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→Highlights of 2011-2019
==Highlights of 2011-2019==
From chapter’s History Report: Scholarship, group honors/awards, traditions, special events, changes on campus or within chapter, overall nature of the chapter, chapter goals, challenges and how they were overcome, etc.:
==Highlights of 2011==
Kappa Kappa Gamma, Sigma Chapter, has had an amazing 2011. In January, 18 officers were installed and eager to start their new positions, led by chapter president, Lauren Jewell. We began the year with Leadership Day in which the 2010 Chapter Council and 2011 Chapter Council worked with Amelia McCormick, the Fraternity Chairman of Academic Excellence and Fraternity Trainer, on improving leadership skills, setting goals for the year, and assisting with the transition of chapter officers.
The spring semester was full of volunteer opportunities that our members took part in. We participated in the Big Event, a campus-wide day of service throughout the city of Lincoln. Many of our members also participated in Dance Marathon benefiting Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals and Relay for Life benefiting the American Cancer Society. We continued to support Kappa’s national philanthropy Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) with our pen pal program with a local Lincoln public school.
We held our first Kappa Goes Country philanthropic event in which we raised funds for the American Cancer Society led by our philanthropy chairman, Molly Brown. Kappa Goes Country featured cowboy boots and hats, a lasso game, and even a mechanical bull. Sigma held our annual Spring Tea at the Jackie Gaughn Multicultural Center on April 3rd to recognize scholastic achievements of our active members, award scholarships to many members, and honor our graduating seniors. This year the Lincoln Alumnae Association and the National Kappa Kappa Gamma Organization granted over 28,000 dollars in scholarships to current members of Kappa Kappa Gamma. The scholarship winners were not only girls who excelled in academics, but also individuals who showed dedication to Kappa and involvement on campus.
Scholarship is just one aspect to Spring Tea. The afternoon event was also set aside to recognize Kappa’s loved seniors. The seniors were highlighted with a spotlight video and are also asked to share their future aspirations upon leaving Kappa. Our entire Chapter Council took a road trip to Columbia, Missouri for our regional Zeta Province meeting where we were able to meet officers from all of the other chapters in our province and share ideas. Sigma was awarded Excellence in Communication and the Barbara Sarich Programming Award, along with honorable mentions in the Advisory Board Award and the Meg Cherry Smith Standards Award. Sigma members also had a fun time at a Husker baseball game with our dads for Dad’s Day planned by Kim McManus, our event chairman, and Ashley Christianson, our risk management chairman. Recruitment 2011 was completely changed due to our transition into the Big Ten.
Our new recruitment had us add in a open house round the first two days, in which every potential new member visited every house before invitations were handed out. We moved the hose tours to later in the week and ended with a preference day video about life as a Kappa and a meaningful ceremony. UNL also decided to implement a new quota total system when matching bids. This year bid matching was done all by computer instead of exclusively by hand. Also, instead of each house getting different numbers of potential new members, we implemented a new system where each house gets the same number of potential new members in order to try and even out the playing field. On Bid Day, we welcomed in a New Member class of 41 outstanding women. We all grew closer to them over the next two months during the New Member Program, and they were initiated on October 29, 2011.
All Sigma members returned for the new school year to a house that had undergone amazing renovations done by our House Board. The fall semester began with our annual Kappa Karnival, led by Megan Videditch, benefiting the Alzheimer’s Association where we made funnel cakes and had a blow-up bungee run in the spirit of the carnival theme. Sigma members also participated in the Memory Walk hosted by the Lincoln chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. At the Memory Walk, we donated our earnings of $4,300. We also raised money for two other foundations during the fall semester. We donated $800 to the Zitek family from Kappa Gear sales and $930 for 1 million for Anna foundation. We celebrated Kappa’s founding on October 13 at the Wick Alumni Center, led by Caitlin Guenther.
At Founders Day, we took the time to honor not only the founders but also groups and individuals who continue to contribute to our fraternity today. By recognizing individuals and groups, Kappas from many different years of initiation, we were able to see the powerful links we have created overtime. The evening was spent also honoring distinguished alumnae and handing out awards. The Alumnae of the Year was Kaye Jesske and the Spirit Key was given to Sarah Yost and Amy Gratzinger. A Special Ceremony for Presentation of 25-year Kappas was also preformed. Those honored were: Jacqueline Milton Burmeister, Victoria Domina Fischer, Judith Hodapp, Kaye Balfour Jesske, Amy Fuerst Johnson, Dada Crandall Johnson, and Kayla Peters. The Forty year Kappas who received an iris were: Rebecca Halpin Koller, Janice Shook Erwin, Julie Moreland Pittenger, Mary Easley Schmidt, Theresa Fitle Smith, Karen Anderson Walls, and Sara McIntosh Wooten. 50 year Kappas pins were given to: Susan Irvine Garwood and Sherry Hoppe Zehr. Finally, the 65 year Kappas recognized were: Elizabeth Shellenberger Liggett, Barbara Hockenberger Ferguson, Nancy Lawlor Jenkins, and Mary Dunnell Peters.
