1917 May - To Dragma

280 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA 0MICRON PI

NEW ORLEANS ALUMN-ffi

We, of the New Orleans Alumnae chapter, have definitely chosen
and entered upon our social work—the most interesting one can
imagine. The D. A. R.'s have organized a school for immigrant
women, which meets twice a week at the Y. M . C. A., and our
alumnae members assist in the teaching. This is a valuable experi-
ence, for we teach them English in return for which we may absorb
Italian, Greek, or possibly Yiddish—anyway, they are making such
rapid strides they bid fair to graduate in the English classics by the
end of the term.

Kappa Alpha Theta has recently brought up the idea of organiz-
ing a city Panhellenic. Representatives from the various fraternities
are working on this suggestion, but a definite program has not been
worked out yet. Our chapter approves of this more from an edu-
cational standpoint, for we feel that time spent in exchanging views
on different matters will be far from wasted. Our new Newcomb
has really been begun for we saw the first pile driven, with our own
eyes. We had quite a ceremony attending this auspicious occasion,
Newcomb Alumna: (in which our chapter was well represented),
and students foimed in a procession of some two hundred automo-
biles and paraded from the old grounds to the new. "New New-
comb" is at present the topic of conversation.

We are certainly looking forward to the fraternity Convention,
for it will be the first one we have attended as an alumnae chapter.

J A N E C. SNYDER, Secretary.

MINNEAPOLIS AND ST. PAUL ALUMNiE

Dear Sisters:
Snow-bound again! I t has been snowing all day and tonight our

city is covered with the whitest of white snow, cold, white, and
glittering with diamonds. Some of you who live in the warmer
climes would enjoy seeing it. I know.

We of Minneapolis Alumnae seem to be quite busy just at present.
At times it does seem as i f the work would never end. The active
chapter is planning on giving two plays very soon as part of a vaude-
ville, and we are very much interested in the plays and in the
financial outcome.

Our last alumnae meeting was held at the home of Beatrice
Northey, 3834 Pleasant Ave. I t was a purely social affair, and we
had a most enjoyable time. We send our best wishes to you a l l .

BERTHA M A R I E BRECHET, Chapter Editor.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 281

BANGOR ALUMNiE

Bangor Alumnae chapter met with Mrs. Doris Currier Treat at
her home in Bangor on February 24th. Although only a few mem-
bers were able to be present, we accomplished some things and
planned many others. We were most happy in having with us Mrs.
Grace Sawyer Benson, of Cambridge, who was visiting relatives
here, and Antoinette Webb who was spending her vacation with her
parents. From "Tony" we were interested to hear of the Boston
Alumnae doings, and of some of the things which were agitated for
the convention. Practically the only business which we have been
able to attend to as yet has been the drawing up and readjusting of
the By-laws. A t last they all are arranged, and in order to be sure
that everyone receives a copy, each member of the alumnae chapter is
going to write personal letters to some alumnae telling about the
new chapter and enclosing a copy of By-laws. We feel that Provi-
dence Alumnae chapter is to be both congratulated and envied because
of having Muriel Colbath Wyman near enough to attend its meetings.

On March 17th a meeting was held with Mrs. Claire Weld Dur-
gin at her home in Orono. Decorations, favors, and refreshments
in honor of the day were in evidence. A t this time we did some
sewing for the Children's Home in Bangor, and really accomplished
something in spite of all the questions and answers which were in
the air. Our May meeting will be held at Mt. Vernon House and
since we are to entertain the active chapter at this time, we want a
large attendance out to meet all of the splendid active girls of
Gamma.

With all good wishes to those attending the Convention, and espe-
cially to Kappa whose privilege it is to have so many sisters with her,

A I L E E N E BROWNE HOBART, Chapter Editor.

PORTLAND ALUMN2E

Dear Sisters in A O I I :
The regular February luncheon was held at the home of Alice

Collier, president. The Alpha O babies were there "en masse," and
entertained us nobly. No particular business was transacted—just
a cozy, chatty time.

The March luncheon was postponed, as Louise Clawson, the
hostess, was called unexpectedly to Spokane. We were all exceed-
ingly sorry, but are looking forward to her next "turn."

