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→Highlights of 2021
==Highlights of 2021==
During the past year, the Gamma Delta Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma has been extremely busy and hardworking. Our chapter has grown, experienced change, and found new ways to implement our values. From our chapter we had sixteen members lead our chapter council, each member brought new creative ideas and boosted morale. The first semester of our chapter council term was faced with more precautions and obstacles due to the pandemic compared to the second semester. With events being canceled, it was difficult at times to implement a form of normalcy. Throughout the months of January, February, March, and April the majority of events were held virtual. The events held virtually were chapter meetings, sisterhood events, panhellenic respect events, and webinars. With living in the house, members wore masks throughout common areas and were tested bi-weekly. Meals were served from house staff and gatherings for meals in the kitchen were limited. No social formality events took place throughout the first semester, but we were able to have a philanthropic event. Typically our chapter hosts a “Wing Night” to raise money at the house, however with the pandemic we hosted the fundraiser at a local Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant on campus. Philanthropic events on Purdue’s campus were limited due to social distancing guidelines, a majority of them were held virtually. We had members from different pledge classes attend other organization’s philanthropic events. With members attending other organization’s philanthropic events we were able to gain awareness.
As a chapter council we developed different types of goals, some of the goals included maintaining engagement and improving communication. Some ways we were able to stay involved on campus and show support to other organizations was through attending philanthropic events and respect events sponsored from Purdue’s Panhellenic Community. Respect events varied in topics of discussion from sexual assualt, inclusion, equity, and health advocation. Members from our chapter would attend these events to gain information and increase awareness for mental health, wellness, sexual well-being, racial/cultural awareness, and respect. During chapter meetings, members would share tips and information they learned. As a chapter council and chapter we improved communication by extending the duration of meeting times. By extending the time, we were able to discuss more topics, ideas, and any obstacles. Since the pandemic, our chapter has faced challenges of providing some sort of normalcy. As a chapter, we were able to maintain living in the sorority house by following social distancing guidelines and hosting chapter meetings through zoom. With events being canceled, our chapter focused on growing sisterhood. Our bond of sisterhood strengthened through being quarantined together. Instead of having a negative approach, members had a positive approach and looked to benefit from the situation.
For the first semester of the school year, our chapter supported the local organization of Reading is Fundamental. Some ways members were able to show support was through volunteering at the elementary school, Murdock Elementary in Lafayette, and by donating books. With the pandemic, volunteering and working with the students was not an option, instead members decided to donate books. Chapter members encouraged other organizations to donate books, by donating books we were able to educate younger members in our local community. For the second semester, the chapter was able to support Kappa’s philanthropy by hosting a “Kolor Run,” the event was a 5k run around Purdue’s campus. As a chapter we were able to raise over $12,000 for Mental Health America. A representative from Mental Health America was able to attend a chapter meeting and talk about the awareness for mental health. Chapter members decided on the organization of Mental Health America for the proceeds to be donated. Moving forward with philanthropic events, as a chapter we are hoping to spread more awareness of mental health and host an event in person where members from campus can attend.
Our chapter included diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in our programming this year by appointing a DEI officer. The person who was appointed as a DEI officer held a position on chapter council as Panhellenic Delegate. The communication was efficient because she was able to communicate events and educational programs happening on campus to our chapter. We also hosted events virtually educating members on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Members were required to attend chapter training for DEI and we posted on social media to raise awareness. As a chapter council we delegated younger members to a committee of diversity, equity, and inclusion education. Moving forward as a chapter, we will continue to attend events, spread awareness, and have open communication.
Chapter operations did not change too drastically, however finding normalcy at times was a struggle. The recruitment process was split between virtual and in-person, as a house we were able to host an in-person work week. During the time of work week we were able to discuss the recruitment process, learn chants and songs, and discuss the importance of our values. When recruitment rounds were in-person at the house all members wore masks and social distanced. During the last two months of the semester, we were able to initiate 43 members in-person. With initiation ceremonies being held in-person, every person in attendance wore a mask and social distance guidelines were implemented. For members living-in, the Vice President of Organizations, hosted sisterhood events of trivia, pumpkin decorating, and sign making for our philanthropic event.
As a chapter council and chapter, we grew in communication, education, and worked to handle change. Our chapter members worked hard to adapt to change, and have open discussions about current events.
