Winter 2013
The Truth Behind
New Year’s Resolutions Butterflies in Action By Hara Wang Guest Writer
In late October 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the Atlantic coastline, and has since killed 131 people in eight states, stripped 8,100,000 homes out of power, and washed 25,000,000,000 dollars down the drain. Affecting 24 out of the 50 U.S. states, Sandy is also the second costliest hurricane in U.S. history and the deadliest to hit U.S. mainland since Katrina in 2005. The more fortunate of us around the nation sprang into action. Blessed by electric power yet heartbroken by the news footage of the superstorm aftermath, our sorors Jessica Peñaranda and Ivettelis Perez of the New York metropolitan region knew that they should lend their hands to the more helpless. As a social services professional, Jessica knew that the people in Sandy-stricken regions were not only in dire need of physical supplies, but also desperate for emotional support. She signed up for Occupy Sandy’s social media-based on-the-ground relief alerts, and mobilized the Xi Alpha chapter through connecting the sisters with neighboring communities in need of relief assistance. Images courtesy of Google Images.
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Image courtesy of Google Images.
Hurricane Sandy Relief:
By Ellen Goodacre Contributing Writer Each year, approximately 45 percent of Americans make at least one New Year’s resolution, according to a study conducted at the University of Sacramento in 2011. But only eight percent of participants in the study reported achieving their resolutions. Despite these unappealing success rates, many people continue to make New Year’s resolutions. “I tend to cringe when I hear the words, “New Year’s resolutions,” mostly because they often have to do with weight,” Beatriz Craven, doctoral psychology intern for Counseling and Psychological Services at the University of Houston, said. “If this is the case for you, make sure your goals are not about others perceptions of you, but rather about your own health and well-being. Take some time to reflect on what you would like to work
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What’s In This Edition? Keys to Success in a Job... Women Leadership Series... Multicultural Book List...
2 FROM THE PRESIDENT Dear Sisters, Staff Editor-In-Chief
Jamie Dawson
Senior Editor
Dara Monasch
Senior Designer
Jamie Dawson
Junior Designer
Nicole Bacchus Copy Editor
Anahita Sarshar Contributing Writers
Tanya Arditi Alyshia Dansby Ellen Goodacre Rubi Morgan
Guest Writers
Danielle Smith-Scott Hara Wang Jennis Watson
Table of Contents
Cover Features....................................1 “Hurricane Sandy Relief” “The Truth Behind New Year’s Resolutions” From the President.............................2 Sisterhood Spotlight............................3 Featured Articles “Keys to Success in a Job”.................4 “Multicultural Book List”..............................7 “Chapter Spotlight”.......................................8 “Women Leadership Series”.................9 Chapter Highlights...............................12
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I hope this message finds you well in these early months of the New Year. I hope that you are still on the road to fulfilling your resolutions for the year. It takes 66 days to form a new habit and it will be well worth the commitment in the weeks, months and years to come. My personal resolutions included a recommitment to my personal fitness. At my chapter, we have wholeheartedly committed ourselves to this year’s theme: Butterflies in Motion. At Xi Iota, we’re improving our lives through physical fitness and we are on the road to performing 1997 hours of fitness by Founder’s Day. It’s an impressive goal, but we’re dedicated. And, even if we don’t make the mark, we will still have improved our physical, mental and emotional well-being. Being a Butterfly in Motion doesn’t mean that you have to run, bike, or swim your way to fitness. If I’ve found anything during my fitness journey, it’s that you have to enjoy what you’re doing or you won’t continue to do it. I encourage you to dance, skate, and leap your way through this journey. As my coach says, “don’t forget to smile.” The same is true for your journey in Theta Nu Xi. When you participate in Sorority activities, choose activities that serve the organization and make you happy. When both are true, you make our organization and yourself stronger, fitter and more fulfilled. In this issue of ONEVision, you’ll find articles that will help you make positive steps in both your personal and professional life-- from how to succeed in the workplace to new books to add to your reading list. As always, we hope that ONEVision serves as a forum to learn more about ourselves and each other. ONE Love,
Cianti Stewart-Reid National President
P.S. Be sure to check out my line sister and former National President, Jerri Kallam, in the Sisterhood Spotlight.
we want to hear from you!
