facial will go to the Arthritis Foundation. Massage Envy also aims to educate the public on the benefits of massage for people with arthritis. What better excuse to pamper yourself than for a good cause? Visit the Massage Envy website to find a participating spa near you!

5

MAKE AN IMPACT1 2

3 4

1 #TheRedZone The first six weeks of school present the highest risk of sexual assault for new students. According to facts compiled by the National Panhel-lenic Conference, 22 percent of college women have been victims of sexual assault; of the reported sexual assaults from colleges and universities, 84 percent of the incidents happen during the victim’s freshman or sophomore year. NPC is leading the effort in spreading awareness of #TheRed-Zone and empowering sorority women to take an active role in eliminating the dangers of sexual assault. Read more on AOII’s blog at www.apieceofthepiblog.com.

2 Fraternal Government Relations Coalition (FGRC) FGRC is comprised of the North-American Interfraterni-ty Conference (NIC), National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) and the Fraternity/Sorority Political Action Committee (FSPAC). This body exists to build a permanent platform for an integrated federal government relations program supporting the objectives and needs of fraternal life. FGRC presents key issues to its constituents, works to create legislature to address those issues, and gives constituents the opportunity to provide feedback or take action by contacting legislators directly. Stay up to date on FGRC’s activity this year at www.fgrc.com or www.fspac.org.

3 Random Acts of Friendship Launched in 1999 by Kappa Delta Sorori-ty, National Women’s Friendship Day has grown to International Women’s Friend-ship Month. This month of celebration was first recognized in September 2009, offering the opportunity for all women to remember and acknowledge the import-ant role female friends play in our lives. As an organization founded within the bonds of friendship, we hope our mem-bers will use the #ActsofFriendship cam-paign to recognize one another and the wonderful things we do for one another as sisters and as friends throughout the month of September. More information can be found on the Kappa Delta website.

4 Rethink Greek Rethink Greek is an international marketing campaign aimed at reshaping the perception of Greek life and mem-bers of fraternities and sororities across North America. The campaign was creat-ed by Innova, a partner to PhiredUp and TechniFi that presents a family of orga-nizations dedicated to growing fraternity and sorority life. Rethink Greek’s online hub at www.rethinkgreek.com provides a host of resources and information for fraternity and sorority members who want to get involved and become a part of the movement. Check them out online to see if taking part in Rethink Greek is right for you.

6

Become an AOII Volunteer Have a passion for giving back to the Frater-nity, but don’t know where to start? Contact AOII’s Human Resources Committee (HRC) to find out which AOII volunteer position is the best for you! HRC accepts applications year-round for any immediate and future AOII Network and Standing Committee position openings. Get in touch and submit your application at hrc@alphaomicronpi.org! Listed here are the immediate volunteer position openings.

Request a Training or Recruitment Ambassador Visit

Network Sepcialist - Development Boise State U (click for position description)

Request a Training or Recruitment Ambassador Visit AOII’s Training Ambassadors and Recruitment Ambas-sadors are specially-trained volunteers with a great love for the Fraternity and ongoing AOII education. Training Ambassadors work directly with AACs on team building and volunteer development, and our second-year TA’s have received targeted ritual training suitable for any chapter, AAC, or member of AOII. Our Recruitment Ambassadors are an energetic group dedicated to the growth of our Fraternity and the year-round scope of AOII’s recruitment process. Contact Sherry Dutton, Director of Lifetime Engagement at sdutton@alphaomi-cronpi.org to schedule a visit today!

HOUSING INITIATIVES

Purdue UniversityGroundbreakingGroundbreaking for our beautiful Phi Upsilon Chapter/Purdue University facility is set for October 3! Stay tuned to AOII online for updates and photos.

7

Alpha Pi Chapter Makes New FSU Facility Home AOII’s Alpha Pi Chapter/Florida State U moved into their new facility in August, and will formally celebrate their AOII home at the Dedication Cere-mony on September 12.

HOUSING INITIATIVES

Alpha Pi Chapter Makes New FSU Facility Home

AOII

FOUN

DATI

ON N

EWS

8

Foundation E-cards Now Available!Looking for a way to recognize a special sister and give back to AOII? You can now send a personalized e-card through our automated system! Visit our website at www.aoiifoundation.org to view the Foundation honor and Senior Tribute e-cards. And, be on the lookout for additional e-cards coming soon!

Foundation Young Alumnae Council and Ambassador Appointments The AOII Foundation is pleased to announce the appointment of the following women to both the Foundation Young Alumnae Council and Ambassador roles for the 2015-17 biennium:

Young Alumnae CouncilKelli Gatti, Kappa TauAmy Gatto, Epsilon Chi (Co-Chairman)Zoe Gertner, Beta UpsilonJazmine Grier, Delta TauMorgan Harkrider, Gamma SigmaShelby Pelon, Tau GammaLaura Plummer, Alpha Delta (Co-Chairman)Michelle Scali, Beta Upsilon

AmbassadorsKate Chapman, Xi OmicronLaura Flessner, Chi Psi Debbie Gardner, Alpha KappaKaty Geppert, Epsilon Sigma Marty Harrison, Lambda SigmaKaren Marchese, Phi LambdaLynette McMahon, Lambda BetaDana Moreland, Delta AlphaKate Peer, Gamma Chi

AmbassadorsMaggie Pendergrass, Zeta PsiChristine Pompa, Lambda EtaChristin Pratt, Pi AlphaErica Rodarte, Alpha GammaAnnalise Sinclair, Gamma ThetaTara Singer, Pi AlphaTeri Sloan, Rho OmicronMarjorie Stevens, Beta KappaSusan Story, Omega Xi

83 Charter Members Join 1897 SocietyDuring the last biennium, our Fraternity has enjoyed a surge in success, from membership and education to leadership initiatives. With large growth comes large need, and several Foundation donors stepped up to help! We are happy to report that 83 donors joined our 1897 society as Charter Members. A full listing of members can be found in the Summer 2015 issue of To Dragma. Thank you to each of these donors for Securing the Future of Alpha Omicron Pi.