Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Nashville Flooding -Ruby Fund Relief
Dear Sisters,
On May 1 and 2, the city of Nashville experienced over 13 inches of rain within 3 hours with floodwaters inundating roads, highways and homes. The Cumberland River and its tributaries quickly flooded leaving thousands of residents in middle Tennessee with severe damage to their homes and possessions.
The AOII Foundation has begun to receive Ruby Fund requests from area AOII sisters. Several other requests are expected in the upcoming days and weeks, as damage to the city of Nashville is projected to exceed $1.5 billion.
We ask that you please consider making a gift of $25, $50, $100 or more to the Ruby Fund/Nashville Flooding. You may make a secure on-line donation on the Foundation website or by mailing your gift to the address below.
For information about the Ruby Fund, please contact Barbie Chadwick at mailto:bchadwick@alphaomicronpi.org?subject=. Thank you for supporting your sisters in this time of need.
Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation
5390 Virginia Way
Brentwood, TN 37027
http://e2ma.net/go/8265822591/2803188/94575229/3361/goto:http://www.aoiifoundation.org
On May 1 and 2, the city of Nashville experienced over 13 inches of rain within 3 hours with floodwaters inundating roads, highways and homes. The Cumberland River and its tributaries quickly flooded leaving thousands of residents in middle Tennessee with severe damage to their homes and possessions.
The AOII Foundation has begun to receive Ruby Fund requests from area AOII sisters. Several other requests are expected in the upcoming days and weeks, as damage to the city of Nashville is projected to exceed $1.5 billion.
We ask that you please consider making a gift of $25, $50, $100 or more to the Ruby Fund/Nashville Flooding. You may make a secure on-line donation on the Foundation website or by mailing your gift to the address below.
For information about the Ruby Fund, please contact Barbie Chadwick at mailto:bchadwick@alphaomicronpi.org?subject=. Thank you for supporting your sisters in this time of need.
Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation
5390 Virginia Way
Brentwood, TN 37027
http://e2ma.net/go/8265822591/2803188/94575229/3361/goto:http://www.aoiifoundation.org
Sunday, May 9, 2010
Exciting News~AOII's get published!
I wanted to share some exciting news! Cara (Johnson) Cardell and Brooke (Bowlin) Thurman have been working to write a children's book for the last couple of years. They are in the last stages of publishing and the book is at the printers now! They have always been interested in starting a little business and this was something the girls could do "on the side" but still have fun with it, too.
The book is an officially licensed Greek product and the first of its kind - this first one is about Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. Brooke and Cara hope to eventually expand the book series to serve all of the women's Greek organizations. They have been working with the AOII corporate office in Brentwood and their licensing company in New York. The girls are really excited about the book and the positive message it conveys. AOII has meant a lot to both alumni personally because it is where they developed their friendship in college.
They just launched a new website www.BananaPunchBooks.com so please check it out and let Brooke and Cara know what you think! They will primarily be taking web orders through this site along with a few other retail outlets. The books will be in stock in approximately 6 weeks so right now they are offering a reduced price for anyone who pre-orders their copy. Please pass on our website to any other Greek friends who may be interested in hearing about our book.
We are so proud of you girls!
The book is an officially licensed Greek product and the first of its kind - this first one is about Alpha Omicron Pi sorority. Brooke and Cara hope to eventually expand the book series to serve all of the women's Greek organizations. They have been working with the AOII corporate office in Brentwood and their licensing company in New York. The girls are really excited about the book and the positive message it conveys. AOII has meant a lot to both alumni personally because it is where they developed their friendship in college.
They just launched a new website www.BananaPunchBooks.com so please check it out and let Brooke and Cara know what you think! They will primarily be taking web orders through this site along with a few other retail outlets. The books will be in stock in approximately 6 weeks so right now they are offering a reduced price for anyone who pre-orders their copy. Please pass on our website to any other Greek friends who may be interested in hearing about our book.
We are so proud of you girls!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Senior Send-Off at UT's Pratt Pavillion
On Sunday, April 25, the Knoxville Area Alumnae Chapter welcomed 36 seniors into alumnae status at the annual "Senior Send-Off."
