Recruitment 2005

By: Shannon Healy

            Every fall Monmouth College’s Greek Life sees the beginning of a whole new recruitment week. This week is a time for potential new members to meet all of the sororities, and for the sororities to get to know the potential new members. Every year Alpha Xi Delta embarks on this week with great excitement and wonder about what the week will bring. This year was no different. After being in school for a week already all of us were ready to show off our sorority and demonstrate why we love Alpha Xi Delta so much.

The week began on Tuesday with a bang as we held our Xi Wild Wild West party. During this night the potential new members were able to see Alpha Xi Delta for the first time and begin to see what we are all about. To liven up the night, halfway through the evening some of the girls performed a skit. The skit was hysterical and a parody on a lost cowgirl looking for a place to call home. Throughout the skit everyone was laughing and dancing to the songs. After kicking off the week with such a good party, the week continued with our Under Xi Sea party on Wednesday. This was also our philanthropy night where we made doorknob hangers for children at St. Jude’s Hospital. Everyone had a great time decorating and felt really good about herself for helping participate in a cause that will cheer children up.

The next day the ladies of Alpha Xi Delta got all dressed up for the Tiffany’s party. The room was elegantly decorated in Tiffany’s jewelry boxes and pearls. All of the girls looked beautiful. During this evening the potential new members were treated to a slide show that demonstrated the closeness of the girls and showed what it is like to have 50 sisters surrounding you. It was a great show and most of the sisters got a little teary eyed during it. Afterwards, we held a candle pass to recognize all of the friendships that we have made over the past week.

Finally, the week finished up with our Preference Ceremony. The ceremony took place in Isabel Marshal’s backyard where candles provided light for us and made the ceremony have a magical feeling to it. For everyone this ceremony summed up how important and special the week was, and gave everyone a chance to say why they love Alpha Xi Delta so much. Overall, the week was amazing and in the end all of our hard work paid off, and we received nine new amazing girls on Bid Day.

BID DAY

By: Sarah Sherry

After a week of strenuous work for formal recruitment, it all came together and paid off on the wonderful day known as Bid Day.  The day started off with waking up early in the morning and carpooling to Dr. Marjorie Bond’s so we could be off campus.  The current members waited eagerly while our President, Jodi Luif, and our Vice President of Membership, Cheryl Luif, handed out bids to our potential new sisters.  After they returned, we headed back to campus for Run Out.  Each sorority chapter stood across the street on Broadway, in front of Wallace Hall.  We cheered and chanted as we awaited our new girls to come out and meet us.  As soon as we saw the doors of Wallace open, we ran across Broadway to receive our new sisters.  After Run Out we returned to Dr. Bond’s house for the pledging ceremony and sister bonding.  Alpha Xi Delta alumnae present on Bid Day included Michelle Anstett and Lisa Bondi.  There were tears of joy, smiles, great stories, and lots of food.  It was a great conclusion to Alpha Xi Delta Formal Recruitment 2005 – The Best Week Ever.  We would like to express special thanks to Stephanie Cross and Karen Ogorzalek for all of their help with recruitment.  Also, we would like to thank Isabelle Marshall and Dr. Bond for opening up their homes to us for Pref. Night and Bid Day.

A Day in the Life of Change and Acceptance

By: Crystal Badley

       As someone who never thought sororities were a positive experience, bid day turned out to be the BEST experience I have ever had.  The anticipation, the honor, and the joy that came from that day is one I hope will forever live in the hearts of those who experienced it.  I had never known a greater moment when I got the knock on the door and saw 5 girls there waiting to congratulate me.  They said I had 24 hours to think about it, but I didn't even need time to think about it, I was sure that this is where I was meant to be.

         The women of Alpha Xi Delta really know how to instill life lessons.  Lessons about what it means to have real friends, lessons about what it means to be accepted and liked for who you are, but mostly, lessons on what it is truly like to be in a sorority.  It isn't like TV. or movies at all, much to my surprise of course.  In fact, most of my high school life I was told by others how bad sororities are and how it is like "paying for your friends".  In reality, it is making an investment to better your future and  to embrace the opportunity to be a part of an organization greater than the imagination could ever comprehend.

       That day was full of such great activities like being paraded downtown like celebrities, learning a bunch of new people's names, singing songs, and eating pizza until our hearts were content.  On Bid Day, as a new member, I felt as though they had been waiting for me, they knew that I was good for them, just as I knew they were good for me.  I can't wait to find out next year, as an active member, how good it feels to welcome in the new members.  I only hope it was as memorable and meaningful to them as it was for me.

