The Domestic Violence Awareness Project:

http://dvam.vawnet.org/index.php

 Wear a purple ribbon with your scarlet and olive ribbons or your AXO badge/new member pin:

Purple Ribbon...

Over the years, a number of sources have been credited with originating the use of purple ribbon as a unifying symbol of courage, survival, honor and dedication to ending domestic violence.

Although the exact history of the purple ribbon is difficult to pinpoint, aross the country, families and friends of victims have adopted the purple ribbon to remember and honor their loved ones who have lost their lives at the hands of a person they once loved and trusted. Shelters and local battered women's programs use the purple ribbon to raise awareness about the crime of domestic violence in their communities.

Purple ribbons are...

• made into pins and passed out at local events
• embroidered on t-shirts, hats and bags
• tied to the antennae of police cars
• hung on doors
• wrapped around trees
• draped over fences at murder scenes

In addition to the demonstration of support for victims and advocates, the display of purple ribbons throughout a community conveys a powerful message that there's no place for domestic violence in the homes, neighborhoods, workplaces or schools of its citizens.

http://www.ut.edu/detail.aspx?id=12625&terms=%22alpha+chi+omega%22&fragment=&SearchType=&terms="alpha%20chi%20omega"

Frisbee Fest To Support Domestic Violence Shelter
On Campus
Submitted by Taylor L. Paige on 2009-10-01.

The members of Alpha Chi Omega at Quinnipiac University will be holding their 12th annual Frisbee Fest Oct. 4, in order to raise money for the Domestic Violence Shelter of Greater New Haven. The event will take place on Quinnipiac University's quadrangle at 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and is open to the public.

The 2009 Frisbee Fest will include a barbeque, carnival games, a dunk tank, a Frisbee tournament and the popular "pie an Alpha Chi," where the sorority members become targets of flying whipped cream pies. Raffles are being sold for awesome prizes such as the new Beatle's Rock Band, gift certificates to clothing stores, jewelry and makeup, mp3 players and more. The women have been working to gain many monetary sponsors in order to exceed last year's proceeds of $18,000.

The fight against domestic violence is the national philanthropy of Alpha Chi Omega. By holding Frisbee Fest in October, Alpha Chi Omega is helping to promote Domestic Violence Awareness Month, instated by George W. Bush in 2003. Quinnipiac's chapter also holds its Frisbee Fest in honor of sister, Elizabeth Mary Pernel, a former student of Quinnipiac and resident of Meriden, who was murdered in 1998 by a man on the hunt for his estranged wife.

"There is nothing more rewarding than knowing that you can make a difference in people's lives by holding an event like the Frisbee Fest," said Ashley Duncan, Vice President of Service for the Iota Phi chapter of Alpha Chi Omega. "The fight against domestic violence is a cause close to the heart of every Alpha Chi Omega." The women of Alpha Chi Omega have put a lot of effort into making Frisbee Fest a tremendous success. Enthusiastic members hope for many community members and fellow students to come out and support the cause.

The Alpha Chi Omega chapter at Quinnipiac University is comprised of women who dedicate themselves to wisdom, devotion and achievement. Annually, the women of Alpha Chi Omega raise over $17,500 for the fight against domestic violence to benefit the Domestic Violence Shelter of Greater New Haven. Enthusiastic members also put great effort into supporting other philanthropies and serving as beneficial members to the Quinnipiac University community and local community. For further information, visit www.alphachiqu.org.

http://www.courant.com/community/hc-community-articleresults,0,5942637,results.formprofile?Query=19023HC

Fourth annual Alpha Chi Couture breaks records

Fashion show raises over $23,000 to benefit Alpha Chi Omega Foundation and Genesis Women's Shelter

Rachel Duke, Contributing Writer, rduke@smu.edu

http://media.www.smudailycampus.com/media/storage/paper949/news/2009/09/29/Entertainment/Fourth.Annual.Alpha.Chi.Couture.Breaks.Records-3786415.shtml#4 

Pantyline Project strung on Baker University campus

Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Peer Educators raise awareness about sexual abuse and domestic violence

By Caitlin Stevenson

http://www.thebakerorange.com/news/pantyline-project-strung-on-baker-university-campus-1.1934080# 

UND CLOTHESLINE PROJECT:
T-shirts to tell stories of violence

Hundreds of humble T-shirts, some inscribed with messages of hope, some of despair, will hang on clotheslines at the UND Memorial Union Ballroom this week to send a message about how violence and sexual assault affects families in North Dakota. The Clothesline Project shirts, about 400 in all, bear the words and stories of children and adults who have suffered violence and sexual abuse.

