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This year, as a chapter, we raised money for and donated hours to; Reading is Fundamental, GIRLS Academy at William James Middle School, Relay for Life, Backpack Buddies, and Scare on the Square. We choose to support RIF in our community because Bulloch County has many impoverished communities which leads to a decline in literacy rates. GIRLS Academy is important to our chapter because we have each encountered the struggles of being a woman and we are fond on empowering womanhood and helping young girls understand they can achieve anything one may set their mind too. Relay for Life is a philanthropy near and dear to our chapter because one of our sisters was diagnosed with cancer in 2015. Everyone knows someone that has been affected in some form or fashion and coming together for the cause unifies the Georgia Southern community. We choose to donate goods to backpack buddies each month because of the poverty levels in Statesboro. Some children leave school Friday and do not have another meal until Monday morning at school. It is important to us to reach out and help our community in whichever ways we can. Scare on the square was an event to celebrate halloween in Bulloch County. We chose to volunteer and assist in any way we could during the event to become more involved in the community and with other organizations.
==Highlights of 2017==
In the Spring of 2017, we started the semester off slightly different than normal. The Zeta Upsilon’s chapter house started construction for the expansion in January. It was quite the adjustment for the chapter. We did not get to have our weekly Tuesday night dinners and chapter was held in the Education Building on campus. But, we overcame that difficulty. We also held our annual Back to School Bash date night at South City in the month of January. In February, we stayed very busy. We held our annual, “Kappa Kisses”, across campus during the week of Valentine’s Day, which is where we pass out cups of Hershey’s kisses to promote positive public relations on campus. We also held our annual Valentine’s Day date night, Kappa Krush, at the Hall on Vine. Our philanthropy chairman, Jeanne Whitley, held a very successful Reading is Fundamental event at the downtown Statesboro library. She had snacks, raffles, games, and books for the children to participate in. Jeanne also coordinated a spirit night at Mellow Mushroom in the month of February, where a certain percentage of all sales were donated to GIRLS Academy. In the month of February, we had a visit from leadership consultant, Claire Kozel, and Mu district director, Barb Goettelman. During the visit, Zeta Upsilon was placed on a temporary focus letter. The focus letter was set in place to help guide the advisors, chapter council, and chapter members in the right direction moving forward. Each individual chapter council member had her own requirements involving the focus letter. In the month of March, our parents were invited to attend our Parent’s weekend. Where they could attend a dinner at South City and have brunch at Sweet Heart Circle. We held a Rhyme Without Reason date night, which was a lot of fun. We participated in Sigma Alpha Epsilon’s annual philanthropy event, Paddy Murphy. We helped raised hundreds of dollars throughout the week and won 2nd place at the end of the week. Our philanthropy chairman, Jeanne, planned a spirit night at Three Tree Coffee during the month of March, where the proceeds went to the upcoming GIRLS Academy. Our corresponding secretary, Michaela O’Larry, did a wonderful job promoting International Badge Day during the month of March. Also, our Vice President of Academics, Erin Moore, hosted the academic banquet, which recognized the chapter member’s academic success and the chapter members who received a 4.0 GPA were awarded with a pearl to go on her badge. During the month of April, our chapter stayed busy. Our social chairman and risk management chairman, Jacqueline Ferree and Julia Ling, planned a beautiful formal at the Richmond Hill Civic Center in Richmondhill, Georgia. We participated in Georgia Southern University’s annual Greek Week. During the week, different chapters of Interfraternity Council, Multicultural Greek Council, National Pan-Hellenic Council, and Panhellenic Association are paired together to compete in different activities. Kappa Kappa Gamma was paired with Delta Tau Delta, Alpha Sigma Phi, and Kappa Alpha Psi. Our philanthropy chairman, Jeanne, stayed busy and hosted spirit nights at Gnat’s Landing and El Jalapeño, which benefitted Relay for Life. The chapter participated in Statesboro’s Relay for Life in the month of April, as well. We had a visit from the leadership consultant Kendall Michaud. During Kendall’s visit, our chapter held the first ever Kappa Karaoke philanthropy event at the Hall on Vine, which benefitted GIRLS Academy. Individuals, who purchased a ticket, were allowed to enter the karaoke contest and sing in front of a panel of judges and at the end of the evening the winner was announced, even Kendall got on stage with our Vice President of Organization, Lindsay Futch, and sang a song. In the month of April, we participated in Sigma Chi’s annual philanthropy event, Derby Days, where thousands of dollars were raised to benefit the Huntsman Cancer Foundation. Our Vice President of Standards, Olivia Currie, planned the first ever Kappa Karnival sisterhood event. She had blowups, cotton candy, popcorn, and many other fun activities. Several of our chapter members participated in Phi Beta Sigma’s, Wiggle like a Sigma, which was a step competition that promoted their organization. Our Education Chairman, Kaylee Moody, planned a brunch at the Hall on Vine for the graduating seniors to educate the women on what it means to become an alumna of Kappa Kappa Gamma. During the spring semester, we held socials with the brothers of Delta Tau Delta, Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Pi Kappa Alpha, and Kappa Sigma.
To kick off the Fall 2017 semester, our newly renovated house was reopened. Our Membership Chairman, Aubrey Garrido, planned a successful all member workweek prior to the week of recruitment. During that week, members practiced songs and recruiting techniques. We were lucky enough to have two leadership consultants with us, Natalie Kinder and Catie Ross. Our New Member Chairman, Rachel Clardy, planned an awesome Bid Day. The theme was, “Old and New, Blue and Blue Looks Good on You”, where chapter members were decked out in all blue. We welcomed 56 new members into our chapter on Bid Day. Chapter Member Amanda Haney pledged Kappa this past Fall and her mother Terri Bohmer Haney was a charter member for Zeta Upsilon. Chi Omega returned to our campus and participated in Recruitment for the first time in many years.
