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C elebrating the inaugural D.O.T. Days 2012
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Sisters
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12 Alpha Sigma Alpha celebrates our brand, a year and a half after its launch. Photo credit: Greekyearbook
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Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2013
W i n ter 2 0 1 3 C O NT ENTS
6 FEATURES Cover story, page 6:
D.O.T. Days 2012
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The Alpha Sigma Alpha brand promise
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Sisters promote responsible living
PHOTO CREDIT: Denver Alumnae Chapter
D E PA R T ME N T S
14 PHOTO CREDIT: Kaylina Norton Photography
PHOTO CREDIT: Jessica Kuh, GL
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Editor’s desk
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From the president
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ΑΣΑ Foundation news
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District news
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News & events
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ΑΣΑ Palms
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From the ΑΣΑ archives
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Woman of poise and purpose
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www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org
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E di to r ’ s D e S K Volume 99, Number 1
Dear readers,
Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha (USPS 430-640) is
published quarterly by Alpha Sigma Alpha, 9002 Vincennes Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018. Periodicals postage paid at Indianapolis, IN, and additional mailing offices. Produced by Shelle Design Inc., www.shelledesign.com. ©Alpha Sigma Alpha Send address changes, death notices and business correspondence to the national headquarters.
Often, I make mistakes. It’s true! For example: • One time I put dish soap in my dishwasher. Oops! •T o try and avoid waiting in traffic, I drove my car through a ditch, which tore off my bumper. • Before a high school basketball practice my senior year, I decided not to get my ankle taped by our athletic trainer. That same practice, I sprained my ankle and was out for the rest of the season.
Address all editorial correspondence to the editor. POSTMASTER: Send address changes (Form 3579) to
Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha, 9002 Vincennes Circle, Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018. Printed in the USA.
DEADLINES Winter
Sept. 10
Spring
Dec. 10
Summer March 10 Fall
June 10
EDITOR Katie Matis Smith, DH
As embarrassing as each of these mistakes are to admit and relive, they are mine. The decisions I made that led to undesirable consequences were made irresponsibly out of selfishness or ignorance. When I look back at these decisions and reflect on what I learned from them, the answer is patience. For me, to be responsible is to be patient; to take a deep breath in times of stress and temptation, assess the environment, and decide how to move forward allows time to make a poised decision. Like good ball-handling skills, practice makes perfect. Practice patience and make responsible decisions daily. I am thrilled to share this issue, which opens up the conversation regarding responsibility—individually and as a group. We will also look back at highlights of the inaugural D.O.T. Days 2012 and celebrate the accomplishments of our sisters.
Contributing Editor Nancy I.Z. Reese, BU
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS 9002 Vincennes Circle Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018 Phone: (317) 871-2920 Fax: (317) 871-2924 Email: asa@AlphaSigmaAlpha.org
Stay Connected www.facebook.com/AlphaSigmaAlphaSorority www.twitter.com/asaHQ
As always, I encourage you to keep up with Alpha Sigma Alpha and help us keep up with you. LIKE us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter @asahq for the quickest way to be informed. As Alpha Sigma Alpha will always remain in your heart, take us along on your life’s journey of leading, serving and making a difference. In Alpha Sigma Alpha,
Katie Matis Smith Phoenix Editor
www.youtube.com/user/AlphaSigmaAlphaNHQ www.pinterest.com/AlphaSigmaAlpha
S HA R E Y O U R T HO U G HT S We always welcome your comments—both
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criticism and praise—about this publication. Email ksmith@AlphaSigmaAlpha.org or send mail to: Editor, Alpha Sigma Alpha 9002 Vincennes Circle Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018
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Partners for the long run
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A look back on #ASAJourney2012 — National Convention & Leadership Conference in Virginia Beach, VA
F rom the P r es i d ent
What does it mean to live responsibly? B Y Nora M. Ten Broeck, BK | N ATI O N A L PR E S I D EN T
What better way to reflect upon the theme “Live Responsibly” than to pose the question, “What does it mean to live responsibly?” to my dad, Robert Ten Broeck, fresh from his 80th birthday celebration. The “first father” of Alpha Sigma Alpha was happy to share his perspectives on life and responsibility.
Even in his retirement today, he owns his learning, keeping pace with new technologies, reading, seeing current movies and traveling. By exposing himself to new ideas and cultures, he keeps his mind open to learning new things and recognizing his role in society rather than being closed off from it.
