374
edits
Changes
→Highlights of 2014
Currently, we have a chapter house that houses 52 girls. Before our renovation last year, the house could only hold 40 girls. Our new addition added not only 6 extra bedrooms, but also an extended dining room area, designated chapter room, additional bathroom, and a second laundry room. The funds for the addition came from every active member from the past and present. This is the third renovation of our Epsilon Phi chapter home since we purchased it in the mid-1980's. We needed the addition to the house to accommodate the growing presence we have at the University of Florida with over 200 members.
==Highlights of 2015==
In 2014, it was Epsilon Phi’s mission to rebuild our chapter. Not only did we rebuild our house, but we also moved toward rebuilding our sisterhood, education, and philanthropy. In 2015, we focused on truly remodeling the function and effectiveness of our chapter on the inside, to match the beautiful house we now live in. Our main goals of 2015 included improving our philanthropy, campus leadership, committee involvement, ritual knowledge, and recruitment.
Our first goal as a chapter was to improve awareness about campus leadership opportunities and events. Epsilon Phi is already extremely involved on the UF campus, representing Kappa Kappa Gamma in multiple leadership positions. However, we wanted to make sure that every member of our chapter had the opportunity to get involved on the University of Florida campus. We decided to keep a running list of all available opportunities and upcoming events that is easily accessible. During chapter every week, the council members would present to the chapter any and all opportunities to get involved inside and outside of Kappa. Then, those opportunities would be available in the chapter minutes for anyone who missed the information. We also began online groups containing girls from each major so they could be reminded about upcoming events and opportunities specific to their schools. Epsilon Phi has flourished with this new system and we are continuing to become involved.
Next, we focused on improving our committee involvement. In the past few years, Epsilon Phi has not taken full advantage of our large committees. We made sure that this year, each officer had a folder with the name of each person on the committee, and an area to write down what was brainstormed, planned, and delegated. We also ensured that each committee member was aware of the expectations and obligations of their chosen committee. We even developed committee expectations and obligations worksheets. Our committees are now running smoothly, making the operations of our chapter more effective.
We also wanted to improve our chapter’s understanding of Epsilon Phi, Kappa Kappa Gamma fraternity history, and our bylaws. We believe that as a Kappa Kappa Gamma, every member should have an understanding of our history and ritual. We decided to implement more frequent ritual reviews, that is not necessarily associated with upcoming events. These ritual reviews are merely to help every girl remember what Kappa stands for. We also conducted these reviews with each pledge class to maximize efficiency. During chapter, our Marshal started a segment of her report called “ritual reminders”, where she would present small ritual facts. We even tried to draw attention to the open access of the bylaws and standing rules online, so that every member could be more educated about our fraternity’s structure.
Last but not least, we strived to improve the effectiveness of our recruitment preparation. As a chapter, we wanted to feel more prepared and organized for the upcoming recruitment process. We conducted more in depth small group discussions on what we wanted to achieve as a chapter during Fall 2015 Recruitment. We completed more run-throughs, conversation discussions, and ended with in-depth overviews of each day. We are thrilled to welcome our Fall 2015 new member class into Epsilon Phi. These new members are a promising group of girls who are already representing our Epsilon Phi chapter in the best way possible through involvement in our chapter, and on campus.
Our goal of increasing campus involvement throughout 2015 is clearly seen. Kappa Kappa Gamma has further enhanced our campus presence by becoming involved in the following organizations: Florida Cicerones, CRU, Doulos, Navigators, Panhellenic Executive Council, Junior Panhellenic Council, University of Florida Women’s Crew Team, UF Synchronized Swimming Team, UF Water Polo Team, Dean’s List, Teaching Assistants, Florida Bright Futures Scholars, Women’s Student Association, Florida Equestrian Team, ACCENT, AWARE, FLA, AMSA, UF Women’s Chorale, Model UN, College Youth in Government, Volunteering at Shands Hospital Campus Diplomats, Warrington College of Business Diplomats, Dance Marathon, Floridance, Danza, Student Government Senate, Action Student Government, Gators March for Babies, honor societies, and many more. In addition to these extracurricular accomplishments, Epsilon Phi earned a 3.486 grade point average in the Spring of 2015, which ranks eighth among all seventeen Panhellenic chapters.
