51 Things We Love Baking is Our Love Language Baking transcends the kitchen; it's a universal love language, a therapeutic escape, and a cherished tradition that weaves threads of joyful memories and legacies. Whether it's the comforting aroma of freshly baked bread fi lling the air, or the joyous laughter shared over a decadent cake, the act of baking nurtures both the soul and the senses. Pictured: Susanne Fenoglio, Associate Director of Communications, shares her beloved Mimi's chocolate cake—a testament to the enduring bond between generations and the profound joy found in sharing homemade delights. https://www.hersheyland.com/recipes/hersheysperfectly-chocolate-chocolate-cake.html Embrace the boundless love and unwavering companionship that comes with welcoming a furry friend into your life. Whether it's a temporary foster providing a loving sanctuary or a cherished permanent addition to your family, pets have an unparalleled ability to fi ll our hearts with endless joy. Not ready for a long-term commitment? Consider volunteering at a local shelter, where every moment spent nurturing and caring for these precious souls brings a priceless dose of joy and fulfi llment. Visit a local shelter or even https://www.petfi nder.com/ Furry Friends Whether taking a solo walk in your neighborhood or exploring a national park with loved ones - bonus points for walking with sisters - nothing brings more joy than sunshine, fresh air, and making memories through experiences. We challenge you to take the time you need to get outdoors and get moving or better yet - plan a much deserved trip with sisters to explore! National Parks - https://national-parks.org/north-america Taking a Walk in the Great Outdoors Nu Beta (U of Mississippi) 2012-2013 ELC Team at Garden of the Gods, Colorado Springs, CO.
Alpha Delta (U of Alabama) SPRING Photos Lambda Iota (U of California, San Diego) Sigma Gamma (Appalachian State U) 52 | Spring 2024
Zeta Pi (U of Alabama at Birmingham) Delta Epsilon (Jacksonville State U) Rho Beta (Virginia Commonwealth U) Spring Photos 53
Fall Photos 54 | Spring 2024 Delta Gamma (Missouri State U) Alpha Mu (Duquesne U) Xi Omicron (U of Arkansas)
Fall Photos Sigma Omicron (Arkansas State U) 55
Kappa Chi (Northwestern State U) Gamma Phi (Seton Hall U) Tau Delta (Birmingham-Southern College) Spring Photos Omicron (U of Tennessee) Alumnae 56 | Spring 2024
Gamma Phi (Seton Hall U) Epsilon Alpha (Pennsylvania State U) Spring Photos 57
Alpha Pi (Florida State U) Epsilon Omega (Eastern Kentucky U) Alpha (Columbia U) Alumnae Spring Photos 58 | Spring 2024
Theta Iota (California State U San Marcos) Epsilon Gamma (U of Northern Colorado) Kappa Phi (McGill U) Upsilon Beta (U of Arkansas Fort Smith) Spring Photos 59
60 | Spring 2024 Sharing the Alpha Love is something that AOII members have been practicing for over 127 years. Each of us can point to countless examples of how our experiences in our sisterhood spread joy and positivity individually and within our chapter. In February 2022, AOII put a new spin on how to “Share the Alpha Love.” Still coming offl restrictions put in place during the Covid-19 pandemic, many chapters and members were slow to plan open events on campus again. Coupled with the heaviness that many people still felt from the events surrounding the pandemic, it became clear that our chapters had the opportunity to help spread a little positivity on their campuses. The idea of Project PR was developed from this desire for our chapters and members to be a positive light on campus, while creating a fun and inviting environment for our members to converse with other students on campus. Project PR encompasses nine themed events scheduled for the months campuses are the most active—all with the singular goal to spread positivity on campus. To help increase participation, all chapters were given access to a virtual toolkit for each of the monthly events, which included a planning guide, branded graphics for promotions, and social media plans. Project PR events for this year include: February – Share the Alpha Love March – High Five Ambitious Women April – Stress LESS Spring May – Positive Vibes from AOII August – Chill Out with AOII September – Game Day the AOII Way October – Pour Yourself a Cup of Ambition November – Attitude of Gratitude December – Positive Vibes from AOII
Share The Alpha Love 61 AOII once again kicked offl Project PR in February 2024 with “Share the Alpha Love.” This event centered around National Random Acts of Kindness Day and allowed chapters to “Share the Alpha Love” through promoting 30 random acts of kindness in which students could easily participate. During this event, chapters spread some joy by tabling in high-traffi c spots on campuses, handed out Random Acts of Kindness cards, a Valentine’s treat, and conversed with their fellow students. Our chapters and members have made “Share the Alpha Love” their very own heart project. The success and the excitement around this event were exactly what AOII had hoped for—our chapters fully embraced this opportunity to combine their creativity and their love for AOII with their desire to be a living example of our Ritual within their local communities. The joyful smiles in photographs are proof of the fun and sisterhood our sisters shared – the real heart of AOII. Top Left: Xi Omicron (U of Arkansas) Middle Left: Gamma Delta (U of South Alabama) Bottom: Omicron (U of Tennessee)