As my dad says, he was born “BG” – (before Google) and he has lived many years without the instant answer look-up or timely instructional video culture we have today. His life experiences include: living as a child through the Great Depression, learning “trades” from his friends’ fathers to help earn a living, enlisting in the United States Navy, spending seven years in night school on the G.I. bill to earn a bachelor of science degree in electrical engineering, raising four children, celebrating 50 years of marriage and enjoying a joyful and healthful retirement.
Be future-focused
Along the way on this journey he picked up a lesson or two, and the resounding message is one of recognizing and accepting personal responsibility through the themes of self-reliance, learning and having a future focus.
Be self-reliant As a child of the Great Depression, everyone my dad knew was working in multiple ways to support his or her family. From day jobs to side jobs, the person who was willing to work and continuously apply himself/herself was the person who was getting ahead. By learning all of the trades someone offered to teach you, one could earn a living through painting, fixing things, recycling metals or providing services to others. By having a wide skill set, one could be self-reliant rather than dependent upon one job or trade for financial support.
Own your learning opportunities Accepting responsibility for your adulthood starts with creating a life plan that includes education, training and self-improvement. There are many paths to a formal education such as scholarships, student loans or the G.I. bill. “One can never be too old or set in their ways to learn anything new” says my text-messaging, Facebook-savvy and mobile-phone-using dad. Following 37 years of working for Bell Laboratories (AT&T of today), he returned to school to become a certified teacher. At age 60 he became “the oldest first-year teacher in the State of Illinois.”
One of the things I admire about my dad is his ability to remain future-focused. Even when things do not go well, there is always tomorrow. Time should be spent planning for the future rather than worrying over mistakes or outright personal or professional failures. He is a firm believer of learning from your mistakes, not dwelling upon them, and accepting responsibility for your future. If you are blaming someone or something else for your present state, it is time to let that go and get on with your future on your terms. Being future-focused includes considering your wellness and financial plans today. If someone does not take care of his or her health today by investing in a healthy diet and exercise, a future will not yield much physical freedom. Likewise, debt spending today on credit cards will not lead to a future with financial freedom. Having a positive future calls for personal responsibility in the present day. As I thought about the themes my dad shared, it struck me how important our core value of responsibility is for Alpha Sigma Alpha. As members and volunteers we must be self-reliant to maintain our chapters and associations; we must own our learning, first as students and then as we continue through life; and finally we must always be future-focused to plan for the success and perpetuity of our sorority. As we celebrate our 112th year, and my dad celebrates his 80th year, living responsibly is important to us all. In Alpha Sigma Alpha,
Nora M. Ten Broeck National President
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org
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Zeta Eta Chapter, Rockhurst University
Theta Gamma Chapter, Christopher Newport University
Zeta Sigma Chapter, University of the Incarnate Word
Zeta Sigma Chapter, University of the Incarnate Word
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Delta Kappa Chapter, University of Southern Indiana
D . O . T. D ays 2 012
Donating. Our. Time. Three simple words have such immense meaning and potential. During the first week of October, members of Alpha Sigma Alpha donated their time across the country in our inaugural D.O.T. Days. While collegiate and alumnae sisters contribute in a variety of ways year-round, D.O.T. Days is a designated time when we know these contributions are simultaneous, and when we focus on giving through service, not just philanthropy. With giving at the heart of Alpha Sigma Alpha, the intention of our organization was realized in the early days of our inception. “Life is not taking in only; it is about giving out too. It is giving ourselves – freely – to other people, giving ourselves in comradeship, in understanding, in joy, in love.” During D.O.T. Days, the feelings and actions of comradeship, understanding, joy and love hold more power and focus when we imagine the strength and beauty of hundreds of members giving their time at the exact same moments. Think about it… based on updates we received from our collegiate and alumnae chapters, as well as individual members, we know that members from our Gamma Iota Chapter, Rochester Institute of Technology, NY, and Zeta Sigma Chapter, the University of the Incarnate Word, TX, were simultaneously giving their time to a local animal shelter and Girls on the Run. We also know that members from our Gamma Zeta Chapter, University of Arkansas-Monticello, Delta Iota Chapter, University of Delaware, and Chicago North Alumnae Chapter were giving of themselves simultaneously to a children’s home, the S. June Smith Center and collecting items for a children’s orphanage in Haiti. We also had a sister in Florida take her
Alpha Sigma Alpha unites for a week of service BY L e a h Doole y Ei c k ho f f, A B | pro g ram deve l opment coordinator
three children on a trash pick-up in a local park on the same day. These are brief examples, but pause to consider – what were you doing at those same times? In what ways were you serving? The impact of our members during the week of Oct. 1-7, 2012 is nothing short of significant. While the giving of time is important, it is essential to dig deeper into what our Founders hoped for our members through collective service. The quote shared from our ritual tells us that there is a “give and take” in life and in service. When we are truly conducting service, spending time with places or people in need and working to understand their need, we cannot help but be affected as well. Connections can be made between service and every core value of Alpha Sigma Alpha. However, the strongest correlations are between generosity, learning and growth. As members contribute generously, we cannot help but learn through the experience. As we learn, we personally grow. Meaningful service causes the lens through which we view the world to forever change. The people and places where we donated our time also changed. We offered support to athletes as they prepared for their Special Olympics events. We prepared signs, water bottles and other fun surprises for girls who ran in their local Girls on the Run 5K this fall 2012. We educated our peers on the importance of choosing words wisely through the Spread the Word to End the Word campaign. As Alpha Sigma Alphas, we made a difference in the lives and communities where we served. While D.O.T. Days is a specific week of the year for Alpha Sigma Alphas to collectively think about generosity, learning and growth, we are called to donate our time through service to others as a way of life.
