+  

+  

KAPPA ALPHA THETA NEW MEMBERS 2014

Welcome to Alabama, Greek life, and Kappa Alpha Theta! The Delta Omicron chapter of Kappa Alpha Theta is proud to welcome the new member class of

2014 to Greek Life at UA! We are excited to lead you through your journey as college women and to help you grow in the bonds of sisterhood. This guide will give you helpful hints and tools for success as a new member of Theta. As you read through this guide you will better understand the sorority and get a glimpse of what’s ahead. We recommend you share this guide with your families so they can better understand our house. We are so excited to welcome you into the sisterhood of Kappa Alpha Theta!  

 2  

Welcome Home! Weekend Itinerary

We are so excited for you to become a part of our sisterhood. We have lots of fun things planned for this weekend to get to know your new sisters!

If you have any questions, please call or text our President, Elisa Richards (205.335.7472), Chief Education Officer, Shannon Sherr (973.647.9619) or New Member Director, Molly McCain (786.266.8322) or any of the other officers on the officer contact information provided.

August 16- Bid Day

10:00 Get your bid!

10:30-12 p.m. Eat lunch with families and new sisters.

12:00 Meet in the Theta dining room with your parents to share our Theta meal with your families and learn more about our chapter.

7:00 p.m. Meet at the house for fun activities and a movie night

August 17

6:00 p.m. Meet Molly outside on the porch for Pledge Service! Please wear a white dress.

August 18

7:30 a.m. Arrive at the house for a surprise pledge retreat.

 3  

Meet the CEO Elisa Richards

+  

Elisa Richards is a junior majoring in public relations from Trussville, Ala.

Before Richards became involved with Kappa Alpha Theta, Richards participated in an internship with the Walt Disney World Resort. After her internship, Richards still remains involved with Disney and she is now a campus recruiter for the company.

Richards became involved with Kappa Alpha Theta first as the Chief PanHellenic Officer, where she learned time-management, organization, and teamwork. This position became a stepping-stone for her new position as Kappa Alpha Theta’s Chief Executive Officer.

As CEO, Richards’ goal is to be approachable to everyone; chapter members, alumnae, and other Greek community members. The CEO strives to encourage chapter members to get more involved within the Greek community. She is looking to alumnae and current members for strong growth of the chapter this year.

Richards said her fondest Kappa Alpha Theta memory is when she first moved into the house. Living in the Theta house has provided her with so much laughter, Richards said.

After her time at The University of Alabama, Richards hopes to return to the Walt Disney World Resort to utilize her public relations degree.

Fast Facts:

- Public Relations Major

- Former Panhellenic officer

- Senior

 4  

Save the Date !

Events to Remember +  August 9 – 15 Formal Recruitment

August 16 BID DAY!

August 20 Classes Begin

August 24 5:00 p.m. New Member Module

Modules are educational meetings for all new members. At module you will learn the history and ritual traditions of the fraternity and participate in fun activities with your pledge class.

August 27 6:15 p.m. First Chapter Meeting

August 29 4:00 Philanthropy Event

August 30 Alabama vs. West Virginia @ ATL

September 2 New Member Module

September 7 New Member Module/ Whole House Education

September 9 Composite Pictures

September 14 New Member Module

September 6 Alabama vs. Florida Atlantic

September 21 New Member Module

September 28 Loyalty Ceremony

October 2 Big/Little Reveal

October 5 INITIATION!

 5  

+   8 things your big will tell you that nobody else will Quick wisdom from your new sisters

1. “Don’t be afraid to get to know or ask older members for anything!”- Hala Abismra, Senior

2.”There are going to be people, including your sisters, who you don’t always get along with. Just be yourself, treat everyone equally, and be happy!” –Andie Barron, Senior

3. “Do not attempt to wear heels on your first night out to fraternity row!” –Becca Beals, Sophomore

4. “Have confidence without arrogance. Show respect and kindness to others and to yourself. You’re worth the love that you give to everyone else!” –Jackie Howard, Senior

5.”You’ll regret 100% of the parties you don’t attend.” –Morgan Harvey, Super Senior

But don’t forget to keep your GPA up!

6. “What you get out of college is exactly what you put into it. Get involved! Not just in Theta and Greek life but in other things at UA and the Tuscaloosa community! And don’t wait either; it’s much easier to get involved as a Freshman than as an upperclassman.” –Emily Fox, Delta Omicron Alumnae

7. “Respect your elders!!” –Kaley Johnson, Senior

8. “Pets don’t belong in dorms! Wait a year or so (it won’t be easy) until you can take care of it properly!” –Emma Joseph, Sophomore

 6  

+  One-Stop Shop for SOCIALS!

