The Piper - January 2017

TheP i p e rAlpha Omicron Pi | January 2017

Leadership Academy Reminders Northern Virginia Alumnae Chapter
Commemorative Badge Information gathered for tea during the holiday season.
and more!

SAVE THE DATES BFoaorudnMdateiossnage

JANUARY 7 Michelle Serrano Lopez
Omicron Pi (U of Michigan)
Reinstallation (Delta Theta/Texas Woman’s U)
JANUARY 9
ELC Applications Due AOII Foundation Board Director
JANUARY 22
Tau Mu (Texas A&M U) Dear Sisters,
Installation January is a great month to be an AOII – it is the
JANUARY 29 month of many of our Founders’ Day events and a
Lambda Lambda (U of chance to connect with sisters whom we have not
Connecticut) Installation seen in a while. It is also a time we celebrate the
FEBRUARY 3-5 Ruby Fund, often referred to as the “heart” of AOII.
Leadership Academy 2017 I have the pleasure of serving as the Foundation
MARCH 1 Board liaison to our Ruby Fund Committee. We
AOII Foundation Educational have granted several requests this year, from helping
Scholarship Applications Due a sister suffering from mental illness, to assisting Louisiana flood victims. Each time
MARCH 15 we grant a Ruby Fund request, I think of the loving AOIIs who made it possible for
AOII Foundation Leadership us to assist that sister in her greatest time of need.
Training UIFI Scholarship Each year, we are grateful for the Ruby Fund donations collected by our collegiate
Application Due and alumnae chapters at their Founders’ Days. To ensure that we can acknowledge
the sisters who kindly contribute to the Ruby Fund, we have provided the following
1 tips for sending your donations:
1. Checks should be made payable to the AOII Foundation.
*Any checks made payable to organizations other than the AOII Foundation (i.e.
Arthritis Foundation) will be returned to the chapter. We are unable to assign credit to
the chapter until the check is reissued.
2. If your chapter sends in one check, and individuals need credit for their
donation, please send a list with donor’s full name, chapter and gift amount, and we
will gladly give them soft credit for their donation.
3. Please include a note stating your gifts should be designated to the Ruby Fund.
4. Checks should be submitted to the AOII Foundation within 30 days of your
event.
5. Mail your donation to:
Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation
5390 Virginia Way
Brentwood, TN 37027
On behalf of the AOII Foundation Board, thank you for your continued support of
our sisterhood in 2017!

Executive Board Excerpts

Click to hear the message.

Happy New Year! As we ring in a new year, I would like to
reflect on the success of the many Jingle Bell Run events in
2016. This festive event is the Arthritis Foundation’s signature
5k run to benefit arthritis research, awareness and education!
I am especially proud that more than 1,500 AOIIs strapped
bells to their feet or Jingled in Your Jammies on 125 teams
representing close to 175 collegiate and alumnae chapters. The
colorful holiday run costumes always add that extra special
pop to the event!

On December 5th, our AOII Headquarters staff joined in Jessie Wang-Grimm
the JBR merriment, wearing their PJs to the office for a day
dedicated to enhancing arthritis awareness and promoting (Phi Chi/U of Chicago)
participating in a JBR event or Jingle in Your Jammies. Many
AOII sisters and chapter from city to city were recognized International Vice President
for being top fundraisers, too! As of this recording, Team
AOII National cumulatively has raised more than $135,000
with several days still left to fundraise toward our goal
of $150,000. Together, we have all stepped it up for our
International President Gayle Fitzpatrick, the National
Chair of the 2016 Jingle Bell Run!

As an arthritis patient for the last 14 years, I was incredibly honored to serve on AOII’s JBR
Champions Committee in 2016, and share my personal story. My rheumatoid arthritis
journey has brought some of the most challenging and painful days, but also truly hopeful
ones, with successful treatments that have helped me to regain physical function and a sense
of being back to normal. It’s not a perfect science, of course, and I still experience a lot of
inflammation and pain from time to time, but I am so happy that the good days definitely
outweigh the bad ones.

During JBR season, I have been so touched to see all the AOIIs coming out in force to help
people like myself, and this year, I had sisters in the Washington D.C. area, Chicago and
Nashville, all running for me at a time when I could not. Thanks to your dedication and
generosity, newly diagnosed adults and children will have better educational resources
and exercise programs available to them, to move forward beyond the doctor’s office, and
function better in their homes, schools and workplace. Children will enjoy camp programs
and conferences that introduce them to others in the same situation, and help them feel less
isolated. Please know that whether you jingled in your jammies, or braved the cold in your
Santa suits and elf hats, you made a meaningful difference for every patient who suffers and
hopes for a cure in the future. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart!

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AOII Foundation News

Deadline Approaching for AOII Foundation Scholarship
Opportunities!