Do you have an idea that you’d like to see on the pages of the next issue of ONEVision? Contact director.communications@thetanuxi.org with your idea or to inquire about being a Guest Writer for an upcoming issue! You can also post ideas or share feedback on this issue by visiting our ONEVision OrgSync forum.
SISTERHOOD SPOTLIGHT 3 What sparked your interest in Theta Nu Xi and why did you join?
When I was younger, I knew some people who were in sororities and I always thought it was cool and it was something I was interested in doing one day. However, I didn’t know that much about the organizations and when I got to Carolina, none of the historically white or historically black groups seemed like a great fit for me. At that point I just thought it was something I would not be involved in. However, some time later I ran across some articles in the school newspaper about Theta Nu Xi and as soon as I learned more about it, it seemed like a perfect fit in every way. I was hooked and I didn’t have any doubts from that point on.
What motivates you to stay active?
Both our mission and my sisters! I really believe in our mission the same way as an “adult” as I did as a college student. Theta Nu Xi is a great conduit to allow me to have focus on all of the parts of our mission, through one focused organization. Although I have a very busy schedule, Theta Nu Xi continues to offer a way to be involved in service and continue to have educational activities (just as a few examples) as a part of my “regular” life without having to go find one off opportunities. Just as important, it offers a way to stay connected with my sisters. Over my almost fourteen years in the organization, I have had amazing relationships with sisters at every level – Undergraduate Chapter, GAP Chapter, Committees, National Board, etc. Staying active helps to keep those relationships close to me, which we all know is hard to do as everyone is busy working and with their families and other commitments.
Who is your role model or mentor?
In my personal life, my role model was my paternal grandmother. She was one of the most genuinely “good” people I have ever known. She was devoted to her family, her church and her community and she never had an unkind word to or about anyone. In my professional life I have a lot of different role models and mentors. I have accepted that in my life I will never have time for everything – personal, family, work, so I take advice from anyone who can do a good job of balancing their life with good priorities to succeed at work yet take care of themselves and their families.
What are three of your life goals?
I think my top goals are always evolving so I doubt I will ever feel like I have achieved them. I think there will always be a next step to work towards but as long as I am making progress then I feel like I’m on a good path. I would like to continue progressing in my job as long as I can. I don’t have a specific target position or goal, but I like to continue learning and be able to do more deals and take more responsibility. Outside of work, I’d like to continue to find fulfilling things to participate in to try to give back to others – either through the Sorority, Church, or the community. And someday, I’d like to have a family and kids.
What advice would you give a new Sister who is interested in becoming more involved in Theta Nu Xi?
Don’t be afraid to be involved and to just jump in. Our organization has a great need for people in positions at all levels – from committees to regions to the National Board. I think that anyone can find something they are interested in or a role they feel comfortable starting with and work their way up. One of the best things about our organization is that we are young and there are plenty of ways to meaningfully contribute to the organization. I would encourage everyone to be active in some way, as participating in these roles and attending conferences and conventions is a way to connect with sisters from across the organization and be a part of a National Organization that is very different than the experiences and connections you will have in your local chapter. My experiences with the National Board and at National Conventions are a huge and much loved part of my overall Theta Nu Xi experience.
Jerri Kallam #4 Ace of Diamonds
Spring 1999 Alpha Chapter
4 FEATURED ARTICLE
keys to success in a job navigating the workplace with grace and class By Jennis Watson Guest Writer When I was ready to start college, my father gave me three pieces of advice for academic success: never miss a class, always do your homework, and do any and all available extra credit. My father graduated from Florida State University with a degree in French and went on to obtain a master’s degree in French from the University of Georgia. He has enjoyed many varied career experiences from managing international trade for the State of Georgia to serving as president of a start-up company to achieving appointment as the headmaster of an Atlanta-area private school. I have looked to my father’s career as the touchstone for my own, so it was only natural that I would adopt his words of wisdom for academic success. I have achieved high academic success in my own right.
