Who Are Your Stars in 2012?

One of my favorite Alpha Chi Omega Convention traditions is Star Booth. For a small donation, you can honor the sisters who have touched your life or inspired you.

All the funds raised support the mission of Alpha Chi Omega Foundation - helping sisters learn and grow, assisting survivors of domestic violence and the agencies that serve them, and commemorating our musical heritage through support of the MacDowell Colony.
When you purchase a star (which you can do online here), Foundation sends an email to the recipient on your behalf. This is new this year and it's been fun receiving stars in my inbox. Convention attendees also get stars to wear on their name tags, and I've traditionally mostly bought stars for women I know are attending but I thought this year it would be fun to recognize four young sisters who are devoting time to making a difference in the world.

The first three are 2012 graduates of my home chapter, Zeta Upsilon, at Case Western Reserve University, all of whom were selected for Teach for America. They are training now and will teach children in underprivileged schools for 2 years, starting this fall: Abi in Oklahoma; Candace second grade in New Mexico; and Erin high school English in Memphis.

Abi, Erin and Candace at Alpha Chi Recruitment this winter. 

If you're not familiar with Teach for America, learn more here. Also, follow along as Erin is blogs her training and teaching experience here. 

My fourth inspirational sister is Victoria. Another Zeta Upsilon alumna, she graduated CWRU in 2011 and after completing her masters in Engineering and Management this spring, is spending the summer cycling across the US with Bike & Build.

Bike & Build organizes cross-country bicycle trips which benefit affordable housing groups.
Specifically, we fund projects planned and executed by young adults. Over the past 9 seasons we have donated more than $3.3MM; built for more than 100,000 hours; pedaled over 5MM miles; and engaged more than 1500 young adults in spreading the word about the affordable housing crisis in America.

Victoria's journey will take her from Providence, Rhode Island to Seattle, Washington. Along the way, the team will take breaks from riding and participate in building projects made possible by their fundraising.

Victoria in Pennsylvania en route to Seattle

Follow along with Victoria here and see the route (and where she is today (until August 21) here.


Who inspires you? Recognize her with a star here: http://www.axostarbooth.com/

See also
Who Are Your Stars? Don't miss the great comments
Alpha Chi Omega Star Booth

Who Are Your Stars?

I'm looking forward to Alpha Chi Omega Convention in July and one of the reasons is the Star Booth. If you're not familiar with Star Booth, learn more about it from my post last week.

I love giving stars. It's just such a great way to tell someone how much they mean to you. Here are some of the women I honor with stars:

First (always first), Sus and I buy stars for the wonderful woman who was our Chapter Advisor when we were collegians. Barb was Pledge Advisor when I joined the sorority, and then became CA. She took me on my first AXO road trip (to Denison, where her chapter (Delta Xi) was recolonizing). She took us to our first alumnae meetings, and to our first Founders' Days. She thought nothing of preparing a meal for the Exec Board, or dessert for the entire chapter. It is because of her influence that we are active alumnae.

Next, I like to make the collegians from my chapters (my home chapter Zeta Upsilon, CWRU and my adopted chapter in Tallahassee, Beta Eta, FSU) feel welcome. It'll be their first Convention, and nothing says "I'm glad you're here" like a star! Candace, Chelsea, and Liz, I'm looking forward to seeing you and your chapter advisors, Amy B. and Britain!

I have two people to thank for all the help they give me and my alumnae chapters during the year: Megan H, Assistant Director of Lifetime Engagement at Alpha Chi Omega National Headquarters keeps us all informed and answers thousands of queries and questions; and Sylvia, our outgoing Province Alumnae Chair, has provided five years of on-point guidance, friendship and support.

Who would you honor with a star? It's easy to order them, right online! I hope you'll do it today!

Alpha Chi Omega Star Booth

Alpha Chi Omega Convention is coming up July 9-12 in Washington, D.C. This will be my 6th time attending and my 4th consecutive rooming with my CWRU travel-buddy and fellow Zeta Upsilon initiate Susan. We always have such a good time seeing old friends, making new friends, attending events, learning new things and in general getting excited about being Alpha Chi Omegas. I thought as we approach the event I'd share some of my favorite Convention traditions. And what better place to start than with the Star Booth!

Star Booth is a fundraiser for the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation, but more importantly it is a wonderful opportunity to recognize the sisters (and others) who are important in your life. At Convention, the Star Booth sits in a prominent spot (usually outside one of the main meeting rooms) and is staffed by a team of friendly volunteers. For each person you honor with your $10 contribution, you get a paper star on which to write the name of your recipient (and a note if you like). These stars are all hung on a big back drop in the back of the booth. (it's very impressive to see by the end of the weekend!) If your recipient is at Convention, you will receive a star sticker to give her to put on her name tag. If he or she is not present, Foundation will send them an email or a postcard letting them know you have recognized him or her.

Starting in 2006, I began placing my star order in advance (you can do this online this year!). When you do this, your recipient gets a card from you in her registration packet. She can go to the Star Booth to pick up her star for her name tag.

The items pictured here are all from 2006 Convention in Chicago. On the left are the cards I received from sisters who pre-ordered stars in my honor. In the center is my name tag with the stars I received. On the right are paper stars I received from sisters at a luncheon. Each attendee was given 3 stars and asked to choose 3 sisters who inspire her. I was really humbled by the lovely things people wrote, and by the generosity of the sisters who recognized me with stars.

And here is my name badge with stars from Convention in 2008, which was held in Scottsdale, Arizona.

As you can see, my stars are pretty important to me. And while I love to receive them, I love to give them even more! So much so that I'm going to write a separate post about it. In the meantime, who would you buy stars for? Star Booth is for everyone, whether you can attend Convention or not. Think how much it would mean to someone you love to get an email or postcard saying they are a star in your life!