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→Highlights of 2021
May concluded our Spring semester. Epsilon Xi spent summer relaxing and quarantining with roommates and family members.
==Highlights of 2021==
For the spring semester of 2021,
the chapter voted to support Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services which has provided free mental
health, substance use disorder and suicide prevention services since 1942. We chose to support this
organization because the message really resonated with one of our sisters. The organization our
chapter voted to support for the fall semester of 2021 The JED Foundation and The Kappa Kappa
Gamma Foundation. After the trials and tribulations of the Covid-19 pandemic, mental health became
a highly discussed topic amongst the women of our chapter. The mental health and wellbeing of not
only the women of Kappa Kappa Gamma but everyone around us became our top priority, thus
leading us to make the decision to support The JED Foundation.
For our spring 2021 philanthropy, we
supported the Didi Hirsch Mental Health Services by hosting a virtual version of KappaWorld. This is a
competition between Greek-lettered organizations recorded themselves singing and dancing to
various songs. We also held a fundraiser at a local restaurant on April 30th to help raise money for the
organization. The gentlemen of Lambda Chi Alpha won our spring philanthropy. During fall semester
of 2021, we supported The JED Foundation by hosting our first in-person philanthropy post-covid,
Kamp Kappa. 11 Greek-letter organizations participated in summer camp styled games including a
water balloon toss, potato sack race, and even an inflatable obstacle course. Our winning team were
once again the gentlemen of Lambda Chi Alpha.
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
How did your chapter include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in your
programming this year? (e.g., adding a DEI officer, philanthropy events, social media
awareness campaign, chapter training, etc.). The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion chair continued
to grow and flourish throughout the year. She shared multiple presentations on the importance of
inclusivity throughout the recruitment process to ensure a diverse and welcoming chapter. She also
wanted to ensure we display our chapters diversity through our posts shared on Instagram.
Operating in a Pandemic
Our year started online due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We hosted online COB events
where girls interested in joining Kappa Kappa Gamma got the chance to meet with some of our sisters
through zoom. After that, we initiated the lovely ladies of the Spring ’21 pledge class. Given that it had
to be conducted online over zoom, our typical 3-day initiation was condensed into 2 days. We held a
virtual de-pinning ceremony followed by a combination ceremony of WR and RR. Our meetings,
sisterhood events, Sapphire Ball, Chapter Council meetings, philanthropy, and more were all held over
zoom. Throughout the summer, we prepared for our first semester in-person since March of 2020.
For the fall semester, we offered a monthly virtual option where sisters were able to submit a form if
they would like to attend virtually for the month. Those attending in-person had to follow CSUN’s
COVID-19 guidelines and wear a mask while inside a building, complete health screenings prior to
events, maintain social distancing, etc. Despite transitioning from online to being back in-person, we
did have to host a fully virtual recruitment. Hosting a virtual recruitment lowered the number of
women who signed up, thus leading to a smaller pledge class than expected.
In July, Chapter Council began their meetings with a wonderful virtual retreat. We were able to discuss our leadership skills, plans for the year, and how to keep up morale during a pandemic. Afterwards, we were able to fit in some fun bonding time!