As my career has progressed, my father’s three pieces of advice have been in the back of my mind, and they have led to the creation of my own keys to success in a job…with my own special flair.
tip #1 Do what you’re told and come correct with the quality of your work. If you want to be successful in your work, you need to understand what is being asked of you. Spending time at the start of a project doing prep work will allow you to gain much needed clarity and plan your attack. It takes extra effort to produce the best result, but when you do, smart leaders will recognize that you are someone who needs a closer look.
College students, many professors will hand you success on a silver platter via the road map of a syllabus. Study it, understand it, ask
question about it and review it once a week to make sure you’re on track.
tip #2 Take on as many responsibilities as you can handle. No half steppin’. Opportunities will come in many forms throughout your career. Your company could start a new project you’d be great for. Your supervisor could ask you to take on another job area, because of your high quality work. An unexpected bonus could give you just what you need to take that certification course you’ve been meaning to get started. However, you have to know where you want to go in order to know which opportunities to pursue. Have a game plan in mind, watch your finances, and be bold.
College students, be on the lookout for opportunities to take a
FEATURED ARTICLE 5 lead role, whether it’s on a class project, in a campus organization, or in your side job. With every new responsibility, find a way to showcase it on your resume (and check out Tip #10).
tip #3 Follow the chain of command. This means respect your supervisor and never go over his/her head unless it’s a real emergency situation. You certainly won’t be friendly with all your coworkers, but you can treat them they way they want to be treated. You can save yourself a lot of trouble— and you can even save yourself from being fired—by making sure you know the appropriate higher-ups to speak with about complaints. It’s natural to think about plotting a supervisor’s demise when you feel a great deal of pressure and very little support. But, in the end, acting on those feelings will almost always result in worsening your situation. If you simply can’t put up with your job anymore, it’s probably time to move on, even if that means making a sacrifice. A caveat to this tip is that, if you are aware your supervisor is doing something unethical or illegal, you should discreetly look into ways to resolve the situation. As a starting point, check out your state’s whistleblower regulations. You can find out more at www.whistleblowerlaws.com. And, if you and your coworkers are being mistreated, you may find a solution through the National Labor Relations Board. In many states, you have the right to act together as a labor union even if you don’t belong to a formally organized union. Check out the NLRB at www.nlrb.gov.
College students, college is hectic enough as it is, so many students don’t spend their time looking through university procedures until they have to. When you’re in a full-time employment situation, it’s important to know your rights and know the best way to address problems. The same goes for students. So, take some time to look at your institution’s policies on sexual harassment, grievances, and the like.
tip #4 Make your boss look good, publicly. Do you want to be highly regarded both by higher-ups in your own company and potential employers you meet along the way? Repeat after me: everything I do in my job reflects on my boss. When you tie your own success to the success of your boss and the organization as a whole, you start to understand your tremendous importance. No one, and I mean no one, is just a cog in the wheel. Even if you don’t hear it enough at work, know that what you do matters. And, when you do it well with a great attitude, you’ll start to see the doors opening in front of you.
College students, most professors want to impact their students. Consider that professors are often the people writing your graduate school recommendations and serving as references for your first job out of college. Take time to let your professors know what their efforts have meant to your academic career. Develop a relationship. When you do well, they look good and that will work to your benefit in the future. tip #5 Choose your words wisely, but don’t be afraid to speak your mind to your boss, PRIVATELY. This tip is the counterpart to Tip #4. When you have a problem, it’s easy to stew over it or complain to people who can’t help you change your circumstances. It’s difficult to stir up the gumption to confront your supervisor about an issue that’s bothering you. I find that, the more I let my supervisor know what I need, the better he understands me. You don’t have to be aggressive to get your point across. When approaching a problem, I often use the following formula: “I have been struggling with [issue] and I’d like to brainstorm some solutions with you.”
College students, if you’re not yet comfortable addressing your concerns with others head-on, now is the time to start building this skill. It is important in life to be able to stand up for yourself
and to speak truthfully about subjects that may be uncomfortable.
tip #6 Under no circumstances should you ever gossip in the office. The more discreet you are, the more you will be trusted by everyone.