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org
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D. O. T. Days 2 0 1 2
We had a great week with D.O.T. Days. I think it was a wonderful week, and I am so proud of my sisters for all of their philanthropic work. D.O.T. Days was a great way to get into the community and around campus to fulfill a greater cause. We all really enjoyed it!
Gamma Zeta Chapter, University of Arkansas-Monticello
– Sydney Crafton, Beta Lambda Chapter, University of Central Arkansas
Delta Iota Chapter, University of Delaware
I spent my whole week providing education to families, pregnant women and children on the dangers of lead, where it can be found and raise awareness of getting children tested for lead poisoning. – Kelly McLaughlin, ZL alumna
Denver Alumnae Chapter
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My three children (ages seven, four and one) and I went on a “trash pick-up” at our local park. It was just us, but we had a good time and gathered two bags of litter! Our park looks great, and my older boys were proud of our accomplishment. – Erica Stockdill Goehring, AG alumna
We joined our local collegiate chapters for D.O.T. Days. We enjoyed making encouraging signs for Girls on the Run of Franklin County with Zeta Omicron Chapter, Muskingum University, and we made educational books and crafts for the S. June Smith Center with Theta Tau Chapter, Capital University. – Central Ohio Alumnae Chapter
Gamma Iota Chapter, Rochester Institute of Technology
Theta Tau Chapter, Capital University
We hosted a Spread the Word to End the Word campaign on campus, hosted a recruitment event to make supplies for the S. June Smith Center, and volunteered for the Taking Steps for Crohn’s and Colitis Walk! – Boise State University Colony National Headquarters
First Special Olympics swim practice of the season! We had lots of fun with seven athletes in the pool, water volleyball for fun after, and dinner with athletes at Little Caesars to celebrate. Happy 1st D.O.T. Days!
In addition to many other activities, Alpha Beta had …teams of women volunteering at the Twin Pines Nursing home in town where they served as bingo callers and helped the elderly with their own bingo cards…. We are so excited to be engaging in service together and knowing that Alpha Sigma Alphas across the country are all uniting together in service.
– Joanne Weber Catron, A alumna
– Allyssa Dummerth, AB
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org
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D. O. T. Days 2 0 1 2
Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter
I am the Command Community Service Coordinator, organizing over 500 community service events for my Navy and Marine students to support Special Olympics, Girls on the Run, Race for the Cure, a local food bank and so many more. I am always bragging about how awesome it is to be an Alpha Sig and proud Navy sailor! – Theresa Durr Sprague, Intelligence Specialist First Class Petty Officer, DK alumna and Tidewater Alumnae Chapter
Epsilon Epsilon Chapter, Emporia State University
The Central Florida Alumnae Chapter filled handmade cloth bags with a variety of toiletries for those in need. – Gina Lengle McNellis, DO alumna
Save the Date | D.O.T. Days 2013 Oct. 6-12, 2013 10
Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2013
Zeta Eta Chapter, Rockhurst University
LDI Save the Date Summer 2013 ______________ Indianapolis June 28-30 Pittsburgh July 12-14 Kansas City July 19-21
Alpha Sigma Alpha is a proud sponsor of HazingPrevention.org
ASA B ra n d P romise
B Y Alpha Si gm a Alph a C ommun i c at i ons Depa rtment
Our brand, our responsibility It has been a year and a half since Alpha Sigma Alpha launched its new brand. Our brand is embodied in our new logo, emblem, tagline, color scheme, fonts, etc. Alpha Sigma Alpha: Developing Women of Poise and Purpose. Our brand, though, is only complete if we all buy into the meaning behind it and each do what we can do to deliver it. Alpha Sigma Alpha’s brand is a promise.