By: Paulette Tobin, Grand Forks Herald

Hundreds of humble T-shirts, some inscribed with messages of hope, some of despair, will hang on clotheslines at the UND Memorial Union Ballroom this week to send a message about how violence and sexual assault affects families in North Dakota.

The Clothesline Project shirts, about 400 in all, bear the words and stories of children and adults who have suffered violence and sexual abuse.

“Some of them are incredibly sad, some are very uplifting,” said Kay Mendick, director of the UND Women’s Center, which sponsors the 15th annual Clothesline Project and Take Back the Night Rally at UND. Its co-sponsors are Community Violence Intervention Center and North Dakota Council on Abused Women’s Service.

The Clothesline Project T-shirts will be in the UND Memorial Union Ballroom from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. today through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to noon Friday. Each T-shirt color has a different message.

The red shirts were created by children who have witnessed violence or who have had violence inflicted on them.

The blue and green shirts were decorated by survivors of incest or childhood sexual trauma; the yellow and beige by survivors of domestic violence; the pink and orange by survivors of sexual assault or rape; and the purple by survivors of violence because of sexual orientation.

The white T-shirts are in memory of those who have died. They have been created by surviving friends and family members, Mendick said.

The Take Back the Night Rally will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday in the UND Memorial Ballroom. Allison and Jayme, survivors of violence and abuse, will speak, as will Tom Erickson, who will talk about how men can do more to prevent violence.

Although violence, rape and sexual assault still often are seen as “women’s issues,” they affect everyone, Mendick said. And no matter what strides women have made in society, they remain profound and pervasive problems, not just in North Dakota, but around the U.S. and the world.

Recent headlines tell the story: A Grand Forks woman who died just weeks ago in a murder-suicide. The testimony of Elizabeth Smart, a teen rape and abduction victim in California, who has been testifying at her alleged kidnapper’s competency hearing. And women in Afghanistan who have no legal right to take their children with them when they flee abusive marriages.

Many of the shirts represent hope, Mendick said.

“The reason the people come forward to make a shirt — and there are many reasons — but the mains one is it helps with their own healing,” she said. “It gets the event out of them and onto their shirt. It’s a way of educating all of us on the affect of violence.”

At the Clothesline Project, those who want can decorate a shirt of their own.

North Dakota’s Clothesline Project had its first public display in early 1995 in the Great Hall of the Capitol Building during the legislative session. There were 114 shirts on display at that time.

Alpha Chi Omega sorority will sell luminaries this week at UND Memorial Union to light the way along University Avenue for the Take Back the Night Rally. They’re $1 each.

Reach Tobin at (701) 780-1134; (800) 477-6572, ext. 134; or send e-mail to ptobin@gfherald.com.

All Month Long, Learn About Domestic Violence

Posted October 08 2009 at 1:07 am

By Sarah Gottlieb

Nearly three out of four Americans personally know someone who is or has been a victim of domestic violence.  The Spring of Tampa Bay, a shelter for abused adults and their children, describe domestic violence as an epidemic, affecting people of all communities.  Domestic violence is a common issue, more common than many college students and teenagers are often aware of.

According to The Spring, domestic violence is the willful intimidation, assault, battery, sexual assault or other abusive behaviors, such as verbal and emotional abuse, that occur within a relationship.

Unfortunately, The University of Tampa is no stranger to the problem of domestic violence. In the past decade, UT has lost two students to acts of violence at the hands of people who should have cared for them.  In 2000, 19 year-old Cara Beth was stabbed to death by her boyfriend in a car in the Tampa General Hospital parking garage.  In 2007, 19 year-old Samantha MacQuilliam was found stabbed to death in the Palm Harbor home she rented with her boyfriend.

Because October is Domestic Violence Awarness Month, a variety of events have already been held on campus. One of the most ambitious of these projects has been the collaboration between the sorority members of Gamma Pi chapter of Alpha Chi Omega, Brock Communications and The Spring who together are raising awareness through the new “Peace It Together” campaign.