Recent research has found that gossip is an important activity for social interactions. Some researchers have even posited that human language developed so we could gossip. But, don’t lose your head. Most of us spend more time with our coworkers than we do with friends and family. It’s the nature of work life in the United States. So, when you spread hurtful gossip, it can sour relationships and make your work environment intolerable. When I’m faced with a gossiper in the office, I never offer gossip in return nor do I affirm the gossiper. I find that, over time, people stop sharing their office gossip with me; thus, doing me a favor by protecting me from the consequences. We’re all intelligent women and there are many other subjects to discuss.
College students, the key here is good judgment. Now’s the time to start practicing for future work relationships. When you find yourself in a situation where gossip is being shared, be critical about what you say and how you share what you learn. tip #7 Be kinder than you feel at any given moment. Think about the people in your work environment who make you smile. Continued Next Page
6 FEATURED ARTICLE I would venture to guess that those who smile at you encourage a smile in return. Work is already tedious and difficult without a grouch in the office. You can make a decision every morning to be cheerful no matter what. As they say, everyone is fighting some kind of battle and your kindness could translate into a better day at the office, or even a promotion.
College students, school wears you out, right? It’s hard to motivate yourself to put on your game face and excel. The thing about college, though, is that everyone feels the same way. Brighten someone’s day by being kind despite how stressed, worried, or frustrated you may feel. Conquer your emotions and you’ll be happier for it. tip #8 Don’t waste time making up excuses. Use that time wisely to figure out how to “git ‘er done.” No supervisor wants to hear why you didn’t do what you were supposed to do. Your boss might be a yeller, an intimidator, or a constructive criticizer. Yet, all bosses are painfully aware of one critical concept: whatever task you fail to complete or goal you fail to meet ends up on someone else’s plate. Responsible employees tend to attract more responsibility, which in turn leads to career advancement.
College students, barring serious life events, most excuses really are nothing more than justification for failing to plan ahead. Think about the last excuse you gave to a professor. Was the situation completely unavoidable? What if you had completed the assignment a month early? Make yourself accountable…to yourself. Your assignments need to be done on time and, if they aren’t, own up to it. Instead of giving an excuse, next time you run into trouble, try telling your professor the truth: “I apologize for the lateness of my assignment. The blame lies with me, as I didn’t give myself enough time to complete it. I understand if you have to deduct points, but I would still like the opportunity to turn it in for your feedback.” tip #9
tip #9 Speak highly about your coworkers, supervisors, and the organization or company. As with most relationships, it’s important to be careful when speaking about someone who has influence in your life. Most people consider it bad form to speak poorly about a spouse to someone other than that spouse. In the workplace, the same guideline applies. Speak kindly of your organization and the people who work with you. Don’t moan about how your boss doesn’t give you credit or how lazy your coworkers are. Do give credit to your supervisor for providing what you need to succeed and point out your coworkers’ strengths, even when it’s tough.
Don’t be shy about reminding your higher-ups how you have benefitted the company. If you have an annual review, it’s a perfect time to talk yourself up. Stick to the facts and describe, in your own words, how your achievements have contributed to the company’s bottom line. As an aside, don’t get frustrated when you aren’t moving up the ladder quickly enough, especially if you haven’t expressed to your supervisor that you want to be promoted. Instead, take all appropriate opportunities to refresh your boss about your intentions with the company.
College students, a great place to start practicing discretion and good judgment is in your personal and academic relationships. Particularly when it comes to professors, find ways to build them up to their peers. Remember, professors do talk to each other and they do talk about students.
College students, one of the best ways to build this skill is by participating in mock interviews and updating your resume every time you find yourself with a new skill set. The techniques you use in an interview are the same ones you’ll use to progress your career in the future.
tip #10 Sing your own praises... not in a conceited way. But, make sure to mention your successes when you are proposing to take on new responsibilities and/or achieve a promotion.
About the Author | Jennis is a member of the development team for a regional nonprofit in New Jersey. She received a B.A. in English from the University of Georgia, an M.A. in Biblical Literature from Alliance Theological Seminary, and an M.S. in Nonprofit Management from Northeastern University. She has made a career in the nonprofit industry from establishing a collegiate writing and research lab to advising on human resources topics to raising millions of dollars as a fundraising professional. She employs her Keys to Success in a Job in her progression toward leading a mid-sized nonprofit as the Executive Director.