CORs

By: Kelly Stadter

This years CORs took place on September 19, 20, 21, and 22.  All events were held in Fulton’s Formal Lounge.  Monday night was a spa themed night.  During this event several girls painted each other’s nails and did each other’s hair.  Everyone played a getting to know you game so that the girls going though CORs could get to know the current members better.  There were also fruits and veggies to snack on.  Tuesday night was camp night.  The current members setup a tent in the lounge and there were s’mores for everyone to eat.  Wednesday night was a Disney themed night.  Several girls brought Disney trivia games for all to play.  Puppy chow and trail mix was served.  The final night was Thursday night and was an invitation-only party.  This was a dessert night held in the Highlander room.  Several of the girls made different kinds of desserts and there was a small presentation on what Alpha Xi Delta was about.  The girls in charge of planning the events did an amazing job!

Homecoming
by: Rachel Mitchell

The lovely ladies of Alpha Xi Delta were pumped for homecoming this year. We all spent time on the float, spirit shout, and banner. Friday night was the spirit shout which got everyone ready for the parade bright and early on Saturday. After the parade we all dressed up and headed over to the alumni tea in the chapter room to catch up with some of the alumni. Many of us attended the football game (which Monmouth won!) and just had sister time the rest of the weekend. Over all, we sang, danced, painted and paper machéd our way to third place for our creative banner and float. GO SCOTS AND AΞD!

Panhellenic Council

by: Emily Bakes

The Panhellenic Council this year had a successful recruitment overall.  As Alpha Xi Delta received 13 wonderful newly initiated girls they grow more and more, causing more close relationships with each other.  After recruitment ended, the Panhellenic Council has held weekly meetings to keep in touch with the other sororities. 

The Panhellenic Delegates have held a new member retreat for all the new members in each sorority and they all have learned about what the Panhellenic Council is and why it is important.  The Panhellenic Council held their annual scholarship dinner on October 26, 2005 along with trying to raise money or books to be donated to the Jamieson Center.  There was a great turn out for the Spook-o-gram philanthropy for Halloween.  In November, the Panhellenic Council is going to have their annual “Trio Days” which girls from all the sororities will be encouraged to engage in. 

President- Jodi Luif

What a busy semester!  Right after our recruitment events we went head first into the Big Band Dance philanthropy, then right into our new member retreat, after which we plunged into Fall Break which soon turned into Homecoming, which then went right into Big Sis/Lil Sis week, which soon enough lead us straight to Initiation!  But good news!  We all survived!  Despite the craziness of the past couple of months, I have never seen so much support and encouragement among our sisters.  Whether it is an older member showing our newest initiates the ropes or our new girls teaching the older members a thing or two about how to build a Homecoming float, everyone has perfectly embodied the meaning of sisterhood and I am so proud of this chapter for that!  Now that we have the rest of the semester to catch our breaths, I anticipate nothing more than our sisterhood to remain as close-knit and supportive as ever!

Chapter Life- Holly Trotter

            This semester, the chapter life council of Alpha Xi Delta has planned many exciting events.  We got the school year rolling with three—count them—three exchanges in one week!  We played football with Alpha Tao Omega, volleyball with Sigma Phi Epsilon, and we had a “fiesta night” with Zeta Beta Tau.
    Later in September, we had our first official sisterhood.  Since we had plans to host a big band dance for our philanthropy the first week in October, it was decided that we should learn how to swing dance.  Fortunately, we were able to bring in some swing dance experts from Knox College whom devoted an hour of their time to teaching us some great swingin’ steps.  Everyone who was able to attend the sisterhood had a wonderful time, while some sisters even became swing dance experts! 
    Our next planned occasion is an exchange with the lovely ladies of Kappa Kappa Gamma on the evening of November 3.  The Kappa social chair has rented out Monmouth Soda Works just for our two chapters.  We will be socializing, creating sundaes, and taste-testing ice cream.  It sounds like it will be a scrumptious night!
    The Chapter Life Council has also been working very diligently on planning our sisterhood on November 6.  We have decided to host a “Know Your Sister!” game show-type game!  We have some ladies planning out the game design, some creating the game questions, some designing the decorations, and some preparing the food for the evening.  Since we are all working together to plan such an exciting event, we hope the sisterhood will be a night to bond with sisters, and ultimately a night to remember.
    That is all we have so far for the semester, but we are certainly keeping busy and working hard to put on some entertaining events.  As a council, we are really doing an excellent job of staying on task, being creative, and having fun!