Alpha Chi Omega’s philanthropy is domestic violence prevention, and between Oct. 5 and 8 the sorority displayed an informational table in the Vaughn Lobby. Sorority members sold purple ribbons and t-shirts, giving all proceeds to The Spring of Tampa Bay.  Also on Oct. 8, Alpha Chi Omega hosted a speaker from The Spring who presented information on domestic and teen dating violence.

Sarah Bernstein, president of Alpha Chi Omega, said the sorority started planning these events over the summer when they were contacted by Brock Communications and asked if they would be willing to do something to spread awareness.

Lisa Brock, CEO of the public relations company Brock Communications, is an adjunct professor at UT and also the vice chairwoman of The Spring’s board of directors. She is also an Alpha Chi Omega alumna.

Each year, Brock’s company adopts a charity representing a non-profit organization for free. For the last three years, Brock Communications has represented The Spring.

In her advertising campaigns class students solve problems for organizations and work with clients before giving final presentations. This semester, Brock’s class has been helping create a campaign for The Spring.

The “Peace It Together” campaign has included raising awareness by handing out information in the form of bright purple, orange and yellow brochures and stickers.

“It’s really hard to get people on campus motivated about service,” said Bernstein.  “So having Brock provide us with a colorful campaign has really helped.”

Bernstein said the sorority chapter has been enthusiastic working to inform UT students about domestic violence, especially since every Alpha Chi Omega in the country is also raising awareness this month.

“I’m really excited because I think we do things a lot differently than other organizations on this campus,” she said. “Our philanthropy affects students; other philanthropies might not hit so close to home.”

Bernstein said domestic violence is sometimes an issue people take lightly.

“People don’t realize it occurs in college,” she said. “I don’t think students realize they can get caught up in these relationships when they are so young.”

Brock noticed the sorority’s willfulness to connect with the UT campus.

“They have been unbelievably engaged,” Brock said. “They are a motivated bunch of young women.”

Brock believes another way to reach teenagers and college-age students today is by using social media applications since this is where people of a young age get most of their information.

However, Brock cautions there is a significant downside to social media and that men and women are confused today about what constitutes domestic violence.

“The culture [this generation] has been raised in is violent, blurring boundaries because of social media,” she said.

Today’s norms of what couples believe are acceptable behavior are not what other generations of couples may have believed acceptable.

“If your significant other calls you a ‘bitch,’ you don’t have the same reaction I do,” Brock said, adding that when we relax language, we also relax standards.

“Name-calling strips people of their humanity.”

Brock said she thinks many students today don’t realize how domestic violence begins.

“They don’t understand domestic violence starts with words and disrespect to issues of power and control,” she said, adding that young women often don’t recognize name-calling.  She also said some mistake domestic violence for protectiveness, believing that when, for example, a significant other tells a person not to wear something or not to do something, it is to look after them.

Brock said that in the past two years at Gasparilla, she has seen “appalling” behavior.  “I’ve seen boyfriends push their girlfriends to the ground and girlfriends allowing that behavior,” she said.  “It’s horrifying.”

She also said it is important for students to know that if they feel they are a victim of domestic violence, they do not need to check into a shelter in order to seek help.  The Spring has a 24-hour hotline where victims can seek information and plan exit strategies.

“There is definitely, definitely help available,” said Brock.

UT students should also be aware of the help they can find right here on campus.

Designated victim advocates are available through the Victim Advocacy Program 24-hours a day to assist victims of sexual assault, physical assault, domestic violence and students who need assistance coping with issues such as the death of a loved one before seeking assistance from the counseling center.

Sabrina Griffith, assistant director of Residence Life, is one of three victim advocates at UT.  She said that there is a rotation between the three and that they are each assigned a week at a time to be accessible by cell phone.

Victim advocates talk to students who feel they have been a victim of violence and help that person advocate for themselves through the university system and through the outside community by letting the student know what services are available to them.

Asked if she has had to respond to many incidents of domestic violence on campus, Griffith said, “I can’t say many, but I can say it happens more than it should.”  She said that she has had to talk to students about violent relationships, but that, unfortunately, domestic violence is something that is not often reported,

especially by the victim.

“Students know what it [domestic violence] is, but teens and other college students are at a time in their lives when they don’t expect to have to go through this,” she said.  “People often don’t realize they are a victim when they are going through it.”

Griffith said she believes students are sometimes surprised to learn males can be victims of domestic violence.
“This isn’t a gender-related issue,” she said.

She also said students need to be aware that domestic violence is not always physical or sexual.