This tip seems to be the toughest one for the women I work with and advise. Sorors, you have to fan that little flame until it burns with confidence!
FEATURED ARTICLE 7
Mulicultural
BOOK LIST
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By Tanya S. Arditi Contributing Writer
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2013 Multicultural Book List:
(1) “The Story of Beautiful Girl”, Rachel Simon (2) “Little Bee”, Chris Cleave (3) “Monkey Bridge”, Lan Cao (4) “Black, White, and Jewish”, Rebecca Walker (5) “The Girl Who Fell From The Sky”, Heidi W. Durrow (6) “Midnight’s Children”, Salman Rushdie (7) “Disgrace”, J.M. Coetzee (8) “The Oldest Orphan”, Tierno Monenembo (9) “Destined to Witness: Growing Up Black in Nazi Germany”, Hans J. Massaquoi (10) “The Color of Water: A Black Man’s Tribute to His White Mother”, James McBride (11) “A Thousand Splendid Suns”, Khaled Hosseini (12) “The Secret Life of Bees”, Sue Monk Kidd (13) “Infidel”, Ayaan Hirsi Ali (14) “White Like Me”, Tim Wise Source: GoodReads.com
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I used to unwind to music, but nowadays the ONE thing that keeps me sane day in and day out is the promise of at least 15 minutes of uninterrupted reading each time I ride the metro to work. And as an English major and a lover of books, the beginning of a new year always brings with it the promise of a new book list. Several GAP chapters in our beloved Sorority have started book clubs, naturally concentrating on books that focus on different aspects of diversity and multiculturalism. For this list, the Xi Lambda chapter recommends “The Story of Beautiful Girl”. Set in 1968 Pennsylvania, “The Story of Beautiful Girl” is the epic tale of a 40-year journey which follows Lynnie, a young white woman with a developmental disability, and Homan, an African American deaf man, who escaped the School for the Incurable and Feebleminded, and the obstacles they face. Other books they’ve read are “The Color of Water”, “Digging to America”, and “When I was Puerto Rican” (side note: I got my copy of that book signed by the author in 8th grade!). Soror Angela Boone says: “It’s a great way for us to sit down with people outside of the chapter and have a dialogue about diversity, the way the characters in the book affect us, and their current relevance. There is almost always a character or a situation that someone can identify with. By discussing those topics we get a closer understanding of each other in the group. And overall we really just enjoy meeting up and having great conversations.” I think it’s very important for us to continue hosting Book Clubs and putting together book lists such as these (there has been at least ONE if not more in past issues of ONE Vision), mainly because when I did a general online search for “multicultural and/or diversity book lists” I was surprised by two things: 1. I got countless returns with lists of books for children and young adults, and 2. I had to dig entirely too deep to find such lists for the general reading public. Luckily, we have MANY Sisters who are super into reading and books, so I hope this list can continue growing through the year and beyond. Some of my personal all-time favorite books with a multicultural and diversity edge are: “Little Bee” by Chris Cleave, “Monkey Bridge” by Lan Cao, and Rebecca Walker’s “Black, White, and Jewish”. Now, let’s see which ONEderful books you can add to your reading list in 2013! Be sure to visit our ONEVision OrgSync forum to share your favorite Multicultural Reads or discuss those listed in this article.
8 FEATURED ARTICLE CHAPTER SPOTLIGHT
THE
Unparalleled Upsilon CHAPTER
By Rubi Morgan Contributing Writer
For this Chapter Spotlight, ONEVision is proud to bring you the Unparalleled Upsilon Chapter of Theta Nu Xi, founded in 2003 at Indiana University in Bloomington. This chapter, fearlessly managed by three dedicated sisters, doesn’t fail to uphold standards and make campus-wide changes.
Uplifting Fundraisers
LGBTQ community. The Upsilon Chapter has gone one step further and teamed up with their campus LGBT Student Support Services to reach out to all interested women, regardless of orientation. The chapter has also been recruiting with other MGC sororities, using the opportunity to form bonds with the organizations within their council as well as help interested women find the right sorority for them.
