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|Image= [[File:Beta_Chi.jpg|200px]]
|Founded= {{start date and years ago|1910|02|12}}
|College= [httphttps://www.uky.edu/ University of Kentucky]
|Location= Lexington, KY
|Homepage= [httphttps://chaptersuky.kappakappagammakappa.org/betachi/ Beta Chi Homepage]|Media= [httphttps://wiki.kappakappagammakkg.org/index.php?title=Category:Beta_Chi Media related to Beta Chi Chapter]}}
'''University of Kentucky established in 1865, Lexington, Kentucky'''
'''3,000 431 initiates (as of June 20132018)'''
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'''Charter Members:'''
Sara McEachin Carter, Mattie Virginia Cary (Mrs. Gentry McCauley), Aubyn Chinn (Mrs. James Watson), Helen Lucile Daugherty, Sarah Rossetter Marshall (Mrs. Thomas J. Wertenbaker), Mary McEachin Rodes (Mrs. C.P Leaphart), Mary Barrett Smith (Mrs. W. R. Ratliff), Alice Cary Williams.
'''Fraternity Loyalty Award RecipientsCouncil Officers:'''
Mary McEachin Rodes (Leaphart), Grand Secretary 1912-1916, Grand Registrar 1916-1920; Elizabeth Kimbrough Park, Fraternity Vice-President 1940-1942; Margaret Trent (Rogers, Kopel), Field Secretary 1943; June Moore (Parrish), Field Secretary 1962-1963; ; Laurie Schmidt (Severino), Field Secretary 1982-1983; Sarah Avril, Traveling Consultant 1984-1985;
'''Additional Outstanding Beta Chi AlumnaeFraternity Loyalty Award Recipients:'''
Mary E. Sweeny, Dean of the University of Kentucky's Department of Home Economics, former President of the National Home Economics Association, teaching nutrition and doing research work in Merrill Palmer School, Detroit, Michigan; Aubyn Chinn (Watson), Educational Director, National Dairy Council, Head of the Department of Domestic Science at the University of Kentucky; Helen Bullitt Lowry (Allison), writer of newspaper and magazine articles and of short stories; Nancy Duke Lewis, 1929, Dean of Pembroke College and Director of the National Merit Scholarship Program ; Fan Ratliff, Gamma Province Vice-President 1925-1927, Gamma Province President 1927-1929; Betty Scrivner (Campbell), Graduate Counselor 1948-1949; Curtis Buehler, Mu Province President 1947-1949, General Convention Chairman 1958-1966; Elise Bohannon Maier, Mu Province Director of Chapters 1953-1955; Ridgely Park, chairman undergraduate scholarships 1964-1965; Eleanor Lee Todd Congleton, Centennial Fund State Chairman 1970; Anne Rush, Kentucky 1978 Women’s State Amateur Golf Championof Kentucky; Gretchen Nash-Gardner, Graduate Counselor 1976-1977; Cynthia Converse (Gentsch), 1978. Ashley JuddGraduate Counselor1978-1979; Margaret Frazier (Henderson), Chapter Consultant 1985-1986; Gretchen Nash-Gardner, Graduate Counselor 1976-1977; Cynthia Converse (Gentsch), Graduate Counselor1978-1979; Margaret Frazier (Henderson), Chapter Consultant 1985-1986; Amanda Filak (Pompilio), 1987Catherine Schroeder Graf Heritage Museum Intern 2004; Carly Dannenmueller, actress and political activistCatherine Schroeder Graf Heritage Museum Intern 2013.
Beta Chi also aided during WWI. The girls knitted the usual socks and sweaters, and each member contributed something to the Belgian Relief Fund, the total being given in Kappa’s name. The girls worked in the Red Cross corps, bought Liberty Bonds, and sent a money contribution across the seas in the name of the Fraternity. To Mary E. Sweeny, leaving for the war front to do canteen work, the Chapter gave a radium-dial wrist watch as a parting gift. In 1918, instead of hosting a Women's Panhellenic banquet, the association gave $100 to the War Fund. In its place, a dance was given in the new Recreation Hall at Patterson Hall for all Greek women of the university. All the girls wore white and the "gentlemen" were designated by bands of red, white, and blue ribbon on the arm. Then there came a campaign for the women of the university to give $1,000 to the Student Friendship War Fund. Beta Chi responded, and pledge $150.
