Rush at UCSC

[SoProud2BeAnAlphaXi]

I PM'd you, Corina!

And just to make sure history doesn't get re-written here: At no time did Alpha Xi Delta say "You must have X members by this date or else." The admiration between AXiD and NBO runs two ways, and a little deeper than such a shallow rephrasing might indicate. And besides, "or else" really isn't our style!

[aephi alum]

Originally posted by SoProud2BeAnAlphaXi
And just to make sure history doesn't get re-written here: At no time did Alpha Xi Delta say "You must have X members by this date or else." The admiration between AXiD and NBO runs two ways, and a little deeper than such a shallow rephrasing might indicate. And besides, "or else" really isn't our style!

I didn't mean anything against AZD...

It seems that Corina and her fellow NBO sisters are being asked to grow from a handful of members up to around 35 before they can become a colony of AZD. During this time, they get little or no support from AZD.

In my chapter's case, AEPhi accepted us as a colony when we only had 10 members. This is at a school where there were 4 well-established nationals and total was 80. We were asked to grow to 25 before being chartered, but we had lots of backing and support from AEPhi to do it.

I can certainly understand AZD's hesitance to expend resources on a colony that might never become a chapter. Frankly, AEPhi went out on a limb in our case. But growing a brand-new local sorority with no alum support and no name recognition is d***ed hard.

Still, Corina, I would keep my options open if I were you. It can't hurt to look.

[sugar and spice]

If I were you, I'd write a letter to whoever it is at AXiD that you've been in touch with and tell them what's up. First highlight all the community service you've done, tell them about your fantastic new members, tell them about anything else that has been going right for you guys lately. Then tell them that it would be great if they could offer you any resources for attracting new members, PR, getting your name out, things like that. Even if they can't help you, at least they'll know that you're being proactive and are really working hard to make NBO known, and maybe they will reconsider the "35 girls by whenever" stipulation for becoming an AXiD colony.

If they still aren't willing to give you anything or re-discuss terms, I would start looking at new groups.

It's awesome to hear that you're not giving up, though! Keep up the great work . . . I'm sure it will pay off soon.

[honeychile]

Corina,

I agree with Sugar and Spice - be upfront with AZD, let them know how you're doing, but lead with your better features. Every NPC colonizes differently, but I know that a core of 10 dedicated, fine women means more than 35 bodies!

Keep in mind that NBO is still very young by NPC standards! A lot of colonies have been around 10-30 years prior to becoming an NPC sorority! I would imagine that, once the groundwork is sufficiently laid, whichever NPC sorority you become will swoop in with their consultants, and help you with the rough spots. At least, that's what I've seen.

As for the ultimatum: you are completely in line with this sister! Most sororities have rules about excused/unexcused absences, and it's usually three strikes, you're out (can't vote or whatever). Why not have NBO pass a rule concerning that, notify all the sisters by mail, setting a date on which this rule takes affect? That way, it's not "Corina's so mean!", it's "Corina is following up on the rules of NBO." Just a suggestion. As for the pnms that this awol sister has, find a way to contact them (really, every sister with interested pnms should be sharing this info with the entire group at all times!) and if they mention Ms. Awol, just say something to the effect that y'all love her dearly, but there are attendance rules. If they balk at that, well, you may save yourself a lot of grief in the long run.

Completely off topic, but I thought I'd share: I showed my fiance the picture of "NBO" and without me pointing you out, he saw you and said, "Wow! That one's hot!" Lucky for him, I was in a good mood...!

Keep us posted!
honeychile

(edited for punctuation)

[Aphigal]

Just so you know we WENT national because as a local we were having trouble recruiting and retaining members. Its not anything you are doing wrong, its just the support and guidance that 100+ years of experience a international group can provide that helps others get stronger.

Don't focus on only recruitment to measure success and don't feel obligate to "go AZD" because you originally had your heart set on them. I do think you should get in contact with AXD again but I would also send some "bidding signals" to other groups as well.

[pialpha92]

My Goodness.... I just found this thread (well actually a little over three hours ago I found it )

Corina your story is truly AMAZING!

Keep it up - I know it is hard sometimes but in the end it will be SO worth it!

[Optimist Prime]

Good luck with everything you will be NPC because You Can Do It. Just like Bob the Builder.

[nbosista]

Hey...this is Corina here, I can't figure out how to log out Liz so I'm on her screen name. Anyway, this is all of our philanthropy work so far, and this is what I plan on sending in to AZD, just to update them on our progress. Please respond with comments/questions, etc!


In the short time that Nu Beta Omicron has been in existence, we have done a remarkable amount of philanthropy work. Our efforts have benefited our school (University of California, Santa Cruz) and our communities. Since October of 2001, we have assisted many worthwhile organizations, by donating our time, money, and efforts. During the holiday season of 2002, each Nu Beta Omicron member was given twenty dollars from the sorority budget. They were instructed to do something charitable with that money- whether it be donating to a worthy cause, using it to buy food or supplies to donate, putting it towards transportation so that one could donate time, or any other use that was for the good of the community. Some of our members returned home for the holidays, and they used their money to benefit their home towns. The following is an overview of all of the community service that Nu Beta Omicron has participated in, both during this past holiday season, and in the entire year and a half that we have been in existence.

