Meet Jane and Jean, Your NPC Chairman and Vice Chairman!

Chi Omega's National Panhellenic Conference Delegation! From left to right, Andrea Bechtel, Nu/U of Wisconsin, second alternate delegate; Sarah Cowan, Mu/U of California-Berkeley, third alternate delegate; Patty Disque, Alpha Beta/Auburn U, first alternate delegate; Jean Mrasek, Epsilon Gamma/The University of Tulsa, NPC Delegate.

We are honored to have Jane Sutton, a member of Alpha Xi Delta, as our speaker at today's National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) luncheon. Jane currently serves as NPC Chairman and works closely with our very own Jean Mrasek, who currently serves as Vice Chairman.

In fall 2013, Jean will rotate into the position of NPC Chairman and will join an elite group of Chi Omegas who have also served as NPC Chairman.

Chi Omegas who have preceded Jean Mrasek as the NPC Chairman include the following:

• Jobelle Holcombe, 1907
• Mary Love Collins, 1917-1919
• Elizabeth Dyer, 1963-1965

Jobelle Holcombe, former Chi Omega Vice President and National Panhellenic Conference Chairman

Mary Love Collins (left) and Elizabeth Dyer, both former Chi Omega National Presidents and NPC Chairmen

NPC Chairman Jane Sutton (left) with Vice Chairman Jean Mrasek at the National Panhellenic Conference Annual Meeting in fall 2011. Both Jane and Jean have served their respective sororities as national president.

Show your Panhellenic spirit by leaving a comment about what your college or alumnae Panhellenic has done to "advance sorority!"

Chi Omega Memories with Malinda Jolley Mortin

The following are transcribed excerpts from a June interview with Malinda Jolley Mortin, Upsilon Delta/U of Miami, by Foundation writer Erin Wood, Mu Kappa/Duke U.

Since Malinda was the recipient of this year’s prestigious Roselyn T. Dabbs Philanthropist Award, I was curious about Malinda’s history with Chi Omega and what prompts her to continue to give to Chi Omega so generously year after year.

What is one of your favorite Chi Omega memories?

Meeting Mary Love Collins at The Greenbrier in 1962. Since that was nearly 50 years ago, I have forgotten many of the details, but it was interesting to run across a woman who is the namesake for a Chi Omega scholarship. I think I might have remembered more if my chapter wasn’t so nervous to put on a skit in front of such a large audience of alumnae and college girls!

What is your favorite part of Convention?

Definitely The Woman of Achievement Award Dinner. Every Convention year, I am totally wiped out—just bowled over—by the accomplishments of the award recipients. If you read their bios, you can’t help but be impressed. I have met several of the past award recipients and have found that they are even more awe-inspiring when you speak with them. The dinner is always fun, and I can’t wait to hear what the honorees will say in their speeches. When you first look at them and read their bios, you might make a prediction about what they might say, but it isn’t always what you think!

What is your favorite memory of S.H. Roselyn Dabbs?

My one-on-one meeting with her in Atlanta during the “Headquarters Campaign.” She had a broken foot (or ankle), but she showed up in Atlanta for the meeting anyway. What dedication to Chi Omega!

What does it mean to you to be this year’s recipient of the prestigious award named in her honor?

I feel like I have to be tenacious like Roselyn. She had brain cancer but just kept going. Her attitude toward life was an inspiration to all.

Why do you choose to give, and give generously, to Chi Omega year after year?

The Foundation is a top-flight organization that manages its resources very well, enabling solid leadership and education programs for our collegiate Sisters.

What would you say to young alumnae about why they should be philanthropic? 

I was very close with my father. I worked with him at his Atlanta brokerage firm, starting the day I got out of college. He was demanding, but also forgiving. He had a very strong philanthropic spirit. He also had the Midas touch. He would always say: “It is easier to make money than it is to manage it.” The thrill of giving money away is more than rewarding. Unlike a rolling stone that gathers no moss, the power of your own giving is increased when others are encouraged to give. It is just a great feeling to see what your money can do for others, especially when you can see evidence of its impact like you can through the Chi Omega Foundation.

Since I had such an extraordinary undergraduate experience as a Chi Omega, I wanted to stay involved. As soon as I graduated and moved to Atlanta, I called the alumnae chapter right away. I have always remained committed to Chi Omega, and I find that it pays me back every time I give with the positive feelings I receive.

As you know, this year’s Woman of Achievement Dinner theme is Come as You Are: Be Inspired! Who is your Chi Omega inspiration?

My Chi Omega Inspiration is the mother/daughter duo of Howard Dean Gramling Perkinson FitzSimons Lawrence, Sigma/Randolph-Macon–1937, and her mother Emmie Lela Gramling Perkinson, 1902 initiate of Sigma Chapter. Emmie Lela Gramling Perkinson was S.T.B (Vice President) 1904–1906 and S.M. (National Ritual Officer) 1910–1912. In 1959, Emmie wrote my “rec” for rush at the University of Miami. Before she wrote it, I recall going over to her big, old house. She kept up with all the Fraternity details, and in her library was a special shelf on which were stacked every Eleusis in chronological order. Emmie called the sorority every day of rush week to “check in” on me.