The AOII Foundation has Educational and Leadership Training Scholarships
available for members of Alpha Omicron Pi. Educational Scholarships are
available to undergraduate, graduate and returning alumnae members and
are due by March 1, 2017. Visit www.aoiifoundation.org and click on the
Programs/Scholarship tab for more information.
A Leadership Training Scholarship is available for undergraduate members for
the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute (UIFI) and are due by March
15, 2017. The scholarship will cover all registration fees except for travel
expenses. Contact Sydney Talley at [email protected] for the
application or visit our website for more information on the scholarship.

Ruby Fund Message

The Ruby Fund Message can be found on our website under Programs/Ruby
Fund to share at your Founders’ Day celebrations! In addition, donations to the
Ruby Fund can be sent to us at:

Alpha Omicron Pi Foundation
5390 Virginia Way
Brentwood, TN 37027.
Please make sure that you state the donation is for the Ruby Fund when you
mail your individual or chapter donation.

Ritual Moments

Spend some time with AOII’s Founders! The Rituals, Traditions and Jewelry
Committee (RT&J) has recorded and developed a monthly podcast series called
“Ritual Moments,” where members can learn, understand and reflect on AOII’s
rich history. Watch for a new “Ritual Moments” installment on the second
Monday of each month! December’s recording was a “Founders’ Day Greeting”
from 1944. Members can also access a transcript of each recording in the
Ritual section of the Officer Resource Library on Fulfilling the Promise (edu.
alphaomicronpi.org > Officer Recourse Library > Ritual > Ritual Moments &
Ritual Moments Transcripts).

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Commemorative AOII Badge

In October 2017, Alpha Omicron Pi Past International President Carole Jurenko Jones, Alpha Delta (U of Alabama) will
begin a two-year term as Chairman of the National Panhellenic Conference. Alpha Omicron Pi’s Executive Board and
the Rituals, Traditions, and Jewelry Committee are excited to announce a limited edition
commemorative AOII badge to recognize this milestone which only occurs once every 52
years. Carole was presented the first badge at Leadership Institute 2016. She alone may wear
it until Convention 2017.
The badge will be available in sterling silver or 10K yellow or white gold and will feature
emeralds in the “O” and in the corners of the “II” to recognize the National Panhellenic
Conference’s signature green color. Considered a secondary badge, it will be available
for purchase by initiated members of AOII who are in good standing. The badge may
be ordered through Herff Jones starting Monday, February 6, 2017 until the close of the
October 2019 annual meeting of the National Panhellenic Conference.

JBR Update

With final dollars still being totaled, let’s CELEBRATE AOII’s impressive participation
in the 2016 Jingle Bell Run!

Total Dollars Raised – $143,124
Total AOII Teams Participating – 128
Highest AOII Individual Fundraiser – Gayle Fitzpatrick, $7,250

Revised Strike Out Arthritis! In A Box
Now Available on the ORL

Need some guidance in planning your next SOA!
event? Check out the revised Strike Out Arthritis!
In a Box under the Philanthropy tab of the Officer
Resource Library on Fulfilling the Promise.
The box has helpful resouces including a sample
budget, promotional logos and information on task
delegation for two different types of SOA! events.

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Leadership Academy 2017
Reminders

Leadership Academy 2017 • February 3rd - 5th

Be sure to fill out the transportation form which will help us arrange the necessary
transportation for all attendees. Click here to fill out the form if you have already
registered for LA 2017, it is due January 10, 2017.

In our on-going commitment to providing service opportunities at international
events, we will be collecting toiletry items at LA for the Women’s Campus at the
Nashville Rescue Mission. Please bring a travel size toiletry item such as shampoo,
conditioner, toothpaste or body wash to the AOII Registration desk on Friday, February 3.

Check out AOII’s event page for a quick refresher on the weekend, answers to any questions and extra information
regarding transportation, packing needs and locations.

If you have any questions please email our Assistant Director of Marketing & Events,
Monica Grandorff at [email protected].

AOII Career Center

Alpha Omicron Pi is proud to launch a career center for all members! This database, accessible through a link
on the AOII website main toolbar (www.alphaomicronpi.org) provides alumnae and collegiate members with a
safe and easy place to:

• search for potential employment
• feature internships or jobs
• upload resumes for employers to view
• find employment positions within AOII
• search for potential employees

Another added bonus to the new career center is our partnership with FinLogic and
Lorman Education to provide resources for continuing professional education for

alumnae at a 10% discount!

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The AOII 2017 Convention
Awards Competition is now
open at aoii.groopt.com!

Task Force Formed

The Executive Board has recently commissioned a gender identity task force
that brings together a group of alumnae from different professional, AOII,
and geographical backgrounds. This group will research the questions and
considerations related to gender identity and how it will impact membership,
housing, and other issues for the Fraternity. The team will consult external
subject matter experts and other resources throughout this process. The task
force will ultimately recommend a position statement to the Executive Board
and suggest needed educational resources to share with members related
to these topics. Thank you to Network 8 NS-L Wendy Espinoza, Kappa Tau
Chapter Adviser Molly Fenton, Network 1 NS-R Amy Kumpel, NPC Alternate
Delegate Kerry Soller, Properties Board Director Cindy Visot, AOII General
Counsel Kandyce Harber, and XB Vice President Amber Countis, chair, for
serving on this task force.