Are you keeping our promise? When you wear a T-shirt with “ASA” across the chest to class, showing your peers and professor that you are a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha, how cool would it be if they knew in an instant and without a doubt that you were a woman with integrity who valued intellectual, physical, social and spiritual development?
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All members who create marketing materials for Alpha Sigma Alpha, whether they are social media tools, such as Facebook pages or customized Twitter profiles, printed materials, such as brochures, signs or newsletters, must follow the brand guidelines for Alpha Sigma Alpha. These guidelines are the primary reference tool used by sorority members and vendors for establishing a cohesive visual message about Alpha Sigma Alpha — a promise to everyone, members and non-members, that with Alpha Sigma Alpha, we are women with character and concern for others. Alpha Sigma Alpha members, collegiate and alumnae, have the power to uphold our brand promise by consciously living our ritual, remembering that each of us are always wearing our letters, and holding others responsible for doing the same.
One way to honor our brand is to make the responsible decision to create and purchase products — T-shirts, jewelry, and websites — only from vendors who are licensed to uphold our brand and use Alpha Sigma Alpha trademarks. Alpha Sigma Alpha has licensed vendors because we own the trademark for the name Alpha Sigma Alpha, our Greek letters, crest and membership badge. For fraternities and sororities, trademarks identify the organization, its brand promise and history. As such, Alpha Sigma Alpha’s promise and legal duty is to protect the goodwill associated with our trademark, and we have both the right and legal obligation to ensure the integrity of our name and brand. If we do not protect our trademarks, then our brand may no longer be legally protected.
To protect our brand, Alpha Sigma Alpha works with Affinity Marketing Consultants (AMC) to grant licenses to companies that manufacture merchandise with our name, Greek letters and insignia. The national sorority does not approve products that attempt to glorify alcohol, hazing, racism, sexism or any other image or design that is offensive or hurtful to others. If there is a questionable design using any of our trademarks, AMC will forward the design to the national headquarters.
Once a vendor has joined the licensing program for Alpha Sigma Alpha, all merchandise bearing our name and symbols will be identified by the Official Licensed Product logo, designed for Affinity Marketing Consultants’ clients. If you do not see the logo on an item from a vendor, contact the communications & marketing coordinator at national headquarters at asa@AlphaSigmaAlpha.org.
Alpha Sigma Alpha also will not approve products that do not adhere to our brand standards. Altering logos, using “ASA” instead of “AΣA” and using the wrong colors are all subject to denial from AMC and Alpha Sigma Alpha.
How to become an Alpha Sigma Alpha brand expert •L isten to and live the Ritual of Alpha Sigma Alpha • Download the Alpha Sigma Alpha Brand Standards Guide at www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org •W atch the brand training webinar at www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org
• Review all Alpha Sigma Alpha branded materials to learn how the brand is revealed: Facebook fan page Twitter home page YouTube channel Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha A lpha Sigma Alpha Foundation website E-newsletters www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org • Only purchase products from vendors displaying the “Official Licensed Product” seal • Shop for products through Shop AΣA at www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org • Ask questions about licensed vendors or refer a vendor to become licensed at www.greeklicensing.com • Do not infringe upon other organizations’ trademarks or brand • Review your chapter’s website, Facebook fan page, Twitter and other social media outlets and follow the brand standards
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org
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ASA Sisters B Y Kati e Mati s Smi th, D H | Communications & Marketing C oordinator
Sisters Promote Responsible “The final forming of a person’s character lies in their own hands.” - Anne Frank
Living
Have you tracked how many decisions you make every day? Reflect on how many decisions you have made just today.
A person’s principles, morals and ethics of life determine the words that he or she speaks and the actions he or she takes.
Decision: to hit snooze twice this morning instead of just once
Meet four sisters who find a way to promote responsible living every day.
How do you promote responsibility in your own life? In order to promote responsibility in my life, I try to think through my actions in advance. Promoting responsibility is very important to me and part of that is helping others understand how to be responsible. I hold others accountable for their actions and encourage them to act with purpose in all that they do.