Anti-Hazing Prevention Week was led by our Education Chairman, Caitlyn Guenther. Sigma Chapter was the proud winner, now two years running. Throughout the week we passed out cards to learn to respect ourselves. On the card we each wrote a goal for ourselves, sealed it in an envelop, and was told to carry it with us as a reminder of our goal. This followed our motto for the week : "Do you respect the person looking back at you?" We also implemented a week long sharing of encouragement called "Kappa Kindness, Keep it Flowing". This is where we posted 5 annoyomus sticky notes on girls doors and if you received one on your door, you were to write another for a friend and leave it annoyoms. #kkgrespect.
Homecoming this year was exceptionally exciting for Sigma because we had three seniors chosen to be on Homecoming Court, the most of any house on campus. This fall, we hosted Meggie Centers, a Kappa Leadership Consultant during our Initiation Week. In the fall we also had Dad's weekend where we attended a hockey game, bowling and brunch. This was very helpful and a great time for the girls who have dad's that are from out of town. They were able to spend the entire weekend together, rather than just a day. Our parents auction was held at the Cornhusker Marriott hotel on November 4th, 2011. This event was put on by parents club.
'''Campus:''' The University of Nebraska–Lincoln, chartered in 1869, is an educational institution of international stature. A member of the Association of American Universities since 1909, Nebraska is recognized by the Carnegie Foundation as a Doctoral/Research Extensive university. UNL is a land-grant university and a member of the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities (APLU). The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Today, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln is one of the nation's leading teaching institutions, and a research leader with a wide array of grant-funded projects aimed at broadening knowledge in the sciences and humanities.
Lincoln offers all the amenities of a midsize regional city of 250,000. Ranked in the Top 10 in many quality of life, safety, environmental and other studies, this is a remarkably comfortable and friendly place; when you're here, you're among friends. With more parkland per capita than any other city in the United States and an intricate trails network, Lincoln offers a wealth of outdoor diversions. Lincoln is also one of the fastest growing metro areas in the Midwest, with abundant employment opportunities. Downtown Lincoln lies at the southern edge of UNL's City Campus, and is seasoned by coffee houses, theaters, specialty shops and restaurants offering cuisines from around the world. Shopping opportunities are everywhere, with national retailers anchoring large malls in both east and south Lincoln. Boutiques, galleries and salons are located in neighborhoods throughout the city.
On June 11, 2010, the Big Ten Council of Presidents and Chancellors formally accepeted the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to join their conference. The Big Ten expanded the conference to 12 schools for the 2011-12 school year. The Big Ten Conference was formed more han 115 years ago. This conference is known for the world-class academics and has a strong sense of goals and values. The Greek community at Nebraska is one of the strongest in the country with 24 Interfraternity Council Fraternities (19 are residential) and 15 Panehllenic Council Sororities (13 are residential).
The Greek Community at UNL prides itself on the selfless service it provides to the community. Each chapter on campus has a special fundraiser or event they host every year. The Greek Community at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is known for developing leaders. You will find Greek Members as student government leaders, student organization members, and NU athletes. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is a large campus with a diverse student body. The Greek Community at UNL helps its members to become comfortable living on a large campus and to become an important part of campus life. Chapter: Sigma Chapter was one of the first houses established at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, therefore naming it a national landmark. The house holds space for 65 women to live in, either three or two-person bedrooms. While the house provides a place to live, it means so much more to its members. Sigma has 136 active members.
Every woman in Sigma offers something special and unique to our house, making it stand apart from other sororities and organizations at UNL. The women in Kappa are very involved in a variety of activities both on campus and in the community. By participating in student government, professional groups, honoraries, intramurals and clubs we communicate our Kappa pride all over Lincoln. Our two major philanthropies continue to be a success, and we are always looking for ways to improve our chapter by setting annual goals. We have grown as a chapter in the last couple years making it a point to recruit girls that are Kappas at heart and right for our chapter. We take pride in being ourselves at recruitment to ensure the satisfaction of the new members and continue the outstanding reputation Sigma holds on campus and in the community.
This year, Sigma Chapter tried to minimize the membership selection session time by using clickers instead of using paper to vote on the girls going through recruitment. This was very beneficial for the chapter and was very efficient. We continued to use these clickers for voting issues during meetings along with elections. Our only other challenge was switching from Quickbooks to BillHighway. It was a lot of work for our treasurer, Kayla Stauffer, to learn and implement the new system. In doing that, we no longer handle any paper money, checks or cash. This was a great move for us here at Sigma.
==2012==