Ultimate Goals
This semester, the Upsilon Chapter brought back their annual talent show: ONE Night Only: A Diverse Talent Show. They held this successful event with the distinguished gentlemen of Kappa Delta Rho National Fraternity from the Interfraternity Council, interacting and reconnecting with organizations from all campus councils. Our ladies at the Upsilon Chapter raised over $100 from their talent show and personally donated the money to Girls For A Change, located in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Besides academics, these women have been focusing on building their alumni relationships. The Upsilon Chapter established their own chapter newsletter as a way to keep their alumni informed about the various events and status of the undergraduates throughout the school year. This year’s alumni weekend is sure to be a hit for the Upsilon Chapter. Not only do they now have far more alumni support financially, many will be flying out for a personal attendance.
Unique Recruitment
Unmatchable Dedication
Though these confident women have been effectively promoting diversity and excellence on their campus, they’ve also been focusing on increasing their chapter size. Theta Nu Xi Multicultural Sorority, Incorporated has always been a strong supporter of the
The women of the Upsilon Chapter have been pursing all their goals with a strong mind, refusing to be phased by the mere appearance of numbers or the weight of a light checkbook. Look out Indiana! They are a force to be reckoned with.
FEATURED ARTICLE 9 Women Leadership Series
In January of 2009, four years ago, the nation watched as President Barack Obama was sworn into office, his wife Michelle standing beside him. Few could have known then what a great first lady Michelle Obama would be. She’s more than a figurehead or a pretty face for the American people to admire. She has contributed to the political climate and spearheaded two campaigns to address childhood obesity and the unique needs of military families. In 2010, Michelle launched the Let’s Move! campaign to alleviate childhood obesity within one generation. Obama hopes to accomplish this goal by providing healthier foods in schools, encouraging kids to be physically active, and by making healthy, affordable food available in every part of the country. Through First Lady Obama’s efforts Wal-Mart has taken on the task of eliminating food deserts (areas that lack access to affordable fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat milk, and other foods that make up the full range of a healthy diet) in America. The Let’s Move campaign has also gained the support of other national organizations and celebrities. Beyoncé Knowles in partnership with the National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation even created a flash workout or pre-choreographed dance/ exercise to the Beyoncé song “Move Your Body.” Middle schoolers across the nation were encouraged to participate and some were featured in the Let’s Move! video. Michelle also started Joining
Forces in 2011, a program aimed at supporting veterans and military families while raising awareness about the unique needs of military families’ pertaining to employment, education and wellness. Joining Forces has been working with American businesses to hire or train 100,000 unemployed veterans and military spouses by 2013. First Lady Michelle Obama is committed to continuing her work to better America by focusing on the issues close to her heart — supporting military families, helping working women balance career and family, encouraging national service, promoting the arts and arts education, and fostering healthy eating and healthy living for children and families across the country. Long before she was the First Lady Michelle was she was the daughter of Fraser and Marian Robinson. She grew up in a brick bungalow on the South Side of Chicago. Her father was a pump operator for the Chicago Water Department. Though he was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at a young age, he hardly ever missed a day of work. Michelle’s mother, Marian, was a stay-at-home mom and focused on raising Michelle and her older brother Craig. She attended Chicago public schools and went on to study sociology and African-American studies at Princeton University. After graduating from Harvard Law School in 1988, she joined the Chicago law firm Sidley & Austin. It was there that she met her future husband,
By Ellen Goodacre Contributing Writer
Barack Obama. It was Barack who introduced her to the concept of community organizing and after a few years she decided that her true calling was working with people to serve their communities. She worked as the assistant commissioner of planning and development in Chicago’s City Hall before founding the Chicago chapter of Public Allies, an AmeriCorps program that prepares youth for public service. In 1996 Michelle became the Associate Dean of Student Services at the University of Chicago with a vision of bringing campus and community together. There, she developed the university’s first community service program, and under her leadership as Vice President of Community and External Affairs the University saw a huge increase in volunteerism. Michelle gave birth to her eldest daughter Malia in 1999 and her youngest, Sasha in 2002. She supported her husband throughout his campaign for Presidency in 2008, giving speeches and shaking hands with people all across the country. She became the First Lady of the United States of America on January 20th, 2009 and continues to faithfully serve our nation while balancing the duties of raising to beautiful daughters. Michelle serves as an inspiration to women across the nation and living proof that your position is what you make of it. Surely, she will continue to be a model of excellence over these next four years. Images courtesy of Google Images.