Stay Connected:

AOII’s social media outlets are the best way to stay up-to-date on AOII news. From recruitment results
and photos, to Strike Out Arthritis! and other philanthropic events, to notes of congratulations to
exemplary members and chapters for accomplishments and good works in the community, we are
always sharing the latest information. If your chapter has news or photos to share with us, please send
them to [email protected]! Photos to be considered for To Dragma should be sent to
[email protected] and must be at least 1MB in size.

facebook.com/aoiifraternity Instagram: @alphaomicronpi
twitter.com/alphaomicronpi apieceofthepiblog.com

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NPC Legislation
Adopted Oct. 2016

The National Panhellenic Conference recently met and adopted several pieces of legislation that affect College
Panhellenics. Chapter Presidents, VPRMs, Panhellenic Delegates, Chapter Advisors, Recruitment Advisors and
Panhellenic Advisors should review the changes. The adopted Unanimous Agreements and policies are in effect
now and should be implemented by College Panhellenics moving forward.
To help educate your chapter, the following resources are provided:
1. Legislative updates including the rationale
2. Resolved to Educate: Automatically adjusting total including the educational support for College
Panhellenics

2016 legislative updates:

Unanimous Agreement VI. College Panhellenic Association Agreement
1. Establishment and Regulation of a College Panhellenic Association

E. A College Panhellenic Association shall conduct business — as defined by holding a College
Panhellenic council meeting or taking action by vote — only during the regular academic year
and primary recruitment if held outside of the regular academic term.

Unanimous Agreement VI. College Panhellenic Association Agreement
2. Establishment and Regulation of Membership Recruitment

B. Each NPC sorority chapter has the right to use continuous open bidding (COB) to reach
quota or its total allowable chapter size during the regular school year as defined by the school
calendar. To accommodate a chapter colonization or to allow a chapter to build its
membership, the College Panhellenic Council may vote to suspend COB for a period not
to exceed three weeks. The start and end dates for the COB moratorium must be set by a vote
of the College Panhellenic, preferably during the academic term prior to implementing the
moratorium. The College Panhellenic should consider the need for chapters not at quota or
total to have up to one week to fill vacant spaces through COB before the moratorium begins.

Unanimous Agreement VII. College Panhellenic Association Judicial Procedure
5. Sanctions

A. Appropriate Sanctions. Each College Panhellenic shall strive to achieve a fair and reasonable
resolution for infractions. Sanctions should fit the nature and degree of the offense.

Sanctions shall not:

• Forbid primary recruitment or continuous open bidding activities or the observance of an
inter/national sorority event such as an educational program, ritual ceremony or historical
celebration.

• Affect a sorority chapter’s quota or total.

• Affect the time of new member acceptance and/or initiation.

• Forbid the right of an NPC sorority to vote in College Panhellenic meetings.

7 • Include removal from the College Panhellenic.

Policy (2003, 2016): Panhellenic Officer Disassociation
During Recruitment
Panhellenic officers should be “disassociated” from their respective
NPC chapters for the period immediately preceding recruitment (not to
exceed 30 days) and during recruitment so their actions and decisions
support the welfare and best interests of the Panhellenic community.
Recruitment counselors should be disassociated for the same period of
time as Panhellenic officers, unless the College Panhellenic votes to allow
recruitment counselors to remain associated with their respective chapters
based on NPC recommended best practices.

Resolved to Educate: Setting and adjusting total
Policy (2013, 2015, 2016): Automatically Adjusting Total
To allow chapters to achieve parity as quickly as possible, total will be automatically adjusted every regular
academic term. This is to be done no later than 72 hours following bid distribution in the academic term that
primary recruitment is held and within one week (no more than seven days) from the start of the academic
term(s) in which primary recruitment is not held. The adjustment will be to median chapter size unless the
College Panhellenic adopts an acceptable alternative formula according to the Manual of Information.
For campuses on a trimester or quarter system, the College Panhellenic will automatically reset total during
the primary recruitment term and in one additional term as approved by a vote of the College Panhellenic and
placed in its governing documents.

Manual of Information
The 22nd edition of the NPC Manual of Information is now available for download in the Officer Resource
Library of Fulfilling the Promise or for purchase on the NPC website. Included in this edition are the 2016
legislative changes.
The Manual of Information table of contents is fully linked and bookmarked for ease of reference, and often the
best method for using the online version is the “find” tool.

Volunteering for AOII

The Human Resources Committee always accepts volunteer applications. To speak to a member of the HRC
team about which position is right for you, please email [email protected]. To complete a volunteer
application, visit alphaomicronpi.org/volunteer-opportunities1 and click on the link at the bottom of the page.

The positions listed here are currently open - HRC is actively
recruiting to fill these vacancies as of January 7, 2017:

Network 2
Network Specialist-Alumnae

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