Alumnae - Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority

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AlumnaeFrom the Desk of theVP Alumnae Relationsby Chelsea Navo, VP Alumnae RelationsAlumnae Delegates at ConventionA few years ago, Omega Phi Alpha sisters changed the representation of alumnae at Convention. We now have a total of 10 alumnaedelegates voting during Convention business. These delegates consist of one delegate from each of the eight districts, and two at-largedelegates who represent all alumnae. In exchange for representing alumnae from their areas, alumnae delegates receive 50 percent oftheir travel costs reimbursed.For Convention 2008, we used a new application process for alumnae delegates because of the growing number of alumnae interestedserving in the alumnae delegate positions. I would like to thank all who applied. The 2008 Alumnae Delegates were: D1 - RachelFrauenhoffer; D2 - Elizabeth Anderson; D3 - Keshia Gibson; D4 - Anita Thibodeaux; D5 - Lisa Guest; D6 - Liz New; D7 - LynnDudash; D8 - Erin Gatlin-Martin, and at-large - Dawn Tupper and Shayna Morris. These women attended all of Convention and votedon behalf of alumnae during the business meetings.We will be using the same process to appoint alumnae delegates for Convention 2009, which will be held July 22-26 in Philadelphia, PA.Alumnae delegate applications will be posted on the Web site and the OPA forum in early January. All applications received beforeMarch 1 will be reviewed by a committee consisting of one NEB member, one ABoD member, and one alumnae-at-large. This committeewill review the applications and recommend the alumnae it feels are best qualified to be alumnae delegates. Applicants will be evaluatedbased on the district they live in. Additional qualified applicants will be considered for the two at-large alumnae delegate positions.The VP of Alumnae Relations will review the committee's feedback and the applications then will appoint alumnae delegates by April 1.If at the end of the review there is a district without an alumnae delegate, that position will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.Alumnae delegates for 2009 will be posted publicly along with legislation in the spring before Convention. Every alumna is encouragedto review the legislation and contact the alumnae delegate representing her to make sure her delegate takes her views in considerationwhen voting.I would like to send a special thank you to Rho Chapter. They started an alumnae recognition program of their own this year. Rho wantedto ensure they had at least one Rho alumnae present at Convention. Rho held fundraisers to raise a few hundred dollars to accomplishthis goal. Rho designed an application for interested Rho alumnae to complete, then reviewed and selected an alumna to send. This yearRachel Frauenhoffer was the Rho alumnae representative. Rachel received a 50 percent travel reimbursement from National for being avoting delegate; she elected to give her reimbursement to Rho to help them send an alumna to Philadelphia. What a creative way to getyour alumnae involved in National Convention.Natalie Crowe of Omicron Chapter was this year's OmegaPhi Alpha Scholarship Winner. She was awarded $500 togo toward her studies at Auburn University, where shemajors in English and Spanish. She has been an Omicronmember since Fall 2006.12 Chevron y Fall 2008
AlumnaeWhirlwind in WestminsterAlumnae track remains part of Convention scheduleby Keshia Gibson, Alumnae Board of DirectorsAlumnae had plenty of time to socializeand be involved in activities duringConvention in Westminster, a suburb ofDenver. The tradition of an alumnaetrack continued, complete with an alumnaemeeting, alumnae workshops and analumnae lounge.Day-by-day highlights of alumnae trackWednesdayAlumnae LoungeAn alumnae lounge opened upWednesday night as a room wherealumnae could gather to chitchat, snackor even nap during Convention. Thelounge was also used for alumnae business,such as alumnae workshops andSenior Ceremony.ThursdayAlumnae WorkshopsThe alum track offered two workshops:"OPA Today" and "So You Want to Startan Alum Chapter?" "OPA Today" servedas an overview of the many changes inOPhiA's organizational structure inrecent years. Such changes include thecreation of districts and new leadershippositions for alumnae. The latter workshopfocused on alumnae chapters--their current status, intended future andproposed legislation governing them.Alumnae MeetingThe main topic of this year's alumnaemeeting was the concept of alumnae initiation(allowing someone to join asorority outside of collegiate years). Themeeting's discussion included thoughtson how alumnae initiation might impactOPhiA, if it's suitable for OPhiA, and, ifaccepted, how it might be implemented.FridayAlumnae LuncheonThe alumnae luncheon is an opportunityto recognize any alumnae present atConvention. A speech by the VP ofalum relations addressed the diversity ofthe alumnae group, which representednine home chapters. Special recognitionwas given to current and past NEBmembers. Luncheon attendees ate chickenwith capers or vegetable lasagna andcheesecake for dessert.Alumnae Society InductionsThe society inductions immediately followedthe alumnae luncheon. Alumnaesocieties recognize an alumna's longevity(based on number of years since activation)and service to Omega Phi Alpha.This year's inductees were all inductedinto the Topaz society (10 years):Elizabeth Anderson, Shayna Morris andAnita Thibodeaux. The society inductionsconcluded with the unveiling onthe new alumnae pin.Senior CeremonyTime was set aside to give any seniorswho had recently graduated, or wouldsoon graduate, an opportunity to be partof the senior ceremony. Alumnae performedthe ceremony for three sisters:Bambi McLeskey (Alpha Beta), LizNew (Alpha Zeta), and Dawn Tupper(Alpha Delta).Alum OutingA group of alumnae hopped on a shuttlein search of fun and ended up inBroomfield, Co. Sisters spent the afternoonbonding and shopping at FlatIronCrossing before heading back to enjoythe evening in downtown Denver.SaturdayAwards BanquetAlumnae wrapped up their Conventionby attending the Rock Star Banquet atthe Denver Museum of Natural Science.Two alumnae awards were presented.Elizabeth Anderson received theAlumnae Travel Award. The AlumnaeService Award went to KarinHoodenpyle Coulter.Alumnae Track in PhillyIf you missed out on the "Whirlwind inWestminster," there's always next year.Keep an eye out for Convention 2009registration to open sometime nextspring. If you would like to get involvedin or provide input for developing nextyear's alumnae track, contact the VP ofAlumnae Relations atalumnae@omegaphialpha.org.Fall 2008 y Chevron 13
Page 1 and 2: ChevronOMEGA PHI ALPHA NATIONAL SER
Page 3 and 4: National NewsHighlights from Conven
Page 5 and 6: National News2007-2008 SERVICE AWAR
Page 7 and 8: Meet the new NEBNational President,
Page 9 and 10: Convention Service FeatureStephanie
Page 11: FeatureWe Are Women—Let Us Vote!b
Page 16: OMEGA PHI ALPHANATIONAL SERVICE SOR

Alumnae - Omega Phi Alpha National Service Sorority

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