Inspiring Opportunity The Alpha Xi Delta Foundation newsletter Winter 2014
Coaches Corner
Inside This Issue... Coaches Corner
Scholarship Recipient Profile
Leadership Coach, Shelby Young, Alabama at Birmingham '09, at Iota Rho’s Sisterhood retreat at DePaul University. From left to right: Joy Simmons, DePaul '12; Shelby Young; Hannah Perron, DePaul '12; and Katie Cummings, DePaul ‘12.
This semester has been a busy one for the Leadership Coaches (LCs)! In the fall, Alpha Xi Delta’s Leadership Coaches visited 29 chapters and colonies and held more than 261 individual meetings with Alpha Xi Delta collegians. Sisters who participated in the LC visits and responded to our followup survey gave the Foundation feedback that shows the program improving in both value of program content and fostering personal growth. Based on individual feedback about the program, 98% of the participants thought that the Leadership Coach Program was valuable to them. “Overall, the program has really helped open my eyes to what being an Alpha Xi Delta means,” said one participant of the program. “It has also helped me to improve my overall self. The program helped me to connect with many different individuals that I would of otherwise never had the chance to connect with.”
E-Xi Give Donor Profile Why I Give The Founders’ Academy Grant Recipient Spotlight
Inspiring
Winter 2014
Scholarship Recipient Profile Helen Heines, Western Kentucky ‘12, is the 2013 recipient of the Jayne Wade Anderson Scholarshp offered through the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation. “Alpha Xi Delta has helped me in many ways to become a stronger woman and leader,” Helen said. “I would like to thank the Foundation and her donors for helping to provide for the future of Alpha Xi Delta and Alpha Xi Delta women.” Helen is an elementary education major at Western Kentucky University. She has served as Activities Chair for her chapter as well as Programs Vice President. While at school, Alpha Xi Delta is Helen’s family and support system. Outside of Alpha Xi Delta, she is an academic tutor for the athletic department on campus and the President of FeelGood, a youth movement committed to ending world hunger.
Currently, Helen is paying tuition for school and Alpha Xi Delta dues herself. Last year as she was on Exclusively Xi, she decided to see what scholarship opportunities might be available through the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation. Learning that she would have financial support and could continue with school and stay involved with Alpha Xi Delta lessened her financial pressure and lifted a weight off of Helen’s shoulders. The Jayne Wade Anderson Scholarship is available to sophomores demonstrating academic excellence, involvement in extracurricular activities, loyalty to Fraternity and university and concern for fellow students.
“Alpha Xi Delta has helped me in many ways to become a stronger woman and leader. I would like to thank the Foundation and her donors for helping to provide for the future of Alpha Xi Delta and Alpha Xi Delta women.”
To learn more about the scholarships and grants available to members, visit the Foundation’s website at www.alphaxidelta.org.
E-Xi Give Donor Profile By Leslie Taylor, Auburn '98
When I graduated from college and moved away from my cherished Zeta Xi Chapter Sisters, it was important for me to figure out how to give back to an organization that helped me become a better woman. Knowing that I believed in Alpha Xi Delta’s mission and programs, I wanted to contribute what I could-but easily! In 2004, I joined the E-Xi Give Program because it allowed me to donate and give monthly throughout the year with no hassle and no thought. Supporting the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation through the E-Xi Give Program works well for me, and I encourage others to learn more and decide if it’s right for you. To learn more about the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation and the E-Xi Give Program, visit www.alphaxidelta.org.
Winter 2014
Why I Give
Opportunity
By Julie Lambert, Oregon State '81 My background truly defines why I give. I was raised in the spirit of giving, from my parents and in high school through community service projects. The spirit of giving was then reinforced in college through Alpha Xi Delta. I was fortunate enough to have a diverse group of advisors from many chapters and learned early on that membership in Alpha Xi Delta is really a lifetime. I was able to see the big picture of Sisterhood across the nation. As I grew, I began to define my personal philanthropic goals, which included providing educational opportunities for women. I wanted to target my donation dollars where I could make the biggest impact, and I knew that, through giving to the Foundation, I could start small with annual gifts. Now, as a member of the Mary Burt Nash Society, I provide more support through my gifts and have been able to sponsor a scholarship for a post-graduate Alpha Xi Delta who is continuing her education. I truly feel that I get the best payback for my donations through helping Sisters obtain their educational goals. I am also fortunate to be able to give my time to Alpha Xi Delta and the Foundation. Through Alpha Xi Delta and the Foundation, I can give back in a variety of ways – through my time and talent but also through my treasure. Sisters like Julie make it possible for the Foundation to inspire women accross the country to realize their potential every day. If you’re interested in making a difference in the lives of Alpha Xi Delta Sisters, please visit www. alphaxidelta.org to learn more about the various ways you can contribute to the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation.
The Founders’ Academy The Founders’ Academy will launch this June when hundreds of collegiate Sisters from across the nation gather at Georgia Institute of Technology to “ignite their strengths.” Throughout the program, we will challenge participants to question how we use our individual strengths to honor our Ritual and lead our chapters to success. Through The Founders’ Academy, Alpha Xi Delta will create a “best-in-class” experience and will showcase our commitment to member education and leadership training by remaining focused on the foundation of our organization. For more information about The Founders’ Academy, visit www.alphaxidelta.org/summer2014. The Foundation will be announcing sponsorship opportunities for our alumnae in the near future. If you are interested in supporting The Founders’ Academy, please contact Kendra Lewis at 317-872-3500 or klewis@ alphaxidelta.org.
Winter 2014
Grant Recipient Spotlight 62 year-old, mentally-handicapped aunt. With the loss of income and the addition of a person to our household, we started living paycheck to paycheck.
Karin Beery, Hillsdale '97, received the 2013 Zelma Patchin Grant, which provides financial assistance to Alpha Xi Delta alumnae seeking personal or professional development through conferences, programs or seminars that are not for credit. Below, Karin shares her story. Two years ago, my husband and I gave up 30% of our income so I could stay at home to care for my
As a writer; however, staying connected and educated through conferences is vital. I knew we couldn’t afford it, so I researched my options. While searching for grants, I remembered all of the undergraduate and post-graduate scholarships many of my Sisters had received through Alpha Xi Delta, so I found the Alpha Xi Delta Foundation website and started searching for grant opportunities. It didn’t take long to find the Zelma Patchin Grant and realize it was exactly what I needed. I submitted the easy-to-complete application and was notified within a couple of weeks that I had received the grant. I would not have been able to attend last year’s
conference without the financial help from the Foundation. It’s incredible to know that a decade after graduation, my Sisters are still there for me, encouraging and supporting my dreams.
“It’s incredible to know that a decade after graduation, my Sisters are still there for me, encouraging me and supporting my dreams.”
To learn more about the scholarships and grants available to members, visit the Foundation’s website at www.alphaxidelta.org.
Connect with us! Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for Foundation Fridays.
/alphaxideltafraternity
@alphaxidelta
theinsideink.org