62 | Spring 2024 Running Home to AOII How well do you remember your AOII Bid Day? For most of you, it was a day filled with squeals of excitement - pure joy! It was your very first day of a new adventure in this sisterhood we call Alpha Omicron Pi. Relive your own memories through these Bid Day photos from Fall 2023 and Spring 2024; then scan the QR code below to watch even more Bid Day joy unfold in this fun video recap. Delta Delta (Auburn U) Zeta Pi (U of Alabama Birmingham) Delta Epsilon (Jacksonville State U) Lambda Sigma (U of Georgia) TO AOII Running Home
63 Running Home to AOII Nu Beta (U of Mississippi) Omega Sigma (Oklahoma State U) Alpha Chi (Western Kentucky U) Xi (U of Oklahoma) Beta Zeta (Kennesaw State U)
Emporium 64 | Spring 2024 1 1 Repeat Crop Long Sleeve – $25 2 Faint of Heart Crewneck – $37.50 3 Arctic Colorblocked Crop Hoodie – $47.50 4 1897 (Alpha O's Version) Crew– $37.50 5 Alpha O Eras Tee – $29.50 6 Seaside Crewneck – $37.50 7 Red Established Patch Book Bag– $40 8 Glam Hoodie – $44.50 SPRING sisterhood style 2 64 | Spring 2024 Emporium
Emporium 65 Shop now at aoiiemporium.com 3 6 7 4 5 8
Questions with Kaya 66 | Spring 2024 What does a typical week look like for you as AOII's ED? I love what I do and that I get to serve an organization whose goals and values I am so personally connected to. Another perk is that rarely are two days the same! The Fraternity is so dynamic; we are led by a professional staff and volunteer workforce with incredibly rich and diverse experiences, we have a business plan that centers around both an academic calendar and a business fiscal year, and we prize innovation and having the courage to embrace new ideas as one of our culture principles. This makes for lots of variety, which I love! Similar to any other ED of a nonprofit or civic organization, my days do fill up with meetings. I tend not to mind because of the wonderful people I get to meet with! In a typical week, I set aside time with all of the department directors on our professional staff. We discuss their teams’ accomplishments, troubleshoot issues or challenges they are working through, and we discuss short and long term priorities. We plan for international events and brainstorm the implementation of thousands of ways for AOII to be a positive influence in the lives of our members. I also check in weekly on our financial health and monitor closely the projected expenses and membership revenue to be sure we are aligned with the biennial budget set by council and work to accomplish AOII’s Ends (goals) that our Executive Board has set as their vision for the Fraternity. Speaking of our Executive Board, I also have the great fortune of a weekly meeting with our International President, Susan Bonifield, who is my supervisor. I deeply admire and respect the dedication and sacrifice that our IPs make to AOII as volunteers, and I work to keep her, and the rest of the Board updated on timely operational updates, accomplishments, critical issues, and priorities. Once per month the Executive Board meets over Zoom where they discuss a variety of topics, review policies and conduct votes, educate themselves on Board Development, and execute plans for connecting to our members per their responsibilities in Policy Governance. In addition to meeting with direct reports, my weeks also include two short all-staff “huddles” where we share good news and updates with one another. I also set aside time for a strategy session and updates with the Fraternity’s Leadership Team of senior level department directors, and a weekly meeting with the AOII Foundation ED. Throughout the month there are different opportunities to meet with other staff or volunteer partners such as visiting a Standing Committee meeting, or a check-in with one of the Fraternity’s vendors, or zooming with my fellow Executive Directors of NPC organizations. While no two days are the same, I am extraordinarily fortunate to be surrounded by colleagues and friends who help me be my best every day. To borrow a phrase from our current IP’s Rose Banquet speech, “I am because we are.” Having the support of a team with complimentary strengths and a passion for what we do is the best part of being ED of AOII. QUESTIONS FOR KAYA Q: A: Kaya Gerberich Miller, Gamma Theta (U of South Florida) has served as AOII’s Executive Director (ED) since January 2020 following ten years in the role of Assistant Executive Director. As Executive Director, Kaya drives the Fraternity’s strategic Ends (goals) through Policy Governance, serves as Secretary for the AOII Executive Board, partners with the AOII Properties Board, and assures that the work of the Fraternity staff meets the outcomes established by the Executive Board. This new To Dragma feature will give members a glimpse into Fraternity operations. Do you have a question for Kaya? Use this QR Code to make a suggestion for our next issue.