Thanks to sisters like Ellie Wilson Whitesell, the event was held at UT's Pratt Pavillion. Guests dined on delicious boxed lunches from Pimento's, heard the latest update on Omicron's House Campaign and shared their post-graduation plans.
All the seniors were reminded of AOII's generous "First Year's On Us" program which pays for your first year's dues in an alumnae chapter.
Thanks to everyone who attended and worked so hard to make the afternoon so special!
Thanks to sisters like Ellie Wilson Whitesell, the event was held at UT's Pratt Pavillion. Guests dined on delicious boxed lunches from Pimento's, heard the latest update on Omicron's House Campaign and shared their post-graduation plans.
All the seniors were reminded of AOII's generous "First Year's On Us" program which pays for your first year's dues in an alumnae chapter.
Thanks to everyone who attended and worked so hard to make the afternoon so special!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Omicron Chapter Honored at 2010 Greek Awards
On Sunday, April 11, members of Omicron Chapter attended the 2010 Greek Awards Banquet and AOII came away with some great honors!
Micah Johnson won Chapter President of the year for Panhellenic, Anne Buckle won the Garcia-Cozart Scholarship and Omicron won top honors in Greek Excellence!
Omicron was one of only four other sororities to win the Volunteer awards in Greek Excellence.
Pictured L to R: Anne Buckle, Stephanie Selecman and Micah Johnson
Micah Johnson won Chapter President of the year for Panhellenic, Anne Buckle won the Garcia-Cozart Scholarship and Omicron won top honors in Greek Excellence!
Omicron was one of only four other sororities to win the Volunteer awards in Greek Excellence.
Pictured L to R: Anne Buckle, Stephanie Selecman and Micah Johnson
Tuesday, April 13, 2010
Update on AOII House
The time has finally come for ground to be broken at Morgan Hill for the AOII house and other sorority houses at UT. We are very excited and know our alums are, too, but we’re also “down to the wire” in getting all of our fund-raising in place to receive the green-light from UT to proceed with our building project. Without UT’s go-ahead, AOII can’t move the first shovel of dirt.
Here is the situation: UT requires a certain amount of cash raised up-front before each of the sorority groups can begin construction. While Omicron Chapter’s building fund has raised more than $800,000 to date with a lot of hard work and countless volunteer hours, AOII is missing the mark on our goal to begin construction by about $210,000, as of April 2010.
What this current shortfall means for AOII is that – right now – there will be other sororities that may very well be able to get their houses started before we do, which means they’ll be “open for business” for Rush / Recruitment in fall 2011. And we won’t. What this will mean for our recruitment numbers and competitiveness within Panhellenic is not completely clear. But, we can only imagine that it will not be to AOII’s advantage that in less than 18 months other groups will be able to host their memberships and new member prospects in brand-new, beautifully built houses – while AOII is still stuck in the old, antiquated, over-crowded, structurally unsound Panhellenic Building.
AOII has always had a UT tradition of leading the way for others, not trailing behind. This house is a key part of AOII being competitive and remaining a top organization for excellence among university women at UT for generations to come. Without this house, AOII will not be competitive – it’s that simple. And when sororities cease to be competitive, they can also – over time – cease to be. With all the years we’ve shared in AOII and with the knowledge of Omicron Chapter as such a point of pride on the UT campus, this scenario is not one we want, nor is it one we can risk.
We have made many calls, visits and personal requests for support among our chapter’s alumnae, and we’ve been honored and tremendously appreciative of our alums who’ve answered that call. However, many alumnae have not yet answered it. There may be all kinds of reasons why – very legitimate reasons, too. The tough economy, kids or grandkids in school, demands of other charitable giving requests . . . we know that there are many reasons this house campaign may not have been an immediate priority in the past. But now – at this point -- we need 2010 to be the year that the house becomes a priority for us all. If you’re one of our sisters who has not yet given, please consider a gift to this campaign – one that will help us make the difference in remaining a campus leader at UT for the long-term, and help other sisters – both present and future – experience all the joys of AOII that we had . . . joys, friendships and experiences that continue to make such an impact on our lives.
