2,350
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→Highlights of the 2021s:
|Image= [[File:Gamma_Chi.jpeg|200px]]
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1929|06|07}}
|College= [httphttps://www.gwu.edu/ George Washington University]
|Location= Washington, DC
|Homepage= [httphttps://wwwgwu.gwkkgkappa.comorg/ Gamma Chi Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Gamma_Chi Media related to Gamma Chi Chapter]}}
'''1,782 805 initiates (as of June 20172018)'''
“I went through Recruitment hoping to find my home away from home. Kappa was that place for me and I could not be happier with my choice. My mom was a Kappa at the University of Arizona and pledging Kappa has allowed us to have a new bond, which would not have occurred without Kappa. Looking back on these last four years, I know my life would have been very different if I had not been a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. I have made my best friends in this sorority and the girls in Gamma Chi have helped me get through tough times. My most memorable moments in college have come from some of the memories I have shared with my Kappa sisters. My favorite memory is getting my little, Rosa. I remember meeting her for the first time at a Kappa event and I knew that she was the perfect little for me. We hit it off completely and were inseparable. That event was the day before we got our littles and I was so happy to have found someone that I knew was going to be perfect for me. Her big little week was as exciting for me as it was for her. It was so hard to not tell her that she was my little because she had become an important part of my life. I remember reveal clearly and I will never forget the look on her face when she saw me holding the sign that said I was her big. She ran into my arms and it was such an exciting day for me. This girl who I had met a week before suddenly became not only my little but one of my best friends who I will cherish forever. This relationship that Kappa gave to me is one of the best friendships I have had and has allowed me to be a mentor to not only my little but my grand-littles as well. I consider everyone in my family to actually be a part of my real family. I am so happy that I decided to join Kappa, which allowed me to meet girls who I am so lucky to have in my life. I just want to thank Kappa for bringing me some of my closest friends in college and giving me many opportunities that I would have never encountered if I did not join Greek life. These past four years have flown by and I am so lucky to call myself a sister of Kappa Kappa Gamma not only for four years but also for life.”
• Rachel Dennen PC 14
==Highlights of 2019==
The 2019 year started off strong for the Gamma Chi chapter, as we participated in the GW Panhellenic Association's formal recruitment. We welcomed 42 new members of Gamma Chi in GW's University Yard. Following this initial bid day celebration, we traveled to the National Building Museum in downtown DC, where we held a race car themed event to celebrate our growing chapter. The new member experience period was filled with meetings with each of the Chapter Council members, including a special Risk Manager and Marshal meeting, outlining the roles and responsibilities of becoming an active member of Kappa Kappa Gamma. The New Member Courses were filled out altogether during these meetings to ensure they were accurately completed and turned in. Big Little Week occurred and the new members met their Bigs and Families on the National Mall, by the Lincoln Memorial. This was an exciting morning for everyone, especially considering the reveal took place at the Lincoln. Big Little Week is one of Gamma Chi's most beloved traditions, as the Littles receive many treats and Kappa gear the week leading up to the exciting reveal. Inspiration Period is where many events took place to prepare PC 19 to become initiated into Gamma Chi chapter. The Marshal held an Intro to Inspiration Period meeting, outlining the events that were going to take place and making sure all new members were comfortable with the initiation procedures. The Marshal webinar encouraged the position to make sure no details of Fireside and Initiation were left out, ensuring everyone's comfortability. The returning of the new member pins took place. Following the ceremony the VPAE and Marshal teamed up a plan a fun Kappachino study event, where there were many snacks for everyone to enjoy while studying. The big sister hood event is where baked cookies and made bracelets as a chapter. Each of the PC 19 members were there which was so special. Here they were able to mingle with older members of Gamma Chi, as well as their own pledge class. Following Fireside, PC 19 had a sleep over in the District House basement on campus. At the sleepover, new members enjoyed pizza, bonding activities, and games to prepare them for the exciting morning that followed. Both events were held in the Marvin Center. Kappa alum and a few Chapter Council advisors attended these ceremonies, sharing support for the newly initiated members. A brunch was organized by the New Member Chairman, exclusively for PC 19 to connect, once again, and enjoy some breakfast together.