Naturally, we are thilled about Convention, and wish mightily
that we could all be there. There is no reason in the world why
this 1917 Conclave can not be made the very "best ever" in the

282 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA 0 MIC RON PI

history of Alpha Omicron Pi. With a foundation so secure, ideals
so high, and a purpose so steadfast, we cannot but prophesy that
our fraternity, in the future, will be far reaching in its influence,
even more than it has been in the past.

We of the far Northwest are just beginning to feel the distance
between Washington, Oregon, and "Old Virginia" ; however, we will
be there four-square in thought i f not in person.

May the good cause prosper!
Fraternally,
CHARLOTTE M . H A L L , Chapter Editor.

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 283

NEWS OF OUR NEIGHBORS*

(Perhaps your chapter can solve its problem by learning of its neighbors.)

At the 1916 Convention of A X 12, held June, 1916, at Syracuse,
New York, the Council authorized the establishment of National
Scholarship and National Employment Committees whose duty it
will be to encourage a higher grade of scholarship in the local
chapters and to help graduates seeking employment.

K K r has a loan fund of $3000 controlled by a committee whose
actions are ratified by the Grand Council. Any member of the
sorority who has shown herself of value to herself and chapter can
borrow from this fund. The fund started from the $100 g i f t of a
member and the only regular source of income to it is from a very
small tax upon the active chapters. The New York, Kansas City,
and Denver alumnae associations have given $500 toward the fund.
K K T is working to raise this fund to $10,000 by 1920.

A T A at Illinois Wesleyan have a novel idea for maintaining a
furniture fund. At the opening of every meeting, they have what
they call a "penny march" and they all march past a little bank and
drop in pennies or nickels.

The fraternities and sororities at Washington are helping to sup-
port a home for children who have been deserted by their parents.
Each sorority has assumed guardianship over a child and frequently
invite their little charge to visit at the chapter house where everyone
tries to make the little waif have a pleasant time.

During the last semester A A II at Washington State College held
at the chapter house weekly meetings for the purpose of studying
the women of the Bible in a literary way, using modern interpretation
as much as possible. This study was conducted skilfully by one of
their patronesses and proved a great benefit.

The Kansas City alumna; chapter of K K r is helping deserving
girls who need financial aid to remain in high school. The K A ©
alumna chapter there has been selling coffee in order to procure
money to furnish thirty dozen eggs a month to the charity hospital
for deformed children in that city.

Kappa Alpha Theta at Nebraska University invites outside
faculty guests, the Dean, and others, to address the open fraternity
meeting occasionally and to remain for dinner.—A T A Quarterly.

* (We are indebted to Banto's Greek Exchange for most of these notes.—THE

EDITOR.)

284 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA 0 MIC RON PI

X Q at Wisconsin is devoting the greater part of every Saturday
to instruction among the Italian children of Madison.

About twenty two young Italians from 4 to 12 years of age are
taken care of by the chapter every Saturday morning in classes that
are divided for drawing, sewing, and other manual art studies. The
girls take the children and help them to make useful articles for
their homes, at the same time teaching them how to do things of
this sort in the best and most approved style of the home economics
department of the university.

An interfraternity society for senior girls at the University of

Minnesota is called Skin and Bones. The qualifications f o r mem-

bership are not announced. ,

The new president of Stanford University is said to contemplate
the dismissal of those chapters that do not bring their scholarship up
to the university average within the next two years.

A X 12 at California entertains the parents of the town girls at
dinner on Monday evenings.

A rule has been made at Syracuse that freshman girls cannot live
in sorority houses.

r $ B received the scholarship cup last year at the University of
Denver.

Each chapter of r * B has a small publication of its own, issued
from one to three times a year.

A 4> at Wisconsin had a mothers' house party last June.

A T is planning a new songbook. Have you ever thought that
A O I I needs a new one also ?

TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI 285

EXCHANGES

We gratefully acknowledge the receipt of the following

Exchanges:
The Anchora of Delta Gamma, the Key of Kappa Kappa Gamma,

the Triangle of Sigma Kappa, the Trident of Delta Delta Delta,
Themis of Zeta Tau Alpha, the Shield and Diamond of Pi Kappa
Alpha, the Star and Lamp of Pi Kappa Phi, the Scroll of Phi Delta
Theta, the Beta Sigma 0micron, the Alpha Xi Delta, the Adelphean
of Alpha Delta Pi, Eleusis of Chi Omega, the Lyre of Alpha Chi
Omega, the Rainbow of Delta Tau Delta, Beta Theta Pi, Kappa
Alpha Theta, the Arrow of Pi Beta Phi, the Record of Sigma Alpha
Epsilon, the Aglaia of Phi Mu, the Caduceus of Kappa Sigma, the
Shield of Delta Sigma Epsilon, the Shield of Phi Kappa Psi, the
Lamp of Delta Zeta, and the Garnet and White of Alpha Chi Rho.

Would not real neighborliness solve this problem?

What constitutes a weak chapter? It is wholly possible for a chapter to
have a large membership, to have captains, managers, and prize winners on
its rolls, to have an expensive house and many distinguished graduates, and
yet to be a weak chapter. On the other hand, it is possible for a chapter to
have a small membership, no undergraduate leaders, an inexpensive house, and
no famous alumni, and yet be a strong chapter. For the strength of a fraternity
group lies most of all in the spirit of brotherhood that prevails among its
members. Where there is the fellowship of loyal hearts and kindred interests
there is the only kind of strength that makes fraternity life worth while. Where
there is dissension, snobbishness, uncharitableness, nagging, uncongenial tastes,
or the display of any unbrotherly qualities there is the weakness that makes
any chapter an injury to its college and a reproach to its fraternity.—Delta
Kappa Epsilon Quarterly.

This is the time of year to think of the following:

And furthermore, no chapter which closes the college year with a debt,
should pass that on to the next year. Every chapter debt should be divided
among the members of the chapter for that year, and paid by them. Even
notes should be given to make the transaction a business proposition. No other
basis is fair.—Alpha Gamma Delta Quarterly.

Some advice to chapter delegates to Convention contained hi an
editorial of The Record of 2 A E merits the serious consideration of
our own delegates to our approaching Convention.

He will attend every session of the convention, all convention functions,
and observe committee assignments. This, of course, is one phase of his duty,
but another, and equally important matter for him to remember is that he
should be prepared to make a good report of the convention to the chapter.
He should return filled with new ideas for raising the chapter to the level of
the most efficient. I f the chapter does not own its home, get ideas from those
who do. I f the chapter meetings lag or are not regularly attended, discover the

286 TO DRAGMA OF ALPHA OMICRON PI

secret of the successful chapter meeting. I f you have a financial problem be
sure to go back with an idea for its solution. I f your membership has dwindled
below the safety point, absorb some of the "pep" from the successful chapter
delegates, and learn the art of efficient rushing. In short, take every depart-
ment of your chapter life, especially those points wherein you are deficient, and
find the way to improve i t

Don't let this conclusion be made by your friends because of your
thoughtlessness!

We had just about concluded that the good oldfashioned afternoon call had
been put aside by the time-eliminating, energy-saving telephone, when our
companion—a fine Gamma Phi alumna of many years' standing, of unbounded
enthusiasm—remarked, with the air of introducing another modern problem,
"The acknowledgment of a note of courtesy is also a past art.' The spirit of
the age—for, of course, everything is blamed upon the spirit of the age—
does not give us time for the personal touch." We waited for fuller explana-
tion, and she added—"For example. Before college closed, I wrote several little
notes to girls in whom I was interested—to whom pleasant things had happened.
One had gained Phi Beta Kappa—I congratulated her upon her laurel crown;
another had announced her engagement—I wished her happiness. Another had
worked faithfully and well in the sorority office which had been given her—
I sent her a word of appreciation. And how many acknowledged my good
wishes—how many responded, in appreciation of my friendly messages? Not
one."

Efficiency has been impressed with deadly persistency upon the college girl.
Courtesy is a running mate. For, after all, as the good alumna said, it's the
personal touch that counts. Even if it takes the time and effort of a busy
college girl, it is never a mistake to be grateful for kind thoughts and friendly
words that come her way.—Crescent of T <>i B.—Santa's Greek Exchange.