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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.
==Highlights of 2019==
The 2019 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 extremely excited to welcome our new Chapter Council with Pau Bremer as President, Olivia Anderson as VP Standards, Julia Teeter as VP Organization, Abby Ellstrom as VP Academic Excellence, Lizzy Labeeuw-Anderson as Treasurer, Rachel Kuhnert as Secretary, Maddie Hodges as Marshal, Avery Tinsley as Philanthropy Chairman, Laura Sussman as Risk Management Chairman, Cara Caveretta as Event Chairman, Emma Paine as Education Chairman, Sydney Brown as New Member Chairman, Lauren Trent as House Chairman, Kiara Warner as Membership Chairman, Alex Gushue as Panhellenic Delegate, and Sam Abrahams as Public Relations Chairman. The new chapter council members prepared for their positions while our Chapter Council Adviser, Barbara Wright, guided them.
Winter quarter started off strong; the new Chapter Council members were faced with the task of overcoming issues regarding the finances of Gamma Xi chapter. Lizzy in particular worked very closely with advisers to field questions, complaints, and concerns of chapter members in order to rework the budget. At the end of January, Avery also organized Gamma Xi chapter’s philanthropy event, A Day in the Life, and made it one of our most successful events yet with us raising over $7,000 through our CrowdChange page alone. She also was able to get backpacks, pens, and many other school supplies donated so that the money that we raised could be donated to Reading Is Fundamental and also so that we could ensure that all of the kids who came to spend a day at UCLA with the Gamma Xi Kappas were able to have the most impactful and inspirational experience possible.
Spring quarter meant the time had come for Sam, PR Chairman to plan our Mom’s Day Brunch which she had catered at the Kappa house in order for parents to see the house at which their daughters spend much of their time. Moms, family, members, and advisers all had a wonderful time! We also participated in many philanthropies including Sigma Phi Epsilon’s “Sig Ep Sweethearts”. The quarter was filled with multiple fun Sisterhood events planned by Sisterhood Chairman, Artemis Mansur including “Kappa’s Greatest Race”, a Beach Day, and a Color Me Mine Sisterhood. Kiara, Membership Chairman led Gamma Xi chapter in COB, welcoming 3 wonderful new members into our chapter. Spring Quarter also saw the election of a handful of new officers as Maddie Hodges (Marshal), Laura Sussman (Risk Management Chairman), and Emma Paine (Education Chairman) informed the chapter that they would be going abroad during the fall of 2019. We welcomed Julia Fry as Marshal, Alie Herbst as Risk Management Chairman, and Sarah Clemens as Education Chairman. In addition, we welcomed Jade Sebti as Sisterhood Chairman and elected Maya Jones as 2019-2020 House Chairman.
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 studying abroad in Europe to interning in Seattle, Washington, our Kappas had exciting summers! In addition, our member Jade Sebti had the exciting opportunity to attend the Kappa 2019 Leadership Academy in Marengo, Ohio.
Once back from break, Gamma Xi chapter began Kamp Kappa and recruitment which were overall very successful. We had a Beach Day Sisterhood and had a churro truck come to Kappa during Kamp, allowing individual members to continue to bond within Gamma Xi Chapter. Recruitment went incredibly well, with Kappa gaining 54 new, amazing members. Our Bid Day was Disco themed, with the courtyard filled with a donut wall, strung up disco lights, and painted vinyl records. Kappas stood on the front porch with name cards to joyfully welcome our newest members to the family. Abby Ellstrom stepped down from her position as VP Academic Excellence; Kylah Turner was elected as the new VPAE. Dad’s Day tailgate with Sigma Nu proved a great time, with lots of fun and family time. Big/Little Reveal came midway through the quarter and a fun activity led the new members around the Kappa house to find their new families. Kappa Krismukkah went smoothly, and Kappa raised money to benefit the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation while enjoying a hot chocolate bar and puppies! This quarter also saw the end of the positive point system as we discovered that we were not allowed to bar members from attending events regardless of their positive or negative point status.
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 light of the fires that have impacted multiple chapter members, our members continued to support each other and the UCLA and LA communities as a whole. Throughout this year, Gamma Xi has truly realized the strength and power we have as women in today’s society. 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 good luck baskets, distributing them to other houses. We have supported our sisters in their other endeavors, particularly in philanthropic clubs, with Kappa having the greatest participation out of all Panhellenic chapters for the Pediatric AIDS Coalition’s Dance Marathon. 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. Olivia Anderson, VPS implemented a “Supportive Sister” aspect to meeting where we 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 by 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.
Gamma Xi chapter celebrated Founders Day by having the traditional Founders Day ceremony in which all members wore blue and heard about the Founders of Kappa Kappa Gamma. In addition, our chefs baked a beautiful Kappa birthday cake with, of course, blue frosting and decorated with the golden key. We have begun to celebrate Kappa’s 150th anniversary by planning to have the Minnie Stewart Van come to visit us on February 6, 2020. We have made this event a Sisterhood and are expecting a good turnout of active members, advisers, and alumnae to help us celebrate Kappa’s sesquicentennial!