 

Swaps

Swaps are themed gatherings between one sorority and one fraternity. They are hosted by the fraternity and held at the fraternity house. New Members are encouraged to dress up based on the theme of the Swap. You will find out the theme of each swap at the weekly chapter meeting.

Date Parties

Date parties are different from swaps! For a date party, a sorority member can bring a date of

choice to enjoy the evening with. Each member is responsible for themselves and their dates on the

night of the event.

Some of our favorite date parties have been First Party, Black and Gold Formal and Kite Flight.

Game Day For Alabama home football games Theta will host brunch or lunch at our house. You will receive wristbands at the chapter meeting

beforehand for yourself and your guests. Like other social events, you are responsible for

yourself and your guests.

Please wear your Theta sticker or button with pride on game days!

 7  

Executive Members and Officers Meet the Team!

+  

Elisa Richards, Chief Executive Officer

Meredith Kocan: Chief Admin. Officer

Emily Oulton: Chief Operating Officer

Shannon Scherr: Chief Education Officer

Kelsey Slaton: Chief Financial Officer

Kaley Johnson: Chief Recruiting Officer

Lindsay Rieland: Chief Panhellenic Officer

Katie Kelley: Chief Marketing Officer

 8  

+  

How Much Does Theta Cost? Theta dues cover many different things and are paid each semester. Theta dues can vary each year. Here is a breakdown of the Fall 2013 fiscal dues from our Chief Financial Officer. Out of House Board $805.00

Usage Fee $475.00

Facility Fee $1,000.00

New Member Dues $750.00

Pan-Hellenic Dues $15.00

Initiation Fees $175.00

Total $3,195.00

Parents What you should know about your daughter’s first year!

Theta Parents’ Weekend vs. University Parents’ Weekend

Every year Theta hosts our own parents’ weekend in the Spring. It is separate from the University Parents’ Weekend, which is typically in the Fall. This year University Parents Weekend is September 5-7 and Alabama plays Florida Atlantic at 11:00 a.m.

This past spring we hosted a number of events to welcome our parents. We enjoyed a rooftop gathering at Rounders with barbeque and beverages.

Theta Parents’ Weekend also falls on the same weekend as our favorite Philanthropy event, Tacos for CASA! At this event you will enjoy a Mexican Fiesta at our chapter house with a live band and all-you-can-eat tacos for $5. All proceeds go to our Philanthropy, CASA. We encourage all family members to attend!

 9  

  Officers True Leading Women

Meghan Skinner, Executive Assistant

Elisabeth Mapes, Historian

Margo Geppert, Awards Director

Emily Esposito, HR Director

Lauren Mahurin, Event Director

Courtney Mullenberg, Scholarship Director

Molly McCain, New Member Director

Caroline Keeler, Ritualist

Emily Nosenchuk, Facility Management Director

Haley Petrey, Recruitment Director

Samantha Papie, Finance Assistant

Elizabeth Henderson, Panhellenic Director

Karie Jane Deerman, IT Director

Elizabeth Ann Gabriel, Alumnae Engagement Director

Samantha Auer, Communications Director

 10  

 11  

Mother Knows Best!

Ms. Kate Hopkins is the Kappa Alpha Theta house director. Hopkins graduated from San Jose State in Calif. She was once married to a career Army man. They have a daughter who lives in Massachusetts and a son who is in the Army as well. Hopkins first job as a sorority house director was at Colorado State in 2001 and she came to work at UA-Theta seven years ago. Hopkins says working at Theta is the biggest and most challenging job ever but also the most interesting!

Fun Facts about Theta Staff

Mr. Terry has worked for Theta for over 20 years. July 4th is his birthday.

Ms. Anita has been the head cook at Theta for over 18 years and we are so lucky to have her!

Ms. Neicy is the evening cook. Ms. Neicy and Ms. Christian are mother and daughter.

Ms. Christian and Ms. Alisha are the housekeeping team. We have the smallest staff but they are the best!

Mr. Steve is our main security guard and works the night shift from 9 to 5.... U of Alabama is one of the few campuses where security guards are employed at the sorority houses. He is an avid hunter and golfer!

House Mother Ms. Kate

 

 

 

+  

+  

Follow Us on Social Media! Twitter: @UATheta

Instagram: @bamatheta Tumblr: bamatheta.tumblr.com

Like Us on Facebook!

lorem ipsum [Street  Address]  [City],  [State][Postal  Code]  

[Web  Address]