Our chapter supports Lung Cancer Alliance in support of our sister, Sarah Landers, who presented this organization to the chapter because her father passed away from lung cancer.
==Highlights of 2020s:==
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.:
'''Housing:'''This year was filled with many challenges due to COVID-19. However, with those challenges our Chapter was able to come together, rise to the occasion, and adapt to our new circumstances. Pepperdine University went completely online on March 13, 2020 and from that day on our chapter operated completely virtually and will continue to do so in the coming year. While the shift to virtual was less than desirable, I am proud of our chapter for our ability to adapt to our new circumstances successfully.In March when our University went unexpectedly online, our Chapter Council’s goal was to ensure that our sisterhood remain connected and continued to offer a support system to all of our sisters for the duration of the semester even if we could not physically be together. As a chapter we held virtual yoga classes, virtual movie nights, virtual chapter events and zoom mental health check ins.Over the summer our Eta Beta President, Leila Anawalt attended the Kappa convention which had to be virtual this year due to COVID-19. Our head of membership and chapter President worked diligently to prepare for virtual recruitment. They held a virtual recruitment training session to prepare everyone how to maneuver breakout rooms and foster authentic and valuable conversation with PNM’s on zoom. Our virtual recruitment began on September 4thand our virtual bid night took place on September 7th. We had two nights of sisterhood, pref night and then bid day. While everyone wished we could have been in person for recruitment,we still managed to develop authentic connections and have great conversations with so many girls. On pref night we were still able to highlight what makes Kappa so special to us each and every member. We had individual members speak to the friendships and bonds they have found throughout their time in Kappa and we wrote and shared a few sentences about what we saw in each girl we invited back to pref night and our hopes for what they too will find in Kappa. Usually on Bid day there is screaming and jumping and hugging and while I wish more than anything we could have had that this year, there was still screaming, and jumping and*virtual* hugging via zoom. The same level of excitement for new members joining our sisterhood was still present through the screen. Since COVID-19 did not allow us to have an in-person celebration with food and balloons and so much more, our new member mom Lauren Graney sent each new member a card and special package to formally welcome them to Kappa. After completing their new member education requirements, the new members were ready and excited to be initiated. As Marshal I attended multiple virtual training sessions where I learned the guidelines and expectations for virtual initiation. On the morning of October 31st, we held a virtual initiation for our new members where they were able to learn more about the ritual that makes Kappa so special! Throughout the duration of the Fall semester we held virtual sisterhood events,virtual philanthropy events, had guest speakers come to chapter and held a virtual pumpkin carving mixer with Delta Gamma!
As a chapter this year we supported RIF and the JED Foundation.This year we chose to support the JED Foundation in addition to RIF because it was a foundation near and dear to our sister Fernanda’s heart. The JED Foundation is a non-profit organization works to protect emotional health and prevent suicide for teens and young adults in the United States. JED’s work is so important particularly in today’s society due toCOVID-19 where millions of people are feeling more isolated, alone and depressed than ever before. The JED Foundation partners with local schools and universities to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs.While we could not hold an in-person philanthropy event like we normally would, we decided to adjust and hold a virtual philanthropy campaign via our social media. As a chapter we were able to spread awareness about the importance of mental health and resources for those struggling and we were able to raise and donate $450 for the JED Foudnation and we donated $350 to RIF. We made our donation on “Giving Tuesday” and our donations were each then doubled by the organizations!Other philanthropic efforts our chapter made this semester did not directly go to an organization rather it went to better our local community. On October 25th and October 30thour head of philanthropy, Olivia decided to launch a “Kappa Klean Up” initiative where she encouraged sisters to get outside and pick-up trash in their community (with gloves and proper sanitary equipment)!
'''Philanthropy:'''Over the summer in the aftermath of the atrocity committed by the police officers who murdered George Floyd our chapter council met and discussed how to best educate our chapter on the racial injustices taking place today and how our chapter could get involved. We decided to hold a virtual discussion as a chapter in order to foster an open dialogue. Our virtual gathering over the summer about racial injustices allowed sisters to share their own experiences, ask questions and make suggestions on how we can get involved as a chapter. Asa chapter we launched a social media campaign showing Eta Beta’s support of the Black Lives Matter movement and encouraging others to get involved and individually make donations to the Black Lives Matter Foundation, sign petitions and join marches in their individual communities. We had so many sisters in the streets peacefully protesting and marching and making donations to the BLM Foundation.Later in the semester we appointed our first ever DEI chairman named Sydney and we hope to continue and grow that position every year going forward!
This year was Kappa’s 150th anniversary! Since COVID-19 prohibited our chapter from gathering in person, we had our education chairman Megan give a presentation in chapter about Kappa’s history and as a chapter on October 13th our chapter attended the Kappa National’s Virtual Founders Day Facebook Live celebration!
'''Chapter Convention Awards:''' ------------- '''Note to Chapter Registrar:''' Please refer to your chapter archives including chapter meeting minutes and back issues of ''The Key'' to fill in any gaps in Photographs Our sisters supporting the above historical highlights. If your chapter archives are not complete, please research your university library, campus newspaper and yearbook archives for newsworthy information about your chapter. Please double check your work for accuracy. Contact chapter Advisory or House Board members, local Alumnae Association members, or your Province Director of Chapters for assistance. Black Lives Matter Movement this summer!Your efforts will ensure Virtual Yoga class as a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!