Events: Gamma Chi hosted a crush party in February. The theme was Kappa Cupid, and it was PC 19's first event as new members of Kappa. Our Spring Formal occurred in April. The theme was Kappa Ever After, and our Event Chairman did a wonderful job with beautiful, spring-themed decorations. The following semester, we held a Welcome Back Party in September. We also hosted a space themed crush party in November. Our Fall Formal was masquerade themed and took place in December.
Academics: The VPAE placed heavy emphasis on the importance of academics, and planned Kappachino study hours multiple times a month. During the two weeks leading up to finals, as well as finals week, she reserved study rooms for members to use for most of the day and evening. Kappachinos were a fun way to study with sisters and oftentimes there were snacks. In Spring 2019, 6 members received 4.0 GPAs. The VPAE began a tradition of celebrating academically excellent members with an academic banquet that included snacks, bonding, and a certificate.
Awards: At the Kappa Leadership Conference that oak place in February, our VPO received recognition. Maddie Appel was chosen as the alternate to represent the Lambda District at the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute. This was chosen from all Kappas who have positions in their respective chapters.
At the GW Greek Night of Achievement, Kappa Kappa Gamma accepted several awards. We received Silver recognition in Active Leadership, Gold in Community and Bronze inService.
This event was hosted in April.
Philanthropy: Philanthropy is an important part of being an active member of Gamma Chi. In Spring 2019 we participated in three fraternities philanthropy weeks, supporting other Greek organizations and their special philanthropies. We also donated to the GW Dance Marathon and Chabad's Purim Party, where we had a game for attendees to participate in.
A total of 4 Reading is Key events were organized this year, two in each semester. We visit the Boys and Girls Club to hangout and read to the students who attend the after school program. We helped the kids with their homework, set up arts and crafts, played games and danced,and had a great time. At the end of our visit, every child was able to go home with a new book, snack, and some school supplies.
In September, during Parent's Weekend, Gamma Chi hosted its ever first Philanthropy Gala. The Gala raised nearly $10,000 for Reading is Fundamental and it was an incredible event. The event was catered with snacks and there were raffles and a silent auction. We intend on counting the Parent's Weekend Philanthropy Weekend, so it becomes a tradition.
Gamma Chi's favorite event is Kappa Kickball Week in October. The week is stacked with events for our members and other campus organizations to come and enjoy, participate in, and raise money for RIF and the Boys and Girls Club. The week kicked off with a Bake Sale and Dog visit in Kogan Plaza where $400 was raised. Teams participated in Penny Wars for the entire day, set up in Kogan Plaza. A boss and Girls Club visit occurred and a donation based Barry's Bootcamp Class was hosted at the nearby Barry's location. To round out the week, there Kappa Kickball tournament took place on the National Mall on Saturday. We raised over $6,000 this year from Kappa Kickball. This was perhaps the most successful Kickball
Week Gamma Chi has ever hosted.
Sisterhood Events: Gamma Chi hosted many wonderful events for our members to attend this year to foster sisterhood. These include a 305-Fitness class, a self-defense class, an Equinox yoga class, a Wizards basketball game, Recruitment filming, Picking Sisterhood event, a Kappa Friendshipgiving, and many more. We loved participating in so many great activities with our sisters and Kappa families this semester.
Seniors: In Spring we had a large group of graduating seniors. In the months leading up to their graduation, the Education Chairman planned a Milk Bar Store cake decorating class for the seniors, a brunch, senior agreement meetings, and a special senior send-off during the final Formal Chapter of the semester. At this chapter, seniors were showered with notes, flowers, a candle, and the Kappa stoles to be worn at graduation. In the Fall, 3 seniors were graduating early. For the Class of 2020, the Education Chairman planned brunch and programming events. In the final Formal Chapter of 2019, the 3 seniors were given notes from their friends and Kappa families, flowers, and a cupcake.