Epsilon Phi participated in the following campus-wide Greek Philanthropies:
Sigma Lambda Beta Stroll Off, Beta Theta Pi-“Beta Bring It On”, Pi Kappa Phi Rose Queen Pageant, Alpha Tau Omega Red, White, and Pull, Pi Lambda Phi Powderpuff, Phi Kappa Tau Safe Sets, Delta Zeta Turtle Tug, Alpha Epsilon Pi Bake-Off, Delta Chi Earthball, Delta Tau Delta Miss Greek, Phi Delta Theta Fever, Theta Chi Kickball, Alpha Tau Omega Build a Better Bear, Alpha Gamma Rho Buck Off, Phi Sig Spike, Delta Zeta Clay Classic, PIKE Halftime, Phi Tau Safe Sets, KA American Gladiator
Chapter:
Chapter Goals 2015:
-Improve committee involvement
-Improve the chapter's understanding of Epsilon Phi and Kappa Kappa Gamma history
-Improve our understanding of the Standards policies
-Create a positive and lasting experience for all members during Recruitment
-Increase morale and enthusiasm to do service for others
-Raise awareness of our philanthropy
-Improve our graciousness to each other and guests through sisterhood events
-Improve chapter image, both internally and externally
Chapter Philanthropies: Children’s Miracle Network Dance Marathon, Kappa Kasino benefitting Reading is Fundamental, and All Greek Service Day.
Socials: Emoji, Why is this in my closet?, Construction, Wolf of Wall Street, Hollywood, Golf and Tennis
Date Functions: Florida State Fair, Kappa Kabana, Dinner Cruise Formal, Winter Semi Formal, Latitude 360 in Jacksonville
Events With Sister Chapters: Phi Mu ice cream social and wrote welcome letters to Gamma Phi Beta, Alpha Epsilon Phi fitness marshall hip hop fitness Youtube Videos, Zeta Phi Beta cupcake decorating for breast cancer month, Zeta Tau Alpha holiday cookie decorating
Other events: Ghouls, Goblins, and Greeks, New Member Lip Sync with Delta Tau Delta, Homecoming Pageant, Kappa Kafe Registration Party sisterhood event, Dads Weekend, New Member retreat to Camp Crystal Lake, Family Weekend, Founders Day, Homecoming with Alpha Epsilon Phi, Kappa Kafe Registration Party sisterhood event, Islands of Adventure Sisterhood Trip, Kappa Kappa Gamma Semi Formal
Chapter Honors:
1st place Alpha Gamma Rho Buck Off
2nd place FIJI Fastball
3rd place Alpha Tau Omega Build a Better Bear
Outstanding Anti-Hazing Initiative Florida Greek Award
Chapter Philanthropy:
What organization(s) has your chapter historically/traditionally raised money for, or donated hours to, in your community?
Epsilon Phi works with several different charities throughout the year. As an organization, Kappa Kappa Gamma partners with Reading is Fundamental, an organization that helps underprivileged kids discover the joy of reading and books. Epsilon Phi supports this partnership and raised over $2,500 in 2015 towards the organization. We raised this money through our annual philanthropy, Kappa Kasino. Not only did we raise money, but we also raised over 1,000 books for children in our area. We decided to give back to our local community by volunteering at an elementary school and reading books to children. We even volunteered at a local food bank called Bread of the Mighty, where we helped restock the shelves. Epsilon Phi also participates in UF Dance Marathon every year, where we beat our goal of fundraising $30,000 for the Children’s Miracle Network.
Why did your chapter choose this organization(s) to support?
As a chapter, we chose to support these organizations and charities because we see the good that they do. We support Reading is Fundamental because we understand that children are our future, and reading books as a child is one of the first steps of a solid education. We volunteer at Bread of the Mighty because we understand how difficult the economy can be on local families. It is wonderful to actually see the impact we are making in our community by hands on volunteering. And finally, we support Dance Marathon because helping the Children’s Miracle Network is so close to our hearts, as we also help underprivileged children through Reading is Fundamental. We love to help give kids the best opportunity to succeed, just as Kappa Kappa Gamma gives us the skills and tools we need to be successful women.
==Highlights of the 2020s==