The following weekend the New Member Chairman, Rachel, hosted the New Member Retreat at the WW Mann Center in Statesboro. During the month of August, we held our annual Back to School Bash at Eagle’s Creek Brewery. Vice President of Standards, Olivia Currie, planned a Planner Party sisterhood and a “Donut You Want to be a Kappa” sisterhood in the month of August. Philanthropy Chairman, Jeanne Whitley, hosted a spirit night at Mellow Mushroom, which benefitted GIRLS Academy during the month of August, as well. The month of September was an extra busy month for ZY. The second week in September, Georgia Southern University students were encouraged to evacuate due to Hurricane Irma. We school was cancelled for 6 days. Once we returned, our Vice President of Standards Chairman, Olivia, planned a, Beauty and the Beast, movie night at the house, where we had a popcorn bar. She also planned a Tie-Dye sisterhood, where each chapter member was able to tie-dye a Kappa shirt. The Philanthropy Chairman, Jeanne, planned a spirit night at Chick-Fil-A and hosted our second annual Kappa Con Queso. Kappa Con Queso benefitted GIRLS Academy and we had a nacho bar, music, and games. During the month of October, leadership consultant, Natalie Kinder, returned to ZY for Inspiration Week. Chapter Marshal, Macy Collins, planned an exciting Inspiration Week, which included family pictures and a movie night at the local movie theater, where we saw, Home Again. Inspiration Week was followed by Fireside on Friday night and initiation on Saturday morning. Chapter President, Megan Caudell, did a beautiful job speaking at initiation. ZY was so excited to welcome the 56 new members as our official sisters.
House chairman, Tori Hiles, planned a beautiful House Dedication ceremony, where we had a ribbon cutting and snacks. ZY alumni were invited to join us for the ceremony. House Board President, Ellen Wooditch, and House Board Treasurer, Emily Cannon, worked countless hours making sure ZY’s new home was perfect. In the study, which is where the house girls spend most of their time, I used pictures of the ZY Kappa's from the early 1990's and made canvases to display on the wall.
The week of homecoming was an exciting week during the month of October. The brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon asked us to homecoming. New Member Chairman, Rachel, was ZY’s homecoming candidate. The week was full of lots of different homecoming activities and traditions. Panhellenic Delegate, Elizabeth Young, planned a successful Circle of Sisterhood with all 7 of the other Panhellenic Association organizations on campus during the month of October, as well as Trick or Treat on Greek Street. Trick-or-Treat on Greek Street is an annual Halloween event held on Greek Row where Georgia Southern University’s faculty and Statesboro local residents are able to bring their children to do fun Halloween activities at each sorority and fraternity house.
During the month of October, Education Chairman, Kaylee, planned a lovely Founder’s Day ceremony at the Kappa house, where we had Olive Garden and celebrated the founding of Kappa Kappa Gamma. Vice President of Standards, Olivia, held the most successful sisterhood of the semester. She coordinated with Miss. America 2017, Savvy Shields, who is a Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Arkansas, Nu Gamma Chapter. Savvy spoke about body image, her reign as Miss America, and empowerment. She took the time to speak with every chapter member in attendance and take lots of photos. During the month of October, Social Chairman, Jaqueline, planned a fun Semi-Formal event at the Hall on Vine.
ZY wrapped up the month of October by hosting our second GIRLS Academy. Mu District Director, Barb Goettelman, and Leadership Development Specialist, Kelsey Ryan, who is a Zeta Upsilon alumni, joined us for the event. The GIRLS Academy event was held at William James Middle School in Statesboro. Our chapter members, as well as the middle school girls, had a busy, educational, and fun weekend. Our Philanthropy Chairman, Jeanne, did an outstanding job with the event, as well as all others involved. Hosting GIRLS Academy is always an eye-opening but heart-warming experience.
In the month of November, Public Relations Chairman, Marissa Rubin, planned a successful Fall Parent’s Weekend. The weekend was full of good food and Georgia Southern Football. Education Chairman, Kaylee, planned a movie night senior sisterhood, which was held at the Kappa house. Kaylee also coordinated an alumna education event for the seniors who are graduating in the month of December. In the month of November, we held our annual Thanksgiving Tuesday Night Dinner. The nominating committee presented the slate for the upcoming council during the month of November and the current council was able to install the newest chapter council. The month of December was jammed packed with studying and finals. During the fall semester, we had socials with the brothers of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Sigma Nu, and Delta Tau Delta.
The overall nature of our chapter is involved. Many of our members are involved in other organizations across Georgia Southern University's campus, some of which include, Phi Alpha Delta (Pre-Law Fraternity), Pre-Physicians Assistant Association, Public Relations Society of Students in America, and Phi Delta Epsilon (Pre-Medical Fraternity).
'''Philanthropy'''
Reading is Fundamental -- our chapter held RIF events at the local Statesboro Library. We donated books and played games with the children.
Relay for Life -- our chapter participates in Statesboro's Relay for Life each year. This year our tent's theme was Dr. Seuss.
GIRLS Academy -- our chapter held our second annual GIRLS Academy event at William James Middle School.
Reading is Fundamental and GIRLS Academy are Kappa's national philanthropies. We began participating heavily in Relay for Life starting in 2015 when one of our members was diagnosed with cancer.