Following closely on the tragedy of the war was a terrible automobile accident in which four University of Kentucky men lost their lives. The influenza epidemic swept over the school in the same year, causing the university to closeuntil January 6, 1919. Therefore, all activities were abandoned. During the break, however, several girls made hundreds of "flu" masks for an emergency Red Cross call and made surgical dressings. Some helped in the collecting and shipping of delicacies to sick boys in nearby camps.
==Highlights of the 1920s:==
The next five year period (1920-25) was a time of substantial reorganization of the Chapter in efforts to strengthen it. Systematic financial reconstruction made it possible to acquire a house during this period. Fan Ratliff, as Chapter President, led the Chapter in the work of reconstruction and fulfillment of national Fraternity obligations. The Chapter devised a system of pledge training, which included supervised study hall and Sunday afternoon “open houses” with the pledges acting as hostesses. Wednesday evening was established as the time for weekly meetings. Bible study groups were also formed. A pledge Honor Roll, to be read at every Founders Day banquet, was used for the first time. Establishment of the Senior Council and the Fraternity honor system assisted the pledge training. As a consequence of aid given by Virginia Rodefer-Harris, Grand Vice-President, Beta Chi scholarship standing on the campus increased. Elizabeth Kimbrough (Park), as Chapter President, efficiently accomplished the task of organizing a harmonious and successful Chapter during the first year in the house. A baby grand piano was quite an addition to the furnishings at this time, and the Sophomore class decorated the basement for a chapter room.
Beta Chi Chapter won the Scholarship Cup for the year 1919 and 1920. This cup was awarded to the woman's fraternity receiving the highest average for the scholastic year at the University of Kentucky. The chief honor of this period came to the Chapter when Sarah Gibson Blanding, a Beta Chi alumna, was elected by the Board of Trustees as Dean of Women. “The Dean is gone, long live the Dean!” was the cry on the lips of the Beta Chis. She was only twenty-six years old, and the youngest woman in the United States to have the responsibility of such an office. She was a native to Lexington, Ky. After her high school graduation, she took a two-year course at New Haven Normal School of Gymnastics, which qualified her to become an instructor in the Department of Physical Education at Kentucky while still a freshman at the university. In her senior year of college, she was president of Beta Chi, president of the Administrative Council, captain of the varsity basketball team, and national vice-president of Mortar Board. She also served as the president of the alumnae association at Lexington.
Most of the social events of this era were Fraternity or Panhellenic affairs. The Founders Day banquet of 1921 was held in the Lafayette Hotel, which had just been completed. Fan Ratliff presided over the affair, which was cleverly planned as a musical banquet. The tradition of the Mother’s Day tea was inaugurated, and an agreeable custom of paying calls to patronesses was established. The patronesses and alumnae were honor guests at a Kappa picnic on the river banks in May of 1920. An invitation to a Province dance issued by Delta Chapter was recorded in the minutes of the same year. Rushing parties were continued as usual, except that the Fraternity abolished the house dance for rushees.It appeared that men rushing for other fraternities were spreading propaganda at the dance. The biennial formal dance was initiated at this time, and the first of a long series of these good times took place at the Phoenix Hotel. During the year 1920, the Kappas played the Chi Omegas in a basketball contest that has never been forgotten. So enthused were the fair opponents that the inter-sorority basketball tournament had to be abolished! Three new nationals established chapters on Kentucky’s campus --- Delta Delta Delta, Delta Zeta, and Zeta Tau Alpha. Beta Chi entertained each group at a tea. One interesting social event was a Pantry Party given at the house. Mothers and patronesses were invited to come and help re-stock the pantry shelves.
The Founders Day banquet on February 10, 1923, was held in the Lafayette Hotel. The predominant ideas of the program, a building fund for the future Kappa house, was a surprise to all. Among the eighty present, there were many out-of-town alumnae who showed a great deal of interest and enthusiasm. Twenty-three hundred dollars in promissory notes were received from those present. Later in the month, the Beta Chi held a bridge party at the Chapter house and a tea-dance at Patterson Hall. The decorations and favors were in keeping with George Washington's birthday.
In the spring of 1924, Beta Chi gave a big dance called the peacock affair. The whole ballroom of the Phoenix Hotel was decorated in peacock feathers, streamers, and painted peacocks. The girls' favors were peacock quill pens, while the boys were presented with small silver knives.
In the summers, members of Beta Chi often held a Kappa Camp on the Kentucky River. During the camp, they spent the night, and the entertainment included fireworks. Barge dances, stunts, swimming, canoeing, and refreshments followed.
