Eta Kappa’s overall nature is an energetic and optimistic one. We are small in numbers but excited for Formal Recruitment in January 2020 to bring in new members who can help us reach our goals and surpass expectations of what a small chapter can accomplish.
==Highlights of 2020==
In January we held Formal Recruitment with the theme based on flowers and were very excited to gain 7 new members. Throughout recruitment we did lots of events in order to strengthen our relationships with the PNM’s going through recruitment. One event that stuck out was decorating book bags in order to give it to the children we go and read books to for our event for Reading is Fundamental. The theme of Bid Night was “ Kappa Coachella” and was full of laughter and chatting and getting to know our soon-to-be-sisters.
February kicked off our Academic Excellence month during which members are encouraged to promote our value of academics by getting together with sisters to study and share photos while doing so with the hashtags “#kkgenius” and “#kkgscholar.” Our new members found out who their Big sisters would be at our Big-Little Reveal on February 2nd. We held our Semi-Formal dance on February 21st at the restaurant Charred 57 in Galesburg. Rather than a dance, like we usually have, this was a sit down dinner. It was a very fun opportunity to really get to know our sisters on a deeper level and to have fun and get dressed up.
In March, we diverged from our normal tradition of doing Kappa cards and Kappa Krush and decided to do a bigger event for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. We put together the idea to do Mac and Keys. During this event we sold Mac and cheese, both regular and vegan options. We held this event on campus and it ended up being extremely successful. We had a topping bar with lots of different toppings that students and faculty could put on their mac and cheese.
Due to COVID-19 our last official event in person was Mac and Keys. Due to COVID we were also not able to participate in our normal event supporting Reading is Fundamental. The end of the year until summer consisted of lots of meetings and sisterhood events online and doing our best to keep our members engaged and making the best of the pandemic. In August, we got to return to school, however, due to restrictions and even though we were on campus, we had to meet half online and half in person. Our members who normally were involved in athletics got their seasons cancelled or postponed. Our members who were involved in other clubs as well as student teaching had meetings and classes that looked a lot different then what they were used to. Although this was a change the Kappa spirit was still very much alive.
In June, our President, Michaela Thawley, was able to take part in the 150 year convention for Kappa Kappa Gamma. This was very exciting and interesting because due to the impact of covid-19, the convention wasn’t able to meet in person, however, they made the most of the situation and put on an amazing event online.On November 15th, we had the idea to sell masks for our campus in order to raise money for Ovarian Cancer due to the light of the pandemic. Although we could only meet in small groups we found a way to split up into groups and Tie dye masks, wash them, dry them, and organize them. We also figured out a way to do a contactless delivery so that we could keep clear of COVID-19. This event was something we had never done before, however, ended up working really well for us. We were also able to make a sisterhood event out of tie dying masks, while socially distancing ourselves. Due to COVID-19 our chapter was advised not participate in Informal Recruitment. As well as our homecoming this year was all virtual, so we were not able to have any of our Alumna come to campus. Towards the end of the term we were able to take part in elections and elect a whole new E-Board. Since we left campus shortly after this event, we are eagerly waiting for news of whether or not we will be able to return to campus again. However, our E-board is actively doing things to engage and help our members through these trying times.Throughout 2020 ETA Kappa really strived to educate ourselves on diversity and inclusion in order to maintain an inclusive environment both within our chapter and on campus. Our chapter chose Reading is Fundamental, Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation, and Ovarian Cancer research as our philanthropies this year. We chose to support Ovarian Cancer research, because one of our sister's immediate family members was affected by Ovarian Cancer. This cause was very important to both her as well as her family, so our chapter voted on making our fundraiser an event for Ovarian Cancer Research. Our chapter was one of the first chapters to implement a diversity and inclusion officer. Usually we hold one event per term having to do with diversity and inclusion. However, due to the pandemic, rather than doing in person events we decided to take part in the social media awareness campaign. We posted ways for our followers to educate themselves on diversity and inclusion as well as ways we could donate as well as sign petitions. In our chapter we have also implemented chapter trainings as well as talks about diversity and inclusion. Before we left campus we were one of the first schools to have the Kappa Van come to campus and present to our chapter. Our whole chapter turned in for the celebration video online. We also talked about our favorite Kappa memories the chapter after the celebration. On our instagram we were able to post the whole day and do quizzes about kappa. We also had members share their favorite memories and pin dress online. Although we were not in person we did our best to celebrate this amazing accomplishment online.