Michelle Obama
10 COVER FEATURE The Truth Behind Continued From Page 1
on for the coming year and most importantly, why.” Some of the most popular resolutions include losing weight, getting organized, spending less and saving more, enjoying life to the fullest, and staying fit and healthy, the University of Sacramento study found. “[This year], I have a theme for every month in the calendar,” Desire Davis, member of the Omicron chapter, said. “If I don’t stick to anything else, I will stick to the Spanish because it’s a language that I really enjoy, so I’m relying on my heavy interest in Latin American culture to keep me intact. As for the other ones, I may have to change them up if they do not work out.” Davis chooses to make a resolution in January because she feels that the New Year’s Resolutions allow for long term improvement. “I see it as a time to reflect upon your actions, success, and failure over an extended period of time,” Davis said. Other sisters, however, believe that self-improvement is a year round process. “I really don’t make a New Year’s Resolution anymore because I feel that you don’t need a new year to become a new
you,” Fatima Yusuf, member of the Omicron chapter, said. “You can start changing your lifestyle whenever…If it’s during the time of New Year’s then so be it.” But New Year’s Resolutions are an ancient, global tradition traced back to the time of Caesar, says billpetro.com. While the numbers may not be welcoming, Craven says there is a way to make your New Year’s Resolution successful. “New Years can be a great time to reflect, get energized, and intentional about your life. Make your resolutions personal to you, and then make a plan,” Craven said. “Do some research and put together a strategy to work toward your goals. We get so ambitious about our end goals that we begin to tire out before we reach them. Try something that is both challenging and conducive to maintaining the lifestyle you imagine for yourself.”
Image courtesy of Google Images.
New Year’s Resolutions
COVER FEATURE 11 Hurricane Sandy Relief:
Butterflies in Action Continued From Page 1
Upon knowing, through Jessica’s messages, that 20 disabled and elderly residents in Union City, NJ needed immediate basic necessities support, two local sisters were quickly responded. Ivettelis is one of them. She unhesitatingly took the opportunity to volunteer at a local assisted living home. She then posted her experiences on social media sites to rally for financial support for more people in need in the disaster-hit area. Next morning, waking up to an email notification of an inbound donation from another sister, she purchased hundreds of dollars worth of hygiene products, diapers and pet food, and delivered them to local distribution centers and animal shelters. “The impact on my community was instantaneous and I was able to witness firsthand that one person alone CAN make a difference.” -Ivettelis Perez, Xi Alpha
Images courtesy of Google Images and Soror Peñaranda
Seeing how powerful a ripple effect it was to simply get the message out there, Jessica decided to do more. Over the weekend immediately following Sandy, she brought supplies and clothes to a local high school in uptown Manhattan, assisted a Manhattan business group in gathering and delivering goods to Staten Island and Queens, and volunteered to distribute non-perishable foods through
a church in Brooklyn. Then, over the next week, Xi Alpha combined their fall emergence celebration with a Sandy relief fundraiser, and raised over $170 for local community relief efforts. Their support in community-based relief movement has truly impacted those who had yet to be seen or heard on their needs in the mainstream media. “This experience was humbling, saddening, but most importantly empowering to see constant donations coming in at the same rate of donations leaving with the canvass volunteers.” -Jessica Peñaranda, Xi Alpha Meanwhile, outside of the immediate area hit by Hurricane Sandy, sisters around the nation were also offering much needed support. The Alpha Beta chapter in Detroit, Michigan decided at a chapter meeting to contribute $10 per
active member to the relief cause. Soror Mekea Harvey of the Boston area rallied the Alpha Lambda chapter to donate clothing items and shipped them from Massachusetts to New Jersey. “Alpha Beta is in the middle of Detroit and we are familiar with dealing with those that struggle. Anytime we can, we make sure we help out those that need it.” -Meredith Booker, Alpha Beta It was truly inspiring and empowering to see our butterflies rising to the challenge of the storm, taking actions and supporting our communities during the hardest time, both on-the-ground in areas with the direst need and around the nation. Over the weeks after Sandy, we have witnessed how individuals or grass roots groups are able to effect changes and make differences alongside large governmental agencies and corporations. We have also seen how the 21st century social media network are able to disseminate information and rally support in the same capacity major news outlet can. Natural catastrophes destroy lives, homes and communities, but they are still overpowered by our human, community and societal connections that lift us out of the outages, wreckages, and devastations.