On February 13, 1925, Beta Chi had their Founders' Day banquet at the LaFayette Hotel. They borrowed the idea of the powdered hair and candle light from the Kappa Convention. Tiny blue and blue feather fans were chose as favors and the alumnae were presented with pink roses.
Running down the list of students at the University of Kentucky from 1925 to 1930, there is a long line of Kappa names in every activity. The first fraternity woman to be elected President of W.S.G.A. on Kentucky’s campus was Beta Chi's Eugenia H. Herrington (Green). In 1927, Sarah Lynn Tucker was elected Vice-President of the Sophomore class. Cynthia Hammond Smith won the Chi Omega prize for the best Sophomore record in home economics. Three campus beauties were also chosen from the Kappa Chapter at this time. During the 1927-28 school year, Kappa Kappa Gamma made the highest scholastic record of any social fraternity on campus, and was awarded the scholarship cup. Fraternity honor came to the Chapter when Fan Ratliff was elected President of Gamma Province.
The most marked progress in chapter life was made in this period when the Kappas moved into the house at 179 East Maxwell Street. At last, the Beta Chis had a home of their own. The Lexington girls had passed the previous summer painting and decorating. It has been estimated that in more than sixty-three years since its founding, Beta Chi has owned, occupied, or met in twenty-six different sites in Lexington. The fondly remembered “little white house” on Maxwell represented one of its longest tenancies.
Frances L. Smith (Dugan) was Chapter President at this time, and under her guidance, the Chapter meetings included interesting talks, Bible readings, and individual weekly reports of activities. Members with below C-averages were required to study at the house for two afternoons a week. Another visit from Virginia Rodefer-Harris resulted in great enthusiasm over the National Convention to be held in California, at which Beta Chi was represented by Louise Palmer Jefferson. In the early part of 1927, Helen Farst-Wallace, the Province President, visited the Chapter.
==Highlights of the 1930s:==
Beta Chi started the 2000’s more dedicated than ever to participate in all Greek on-campus events and be supportive of all philanthropy fundraisers. Many years we faced lack of participation and lack of feelings of sisterhood. With help of LC’s, alumnae and strong Chapter Councils, we feel like our monthly sisterhood events and philanthropy events have brought the chapter closer. In 2006 the Chapter Council amended the by-laws requiring each Kappa to attend on IGPA event each semester. This helped make Kappa more involved on campus.
This has also helped as we have larger and larger recruitment classes and it takes all of us to get the best pledge classes on campus…and we have! Emphasis is always placed on academics.
In 2004 we were awarded a pizza party for earning the most A’s out of all the sororities on campus. That year we also raised $7800 at Kappasta for rehabilitation services.
A Focus Letter in 2008 was a blessing in disguise as we took everything the LC and Fraternity suggested and improved our attendance and participation by improving the moral of the chapter. Our adviser relationships are stronger than ever. The letter was lifted in 2009 due to our hard work to improve.
In 2010 our chapter celebrated it’s Centennial with a brunch with all alumni, a ball, lots of good food and Kappa memorabilia. In 2011, the campus of UK was designated as a unified Greek system. This new unity has involved having Greeks join together for different events such as hazing forums and campus security. They also had the first Greek Ball.
'''Chapter Convention Awards:'''
2002: House Board Honorable Mention, Finance Honorable Mention
2006: Gracious Living Honorable Mention, Signature Event Honorable Mention, RIF Honorable Mention, Risk Management Honorable Mention, Excellence in Chapter Honorable Mention
2010: Excellence in Chapter Management Award, Honorable Mention in Standards, Risk Management, Signature event, Rose McGill and Chapter/Advisory Board relations
==Highlights of 2012==
In 2012, the University of Kentucky basketball team won their 8th National Championship. As a chapter, we are very dedicated UK sports fans, so this was a thrilling victory. The championship win created a large influx of students to the University of Kentucky. Our campus is expanding before our eyes. Many older buildings are being renovated or completely torn down to make space for expansions. UK will continue to grow quickly, and Greek Life will also experience major growth within the next few years.
Province was hosted at the Beta Chi chapter this year. This was such a great experience with chapters from the Nu Province attending and sharing Kappa love. Beta Chi was so happy to receive the award for 2013 Outstanding Chapter for Nu Province.
One of the most important things to Beta Chi is sisterhood events. There were so many opportunities for the girls to participate in sisterhood events this year. There was an activity during Dead Week before final exams that was a nice study break for the girls, a trip to the pumpkin patch, and also a scavenger hunt around town for the girls to have bonding time with each other and the new members. One of the many exciting things Kappa did was make a "Harlem Shake" video which included our house mother; this was a blast to make and was great for everyone to be able to see.