“It can be mental and emotional,” she said. “Any type of abuse can contribute to domestic violence.”

Griffith noted that as a friend, it is important to listen to what another person is saying and to look for symptoms of abuse such as being withdrawn, not going to class, not answering the phone, sensitivity to movement and obvious physical symptoms such as bruises. Friends should also be cautious of significant others who seem controlling.

Griffith believes a good way to raise awareness is to do it through student organizations because they already have their members and their followers to listen.  In the past, Griffith has spoken to groups about domestic violence and helped give presentations.  On Wednesday, Oct. 7, she helped present with Delta Sigma Theta and Phi Beta Sigma in a discussion about domestic violence.

Other events that took place last week on campus included “Chalk the Walk,” sponsored by the PEACE Volunteer Center.  Facts about domestic violence were displayed all throughout campus in colored chalk.

Bernstein said it was important for students to know how many people domestic violence can affect.

“It’s a very dirty little mess,” said Brock.  “A very dirty subject. Domestic violence crosses all socioeconomic statures.  It’s not a neat package.”

To find out what to do if you think you are a victim of domestic violence or to find events on campus sponsoring Domestic Violence Awareness Month, look to the boxes on this page.

16 warning signs of an abusive relationship (source: The Spring of Tampa Bay)

• Pushes for a quick relationship
• Jealous and possessive, constantly calls you by phone
• Tries to control your life
• Unrealistic expectations
• Isolates you from friends and family
• Blames others for his/her problems, feelings and mistakes
• Checks your phone for text messages and call history. May track you with GPS
• Says his/her feelings are easily hurt
• Cruel toward animals or children
• “Playful” use of force during sex
• Yells and calls you names
• Rigid sex roles
• Sudden mood swings
• History of battering
• Threatens violence
• Threatens to reveal personal or damaging information about you or your family, friends or employer 

http://theminaretonline.com/?p=6291 

http://media.www.quchronicle.com/media/storage/paper294/news/2009/10/14/Scene/An.Ultimate.Success.For.Alpha.Chi-3801830.shtml 

An ultimate success for Alpha Chi

Alpha Chi Omega raises funds for domestic violence awareness

By: Ebony Walmsley

Posted: 10/14/09

It takes talent to turn a casual, fun sport into a meaningful event, but the sorority sisters of Alpha Chi Omega did just that.

One of Quinnipiac University's sororities, Alpha Chi Omega, held its 12th annual Frisbee Fest Sunday Oct. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m. The event helped raise money and awareness about domestic violence.

Prior to the fest, the sisters put signs that listed domestic violence statistics along Bobcat Way as well as the cardboard coffee holders in Café Q.

On the day of the event, the Quad was lined with purple and white balloons, and the girls wore neon-colored team T-shirts. There were different booths where people could play games such as a bungee run and dart balloons. The sorority also supplied a snow cone machine and a disc jockey to add to the festivities. One of the most noted activities of the day was the "Pie an Alpha Chi" event.

"At Quinnipiac, the cause of domestic violence is especially close to our hearts because in 1998 one of our own sisters, Elizabeth Pernel, was killed by a man on the hunt for his estranged wife," said senior Ashley Duncan, vice president of services for Alpha Chi Omega.

The sorority began planning for this event last spring, "and [it] has been such a fun process for our chapter," Duncan said.

There were eight teams competing in Sunday's event, with the winner being team "Ryder."

The fall weather added to the event's success.

"It was a good day to play Frisbee and to get involved with other teams and compete," said Rita Cordero a freshman from the team "Maximum Capacity."

"Frisbee Fest 2009 was a huge success," freshman Siobhan Stellato said. "It was a beautiful day to be out on the Quad and we were so pleased with all the support we got from the campus community. Overall it was a great day for everyone involved and we are so happy to be able to spread awareness about this great cause to so many people."

"The event is a lot of fun, but it is such a good cause and we get a lot of support," said Alpha Chi sister Taylor Paige.

The ladies of Alpha Chi Omega also hosted vigil on Monday, Oct.12 at 9:15 p.m. in Alumni Hall in order to honor all the victims of domestic violence.

 http://www.cw.ua.edu/announcements-for-10-16-09-1.2001394 

The Crimson White

Announcements for 10/16/09

Register for 5K by Monday

Stomp Out Domestic Violence will be held on Nov. 8, with check-in beginning at 1 p.m. at the RISE Center. The race will begin at 2 p.m. and will follow a course through the campus. All proceeds for this event will go to domestic violence awareness and prevention, and it is sponsored by Alpha Chi Omega and Lambda Chi Alpha. The registration fee is $20, which includes a t-shirt if you sign up before Monday. If you would like to sign up, please email Jessica Boyd at jessicakboyd@gmail.com for a registration form.