Her wedding photo was featured on page 63 of The Eleusis, Spring 2012 edition.

Emmie’s daughter, “Perk,” is now in her 90s and still drives everywhere. I recently ran into her at a local movie theater. The theatre was dark and as she walked by I said, “Hi, Perk.” Without missing a beat she said, “Hi, Malinda,” and sat down. We visited while watching The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel (a must see for those of us in the over 65 crowd). Not only is Perk still driving, she can see in the dark! She never misses a day without first putting on her false eye lashes and then she’s “on-the-go.” What a fantastic Chi O Sister!

Did you know that The Most Exotic Marigold Hotel was made by Fox Searchlight Pictures, whose CEO is one of this year’s Woman of Achievement Award recipients?
I didn’t, but I am not surprised. It is a great movie and it makes sense that my loving it so much would tie back to Chi Omega!

Note to readers:

While Malinda is this year’s recipient of The Roselyn T. Dabbs Philanthropy Award of Chi Omega, she is also the namesake of The Malinda Jolley Mortin Woman of Achievement Award of Chi Omega, given to two remarkable Chi Omega alumnae each Convention year. Malinda’s contribution to A Loyalty to Sisterhood Campaign supported all campaign goals and helped raise $1.5 million for the Foundation. Proceeds from her gift have already and will continue to support many key Chi Omega initiatives. Naming this program for her reflects our appreciation for her leadership and commitment to Chi Omega’s future.

While the founding year of the Achievement Award was 1986, in April 2006, then-Foundation President Jane Rogers announced that Chi Omega would honor Malinda by naming the Woman of Achievement Award for her. The Trustees and Governing Council agreed to name this award in recognition of her dedication to the Fraternity and support of the Foundation.

Celebrating 10 Years of Chi Omega & Make-A-Wish®!

Hannah, center, was the first child for whom Chi Omega helped grant a wish. That was 10 years ago, when Mary Ann Frugé, top left, was S.H.

Since 1895, Chi Omega Fraternity members have given their time and talent to provide service to others, one of Chi Omega's six founding purposes.  In the late 1990s, the leadership in Chi Omega researched opportunities for establishing a national philanthropy, and in 2002, they announced the Chi Omega/Make-A-Wish® alliance.

 

Since the start of this alliance, Chi Omega has raised more than 8.2 million dollars and has volunteered over half a million hours for Make-A-Wish®.  Because of this commitment, they recognize Chi Omega as one of their Cause Champion sponsors.

We are honored to celebrate 10 years of our alliance with Make-A-Wish with a special luncheon today. Watch the video below to see  how Chi Omega has made a difference over the past decade.

Sisters, be sure to leave some love for Make-A-Wish in the comments section, below!

G.H. Parade of Chapters -- Look for Pictures of Your G.H.!

The G.H. Parade of Chapters is one of the highlights of every Chi Omega Convention. It is the official roll call of the collegiate chapters. Traditionally, the parade is held during the first business meeting. During this portion of the meeting, every collegiate chapter G.H. walks to the front of the room one-by one, while proudly carrying a Chi Omega flag bearing the name of her chapter. As each G.H. approaches the front, a "point of pride" is read about her chapter in front of the whole Convention.

The G.H. Parade of Chapters is a wonderful time to learn about the incredible accomplishments of Chi Omega's 174 collegiate chapters and maybe even be inspired by ideas from other chapters.

Check out a few photos below that we snapped of the G.H.s as they rehearsed last night!

Leave some love for your chapter G.H., as well as some points of pride about your chapter in the comments section, below!

Fun Facts from Convention 100 Years Ago!

 Facts About Convention 1912: One Hundred Years Ago

-gathered by National Archivist Lyn Harris

~Revelry was called “High Jinks."~

~It was the first year the “Earth Mother” play was performed.~

~It was the only Chi Omega Convention ever to be held in Canada (in Niagara Falls, Canada, specifically).~

~Room rates at the Clifton Hotel were as follows: One in a room: $4.00; Two in a room: $3.50.~

~S.H. Mary Love Collins stated the following, “Chi Omega is emphasizing creditable scholarship for all, at the same time, however, delighting in the laurels of those who attain brilliant scholarship.”~

~The model initiate was Norvell Craighill, a member of Sigma at Randolph Macon Women's College. She was Mattie Craighill Nicholas’ sister.~

~It was considered a large Convention, with 157 Chi Omegas in attendance.~

~“The Convention Daily,” a newspaper published at Convention, was born. Subscription price: 50 cents.~

~Out of 25 collegiate chapters, 23 sent delegates.~

(Tau/U of Mississippi and Gamma/Florida State U were not represented).

~Out of 22 alumnae chapters, 13 sent delegates.~

~Mary Love Collins told the delegates that in her first two years of service as S.H. she wrote over 4,000 letters.~