The year concluded with us having a Sapphire Ball with the brothers of Alpha Tau Omega. Everyone wore formal attire and had a great time. Overall, 2013 was a great year. Many changes are occurring at UK right now; with building remodeling and new dorms being built all over campus, the times are changing and improvements are happening everywhere. The chapter also only continues to improve and excel and we look forward to watching our chapter continue to grow even more in the future.
This year Beta Chi has completed a lot of amazing things. First in March we competed in a Philanthropic Event on campus called Greek Sing. Our theme this year was “TSM”, otherwise known as “Total Sorority Move”. We dressed up as basic ideas that many girls in sororities love including: Starbucks, frat stars, and bid day. We also participated in Stompapalooza, a step competition. Our theme was “Jaws” where our team split up into two parts. There were sharks and lifeguards. Another event we participated in was Dance Blue. This is an event that so many Kappas do and stick together throughout the entire time, while the rest of us go and cheer them on for this unbelievably great cause.
==Highlights of 2011-20202016==
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'''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 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, Content Specialist or your Province District Director of Chapters for assistance. Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!
==Highlights of 2017==
Twenty-Seventeen was a year of growth and change for Beta Chi. We started off 2017 with a bang. We began with the announcement that our beloved home was going to be renovated for the 2017-2018 school year. While excitement ran high, this also caused some worry about how the chapter would function without a home.
With the knowledge that chapter life was going to change without a house, the chapter created goals to ensure this year of transition and change went as smoothly as possible. The first goal was to improve chapter communication and organization. This was achieved by creating a chapter Google Drive with all important information and included a thorough calendar of everything happening. We also utilized digital media and social networking to keep our sisters in the loop. Chapter meetings were held every Monday at 6:30 PM in the Don and Cathy Jacobs Academic Science Building.
Our second goal was strengthening our sisterhood, this was achieved through new and creative ways to get our sisters together, even though we didn’t have our house. Our standards committee worked hard to put on weekly sisterhood events for all interests ranging from cookie decorating, to watching the Bachelor, fitness classes, night out at the movies to see “Bad Moms: Christmas”, attending the Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs baseball game, and many other fun and exciting events. We also worked to grow our sisterhood by recognizing our sisters weekly for amazing things they have done. We gave out “Keys” to recognize their sisters who had positively impacted others with random acts of kindness, we had the “Polished Kappa” award for sisters who were best dressed to social functions and we recognized the sisters who inspire us, guide us, and support us through our Hero Book.
Finally, our third goal was to welcome in the new members with open arms and share the amazing sisterhood that Beta Chi has with them. Going through recruitment without a home was a challenge that only brought us closer as a chapter. During formal recruitment all but two of the fifteen Panhellenic chapters were in their homes, Beta Chi was one of these two. The chapter recruited out of the home of Sigma Chi Fraternity which is located centrally in UK’s Greek Park neighborhood. The recruitment team and all members worked hard to make the new space feel like home with crafts, rugs, photos and special touches that made the space feel a little bit like our beloved home. At the end, Beta Chi welcomed home 85 beautiful women into our sisterhood in Greek Park. These women truly uphold the legacy of Beta Chi and we cannot wait to see how these women impact the university, the Beta Chi chapter, and the world.
The Beta Chi Chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma supports our national nonprofit “Reading is Fundamental”. The chapter is very passionate about working with RIF and their mission. This past semester Beta Chi has developed a unique relationship with a local Title 1 Elementary School, Russell Cave Elementary in north Lexington. Before the school year began, the Beta Chi chapter donated over $2000 worth of school supplies to the teachers to help supplement some of the cost that they pay out of their own pockets. This semester our chapter members have had the opportunity to assist in classrooms on a weekly basis. Sisters helped with reading activities in the classroom, grading papers and other tasks teachers needed help with. During Recruitment, with the help of potential new members, the chapter made over 7000 flashcards to promote cognition of sight words and basic math and number recognition skills. These flashcards were in English and Spanish to accommodate the 54% of the students who come from Spanish-speaking households. The students were then able to take these flashcards home during our Reading is Key Carnival that occurred later in the semester. At the Carnival, chapter members assisted in running various carnival games which were open to all students and the public. All funds raised at the carnival went straight to Russell Cave Elementary. At the carnival, Beta Chi hosted a booth where children participated in a literacy activity and at the end of each student received a book. Throughout the year, Beta Chi has purchased over 1400 books which went directly to the students and extras were given to teachers to keep in their classroom libraries.