Decision: to forgo making your own lunch this week and instead went to Chipotle Decision: to go into the car dealership to get your brakes checked With every decision, big or small, a consequence will occur. If you were late to class or work because you hit an additional snooze, would you accept responsibility; or would you make up an excuse that there was a lot of traffic? If you have to ask your landlord for an extension to pay your rent, would you accept responsibility that you aren’t making responsible decisions when it comes to spending money; or would you blame your job for not paying you enough? As one of Alpha Sigma Alpha’s core values, responsibility is a key characteristic, and we ask our members to evaluate frequently in how it is incorporated, or lack thereof, in our daily lives. Our core value of integrity is perhaps the most daunting of values because it truly presents the core of a person.
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represent the national organization as well as my university. Being a responsible leader means doing what is in the best interest of the organization and making those tough decisions when necessary.
Lauren Schommer, ΘΖ, and former chapter president, knows that to continue living responsibly to prepare for the future is dependent on the conscious choice of balancing and taking one thing at a time. An interview with Lauren As a student leader, it is very important that I act in a responsible way both on and off campus. I not only represent my chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha, but I also
I work, go to school, and hold several leadership roles on campus so I often times struggle with time management. Even though I plan ahead, I tend to procrastinate and lose track of what I need to accomplish. Knowing this about myself, I make lists of what I need to get accomplished. Once you can identify your personal weaknesses, you can start taking steps to better yourself!
including tests, projects, sorority events, appointments, work, etc. As I have grown I learned that highlighting each in different colors really keeps me on top of things. If I would have started learning about how to manage my time as a freshman, I would have set myself up earlier for success.
Sarah Nugent, ΕΓ An interview with sarah What is your experience with personal responsibility as a student leader? I think of life as 3 “S’s”: school, self, and sorority. First, comes school, this is why we are here. Second is self. Give yourself time to relax, watch TV, work out, etc. The third “S” is sorority. Once you are all done with your homework, and not having a mental breakdown...go hang out with sisters. I always have to remember, before answering emails, before planning events, do school first. What challenges do you face when it comes to personal responsibility? Distractions. I live with 3 sisters, and there are a lot of distractions. Someone is either going to Chipotle or watching a TV show and I always want to join in on the fun! You have to learn when to say no. I always think I won’t be sad when I have a good GPA and a job at the end of the road. If you could tell yourself one thing about personal responsibility when you were a freshman in college, what advice would you give? I would have told myself to take responsibility in how I manage my work load. For me, I would have bought a planner immediately; written my events out for the semester
Hayley Zedeck, NN An interview with Hayley What is your experience with personal responsibility as a student leader? As an organizational leader, I work hard to provide the most beneficial opportunities to the members I represent. I am depended on to fulfill certain expectations, and it is my duty to manage my time and resources to carry out those tasks. By designating my own personal time towards fulfilling those obligations, I am directly affecting the influence on the organization. The most important aspect for me to be a responsible leader, is to maintain a level of self control and balance when making decisions.
level-headed is essential. Personal responsibility may involve moral dilemmas, and there are always challenges when you’re dealing with other people’s feelings and opinions. When have you had to make a tough decision where the choice called for responsibility? As a person who likes to stay involved in many different things, it is sometimes difficult to admit that I have too much on my plate. This past fall, I decided that I needed to temporarily step down from my position in my major’s student union, to focus more attention on my duties as vice president of membership education in the chapter. It was difficult for me to let my guard down and ask for help from the other position holders, but I knew I would not be able to fulfill all of my duties with the time constraints. It made more sense for me to work harder for one position, then half-heartedly working for both organizations. If you could tell yourself one thing about personal responsibility when you were a freshman in college, what advice would you give? The most important thing for young students to consider is that throughout your time in college, especially freshman year, you will make mistakes. The advice I would give to myself as a freshman would be to learn from those mistakes. You have to understand what went wrong and work towards changing those actions in the future. Whether that mistake be through academics, time management, or social interactions, if you learn from them then it’s all worth the trouble.
What challenges do you face when it comes to personal responsibility? At times, decision-making forces me to make compromises about my own best interest to compensate for the good of the group. Not every decision is easy, and that’s when staying
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org
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“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.” - Eleanor Roosevelt
TELL | ONELIFE makes it simple for you to find your voice and tell the world about the causes you passionately support.
