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The Mahoning Valley Alumnae Chapter of Alpha Omicron Pi 2016-2017

AOII MAHONING VALLEY ALUMNAE CHAPTER

Save The Date! For the 2017 Walk to Cure Arthritis at the Cleveland Zoo!

Find out about upcoming events, learn more about our chapter, view photos from past events and join our chapter online! Visit our website at mahoningvalley.alphaomicronpi.org.

Stay Connected With Us

Upcoming Events February 18, 2017

March 2017

Join us for lunch at Laziza! We’ll be meeting at 12:00 noon in Kent,

OH. The restaurant address is 195 E. Erie Street. We hope to see

you there!

We’re getting together at the Second Harvest Food Bank of

the Mahoning Valley in March! Stay tuned to our Twitter,

Facebook and website for the exact date and time.

AOII Mahoning Valley Alumnae Chapter

@AOII_MVAC @AOII_MVAC

March 6, 2017 We love celebrating International Badge Day! On March 6th, wear

your badge with pride and use the hash tag #badgeday17 on

Instagram.

On May 13, 2017 we will be heading to the Cleveland Zoo to support our international philanthropy!

Arthritis is the #1 cause of disability in the U.S. and affects more than 50 million people. The Arthritis

Foundation’s signature event is this annual walk, held in various cities nationwide, so it’s easy to help whether you’re near or far! Visit our website for

information about registering for the event in Cleveland. We can’t wait to see you there!

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Hello sisters!

As I reflect on the fantastic work the MVAC has done over the past year, I am extremely proud and excited for our future.

During the 2016-2017 year, MVAC officers set goals based on the areas found in our Standards of Excellence. We wanted to be intentional in our efforts as an alumnae chapter and knew that these principles would guide our continued successes.

The Mahoning Valley Alumnae Chapter hosted Senior Send Off in the spring of 2016 for 7 women graduating and transitioning to alumna status from the Phi Lambda chapter. We were honored to recognize their service to AOII and to be part of such a special occasion. They each received a small gift and an insight into the work we do as an alumnae chapter.

Our calendar boasted some unique and fun events! In April we met for a Salt Yoga class in Canfield. Salt Yoga, while very similar to traditional yoga, is designed to help participants detoxify and cleanse their skin and airways. This is accomplished through the use of a heated floor covered with pink Himalayan salt. We set up our yoga mats over the salt, dimmed the lights, and were transported on a physically and visually relaxing journey. We all had a great time and noticed the great benefits!

We hosted our second annual Beer and Wine Tasting fundraiser in June and proudly raised over $900! As we plan for the year ahead, we hope to make some very exciting modifications to our annual philanthropy event, in order to ensure our continued success and generosity to the Arthritis Foundation! As in years past, we participated in the Arthritis Walk at the Cleveland Zoo and had a great time supporting our philanthropy. One of our 2016-2017 goals included adopting a local organization to support. We selected a local organization, Making Kids Count, whose purpose includes promoting anti-bullying efforts. We achieved that goal through an awesome fundraiser with Jamberry. We look forward to continuing our partnership with Making Kids Count in the years to come!

I couldn’t have imagined that as we approach our 5-year installation anniversary that we would have accomplished all that we have. In those 5 years, we have been named a Ruby Level chapter each year, we have received the Excellence in Collegiate Relations Award twice, and we have steadily grown our membership. I have to take a moment to thank each of our sisters for helping us in achieving these successes. Each year I am in awe of the work we have done, and I cannot wait to see where this upcoming year will take us.

Here’s to many more years of sisterhood!

Roses,

Rose Petals From The President

Members of the MVAC at our Beer and Wine Tasting Fundraiser in May 2016

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Leadership Institute 2016 In June 2016 the MVAC AP, Samantha Cockrell, traveled to Tennessee for LI. The weekend kicked off with an awesome session with Ginny Carroll who spoke about the importance of our Ritual and how it ties each of us together no matter where life takes us. We reflected on the work that our founders did so many years ago, during a time in our country’s history when a woman seeking an education was not looked at the same way it is today. Ginny’s message was a great reminder of where we came from and to be excited for where we are going in the future as a Fraternity. Later that evening we celebrated with Network 2 and were named a Ruby Level chapter again!