Giving is simple. Just go to www.omicronhouse.com, where you can download a giving form, which has all of the instructions for making your gift or pledge. Or, you can also call UT directly, (865) 974-2115, and just be sure you make your arrangements with UT where Alpha Omicron Pi is the designee. You can make a significant gift by pledging an amount that you pay over time, in increments that are convenient and manageable for whatever your budget is. Planned giving and bequests are also welcomed. In whatever way you choose to give, please take action . . . do it now. As an alumna, you will be proud of what this house will stand for in representing AOII at UT. But it won’t happen without support. Thanks so much!
Here is the situation: UT requires a certain amount of cash raised up-front before each of the sorority groups can begin construction. While Omicron Chapter’s building fund has raised more than $800,000 to date with a lot of hard work and countless volunteer hours, AOII is missing the mark on our goal to begin construction by about $210,000, as of April 2010.
What this current shortfall means for AOII is that – right now – there will be other sororities that may very well be able to get their houses started before we do, which means they’ll be “open for business” for Rush / Recruitment in fall 2011. And we won’t. What this will mean for our recruitment numbers and competitiveness within Panhellenic is not completely clear. But, we can only imagine that it will not be to AOII’s advantage that in less than 18 months other groups will be able to host their memberships and new member prospects in brand-new, beautifully built houses – while AOII is still stuck in the old, antiquated, over-crowded, structurally unsound Panhellenic Building.
AOII has always had a UT tradition of leading the way for others, not trailing behind. This house is a key part of AOII being competitive and remaining a top organization for excellence among university women at UT for generations to come. Without this house, AOII will not be competitive – it’s that simple. And when sororities cease to be competitive, they can also – over time – cease to be. With all the years we’ve shared in AOII and with the knowledge of Omicron Chapter as such a point of pride on the UT campus, this scenario is not one we want, nor is it one we can risk.
We have made many calls, visits and personal requests for support among our chapter’s alumnae, and we’ve been honored and tremendously appreciative of our alums who’ve answered that call. However, many alumnae have not yet answered it. There may be all kinds of reasons why – very legitimate reasons, too. The tough economy, kids or grandkids in school, demands of other charitable giving requests . . . we know that there are many reasons this house campaign may not have been an immediate priority in the past. But now – at this point -- we need 2010 to be the year that the house becomes a priority for us all. If you’re one of our sisters who has not yet given, please consider a gift to this campaign – one that will help us make the difference in remaining a campus leader at UT for the long-term, and help other sisters – both present and future – experience all the joys of AOII that we had . . . joys, friendships and experiences that continue to make such an impact on our lives.
Giving is simple. Just go to www.omicronhouse.com, where you can download a giving form, which has all of the instructions for making your gift or pledge. Or, you can also call UT directly, (865) 974-2115, and just be sure you make your arrangements with UT where Alpha Omicron Pi is the designee. You can make a significant gift by pledging an amount that you pay over time, in increments that are convenient and manageable for whatever your budget is. Planned giving and bequests are also welcomed. In whatever way you choose to give, please take action . . . do it now. As an alumna, you will be proud of what this house will stand for in representing AOII at UT. But it won’t happen without support. Thanks so much!
AOII Young Alumnae Happy Hour
Thursday, April 15th, will be the FIRST EVER Knoxville Area AOII Young Alumnae Happy Hour! I invite you to join your sisters for a night of catching up and cocktails at Aubrey's off Papermill from 6-9 p.m. We promise all fun and no business. These events are open to all AOII alumna 35 and under, even if you've never attended an Alumnae event before.
We hope to make this a frequent event and possibly add events like cooking classes, wine tasting, and holiday parties (open to suggestions). An invitation is attached. Please forward this or invite any young alumna who may be interested. The more the merrier!
Feel free to contact me for more information or questions. Look forward to seeing you there!
Alpha Love,
Lindsey Howd
AOII Omicron Chapter, PC 2005
615.519.3748
lindsey.howd@gmail.com
We hope to make this a frequent event and possibly add events like cooking classes, wine tasting, and holiday parties (open to suggestions). An invitation is attached. Please forward this or invite any young alumna who may be interested. The more the merrier!
Feel free to contact me for more information or questions. Look forward to seeing you there!
Alpha Love,
Lindsey Howd
AOII Omicron Chapter, PC 2005
615.519.3748
lindsey.howd@gmail.com
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