Madison Mikhail, ΘΤ, had the inspiration and support to take personal responsibility to a level that has influenced the development and establishment of a non-profit organization. The organization, called ONELIFE, was established by Madison and her sisters. ONELIFE is a nonprofit organization that connects people to world needs and solutions through a process of seeing a need, helping the need, and telling others about it to assist as well. This process is known as SEE | HELP | TELL. SEE | ONELIFE provides accurate information highlighting the most urgent issues impacting lives around the globe at www.seehelptell.org. HELP | ONELIFE acts as a bridge, connecting you to reliable non-profit organizations that help alleviate world needs. ONELIFE provides two simple ways to HELP: to give and to serve. give | ONELIFE showcases rated and reviewed charities that are worthy of support. serve | ONELIFE chapters commit to fundraise and advocate for world needs and reliable charities on their campus.
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Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2013
An interview with Madison Why did you choose to establish ONELIFE? The development of ONELIFE has been underway for about eight years now, and during that time there were many contributing factors to what one might call inspiration. First and foremost, I believe those involved have sensitive hearts for people in need. With that being said, the knowledge that there are people deeply hurting in the world, whether we see it or not, is inexcusable. I wanted to help not only people who are hurting from the lack of physical needs, but help my peers to escape an apathetic lifestyle- for “When you change ONELIFE you change your own.” How did your membership influence the establishment and promotion of the organization? Because of the work I did through our chapters’ local philanthropic endeavor I helped establish and being a founder of Theta Tau Chapter at Capital University, OH, I knew how to connect and establish ONELIFE chapters at other campuses. That knowledge and experience has been invaluable. From the sheer business side of things, the chapter meetings, committee meetings, financial responsibility and even
the legal documents prepared me for what I do now. Lastly, support I received from the women of Theta Tau was astounding. I think the photo of me describes how I felt (I don’t think I could smile any bigger) ... on one of the biggest nights of my life. These women were not only standing beside me, but they joined me in launching ONELIFE. We did it together. How does ONELIFE promote personal responsibility? ONELIFE is the definition of personal responsibility. If I don’t invest in ONELIFE, nothing will happen. The development of ONELIFE has taught me more than any other activity in my life. For students engaged in service, ONELIFE helps set up events, communicates with charities and more. Taking the initial responsibility to serve others is one thing, but we hope leaders are motivated to make that choice every day. I think the toughest choices we make are the choices between doing right, wrong and nothing at all. I think the easiest choice is to do nothing at all. If we don’t see poverty or injustices on a regular basis, it is easy to shut our minds off from thinking of them. Find something that you feel should change; it could be simple. You don’t have to start a nonprofit, you just have to change your heart and consequently, in some way, how you live your life.
fou n dat i o n news
Your gifts are at work for alumnae The Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation offers scholarships to members of Alpha Sigma Alpha, including alumnae. Did you know there are scholarships awarded to those in pursuit of working in the field of education, special education, business and more? Additional assistance available
Scholarship reminder!
There are more than scholarships available to alumnae members who are looking for assistance in continuing their education. Career Enhancement Grants are available to alumnae members seeking personal or professional development through noncredit courses, seminars or programs. Applications are accepted year round. Also, members have access to career development videos produced by JobBound, the nation’s leading authority for preparing students and professionals for career success. The video series is part of the ΑΣΑ Advantage alumnae module. Videos provide career development advice and tips for members in the job market.
The deadline for scholarship applications and letters of recommendation is March 5, 2013. Please make sure those writing your letters of recommendation know this deadline. Applications and recommendations can be submitted online at the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation pages, www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org/Foundation/scholarships.
Summer 2013 alumnae get-away weekend Mark your calendars for August 2-4, 2013 for the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation alumnae get-away weekend in New Orleans, LA.
Learning means more than attending classes The Foundation works with the sorority to secure event programming that is relevant to both alumnae and collegiate members. District Day alumnae programming focuses on providing relevant leadership, balance and skills training for women in their roles as volunteers, advisors, professionals, as well as wives and moms. District Day programming for collegiate members is focused on providing relevant collegiate leadership, communication, confrontation skills and life training for young women in their roles on campus and in the sorority. District Day programming is provided in part by a grant from the Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation. The ΑΣΑ Foundation exists to support the educational, leadership and philanthropic purposes of Alpha Sigma Alpha sorority through charitable giving.
Visit an antebellum home, see where the magic starts at the Mardi Gras Museum, and shop in the French Quarter. Dine and share conversations with sisters from across the country, reconnect with old friends and make new ones! All these possibilities and much more will be part of this unique alumnae-only weekend experience. Follow the Foundation on Facebook for the latest details. Registration details will be available soon!