Membership- Cheryl Luif

13 new members this year!  I’m so excited!  As always, my council is hard at work!  They are currently working on planning the Christmas party, and the Recruitment parties for next year. 

Financial- Brandie Miller

Hello everyone!  It’s been a great start to another year in Alpha Xi Delta.  Financially, everyone has been doing wonderfully on paying their dues on time.  Because of this, we have been able to do a lot more in the chapter by being able to better fund sisterhoods, programs, and exchanges with the supplies, food, and prizes that they need.  All reports, bills, and gifts have been turned in on time.  Overall, it’s been a great semester so far, and will hopefully stay that way for the rest of the year!

Public Relations- Katie Taylor

The Fall semester has flown by, but has been a great one in the world of PR.  I encourage anyone with internet access to check out the chapter webpage. The address is at the top of the first page of this newsletter.  Also, my council worked very hard to put together all that was included in Homecoming Festivities.  Lacey Hatch designed and ordered T-shirts for the whole chapter, and Amanda Case choreographed our Spirit Shout.  Even the Decorate Downtown got canceled, Sarah Sherry put in a lot of hours planning for our window on the square.  Shannon Healy headed up our banner committee, which produced a 3^rd place honor, and Amanda Weck planned our Alumni Tea, which was a big success.  Last but not least, Annie Shortridge headed up our Float committee, whose efforts paid off with a 3^rd place float in the parade.  All who participated had a great time!  And now, this council has been hard at work writing articles for this Newsletter that you are now reading.  Enjoy and TFJ!

Programs- Theresa McMullen

As the new Programs VP, I was very excited to start working to improve our chapter.  This semester EI profile was done a little differently: I explained why we do it, and how it can be used to improve us individually and uniquely.  I also made sure to delegate to my council.  Hilary Binks, Ritual Chair, was in charge of Pref Night ceremony, Pre-Initiation, and Initiation. Angela Pullum, Philanthropy Chair, and Tammy Dring, Assistant Philanthropy, have been in charge of our Faculty Night Outs in September and November, and the Big Band Dance that we held in October to benefit Camp Kidz in Galesburg, which raised over $400 for this summer camp for developmentally disabled children.  Angela has also started a pen pal program with a class of first graders in Monmouth.  Missy McCrimmon and Liz Lutmer have been hard at work with our former New Members, now initiates.            Adrienne Schultz, Christina Karonis, and Emily Frieders are working on an upcoming fraternity heritage program.  Also, room chair, Kim Gratzke, and Chaplain, Sarah Pickrel, are hard at work on my council.

Panhellenic Delegate- Emily Bakes

As Panhellenic Delegate for the fall semester of 2005, we have done many great things for the sororities here on campus.  We have held many philanthropy events such as Spook O’ Grams, Trio Days, book drives, and having a scholarship dinner.  We also have started a new study-hours competition which helps each sorority to strive towards their academic achievements.  Recruitment as always had a big impact on each sorority as well with many new members joining in the bond of sisterhood

Recording Secretary- Bekah McCombs

Attendance has been good and people have been getting more involved. We have 13 new members this semester!

Back Row: Kelly Stadter, Ann Cheung, Emily Frieders, Christina Karonis, Adrienne Schultz, Mary Sheahan, Bonnie Zanger, Ashley Gliwa

Front Row: Rachel Strzelecki, Crystal Badley, Eva Kainer, Danielle Moore

Join Your Local AXD Alumnae Association

Are you missing your AXD sisters?  Join your local Alumnae Association.  This URL will help you find an association near you: http://www.alphaxidelta.org/chapterlisting.asp If you live in the area around Monmouth, we’d love to have you join the local association.  Contact Karen Ogorzalek, kareno@monm.edu or Marjorie Bond, mebond@monm.edu .  They’ll let you know about the Monmouth Alumnae Association. 

  Have you lost touch with the Beta Epsilon chapter?  Have you moved?  Newly married?  New baby in the house? Grandkids?  You name it; the girls of Beta Epsilon chapter want to hear about it!  

Our Alumni Link on the website will be continually updated with your latest news!  Send us pictures too! 

To get your news and info on the website, email Katherine Taylor  or write a letter to the following address:

MC # 1602

318 N 9^th St.

Monmouth, IL 61462