On Saturday morning we got right down to business with an energizing presentation from Woody Woodcock from Phired Up. His presentation reminded us of the way AOII impacts all that we do and how to recognize these impacts on our spheres of influence. Later that afternoon, we all met for an Executive Board update and learned about the 2015-2019 Strategic Plan. We listened to updates from the Foundation Board, Properties Board and Nominating Trustees. Later that night, we were honored to receive the Excellence in Collegiate Relations Award for our continued support of Phi Lambda.

The weekend was filled with many insightful and inspiring Learning Paths, many of which focused specifically on the functionality of an alumnae chapter and its characteristics. These sessions provided our AP with a wealth of knowledge that will benefit the Mahoning Valley Alumnae Chapter’s operations for many years to come!

International Convention 2017 The MVAC has been eagerly counting down the days to International Convention since the last Convention in Los Angeles during 2015. We are very excited to travel to Washington, D.C. during the upcoming year to celebrate 120 years of sisterhood! The MVAC is looking forward to learning how our Culture Principles will continue to guide AOII in the future and how we can implement those principles into the world around us. The sessions are sure to be educational and motivating and will provide a great reminder of all we seek to accomplish and do as an alumnae chapter.

We hope to see you in Washington, D.C. June 28th through July 1st for an incredible celebration of sisterhood!

Members of the Mahoning Valley Alumnae Chapter with sisters from Phi Lambda at

Leadership Institute in June 2016.

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Historian

Andrea Mucci

Phi Lambda, 2011

President

Samantha Cockrell

Phi Lambda, 2011

Vice President

Karen Snyder Marchese

Phi Lambda, 1977

Treasurer

Laura Habib

Theta Psi, 2008

Secretary

Samantha Marscio

Phi Lambda, 2011

Collegiate Chapter Liaison

Sarah Komsa

Phi Lambda, 2013

Philanthropy & Fundraising Chair

Liza Suich

Phi Lambda, 2011

Meet t h e Mahon i ng Va l l e y

A l umna e C hap t e r O f f i c e r s

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Top 10 Reasons to Join an Alumnae Chapter 10. Do Something for Yourself. Being involved in an alumnae chapter could be exactly what you’re looking for. And the best part is, you decide how active you want to be.

9. Be Proud of AOII. Alpha Omicron Pi has over 115 years of innovative approaches to programming, training and sisterhood, which have led the way for other Greek organizations.

8. See the Real Value of Membership. Our alumnae chapter dues are set locally and are structured to give women the choice of what they can afford or would like to pay.

7. Choose How Much to Be Involved. There are endless opportunities presented to you as an alumna; you can choose to take a role in the alumnae chapter, volunteer for the Fraternity, assist a local collegiate chapter, or simply reap the many benefits of membership.

6. Develop Personal and Professional Skills. While we do have a lot of fun, we also try to incorporate education along the way. Whether enhancing yourself personally or professionally (or both), you will make great strides towards becoming the woman you want to be.

5. Make Connections. Your sisters have a lot to give! Whether you’re looking for career opportunities, new restaurants to try, resources for children or advice during life’s changes, a sister is always there to help you find what you need.

4. Make New Friends. Whether you are new to the area or have lived here your whole life, an alumnae chapter gives you the opportunity to meet women from different walks of life. Our members vary in age, careers, passions and interests, and collegiate experiences. Despite the differences, we all have Alpha Omicron Pi in common.

3. Rediscover Old Friendships. If you haven’t been active for a period of time, getting involved will allow you to reconnect with women you haven’t seen or spent time with lately. We are truly a group of women that are always there for you.

2. Let Your Light Shine. Being involved in an alumnae chapter allows you to showcase your talents and skills while helping the alumnae chapter and Fraternity as a whole.

1. Have Fun. No matter what we do, we always have an amazing time creating new memories together.

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First Year’s On Us!