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org
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Leadersh i p Nconsultants D i str i ct ews
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3 1. Supporting Phi Kappa Psi and Zeta Tau Alpha in the annual “MUD TUG” competition, two ASA Gamma Iota teams from Rochester Institute of Technology tugged it out against other groups for a fun and muddy day! With more than 1,480 participants the world record tug of war was broken. The event was a great way to raise funds for the Hillside Family of Agencies and bring the community together. From left to right: Hannah Peckham, Kaytlyn Johnson, Nicole Lupinetti, Emily Lechner, Angelina Pilarinos, Brittnee Dick, Christina Brooks, Corrina Corrallo, Morgan Moak, Danielle Turenne, Taylor Baird, Tracie Haiko.
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4 2. The annual powder puff football tournament at Loyola University-Chicago always has a large turnout. Members of Alpha Sigma Alpha’s Gamma Lambda Chapter were the most spirited and cheered their fellow sisters on to victory! From left to right: Casey Frantz, Anna Schmidt, Monica Wawronowicz, Victoria Bramlette, Natalie Duthoy, Ali Kurcab, Tiana Tole and Tania Velazquez. 3. T heta Alpha Chapter at Coe College members volunteered at the Girls on the Run 5K event on Nov. 17. The entire chapter attended and volunteered as running buddies, handing out water bottles, helping with registration and cheering on the girls. From left to right: Hailee Gehrls, Lindsey Bruns, Cassie Irwin, Kristen Blodgett.
4. Philadelphia Metro Alumnae Chapter held its annual Broadway outing on May 12, 2012, in honor of Mother’s Day. Members and their moms were invited. All had a great time at the show, “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” Front row from left to right: Florence DeMarco, mother of Terry Diamond-Daly; Lori Sherel, KK; Terry Diamond-Daly, KK; Christie Shrom, EΓ; Ellen Ainge, mother of Stefanie Ainge Hahn; Stefanie Ainge Hahn, EK; Stefanie Spatola, ΔI. Back row from left to right: Sara Shuttleworth Lipsett, KK; Sara’s mom Judy Shuttleworth; Kathy Gaughan Gallagher, KK; and Kathy’s mom Kathleen Gaughan.
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5. M embers of the Washington, DC, Alumnae Chapter celebrated Founders’ Day with members of Kappa Delta, Sigma Sigma Sigma and Zeta Tau Alpha sororities, “The Farmville Four,” for brunch and an exhibit at the National Museum of Women in the Arts. Pictured: Maureen Harvey, AA, Liz Scheuble, AA, Rachael Stevenson, BQ, Judy ParkisonBest, BΩ, Christine Strapac Thomas, AG, Amanda Hagy, BQ, Kathy Wilson Burke, NN, Carol Simpson, ET
7. On Nov. 4, the sisters of Zeta Theta Chapter at Wagner College volunteered in their own community of Staten Island, NY, to help those who lost their homes in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. They helped to clean up homes destroyed by the storm and waded through flooded basements to help homeowners clear their belongings. From left to right: Alexa Evans, Nicole Bouchard, Anna Martinez, Jessica Bianculli, Noelle DeNome and Daniella Garofalo.
6. Delta Kappa Chapter at the University of Southern Indiana celebrated 40 years of sisterhood at a reunion on campus in fall 2012. Attendees included original charter members, alumnae and current collegiate members. The original charter was on display.
8. The Epsilon Phi Colony at Indiana University held their colony retreat in fall 2012 and ran into fellow Hoosier, NCAA men’s basketball division I preseason Player of the Year, Cody Zeller who showed some Alpha Sigma Alpha spirit.
Back row from left to right: Heather Brown, Katie Pittman, Cody Zeller, Megan Claysen, Brie Harvey and Nisha Boyington. Front row from left to right: Ashley Bryant, Kyleigh Caccavallo, Bree Flores, Lani Casteneda, Mary Prusha and Kelsey Ericksen. 9. Kathleen Walsh of Theta Gamma Chapter at Christopher Newport University who studied abroad in London, England in fall 2012 practices personal responsibility and sends her absentee ballot for the 2012 presidential election.
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News and e v ents
Colony & extension update Alpha Sigma Alpha is excited to be joining the following campuses in fall 2013! Western Illinois University – Beta Kappa Chapter recolonization St. John’s University, NY – Gamma Phi Chapter recolonization University of North Carolina at Pembroke
Alpha Sigma Alpha credit card announcement As of Dec. 31, 2012 MBNA has discontinued its credit card affinity program with Alpha Sigma Alpha. Please be aware that Alpha Sigma Alpha does not receive any financial benefit from the Alpha Sigma Alpha branded credit cards.