12 CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS In order to keep all sisters up-to-date on what our various chapters are doing, each issue of ΘΝΞVision will chronicle quarterly highlights from each contributing chapter.
Alpha Beta
On November 30, 2012, the Alpha Beta Chapter competed in the Culture Shock Stroll Competition at Wayne State University (pictured at right). This was the chapter’s first time participating in this competition. They competed against 6 sororities and 4 fraternities in the show, which seeks to brings together Multicultural and NPHC organizations and highlight their differences through strolling. The Alpha Beta sisters took home the 2nd place trophy and a check for $250, and earned distinction as the only Multicultural organization to place.
Alpha Iota
The Alpha Iota Chapter sisters (pictured below), spearheaded by Soror Jazmine Kendrick, recently developed a proposal for the creation of a Diversity Committee on the SUNY Plattsburgh campus. The Chapter was spurred in to action by racially-charged comments posted on Facebook by another Greek organization on campus. With the goal of continuing to diversify their campus in mind and combatting ignorance with education, the proposal was presented to the head of Greek Life and approved. The Diversity Committee will be active on campus in Spring 2013. The Chapter hopes that the creation of this committee will be instrumental in the inclusion of all students regardless of different races, religions, backgrounds and lifestyles and would like to congratulate its sisters for furthering our mission.
Xi Alpha
Soror Jessica Peñaranda (pictured at right) attended John Jay’s “Activism in The age of Mass Incarceration” panel with Dr. Cornel West, Dr. Kahlil Gibran Muhammad (Director of the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture), and the rap artist/activist Immortal Technique. This event addressed the importance of social activism, building coalitions, and deconstructing historical barriers, including racism, the institutionalization and criminalization of people of color that continue to keep our most disenfranchised communities. Soror Peñaranda also had the opportunity to attend a private VIP dinner with Dr. Cornel West where she felt validation in her continued struggle as a woman of color and her involvement to be a socially aware, respectful, and creative social activist in this era.
CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS 13 Xi Alpha Soror Monica Copeland (pictured at right) will be co-teaching a graduate course on Personal Financial Management and Financial Counseling Skills at Columbia University School of Social Work in Spring 2013.
Xi Gamma
Xi Gamma’s 11th Annual Winter ONEderland was an overwhelming success (pictured below)! This annual event encouraged attendees to come together to network for a “change”. Attendees enjoyed a night of dancing to the music of DJ Cuzzin’ B and were also treated to an Egyptian-style belly dance performance. Xi Gamma would like to send a huge thank you to all Sisters who came from New York to Florida to show their support, and to all those who supported the event by donating online and increasing the chapter’s publicity efforts via social media. As a result of the event, Xi Gamma raised $1,300 for Girls For a Change!
Xi Lambda
Soror Angela Rivera was married to Quentin Boone on Saturday, October 20, 2012 (pictured at right). Their wedding ceremony took place in their hometown of Ocala, Florida and was celebrated by many Sisters, family and friends.
Xi Xi
Soror Jazmin Armstrong (pictured at left) was hired in November of 2012 as an Academic Advisor for The Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement at The Florida State University. She is excited about this position as it aligns with her current pursuit of her Masters degree in Higher Education Administration.
The Xi Xi chapter would like to congratulate Wendy Hartmann (pictured below, at top) in her completion of her master’s degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling at Fairleigh Dickinson University with a 4.0 GPA this year. They would also like to welcome Nicole DeMaio (pictured below, at bottom) to the Xi Xi chapter.
SUBMIT PERSONAL OR CHAPTER HIGHLIGHTS for the next issue of ONEVision to
director.communications@thetanuxi.org or via OrgSync.