This fall, Beta Chi held our two philanthropy events, our 3rd annual Kappa Bowl with the men of Kappa Alpha order and our first ever Amazing Race event! This fun event was based off the hit TV show The Amazing Race, but was here, at the University of Kentucky. This event consisted of twenty-three teams from student organizations, both Greek and others. During the event Beta Chi chapter members ran the stations and cheered teams onto victory. This was an awesome event for players and our chapter. We can’t wait to make this our annual fall event. Overall through this event we raised over $1000 to support Reading is Fundamental!
Another area of focus for Beta Chi this year was academics. This year sisters encouraged each other to dive deeper academics. The academic committee worked hard putting together fun incentives for spending time studying together. The committee put together a program where members are rewarded for their academic successes and the member with the most points received a prize. This year the prize is a Kendra Scott necklace and bracelet. As a chapter we were able to be ranked third on campus for grades, which we are very proud of.
Throughout Lexington and on campus, the sisters of Beta Chi continue to be involved in the communities around them. Over thirty sisters danced in the annual Dance Blue dance marathon, helping raise over 1.7 million for the Golden Matrix Fund, which supports the kids of Dance Blue Kentucky Children’s Hospital Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Clinic. We also had a large group of sisters participate in Greek Sing, where our theme was “Forrest Gump”, and sisters also participated in Stompapalooza. Sisters were also involved in other student organizations ranging from student government, to equestrian teams, and pre-professional groups. Kappa’s also participated in intramural flag football, futsal, and basketball.
During the fall, Beta Chi Chapter was lucky enough to host many alumni. In August, we held the official ground-breaking ceremony for our new home, in which the entire chapter, alumni, House Board, and construction team were present to celebrate the occasion. In October, we hosted the pledge class of 1967 back to campus to receive their 50-year pins and celebrate Founders Day with the chapter. Later in the fall, we had visits from author and sister, Holly K. Dunn, who shared her story and her new book with Beta Chi and the UK community, as well as a visit from sister Ashley Judd, who came to spend time with sisters on campus.
We also hosted our families throughout the year. We welcomed our moms into our home this spring to a brunch and afternoon of canvas painting. After spending time at the house many ladies and their mothers attended a day at Keeneland for horse races. We also held tailgates for held a Dad’s Day and Family Weekend, both were well attended events which we plan to do again in the future.
As the year winds down, the sisters of Beta Chi are excited for the future which includes the unveiling of our new home, serving our community, and continuing to grow in our sisterhood.
The chapter house, located at 238 E. Maxwell, began renovations and expansion in May 2017. Due to construction, the house was left vacant for the 2017-2018 school year. Over 40 sisters elected to live together in a local apartment complex off campus to keep the feeling of the house. For weekly meetings we utilized campus classrooms and lecture halls. Sisterhood events were held on campus, and off campus in homes, apartments and at local parks.
==Highlights of 2018==
The Beta Chi chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma at the University of Kentucky has seen
tremendous growth in the past year. Our chapter house was under construction for renovations
during the 2017-2018 school year causing us to be without a central location for girls to come to,
having to hold chapter meetings in classroom lecture halls, and a recruitment done in another
chapter’s house. In August 2018, the house re-opened and we did the new “delayed recruitment”
style in our new house. Recruitment is the first two weekends of school, rather than the whole
week before. This was a big change for the Panhellenic community as we have done early
recruitment for many, many years at UK. It went well, and we will be doing recruitment this way
for years to come. Recruitment went very well this year, we love our new fall ’18 pledge class!
Sisterhood is a top priority to our chapter. Maintaining friendships is very important to
the members of Kappa and we encourage it in many ways. Ways that we encourage
strengthening friendships in our chapter are by holding sisterhood events. A few we had this year
are a roller-skating event at Champs Roller dome, movie night in the new house, and a trip to
Boyd’s Orchard. Another aspect that is very important to the members in Kappa is academics.
We promote studying by holding study hours and having academic events, such as study nights
with other chapters. Now that we have the house again, sisterhood will be promoted in a whole
new way with having sisterhood events.