If you would like to volunteer for AOII, please fill out a Volunteer Application Form on the AOII website. Someone from the HRC will contact you to discuss opportunities that match your skills and interests. Some volunteer positions include, but are not limited to, volunteering for the AOII Properties Board, serving as a Network Specialist for Recruitment, Finance or Development, or volunteering for the Rituals, Traditions and Jewelry Committee.

If you would like to get involved locally, consider

advising for a nearby chapter. The Phi Lambda chapter at

Youngstown State University is always looking for alumnae

support in a variety of ways. To discuss these opportunities,

contact Maggie Jones, Phi Lambda’s Chapter Adviser, at

[email protected].

You can also use the collegiate chapter locator tool on the

AOII website to find the collegiate chapter nearest you!

Volunteer Opportunities

There are many ways to give back to Alpha Omicron Pi based on your

talents, skills and interests

Alpha Omicron Pi offers a fantastic program known as First Year’s On us for all new alumnae. This program is a wonderful and affordable way to join an alumnae chapter for the first time. What makes this program so appealing is that AOII will pay the international fees for each member’s first year in an alumnae chapter. The member will then pay only the local alumnae chapter dues, which in some cases, may make their membership FREE! Other alumnae chapters have very low local dues, which makes joining affordable and convenient.

Often times a new alumna is unsure of where she will end up after graduation or where her job search may take her. Because of those uncertainties, any alumna who joins an alumnae chapter within five years of graduation can receive the benefits of the First Year’s On Us program!

To be eligible, you just need to tell your Alumnae Chapter President that you are joining an alumnae chapter for the first time, and the AP will handle the rest. It’s so stress-free!

Locating an alumnae chapter near you has never been easier with AOII’s interactive alumnae chapter locator at http://www.alphaomicronpi.org/alumnae-chapters.

Network 2 Volunteer Opportunities (effective January 2017)

• Network Specialist – Alumnae • Network Specialist – Recruitment

To complete a volunteer application, visit www.alphaomicronpi.org > About > Opportunities > Volunteer Opportunities > click on link at the bottom of the page


How To Join the MVAC

Alumnae at Phi Lambda’s Founders’ Day celebration in Spring 2016

We are always excited to welcome recent college graduates, those living in or near the Mahoning Valley, and any sister wishing to re-ignite their love for Alpha Omicron Pi! Sisters can join the Mahoning Valley Alumnae Chapter at any point in the year.

Joining is easy! We have a simple one-page form on our website that you will submit electronically. If you would like more information before you join, please contact Samantha Cockrell at [email protected].

Each member selects the cost of their dues, which makes membership in the MVAC possible for all budgets! $5 from each member will be donated to the AOII Foundation. You may choose to include an additional donation to the AOII Foundation with your dues payment! Read below to find out more about our different dues levels.

Ruby level - $100 Includes the following: Headquarters fees (Operating, Education & Training, Archival, Technology) and local Alumnae Chapter dues; local chapter receives $65.00.

Pearl level - $80 Includes the following: Headquarters fees (Operating, Education & Training, Archival, Technology) and local Alumnae Chapter dues; local chapter receives $45.00.

Gold level - $60 Includes the following: Headquarters fees (Operating, Education & Training, Archival, Technology) and local Alumnae Chapter dues; local chapter receives $25.00.

Life Loyal - $84 (Ruby), $64 (Pearl) or $44 (Gold) Life Loyal members are exempt from the International Operating fee of $16.00; if a Life Loyal member chooses to pay the full amount of dues, the additional $16.00 will be applied to local chapter dues.

“First Year's on Us” - $65 (Ruby), $45 (Pearl), $25 (Gold) “First Year’s On Us” members are exempt from all International fees ($35 total); if a “First Year's on Us” member chooses to pay the full amount, the additional funds will be applied to local chapter dues.

Panda Contributor – any amount of your choosing For those that cannot fully participate in the alumnae chapter but still wish to contribute financially, the Panda Contributor gives you the option of doing so. Your support is very much appreciated!

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