Alpha Sigma Alpha on Twitter
Alpha Sigma Alpha on Pinterest
Want to stay in the loop with Alpha Sigma Alpha without having to wait for the next issue of the Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha? Create your Twitter account and follow @asahq!
Pinterest is a virtual pinboard. Pinterest allows you to organize and share all the beautiful things you find on the web. You can browse boards created by other people to discover new things and get inspiration from people who share your interests.
The Alpha Sigma Alpha Twitter account will keep you updated on: Upcoming national events and national celebrations Volunteer opportunities Enjoyment of lifetime membership in Alpha Sigma Alpha Collegiate and alumnae chapter operations and successes The Alpha Sigma Alpha Foundation, Girls on the Run International, S. June Smith Center and Special Olympics information and volunteer opportunities Panhellenic and interfraternal conversations So much more! Join Twitter and follow @asahq today! 20
Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2013
Alpha Sigma Alpha uses Pinterest for every member and friend to enjoy. We find inspiration from our history, values and aims and love seeing what our members pin as well! Alpha Sigma Alpha has more than 45 boards, including:
AΣA values My AΣA Home AΣA member blogs AΣA in the news AΣA history AΣA style
Go to www.pinterest.com/AlphaSigmaAlpha and follow us today!
ASA Pa lms
ASA Palms The word palm means tribute, honor or praise. Alpha Sigma Alpha gives palms to alumnae and collegians for their successes and milestones. Celebrating a personal, professional or volunteer success? Tell us about it! Send your success stories to the editor at ksmith@AlphaSigmaAlpha.org.
Gamma Gamma Chelsay Adams, president of GG at Northwestern
Gamma Lambda Jessica Kuh, GL, studied abroad in Rome for the past year and was honored with the silver medal of the President of Chamber of Deputies for her language tutoring at a local Rome school. Jessica was recognized by the Italy USA Foundation for improving Italian-American relations and acting as an ambassador. The president of Italy gave the honor during a nationally televised event. Jessica was described as “the epitome of an ambassador of U.S. culture.”
Oklahoma State, was crowned Miss Piedmont in the fall and will compete for Miss Oklahoma in June!
Zeta Zeta Amanda Sasek, ZZ from the University of Central Missouri, was crowned Miss Heartland and will compete for Miss Missouri. Congratulations Amanda!
Theta Zeta
Brittany Broyer, QZ, qualified for the USA Triathlon World Championships in London, England. Broyer placed in the top 10 percent of competitors in her age group to advance to the world championships.
Zeta Rho Tierra Robinson, ZR, was crowned Miss University of West Alabama in fall 2012 and will compete for Miss Alabama in June 2013! Congralations Tierra!
Beta
Beta Gamma Katie Bowin, BG, was crowned Miss Northeastern State University in fall 2012. Katie’s platform for the pageant was inspired by Alpha Sigma Alpha’s national philanthropy, Special Olympics. Congratulations Katie!
Delta Eta
Beta Delta
Shannon Dowty, DH alumna, won the Graduate Medical Education Program Coordinator Excellence Award 2013, which is “to honor and recognize very crucial role that health program coordinators play in the success of a residency program.” Shannon has served as the residency program coordinator for the obstetrics & gynecology residency program at the University of Illinois at Chicago since 2007.
Patti Wood, BD alumna, released a new book, “SNAP - Making the Most of First Impressions Body Language and Charisma.” Patti, a body language expert, is a sought after expert for comments on the nonverbal messages of stars, politicians and people in general. As the “The Body Language Lady,” Patti Wood is an internationally recognized nonverbal communications and behavior expert who has conducted years of research on body language.
www.AlphaSigmaAlpha.org
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Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha | Winter 2013
archives
from the
Members gather at the 1972 convention in Springfield, MO and learn new songs of spirit and sisterhood.
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9002 Vincennes Circle | Indianapolis, IN 46268-3018
Woman of
Poise and Purpose I am a woman of poise and purpose because Alpha Sigma Alpha afforded me countless opportunities to grow both professionally and personally. My confidence that I lacked as a young woman has matured and developed, and my love of God has grown through my sisters with whom I meet. Having served Alpha Sigma Alpha as a volunteer for more than 30 years, I can honestly say it has been the influence that inspired me to represent ASA on our National Panhellenic Conference delegation for 12 years.
Ellen Funk Morris Beta Lambda Alumna University of Central Arkansas