For personal service, please reach out to [email protected]. HJGreek.com |800.542.3728 (And the many ways to wear it!) Free shipping with AOPSPRING24 (Valid through June 15, 2024. Excludes official jewelry and badges.) Your beloved badge. A. Snake Chain, #SNAKE | B. Diamond and Garnet* Badge Pendant, #0051DIGA | C. Ruby A / Pearl O / Chased II Honor Badge, #0101 | D. All Pearl Badge, #0100 | E. Interchangeable Badge Ring, #0437 | F. Polished A and Pi, Chased O Badge, #0103 | G. Chased Pierced Badge Charm, #3002 | H. Rope Chain, #013R | I. Pierced Polished Badge Charm, #3000 J. Polished Plain A, O, and Pi Badge, #0107 *Garnet is synthetic A. A. F. G. J. H. I. E. B. D. C. Badges, badge pendants, chains and ring are all sold separately. B I G S I S T E R Z Y M D D M E C P L E A S U R E Y A C M D V D E W A T X M F C H L P S I N G I N G I Q A N I W A J P V D P C V U N P U R N V O T F P G K A D S Y A S D J R Z Z E I Q S L I U A O I I F M T M H N T E V S B A D Q G L E E M Q J E A O V K M K H E F W R T E R I N S P I R E A M B I T I O N X S U R A D I A N C E I D E C I G R A T I F I C A T I O N E H G D M W L V W D T C U D V D O L K J V S K X S O M Q E C N I T N E Z T E G S D F M W G D A M L Z T F N P B R Q F P J J L I I J Q I P A H S Z P J Q A M Q I C G X B M F I Y R I H O A Y N O R H N L I S H H F O R M A L N L M O X C O I L E Q Y R S E Y I O M I P H P Z C L S M L S H G F P H C X W T U Z M A O I M I Q C N T K F O R E V E R H O M E U X V O T Q D R E T Y H S P B C Z L I F I T Z B Y C P I M T B Z P Y T A T F N I D U H T E J S F A A U E E S H M C D A R G L A D N E S S T O B B L W E K F E B A T R T P W X Z K Z N B P C O Y A J A B N F G L A S R X M R U W I A K H R E W S V C B G F D B X A B U O I D I H K H V G V O L O U C T J U B I L A T I O N Y E M C X L X L S K V O Z C I R L N Z T N N A H A P P I N E S S M I U P O D W S W O O Y Y C N D E L I G H T T Y L P A Y A O B O U Z I K U U M P Q D B I E B G E L A T I O N E K C L Q E W INSPIRE AMBITION FOREVER HOME JUBILATION CLOUD NINE PLEASURE SERVICE DELIGHT RADIANCE GRATIFICATION FRIENDSHIP SISTERHOOD ENJOYMENT GLADNESS TRIUMPH FORMAL EXHILARATION HOMECOMING INITIATION BIG SISTER ELATION HAPPINESS BLISS THRILL AOII JOY GLEE SINGING Searching for Joy Take a few minutes to find joy in our AOII Word Search! Dive into a grid filled with words that are synonymous with joy or reflect the essence of joy within our beloved sorority. From sisterhood bonds to moments of laughter and celebration, seek out these uplifting words hidden horizontally, vertically, and diagonally.
International Headquarters 5390 Virginia Way Brentwood, Tennessee 37027 ELECTRONIC SERVICE REQUESTED JOIN AOII'S Jacqueminot Club Visit everbloomingnapa.com to learn how you can be part of the Jacqueminot Club! This spring, indulge in the timeless elegance and explore the rich history of Alpha Omicron Pi by enjoying a bottle of Ever Blooming Napa Valley wine. In AOII’s fi rst-ever Library Release, you can choose from nine unique wine offl erings ranging from crisp whites to robust reds – something for everyone that will elevate any occasion. Members may customize a 3 or 6-bottle shipment with your all-time favorites. Each glass is a harmonious symphony of taste and tradition, where cherished melodies echo in our hearts and memories are woven with every sip. Cheers and roses to the joy of sisterhood and the endless possibilities found in every bottle of Ever Blooming Napa Valley wine! As part of the Jacqueminot Club, alumnae have the unique opportunity to support the Fraternity’s mission of Inspiring Ambition as 20% of wine club sales directly benefi t alumnae engagement activities. JOIN TODAY!