He/She blogged about Alpha Chi Omega!

http://mojo11.blogspot.com/2009/10/domestic-violence-awareness-month-alpha.html

One of the things I love most about SiteMeter is that it tells me how people arrive in my humble corner of Blogaritaville. And this morning I noticed that somebody had gotten here searching for YouTube Videos about domestic violence. In following their search string, I ran across this video. The story told here is painfully similar to those told every week on Violence UnSilenced. But in this case, by watching and listening to the story, you can actually directly benefit survivors of domestic violence. For every person who views the video $1 will be donated to the Jessie Bliss McGrew Freedom Fund within the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation. (For more information on Alpha Chi Omega and the Jessie Bliss McGrew Freedom Fund, visit this site.  Funds up to $22,000 have been pledged by sponsors based on viewership, so it will only cost you four minutes of your time. Four minutes that could make all the difference for someone who desperately needs it. Someone like the latest contributing author on Violence UnSilenced who found out just how difficult leaving can be -- even if you can leave safely.

http://www.pursuant2.com/alphachiomega/axo_dvc.htm 

I also encourage you to view this Flash presentation by the foundation from the campaign of (I believe) 2005. Whether or not the pledged funds from that campaign are still available, there is still good information in the presentation that could help you help someone else.

If you're looking for other ways to help, read this article: Wednesday Q&A: How Can I Honor DV Awareness Month? Carrie's answer to that question has a list of great suggestions, but I'd like to add a couple of things for anyone who has a blog, a website, an account on FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter or some other social network. And it won't cost you a nickel to do any of them.

• Publish a link to VU on your page/blog: http://violenceunsilenced.com/
  
• Link to, or better yet, embed the promotional YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wnxaSs4wZY
  
• Visit and comment on as many of the survivor stories on VU as possible (new stories are published weekly on Monday and Thursday). Give those courageous enough to speak out the validation and support they deserve. Because for every story that's published, there are hundreds that are still ongoing. And someone somewhere is reading her (or his) life story in the words of another.

And if you need any assistance figuring out how to do any of these, feel free to contact me. (My function with VU is mainly tech support, so if you contact Maggie with a tech question she's gonna send you to me anyway.)

http://www.pursuant2.com/alphachiomega/axo_dvc.htm 

http://www.mediasauceclients.com/ACO/07b01/index.html 

http://www.mediasauceclients.com/ACO/_pic/06002domvi/preview.htm 

http://www.pursuant2.com/alphachiomega/dmv2005/email_3.htm 

https://secure.pursuantgroup.net/pursuant4/alphachiomega/domestic/axoselect/flashstory.asp?tpgid=0&sn=1 

One of AXO's newest chapters, Iota Omega (who have amazing singing voices!), getting the word out for DVA month!

http://www.kenoshanews.com/news/walk_raises_awareness_of_domestic_violence_6581705.html 

Did you know an AXO collegian writes for CollegeLifestyles.org?!

http://collegelifestyles.org/?p=4260 

Break the Silence: (Domestic Violence Awareness Week 3)

October 19, 2009 by Patrice   
 

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, for the month of October I’m posting about Domestic Violence Awareness once a week!  Missed the first two? Check them out here and here!

This week, I wanted to wait to post until after a really special event regarding Domestic Violence Awareness: Take Back the Night. Take Back the Night is an event dedicated to sexual assault and domestic violence victims. Here’s a little history from the Take Back the Night website: From the late 1970’s through present day, Take Back The Night events have been held by college and university women’s centers, YWCA’s, rape crisis centers, community centers, high school student groups, battered women’s shelters, and other organizations dedicated to helping women achieve safety and empowerment. Events have been held in England, Belgium, Australia, Canada, the Caribbean Islands, the United States, and likely other corners of the globe.

Every Take Back the Night ceremony is different, but I really wanted to share about the ceremony I went to because it was geared toward college students. A college student from Mizzou, Colleen McDevitt, decided to interview rape victims and put together a short film to get the word out there about sexual assault.