Changers on campus and the chapter's overall nature: The Fall 2019 semester, brought along many changes for the overall campus attitude and relations with Greek Life, specifically the GW Panhellenic Association. Chapter Council members of Gamma Chi and our advisors attended many workshops and meetings centered around diversity and inclusion hosted by the University and Greek Life office. Gamma Chi also held meetings for Kappa members exclusively. For the majority of the Fall 2019 semester, there was a hold on all social events mandated by the university. This encouraged our chapter to plan even more sisterhood, academy and bonding events for everyone to enjoy. The nature of the chapter has continued to improve in regard to academics, accountability, and overall sisterhood. The 2019 Chapter Council worked incredibly well together to make sure we had an appropriate balance to support our members and allow for sisterhood to continue to grow.
Philanthropy: Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation and Boys and Girls Club in Washington, DC. The KKG Foundation is our national philanthropy and the Boys and Girls Club in Washington, DC has been an important organization we have supported for many years. Traveling to the Boys and Girls Club regularly has been a traditional philanthropy event our chapter members have enjoyed participating in throughout the years.
Founders Day: Founders Day fell on a Formal Chapter meeting. We ordered cookies and alongside other Chapter Council members we completed the Founders Day ritual prior to chapter. We sent invitations to alumnae on the DMV region, invited our advisors, and posted in the DMV Kappas Facebook group. We shared some Gamma Chi and Kappa Kappa Gamma facts.
Sesquicentennial Celebration: We placed heavy emphasis on the importance of Founders Day, as well as Kappa traditions. During each formal chapter meeting, history nugget was read aloud to inform members of the incredible history our sorority has. Many ritual reviews were planned to continue to educate members of our amazing and scared ritual. The newly elected 2020 Chapter Council is already working hard to plan fun and educational events and meetings geared toward Kappa's 150 anniversary.
==Highlights of the 2020s:==
=Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion= Our chapter included diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in our programming by creating a "diversity and inclusion chair" position. All of the chapters a GW Panhellenic have a diversity and inclusion chair, which make up the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership (DIL) Board. These women meet on a weekly basis to discuss plans of action to promote diversity within the Panhellenic community as well as within their specific chapters. Gamma Chi has hosted a number of diversity workshops throughout the year which have been lead by either the diversity and inclusion chair or other speakers. In July, we held a virtual "Listening Session" with Marla Williams'help, in which we discussed the topics of diversity, equity, and inclusion within our chapter and within our world. Over this past semester, our diversity and inclusion chair created informative presentations for our chapter which were followed with interactive activities such as Cahoots in order to gauge our chapter''Philanthropy:'''s knowledge.
=Sesquicentennial Celebration= Gamma Chi was able to celebrate Kappa's 150th anniversary by holding a virtual Founders Day ceremony. We were joined by our advisory board, who conducted a recognition ceremony for. Following this virtual celebration, our chapter tuned in to the Facebook event by Headquarters.
