Caroline Smith Mr.

Borrero ENGL 1101 23 November 2012 Literacy throughout Chi Omega Chi Omega is the largest womens organization in the world. Its 174 active collegiate chapters and over 230 alumnae chapters, holding 310,000 initiates make up this strong sisterhood that all began at the University of Arkansas in 1895. The commitment to being womanly always, discouraged never, kind, sincere, and loyal are just some of the qualities possessed by Chi Omega women, that is depicted in the Chi Omega Symphony, written by Ethel Switzer Howard in 1904: To live constantly above snobbery of word or deed; to place scholarship before social obligations and character before appearances; to be in the best sense, democratic rather than "exclusive", and lovable rather than "popular"; to work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely, to choose thoughtfully that course which occasion and conscience demand; to be womanly always; to be discouraged never; in a word, to be loyal under any and all circumstances to my Fraternity and her highest teachings and to have her welfare ever at heart that she may be a symphony of high purpose and helpfulness in which there is no discordant note." The purpose of my subculture essay is to display how to largest womens organization in the world, Chi Omega, uses literacy in educating new members the importance of Sisterhood, Hellenic Cultures, and Christian Ideals.
Comment [c2]: Add more emphasis to each component of the Purpose Statement throughout the paper. Comment [c1]: Remember paper is focused on the LITERACY in Chi Omega, not just the history.

My research of Chi Omega wouldnt have been possible without going through the process of Formal Recruitment Week. Formal Recruitment Week at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is ran by the National PanHellenic Conference; in which is one of the oldest and largest womens membership organizations that provides support and guidance to all the sororities on campus and throughout the country (Meet). During this week, college students who are interested in joining a sorority engage in meet and greets sponsored by each of the six sororities on campus, Alpha Delta Pi, Chi Omega, Delta Zeta, Kappa Delta, Sigma Kappa, and Zeta Tau Alpha (Fraternities). As the week continues, the sororities along with the prospective members eliminate the ones they didnt enjoy more than others. By the end of the week, the prospective member had chosen one or two sororities which had chosen them as well. This brings you to Bid Day, the day where the woman receives her bid, the formal invitation of membership in a fraternity or sorority (Greek). The Chi Omega chapter at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte is the Delta Kappa chapter. Each chapter is given a specific Greek alphabet title that is decided in a secret way. The Delta Kappa chapter prides itself on being the most well-rounded women on UNC Charlottes campus. It is expected for each sister and new member to make higher grades than the average woman, be involved in more campus activities, and perform more community service. Nationals higher standard for a Chi Omega woman is not skimped for the Delta Kappa chapter. The Delta Kappa chapter has also been nationally recognized for their exceptional work with Chi Omegas philanthropy, Make-A-Wish. Philanthropy is the desire to promote the welfare of others or a charity. The Make-A-Wish foundation is a charity in which children with chronic diseases are given the opportunity to have any wish granted. The Delta Kappa chapter raised enough money in the past year to grant two wishes; which is unheard of since most chapters didnt even raise enough to grant one.
Comment [c3]: Somehow became italicized.

As I engaged in research of Chi Omega, I learned Sisterhood was a top priority to each of these women. New members are taught the importance of having sisters from the moment they received their bid. After celebrating with sisters on Bid Day, new members are given an Owl Pal, whom is normally the initiated sister in which you interacted with the most during Formal Recruitment Week. This is also the sister who preffed, or preferred you to be in Chi Omega. You spend one week with her, going to events, dinners, and spending time getting to know one another. The next week, you are given a new Owl Pal and do the same things with her. These two women are the ones you choose your Big sister from. The Big and Little process is done by mutual selection and revealed in a set of riddles. This Big and Little experience engage Sisterhood by giving each of the women a role model and sister they can take under their wing to help with the transition in becoming an initiated sister. Another way Sisterhood grows is through Sisterhood retreats. At the past retreat, girls were split into groups and discussed their past, pits, peeks, and how they have overcome them. This not only brought everyone closer together as a family, but also used literacy by communicating with one another. Literacy is used throughout learning Sisterhood. In order to even become a sister, new members must complete the new member program, which entails lots of reading and writing. New members are required to read and memorize key historical facts, songs, oaths, and the official Chi Omega Symphony. They are tested on the historical facts, such as Chi Omegas founding date, founders, and important information regarding the sororitys past. This all takes place in weekly new member meetings where facts are obtained, written down, and studied. New members must also read and memorize the new member oath, in which declares their intentions and pledge to be in the best interest of the sorority, and willingness to prepare for initiation.
Comment [c4]: Seems very choppy, smooth transitions from thought to thought to bring flow into paragraph while displaying the first steps in becoming a sister.

During the initiation process, new members also learn about the Chi Omega Opening Declaration, Hellenic Cultures and Christian Ideals. These both are held high in the values of each Chi Omega as it stands for their beliefs and actions. Hellenic refers to the efforts and enlightenment of the Greek world and how the Chi Omega founding purposes, sisterhood, high standards of personnel, scholarship, campus activities, community service, and career and personal development (Chi). Literacy is used widely through each of these aspects in which make up a Hellenic woman. Referring to interviews with Chi Omegas President, Meghan Gibson, and new member, Amanda Lopez, both women agree the chapter could not run or even exist without literacy. As mentioned previously, sisterhood and literacy relate by communicating and interacting with one another. Sisters use Facebook pages to relay information pertaining to personal or chapter events. High standards of personnel can be gained by using literacy. While observing the Sisterhood Retreat, I recognized much of the executive council did not have the confidence to be in a leadership position before joining Chi Omega. One in particular was given the integrity by her fellow sisters, along with the opportunities Chi Omega offers each member to better themselves in workshops to improve their study skills and work ethic. Scholarship is also uplifted by these workshops. Literacy plays a key role in scholarship also by having to log in study hours in which are recorded and sent to nationals to ensure to place scholarship before social obligations is in affect as the symphony states. Campus activities and community service rely on organization, emails, meetings, letters, and phone calls in order to ensure events run smoothly and effectively. Finally, career and personal development enlists computer readings, surveys, and meetings in which teach members how to remain successful once we graduate. Literacy plays a diverse role throughout Hellenic women by maintaining their values.
Comment [c5]: Define more efficiently.

The Christian Ideals portion of the Chi Omega opening declaration refers to sisters always being women of God who strive for the common good. Literacy comes into effect most prominently during Bible Study. Bible Study is held once a week at the Chi Omega house. During this time, sisters read and study verses from the bible and reflect on how the teachings can be used in life today. All Chi Omega chapters around the country have Bible Study and all share Christian beliefs in which are most important through the transitioning time of college. Throughout my experience of being a new member in Chi Omega, I have learned the importance of sisterhood and the relationships I am building, but also the importance of the life skills I am developing by using literacy in everyday life. I honestly never expecting literacy to be so prevalent in a sorority, but the sorority in fact wouldnt exist without literacy. Reading, writing, and communication are involved in every aspect, from planning events for the Make-AWish foundation, bonding with sisters over similar life experiences, or simply taking notes during a new member meeting. I have gained a new respect for literacy and what it has accomplished in my sorority. Throughout this document, I have displayed the influence literacy has on the new member process of Chi Omega and how it teaches the importance of Sisterhood, Hellenic cultures, and Christian ideals. Chi Os were ideal partners for all occasions. They were discrete, desirable, tactful, polite, and fun. Every mom dreamed of her son coming home with a Chi Omega. -David Letterman
Comment [c7]: Elaborate more in the conclusion, in order to give a pleasant last paragraph and to hit every point brought up in the paper. Comment [c6]: Add history of how Chi Omega founders incorporated Christianity.