[visit the website to see her video, “I’m a survivor of Rape”:]

Collen, Katie, Katlyn, Ellen, and Bonnie have brought up a very important issue through this video, and one that applies to most of us at College Lifestyles- the prevalence of sexual assault among college aged women. It is something that is more serious than you might think, and really common; Women ages 16 to 24 experience rape at rates four times higher than the assault rate of all women, making the college (and high school) years the most vulnerable for women. All 4 of these women in the video were 18 or older, and 3 of the 4 were in college at the time of their rape. The statistics are alarming of how common college rapes are; The most recent large-scale study, including students at both two- and four-year colleges, found 35 rapes per 1,000 female students over seven months (rape was defined as “unwanted completed penetration by force or threat of force”).

One thing that stood out to me about the women in the video was the fact that they all knew their rapist. A couple of them were dating their rapist, or their rapist was a friend. A couple of the girls from the video were at Take Back the Night to talk about their experiences , and they made a great point; they pointed out that often times we think of rape as the stranger that jumps out from behind a bush and rapes you. The truth is, though, that being raped by someone you know is way more likely; the statistics show that ninety percent of college women who are victims of rape or attempted rape know their assailant. The attacker is usually a classmate, friend, boyfriend, ex-boyfriend, or other acquaintance (in that order). The women in the video not only knew their attacker, but they trusted them.

We as college-aged women need to be aware of this. It’s scary how common this is. It could happen to one of us! Know what to do if this happens to you or your friends. Like I mentioned last week, Love is Respect has an online chat feature, or you can always call the National Domestic Violence Helpline at 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE). The most important thing is if your friend has been raped to support them, and not treat them like they did something wrong. And if you have been raped or think you may have been raped, talk to someone you trust and get the help you need.

To learn more about Take Back the Night, visit the Take Back the Night website.

To learn more about the video, check out Colleen McDevitt’s blog or join the facebook group.

Statistics from Center for Problem Oriented Policing.

Patrice is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM). She is a journalism major at William Woods University, and is a member of Alpha Chi Omega. She feels strongly about domestic violence awareness and is enjoying spreading the word.

Epsilon Tau sisters:

http://www.collegiatetimes.com/stories/14514/mock-rock-n-roll-alpha-chi-omega-jams-for-charity 

Mock Rock 'n' roll: Alpha Chi Omega jams for charity

Monday, October 26, 2009; 10:46 PM by Lenise Phillips, features staff writer

There are few reasons one can have for dressing up like Cyndi Lauper in her heyday, and for the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega, one of them is charity. Every year, the sisters and others get in touch with their inner rockstars through Mock Rock, an annual three-day event that raises money and collects food donations to support victims of domestic violence in the New River Valley.

The event kicked off yesterday with a RockBand video game competition, which will be followed by a wing-eating contest tonight, and ends with the Lip Synch competition finale tomorrow. Sororities and fraternities across campus attend each of these events and receive points based on overall attendance and performance. At the end of the event, Alpha Chi Omega will tally the scores and announce two winners.

 Katie Curran, a senior interdisciplinary studies major and the internal philanthropy co-chair, helped organize Mock Rock and believes it to be one of the largest philanthropies on Virginia Tech’s campus. Though the two winners of this event don’t receive a tangible prize, Curran says the title is a source of pride when it comes to recruitment. To her, nothing gets people excited like a little bit of friendly competition among brothers and sisters.

 The event kicked off with a battle of the mock bands, where fraternities and sororities flocked to Squires Colonial to compete against each other in a RockBand competition. Each team consists of four people, dressed in rock star attire. Teams pick out one song and have approximately four minutes to make a lasting impression. The fraternity and sorority with the highest scores win.

Tonight Alpha Chi Omega will host Wing Warrior, a chicken wings-eating contest at its sorority house. Each fraternity and sorority nominates one member to be the wing eater, then contestants have three minutes to eat as many wings as they can. The sorority sister and fraternity brother who clean out the most wings are crowned the wing warriors.

 Mock Rock will come to a close with the Lip Synch competition. Groups get a three-minute time slot in which they have to incorporate lip-syncing and dancing. Since this competition is the last chance for fraternities and sororities to win points, they usually go to creative extremes and try to outdo last year’s performances.
Particpants continue to feel the heat during the final round of Mock Rock, but they never forget to enjoy themselves.