==Highlights of 2021==
2021 was an exceptional year for Gamma Chi at The George Washington University. In January, we were able to participate in the virtual Panhellenic Formal Recruitment where we recruited 24 eager and determined sisters! The chapter held a virtual bid day on January 10th where new members were welcomed for the first time. Gamma Chi recruited another three sisters during continuous open bidding. We hosted our first Boys & Girls Club visit of the year on January 29th where we played games and talked about our favorite shows at the time. We held additional virtual Boys & Girls Clubs visits on February 26th and March 26th. Big Little Week took place in February where new members were showered in gifts and celebrated before reveal on February 27th where new members were able to meet their Kappa family. Inspiration Week began on March 1st and throughout the week, the chapter held ceremonies, a virtual event on the history of Kappa, and we were able to successfully initiate all 27 new members on March 6th. The fourth week of March began our spring Philanthropy week where we held a fun trivia night, a mediation class, a Zumba class, a cooking class, and a visit to the Boys & Girls Club. Overall, Gamma Chi raised $909 that week to donate to Reading is Fundamental. While unable to say goodbye to our seniors in person, we held a virtual send-off ceremony on May 25th. The summer of 2021 brought exciting news to Gamma Chi as GW informed us that we were going to be able to attend classes and organization meetings in person in the fall. Upon returning to campus, Gamma Chi resumed in-person chapter meetings for the first time in a year and a half. As most younger sisters had not had the opportunity to meet one another in person, Gamma Chi facilitated a series of sisterhood dates for all pledge classes to meet and connect. October was a busy month with our fall Philanthropy week, Founders Day, and a Krush party. Our fall Philanthropy week included a bake sale, a profit share, a Boys & Girls Club visit, a Kappa King contest, and our annual kickball event. The night before kickball, PC21 was given a bonding sleepover that is usually done during I-Week but was unable to be done in the spring due to COVID. October 13th included a Founder’s Day celebration with cupcakes and treats to celebrate Kappa’s 151st year! Our first Krush party, themed “Kappa Kountry”, took place on October 15th at Eden. On November 13th, Gamma Chi hosted our 2nd annual Philanthropy Parent’s Gala at Pinstripes where parents, family, and members participated in a raffle contest, discussed our various philanthropies, and raised over $7600. Following the Gala, we hosted a Parents Weekend Event with a full course meal and presentation of our fall Philanthropy week. The semester wrapped up with the election of a new Chapter Council on November 14th. We are proud of these amazing women and can’t wait to see what they do!
gamma Chi supports The Boys & Girls Club-Washington where once a month, we join the after-school programs held for young people. The Boys & Girls Club focuses on children’s learning and advancement and helping young people of all backgrounds to build confidence, develop character, and acquire the skills needed to be productive and responsible adults. Gamma Chi supports this organization for its drive to empower young people and offer resources and activities as well as its dedication to diversity and inclusion, which are important values of the chapter. Gamma Chi was able to donate over $600 to the Boys & Girls Club in Georgetown this past year.
This year, Gamma Chi shifted our philanthropic efforts to support the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) DC. Through various fundraising and spreading the organization’s resources on mental health to our members and beyond, we have been able to champion the importance of mental health. This year, in total, Gamma Chi raised $6000 for NAMI through our fall Philanthropy week and Gala. In October, we were able to host a speaker from NAMI DC to share about the organization and her role. At the Parents Event, we were also able to invite the president of the DC chapter to the event to speak to everyone. Furthermore, Gamma Chi donated $1000 to the KKG Foundation to support other Kappa women.
Gamma Chi included diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in our programming through the continuance of appointing a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Chair. This member meets weekly with other DEI chairs on the Diversity and Inclusion Leadership (DIL) Board at GW to discuss promoting diversity. This year, the DIL Board offered bystander intervention training to the DEI officers. In April, our DEI Chair gave a presentation on performative activism and genuine allyship which opened a conversation for sisters to discuss these topics and how the chapter can encourage allyship. The chapter continues to make diversity, equity, and inclusion core values in each of our activities, social media posts, and recruitment workshops. In the fall semester, a fraternity at GW was victim to the vandalization of a Torah scroll at their on---------------------- '''Note campus house. Gamma Chi reacted by denouncing antisemitism, supporting the fraternity in a campus gathering, and opening a dialogue about the incident for members. One of our sisterhood events raised awareness on National Hispanic Heritage Month where we ate traditional Venezuelan cuisine. Gamma Chi will additionally be involved in GW Chabad’s Chanukah event during the first week of December. Gamma Chi’s two philanthropies, the Boys & Girls Club and NAMI, are active in promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion which is why we’ve found ourselves closely tied to Chapter Registrar:''' them.