Chapter Philanthropy
Kappa is very involved in the Panhellenic and UK community. We love getting to know
our fellow Greek organizations and helping raise money for other causes. DanceBlue is a 24-hr
dance marathon that raises money for UK DanceBlue Kentucky Children’s Hospital
Hematology/Oncology Clinic. Kappa typically has a team of about 30 girls dancing. Each year,
UK students raise over $1.5 million. Greek Sing is a philanthropy event held by Chi Omega at
UK. It is a big dance competition. It is a lot of fun to watch all the chapters perform their routines because so much work goes into it. This past Greek Sing, our theme was “Apps,” so our dances
included Twitter, Weather, Find My Friends, Uber, and Snapchat.
Kappa supports Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), GIRLS Academy, and the Kappa Kappa
Gamma Foundation. We work the closest with RIF. Each semester, we are paired with an
elementary school where we work closely with the teachers and students. Our spring 2018 events
were Kappa Bowl, Kappa Kindness, and Reading is Key events. Kappa Bowl is our biggest
event – all organizations on campus are invited to make teams to participate. The participants are
dressed in orb suits and play soccer. It is a tournament style game and the winning team receives
money that will be donated to a philanthropy of their choice. Kappa Kindness typically takes
place during midterms in the spring semester. Typically, we set up a table somewhere around
campus and give out free coffee donuts and other motivational things to add a little brightness to
people’s difficult exam week. Reading is Key events are events we hold where we go into the
elementary school we are paired with for that semester and have a carnival for the students.
There are different reading stations, such as speed reading, storytelling, puppets, bookmarks,
snacks, and other fun carnival games. The children really enjoy the events and we have gotten a
lot of positive feedback with previous events from the teachers and parents. Spring semester
2018, our theme of the Reading is Key event was Dr. Seuss Oh the Places You’ll Go and all the
active members of Kappa wore crazy, mismatch socks, which the students thought was silly and
fun. This past semester, fall 2018, our theme for the Reading is Key event was superheroes. All
the active members of Kappa wore superhero masks during the event, again which allowed a
light, funny, silly atmosphere with the kids. Each time we hold Reading is Key events, each
student gets to go home with a new book, and we are able to donate over 2,000 books to the
school library.
Our fall philanthropy events this semester were: the Reading is Key event, a Bake Sale,
and The Amazing Race. As previously mentioned, the Reading is Key events are themed events
that are held at the elementary school were paired with and is a carnival-like event. There are
reading stations, games, and snacks. The Bake Sale was new this semester, it was a success!
Active members made baked goods and each item was sold for $1. The bake sale had two
locations, one station was set up at our chapter house and another was outside of a classroom
building on campus. We had girls tell their friends and post on their social media to get the word
out. The Amazing Race is our fall philanthropy event based off the TV show “The Amazing
Race.” Teams of four must finish a certain number of challenges the fastest to win a monetary
prize of about $100 and they get to choose a philanthropy to donate money to, as well.
Chapter Facility
Chapter meetings are held in our chapter room in our newly renovated chapter house. In
the old house, the chapter room was way too small to hold every member, so we had meeting in
the dining room. But now, our chapter room seats 300 people, comfortably, which is more than
enough room for the entire chapter.
Beta Chi Chapter Room – White fold up chairs are set up for meetings.
The History/Ritual and Treasury Advisor helped us out a lot this past year with the financial
aspect of the new house. She also planned our Founders Day celebration at the new house with
other members of our House Board. They did an amazing job of showcasing the new house to
the alumnae and set up a nice program to thank everyone for their help with the house. She helped
our chapter tremendously over the past year. She attended chapter council meetings and
always let the CC members know that she would be there if they needed anything.
==Highlights of 2019==
We celebrated Founders Day by having an event at the house on October 13th. We had set out old scrapbooks and items from years past and had an official Founders Day ceremony with speaking parts representing the founders. We also had a 50-year pin presentation for the women celebrating their 50-year anniversary. We had a small reception with provided brunch foods and an opportunity for active members to mingle with alumnae.
[[File:Beta Chi Founders Day.jpg|thumb|Beta Chi Founders Day]]
Recently, we welcomed a new chapter to campus and have had representatives from the new chapter visit with us and discuss their plans for fortifying the Panhellenic community. We have welcomed our largest pledge class yet from the largest freshman class that UK has seen. Overall, the chapter is excited to welcome our new members and has enjoyed all of our events this year and the chance to become closer as a sisterhood. This year, we focused on making our sisterhood grow stronger through sisterhood events and exemplifying the values of our chapter across campus.
