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→Highlights of 2020
==Highlights of 2020==
This year has been filled with everchanging plans, yet Theta Chapter really made the most of this situation. Before the chaos began, we had to privilege of welcoming 5 new members into our chapter early February. Our new member educator threw an incredible bid day with the theme “Love Grows Here”. Approximately 2 weeks prior to initiation, Greek Week, and moms weekend, our campus and chapter house shut down, cutting off the fun events we had planned for the semester. Although we were all at home, the chapter continued to boost moral and stay connected with eachother via Zoom sisterhood events. We were excited for the opportunity to initiate our new members via Zoom in April, it looked different yet was every bit as special.
Although we were not all together, Chapter Council worked countless hours in preparation for the safe arrival of our members in the fall semester. Our membership chair was able to plan and execute an incredible work week and recruitment. It was not our conventional recruitment, yet we were still able to build relationships with new members and show them how special our sisterhood is via Zoom. After a successful and exhausting recruitment week, our new member educator planned bid day with the theme “House of Blues”. In our first in- person event of the semester, the chapter was able to welcome home 71 new members, in a safe and socially distanced event. Once the excitement of recruitment and bid day settled down, our new members went through formal pledging and were beyond excited to start their Kappa experience. Unfortunately, our chapter ceased in-person events for 30-days where we had to foster new relationships via Zoom. Theta chapters main philanthropy event, the Kappa Klassic, was unable to take place for the safety of our chapter and guests. Despite the absence of our event, we were still able to raise around $25,000 for our beneficiaries.
Our first in-person event was Initiation on October 10th, 2020. All of the detailed planning paid off when we were able to initiate our new members in shifts, with some legacy alumi joining us! To add to our initiation weekend, our education chair planned our 150th anniversary in a safe and unique manor. The anticipation grew as big little took place and we welcomed the new members into our pledge families. Following all of the excitement, we had to opportunity to host a Halloween sisterhood event at the drive-in, where our sisters were safely distanced and watched “Hocus Pocus”. As the semester persists, our chapter has begun to utilize our pods which all consist of less than 20 members. Some fun events we were able to do with our pods include axe throwing, pottery, ice skating, and so many more fun events. Every Monday we host chapter via Zoom, with different themes every week to boost moral! We recently just elected our newest Chapter Council members and we are all so excited to see them thrive in their new positions as they take on a unique semester.
Our chapter supports our national beneficiaries- Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. Alongside that we also support our local beneficiary- Cedar Creek Therapeutic Riding Center. Around 10 years ago the board hosted a meeting where three charities were asked to make a presentation over their charity. Cedar Creek won and ever since then, this beneficiary has become a huge part of Theta Chapter.
How did your chapter include diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives in your programming this year? Theta chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma recognizes that we have extensive room to grow when it comes to inclusion, diversity, and equity. As a first step to creating a more inclusive, diverse, and equitable space for each of our members, we created our IDE committee. Currently, the committee is comprised of 15 active members eager to further educate our chapter. The purpose of the committee s to serve as a resource for our chapter. Committeee members present on facts, statistics, and history weekly at chapter meetings as well as providing educational resources and encouraging chapter discussion. Each chapter member is learning alongside eachother, and it is our goal that our chapter welcomes difficult conversations as an opportunity for growth. The committee has also created an anonymous form where members have the ability to submit concers, suggestions, share experiences, and give feedback as it related to IDE. Moving forward, the committee’s agenda is the review of our chapter bylaws and standing rules and our finances. Additionally, it is the committee’s hope to be able to host educational and resourceful events paired with sisterhood in the future, COVID-19 pending. We are all so excited to see how our IDE committee and overall chapter education grows throughout this following year!
How did your chapter celebrate Kappa's 150th anniversary? Although this year was clearly unconventional, our Education chair put on an incredible Founder’s Day celebration. Our chapter was able to see alumni receive their pins from the year they were initiated. It was beyond special to see both Marian Klingbeil Williams and Virginia Stewart receive their 60 year pins. Despite the celebration happening virtually, all alumni were excited to see fellow sisters, although it was via Zoom. Throughout the semester, we encouraged members to visit the Kappa Turns 150 site to learn how our chapter as a whole has changed since the start of it. As a chapter council, we promoted how exciting this celebration is and the importance of our sesquicentennial anniversary. What a special celebration to take place during such a unique time in our chapter.
==Highlights of 2020s:==