Changes
2018 Highlights
Our chapter of just over 190 meets every Monday night in our Dining Room of Kappa Kappa Gamma. We meet together for a formal dinner where we welcome row walks to inform us on activities in our Greek community as well as the UCLA community as a whole. We then gather for our weekly chapter meeting to discuss chapter news as well as to strengthen our sisterhood bond.
==Highlights of 2018==
The 2018 school year began with a triplet meeting for the newly appointed officers of the Gamma Xi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at UCLA. We were incredibly excited to welcome our new Chapter Council with Allie Cooke as President, Aliana Gungor as VPS, Isabelle Hansen as VPO, Jordyn Grusd as VPAE, Nicole Tabarez as Treasurer, Elle Miraglia as Recording Secretary, Emily Martini as Corresponding Secretary, Emily Vincent as Registrar, Allison Schwarz as Marshall, Julia Teeter as Philanthropy Chairman, Maggie Borse as House Manager, Olivia Anderson as Risk Manager, Mackenzie Cullens as Event Chairman, Ilaria Lobo as Education Chairman, Mackenzie Lowenstein as New Member Chairman, Remy O’Donnell as Membership Chairman, Jordan Seles as Panhellennic Delegate, and Pau Bremer as Public Relations Chairman. Chapter Council then appointed assistants as followed; Kiara Warner as Assistant Membership Chairman, Kate Bollinger as Assistant Event Chairman, Paola Suarez as Assistant Recording Secretary. The new chapter council members prepared for their positions while our Gamma Xi Advisor, Barbara Wright, guided them.
Winter quarter started off strong; the new Chapter Council members got a chance to bond right off the bat in early 2018 at a small event hosted by Kendra Scott and organized by Pau. Emily Martini began exploring more of the Gin System, in hopes of implementing the app into everyday use and Jordyn recommended adding a page so that Kappa sisters could fill out class recommendations. We tried a new event with Sig Nu at SkyZone Trampoline park and it was a huge hit! Lauren Posey, Sisterhood Chairman, planned a successful Go-Karting sisterhood at K2 to finish up the quarter.
Spring quarter began with the election of a new House Manager, Lauren Trent. A new system was implemented with the goal of improving participation in philanthropies, sisterhoods, and meeting attendance. The new point system involved receiving a positive points for events attended and losing points for events missed-- having zero or more points at the end of the quarter was required to be able to attend the quarterly date party. Meanwhile, Pau planned an elegant Mom’s Day brunch at the Sofitel Hotel, about 20 minutes away from campus. A delicious buffet, beautiful outdoor patio, and photo booth were some of the many highlights. Moms, family, members, and advisors all had a wonderful time! We also participated in many philanthropies including Sigma Chi’s “Derby Days” and Gamma Phi Beta’s “G-Phi Joe.” The quarter was finished with an exciting and adventure-filled sisterhood at Six Flags.
Summer was filled with internships, jobs, travel, and school. Kappas were given the opportunity to “take over” the Gamma Xi instagram story for a day and share the different activities and opportunities that they had. From vacationing on tropical islands to interning in Aspen, Colorado, our Kappas had exciting summers! The National Kappa Convention was also held this summer in Denver Colorado. Gamma Xi received the Standards Award Honorable Mention for chapters with 193 or more members and many changes were discussed. Most notably, the Chapter Council system was changed with the removal of the Corresponding Secretary and Registrar positions. Kappa Kappa Gamma also got a new brand, including a new mantra of “dream boldly, live fully.” A goal that was set from convention was to see every Kappa, Chapter Council, and Gamma Xi incorporate and embody the 6 new KKG values: truth, connection, respect, optimism, trailblazing and knowledge; to improve our Kappa lives and Gamma Xi; and to integrate these 6 new KKG values into our values-based recruitment.
Once back from break, Kappas were delighted to find new blackout curtains in the bedrooms and that the Key Room furniture had been reupholstered. Kaitlyn Hackworth took over position of Treasurer as Nicole was studying abroad. In addition, Laura Sussman took over the position of Assistant Event Chairman as Kate was also studying abroad. Kappa Kamp and recruitment was the best that we’ve had in years. Kappas responded with positive feedback saying that they felt more close and connected with both the chapter and with their individual sisters. Recruitment went incredibly well, with Kappa gaining 58 new, amazing members. “Philanthropy Day” was changed to “Impact Day” and Kappa got the opportunity to share how their individual members impact the community as well as the chapter as a whole. In addition, door chants/door stacks were removed from the recruitment process as it was agreed that no significant value was derived from them. Our bid day was Carnival themed, with the courtyard filled with colorful kettle corn, cotton candy, and classic games. Kappas stood on the front porch with name cards and balloons to joyfully welcome our newest members to the family.
Dad’s day tailgate with Sigma Chi proved a great time, with lots of Tacos, games, and family. Big/little reveal came midway through the quarter and a scavenger hunt led the new members around the Kappa house to find their new families. More fires hit close to home again this year as flames from Camp Fire and Woolsey Fire raged nearby. We had our only pinning of the 2018-2019 school year in Fall Quarter, celebrating our senior Hannah Sofield. Chapter Council decided to move A Day in the Life to Winter quarter so as to allow New Members to settle in and give more time between that and Kappa Krismukkah. Kappa Krismukkah went smoothly, and Kappa raised close to $1,000 and lots of toys for children and people in need. Member Taylor Adams performed “Santa Baby” to kick off the night and fraternity men followed, performing karaoke renditions of Christmas favorites. A hot chocolate bar, photo booth, and puppies were much loved by everyone! The positive points system implemented in Winter Quarter was a huge success-- participation in events and philanthropies was higher than ever before.
A word to describe Kappa’s nature this year: strength. Our members took every opportunity to positively come together to support each other, support organizations, and support UCLA as a whole. From strengthening our bonds with countless sisterhood events this past year, to standing as one in times of natural disasters, our members continued to express selflessness to others. Throughout this year, Gamma Xi has truly realized the strength and power we have as women in today’s society. The only thing better than one woman is a whole chapter of them! Not only do we stand strong and support each other as a chapter, but we like to share our support with others all over campus. During midterms and finals week we make make good luck baskets, distributing them to other houses. We partake in an event called Kappa Kappucchinos in which we hand out free coffee on Bruinwalk to UCLA students and wish them luck on finals. Our academic achievements within the chapter do not go unnoticed. During our weekly meetings we love to shout-out a KKGenius and a Kappa of the Week to exemplify to our chapter our true ideals. Aliana implemented a “Snaps” aspect to meeting where girls are given the opportunity to give a shout out to a sister who showed kindness to someone else during the week. Last but not least, girls love to “sunshine” each other at the end of meeting with a small note or gift letting them know we appreciate them.
Traditionally we donate to Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. As Gamma Xis and UCLA students in general, we value every opportunity to help others in need. By donating to Reading is Fundamental we believe we are making a positive impact in society by helping provide children with backpacks and books to inspire them to higher education. Not only do we donate money, we want to make a difference by first handedly interacting with children carrying ourselves as role models. We strive to inspire the children showing them that hard work pays off. During our Krismukkah philanthropy, we celebrate the holidays with fun games while raising money for the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation that continues to support us year to year.