[[File:Beta Chi Large Group Photo.jpg|thumb|Beta Chi Large Group Photo]]
'''Philanthropy'''
Reading is Fundamental, Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation
We chose to partner with Millcreek Elementary School and we picked this school because they have an underserved population of students that do not have access to the books that they need to stay on track with their reading abilities. Partnering with a school in Lexington allows us to see the immediate effect of our fundraising efforts on children so close to our school. This year we hosted Reading is Key events at the elementary school where we had themed events with students. In the spring, the theme was Dr. Seuss and this fall, it was Disney-themed. This consisted of having different stations, each with a different theme and activity for the students to participate in.
This year, Beta Chi has held many philanthropy events to raise money to support Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation. In the spring, we held our Kappa Bowl event where participants from other chapters on campus play tournament style soccer within large plastic blow up suits. We also held a Reading is Key event at Millcreek Elementary with a Dr. Seuss theme where we were able to donate 650 books. We held the Amazing Race in the fall where chapters signed up as teams and competing in a scavenger hunt across campus with tasks to complete at each stop before they can move onto the next station. We raised $1000 from the Amazing Race and $1335 from Kappa Bowl that we were able to use to support our philanthropies. In the fall, we held our second Reading is Key event with a Disney theme and were able to donate around 900 books to the elementary school. This year, we were also able to raise $750 to donate to a scholarship fund for a Beta Chi alum who recently passed away from cancer. This was a wonderful way for us to show support for an alum who meant so much to this chapter and her family shared with us how important our chapter was to her. This year, our goal was to work on fortifying our sisterhood through various events geared towards strengthening our bond. We had different events throughout the year such as roller skating, laser tag, and a visit to a local apple orchard. This year, as a chapter we were still adjusting to being back in our new house after being renovated and it was exciting year to expand our sisterhood and get settled in to our new house. Kappa also participated in other chapter's philanthropy events such as Greek Sing, an event hosted by Chi Omega and Beta Theta Pi, where teams perform and themed dance. Beta Chi also had a team participate in DanceBlue, an on campus organization that raises almost 2 million dollars a year in support of pediatric cancer research and clinic funding.
==Highlights of 2020==
This has been a crazy year but we have made the most out of it all! When we got sent home because of COVID-19 in the spring, Beta Chi still managed to have many virtual sisterhood events like Zoom work out classes and Netflix watch parties. We were finally able to come back to 238 E. Maxwell on August 8th. We hosted virtual spirit week with different types of recruitment workshops. Beta Chi also hosted virtual recruitment which was a huge success. We were able to welcome home 78 new members. Bid day was Kappa Girls tour themed, and everyone had a great time dressing up and welcoming our new member class home! We hosted it in shifts so everyone could join! We have had numerous sisterhood events this semester including pumpkin painting on the porch, coffee tabs at local coffee houses, tailgates in Kappa’s parking lot, and Bachelorette night in the student center movie theater. Big little was held in person and virtually, and it was a huge success! All 78 new members got initiated on October 24th virtually through Zoom! We have had a fun filled year at Beta Chi and we cannot wait for the next adventures.
[[File:Beta Chi 2020.jpg|thumb|Beta Chi 2020]]
'''Philanthropy'''
Beta Chi supports Reading is Fundamental and the Kappa Kappa Gamma Foundation.
This year has been a little different. Due to COVID-19 we have not been able to volunteer at Millcreek Elementary School here in Lexington, KY. However, Beta Chi has done other things to help this school. We chose this school because they have an underserved population of students that do not have access to the books that they need to stay on track with their reading abilities. Being in this schools allows us to see the immediate effect of our fundraising efforts on children so close to our hearts. This year we hosted Kappa Kickball. This event helped Beta Chi raise money to support our local elementary school while staying socially distanced with our sisters. We were able to raise over $5000 to RIF during the fall semester.
'''Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion'''
We have encouraged our sisters to go to other Panhellenic events in our community. Chapter Council has received the letter from Kappa Headquarters about adding a DEI position. We have begun planning on adding this position to our Chapter Council.
'''Sesquicentennial Celebration'''
This year we filmed a video to celebrate Founders Day and posted it on Beta Chi’s facebook page for all alumnae and members to watch. In this video, chapter members shared why Beta Chi is special to them.