· CASA: Court Appointed Special Advocates. This organization works to provide assistance for children who are somehow involved in the legal system. These situations include custody, adoption/orphan, child abuse, and related court cases. CASA appoints a trained volunteer to each child they can assist, and this volunteer works with their child throughout all stages of the legal process. CASA helps to ease the trauma and confusion that often befalls children in these situations, by providing them with a constant, reliable source of information and support. The court appointed volunteer also serves to protect the child’s best interest, and provide a voice for them in legal matters. Nu Beta Omicron has assisted CASA with putting up flyers for their events, and using word of mouth advertising to garner support and interest in their plans. We specifically were involved with their “Light of Hope for a Child” event, which involved fundraising and awareness raising for abused and/or neglected children. Members of Nu Beta Omicron participated with setting up and staffing the event.
· Western Service Workers Association: This organization helps to provide food, clothing, and assistance to migrant farm workers who may otherwise be without basic necessities. Nu Beta Omicron collected canned food for them, in an effort to ensure that even those who live in poverty could have some cheer during the holiday season.
· Toys for Tots. Each year, this organization collects new, unwrapped toys to donate to underprivileged children. Members of Nu Beta Omicron donated toys to this organization, and several members also worked to help organize and staff the collection events.
· MEND: Meeting Each Need with Dignity. This organization, based in Pacoima, California, provides food, clothing, presents, and other useful items to those less fortunate. Members of Nu Beta Omicron donated clothing to assist women living in poverty.
· Russell Elementary School, Los Angeles, California. While home for winter break, some of our members were able to contribute their time to this inner city school. We have several members who are originally from Los Angeles county, and they are also interested in potentially becoming teachers later in life. This philanthropy activity gave these members the opportunity to experience teaching first hand, and to see the challenges that inner city children have to face. Each member who participated felt very strongly that this charity work was just as beneficial to them as it was to the children who benefited from extra educational attention.
· Holy Cross Church, Los Angeles, California. During the same winter break, members of Nu Beta Omicron were able to donate gifts to low income, minority families. Each family had the opportunity to register at the church, and then community members could assist them with gift buying this holiday season. With funds raised by Nu Beta Omicron, over twenty families were able to provide their children with toys and clothing for Christmas. In addition to this accomplishment, sorority members also donated their time, and dressed up as elves at the gift collection event.
· Macy’s More Community. Each year, Macy’s card holders are offered a simple way to aid their community. By charging a monetary donation to their Macy’s card, their funds donated benefit four worthy organizations. Funds raised by Nu Beta Omicron were split equally between:
o American Cancer Society: a nationwide, community based voluntary health organization which focuses on cancer prevention and treatment. It is one of the oldest and largest volunteer organizations in America today.
o America’s Second Harvest: the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, which provides communities with a network of over two hundred food banks and food rescue programs.
o Boys and Girls Clubs: a program offering volunteer based children’s activity centers to communities across the United States. Each Boys and Girls Club offers a broad range of activities and programs (including academics, technology, leadership, gang prevention, fine arts, athletics, and self esteem workshops) to children who may otherwise slip through the cracks.
o United Way: an organization comprised over of fourteen hundred independent organizations, with a focus on community assistance for the most important human needs. A large portion of their time and assistance is directed towards helping children, youth, and families succeed, particularly those facing adverse situations.
· Homeless population of Santa Cruz, California, and Los Angeles, California. Several Nu Beta Omicron members banded together to purchase food for the homeless members of their communities. Although the donations were as simple as ordering or making pizza and sandwiches, the appreciation was evident when we distributed them.
· Current Nu Beta Omicron Philanthropy Work:
o Members of our sorority are currently collecting clothing and supplies (such as bottles, strollers, toys, etc.) to donate to the women and children living in local battered women’s shelters.
o Members are also providing tutoring to underprivileged children at the local Walnut Avenue Women’s Center.
o A beach cleanup is being planned, and Nu Beta Omicron hopes to involve other Greek organizations on the campus of UCSC, in an effort to promote Greek unity as well as community assistance.
o Several Nu Beta Omicron members are gathering information on the Santa Cruz suicide hotline. We hope to have members volunteering at the hotline, and we are going to offer our assistance in terms of raising awareness and flyering for their organization.
o Most recently, Nu Beta Omicron has become interested in assisting the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. This organization supports an event called “Caring For Kids 101”, which raises awareness and funds for Pediatric AIDS research. We hope to sponsor their visit to the UCSC campus, and plans are being made to accomplish this goal.
o Members of Nu Beta Omicron are currently collecting Yoplait Yogurt Lids for Breast Cancer Awareness, and General Mills Box Tops for Education. Collecting these items helps benefits both the community of Santa Cruz, and women nationwide.


So GC, how does that sound? More later!
<3, Corina

[RedRoseSAI]

You ladies are incredible!

I am so impressed with the amount of work you've done - way to go!

[Peaches-n-Cream]

You are so busy! Now I know why you aren't posting as much as in the past. You don't have free time anymore. Good job, NBO!!!

[OUlioness01]

That is fabulous Corinna! I only wish my chapter could do as much! Any GLO would be lucky to have NBO as a colony and future chapter.

[aephi alum]

I'm impressed Keep up the good work!

[mmcat]

what's not to love about that much volunteerism...
congrats...

[pinkyphimu]

wow corina.....nbo is a BUSY bunch!!! keep up the good work. we are rooting for you!

[honeychile]

NBO just gets more and more interesting! Congratulations on a superb record in charity, Corina & sisters!

IMHO, this thread should be required reading for everyone in the NPC world!

honeychile