==Highlights of 2021==
This year in Beta Chi looked a bit different from the usual, but our sisterhood was stronger than ever! We started our year with a snowy beginning of the new semester! Our sisters celebrated being back on campus with socially distanced snowman building, virtual movie nights, and lots of cheering on UK basketball! We also celebrated our Spring COB new members with a Bid Day at a roller rink! We were all so excited to watch our chapter grow. One of our favorite sisterhood events this semester was an outdoor tailgate for the UK vs. Florida basketball game, complete with a banner and Chick-fil-A. As we came up on Midterms, our sisters spent lots of time studying together. Our VP of Academics organized an open tab at a local coffee shop, so everyone could get a pick-me-up before their exams. Soon after, we celebrated I-Week with an outdoor Drive-In movie set up behind our house! It was such a great way to focus on what makes Beta Chi so special. Our other favorite sisterhood was a Malibu Jacks (indoor amusement park) night! We loved playing laser tag and mini golf, driving go karts, and riding all the rides. Our final event for the 2020-2021 school year was our Sapphire Ball! Everyone looked so beautiful in their dresses and our Chapter Council made sure the event was not only fun, but safe.
After a long summer break, we were all so excited to be back from an in-person recruitment! We spent Spirit Week preparing to welcome every PNM, while also strengthening our sisterhood. We had fun theme days such as “We’re So Golden” (wear all gold) and “KKzzzzz” (PJ day). When the time came to recruit our new member class, our chapter was nothing but smiles. After Preference round, we were “bubbling to meet our bids” as we welcomed them home with a bubble themed Bid Day! Shortly after, we had our first date function. “Kappa Kasino Night” was a success, complete with card tables and all the glitz of Las Vegas! That same weekend, we welcomed our sisters' families into our house for a Family Weekend tailgate before our Cats scored another victory against UT Chattanooga The most exciting event this semester, by far, was a visit from Beta Chi alumna Ashley Judd! Her words inspired our members and showed us what it means to be a strong and powerful female leader. To bring in fall, we picked apples and painted pumpkins together! Complete with a cold brew coffee bar, this event was the perfect way to celebrate yet another Cats win! After weeks of meeting Key Sisters, our new members were beyond thrilled to meet their Bigs! Our “It’s Your Heart of Gold I Love the Best” Big Little Reveal was an evening of smiles. Our next date function, “Sweet Home Kappa Gamma” was just as fun as the first. Our sisters pulled their hats and boots, and square danced the night away! Finally, we are so close to initiating the current new members. Our Marshal and her committee have worked so hard for the upcoming Initiation. Just like last semester, we will be starting off I-Week with a Drive-In Movie!
'''Philanthropy'''
In the spirit of Kappa’s Mental Health and Wellness philanthropy initiative, the Beta Chi chapter supports and JED Foundation and the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families. As a chapter, we value hands on service and with our local organization, we are able to lift the spirits of families who are grieving the loss of a loved one. Many of our members are taking the time to be trained with this organization in order to better serve them and our community. We are currently planning “Kappa Cruise or Sink”, a cardboard boat race, in order to raise money. At this event, all the sororities and fraternities on our campus will be able to build a boat out of cardboard and race them in order to win money for their philanthropy. We are so excited to raise money for the Kentucky Center for Grieving Children and Families and donating to the philanthropy of the winner!
'''Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion'''
This year, we added a DEI coordinator to our chapter’s leadership. They were able to give presentations before recruitment to stress the importance of inclusivity as well as presentations before things like Halloween to make sure everyone was aware of our standards as Kappa women. We also had a programming meeting by our DEI chair and another by a mental health advocate on our campus that taught our chapter more about inclusivity in mental health aspects and in our actions. Our recruitment presentation also acted as a sort of workshop to ensure everyone understood what was being shared and could use those skills in recruitment. This election cycle, we decided to add the DEI position onto our Chapter Council as an official officer so that they can be more involved and have a bigger voice in our leadership. Our DEI chair this past year has helped us to host our sisterhood and social events in ways and with themes that are both fun and inclusive. By adding DEI as an officer this election cycle, we are hoping to move forward and continue our progress to becoming an even more welcoming, open minded and loving chapter in the future.
'''Operating in a Pandemic'''
This year we started with a group of COB girls who were recruited and initiated online, similar to the members who joined in the fall of 2020. Our primary recruitment this fall was luckily held in person for all rounds with proper precautions like masks and hand sanitizer. We also were able to initiate our new members in person this fall. Our chapter meetings in the spring were all online and moved back to in-person this fall as well. In the spring most events were held virtually or in a shift system so all attendees were not there at the same time. We also followed the protocols of each venue and the panhellenic guidelines. We also had some virtual events in the spring and a virtual option for events in the spring and fall.
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'''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 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.
Your efforts will ensure a complete and accurate history of your chapter for future generations to enjoy!