“It’s been so much fun practicing,’’ said Agnes Chang, a senior human development major who is dancing with her sorority. “It’s a great way for us to come together and show people (that women) are strong. And it’s a good way to get to know other girls better.”
While Mock Rock is fun for particpants, they also have to remember that it ultimately benefits a charity.

Claire McKinney, a junior international studies major, didn’t attend Mock Rock last year, but she is excited to participate in all of the events this year.

“I’ve been to other philanthropies like this last spring, and they’re just so much fun,” McKinney said. “The performances are hilarious to watch, and I love to support them because it’s for a good cause.”
Alpha Chi Omega raised over $16,000 during last year’s Mock Rock, but it has no set goal for this year’s donations.

“If we only get a little bit over $16,000 dollars, we’re fine with that,” Curran said. “We’re just trying to top (what we made last year). We’re just trying to set the bar high for the next group that does it.”

 Brenau women vow to Take Backthe Night

By Jessica Jordan

jjordan@gainesvilletimes.com

POSTED  Oct. 21, 200911:08 p.m.

Nationally, 1 in 6 women, and 1 in 33 men, will be sexuallyassaulted in their lifetime.

College age women are four times more likely to be sexuallyassaulted, according to the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network.

But the women of BrenauUniversity spentWednesday evening fighting back by holding a Take Back the Night event.

For roughly 40 years now, colleges, rape crisis centers,women’s shelters and high school groups have been hosting the annual event inOctober, designated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month, to promote awarenessof sexual violence and to support those who have been victims.

Alison Sellers, a Brenau sophomore, helped Alpha Chi Omegasorority organize the event. Sex Signals, an improvisation group, performed acandid skit that highlights the differences between the way women and menperceive sex. A candle light vigil honoring victims of sexual violence and asexual abuse forum followed.

“We want to unite the campus in a women for womenexperience,” Sellers said. “Because we are an all-women’s college, we want tonurture these women and empower women to take back the night.”

Early Take Back the Night events focused on unsafe streets,cities and campuses and later events protested pornography and the degradationof women. Take Back the Night events have evolved to highlight the problems ofviolence against women including sexual abuse, stalking, dating violence anddomestic violence.

It’s unfortunate that many victims of sexual violence neverget the help they need, said Brenau senior Tinika Haynes.

“I do think it happens a lot more than it’s reported,” shesaid. “Females are not necessarily going to run and report it.”

Tiffany Adams, director of student life and leadership atBrenau, said that’s why the Take Back the Night event carries a powerfulmessage. She said the event spreads the message about healthy relationships,how to recognize warning signs of a potential abuser, and how a girl can gethelp, if needed, for herself or for a friend.

“I think this is important of our women to know so that theydon’t find themselves in unhealthy, abusive relationships or marriages later onin life,” she said.

http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/news/article/25044/

Great work, Delta chapter! See photos also here: http://www.meadvilletribune.com/local/local_story_303231645.html

Published October 30, 2009 11:16 pm - “He told me I was nothing,” Toni told a roomful of people. “I eventually believed it.”

Vigil raises awareness of violence, abuse


By Ryan Smith 

“He told me I was nothing,” Toni told a roomful of people. “I eventually believed it.”

Hers was one story of abuse, neglect and trauma.

Others had stories, too.

“My abuse started when I was 4 years old” and proceeded to only get worse over years, said Pam. Now, she said, “no man will ever hit me again.”

Another woman, Karen, said she was “set up for a lifetime of violence” when she was raped in college and, in a muted cry for help, further violated by being made to feel she had somehow done something wrong.

But that was a long time ago, she said, before she sought help from Women’s Services Inc., the agency that provides counseling, shelter and other services to victims of domestic violence in Crawford County.

Now, “I’m a Women’s Services success story,” Karen told the crowd at the 2009 Candlelight Vigil, recently presented by Allegheny College’s Alpha Chi Omega sorority in association with Women’s Services as part of October’s national Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“We want people to know that (domestic violence) is here ... and we need to stop it. We need to stop the violence,” said event organizer Rose Hillard, a domestic violence counselor advocate for Women’s Services.

Women’s Services’ new Executive Director Bruce Harlan and Women’s Services Board Chair Ann Areson recently told the Tribune that in just the first six months of 2009, the agency’s local Greenhouse shelter saw a 14 percent increase in the number of women and children fleeing domestic violence and a 42 percent increase in the number of days they stayed at the shelter.

Women and children seeking shelter for reasons other than abuse was up 26 percent and those people stayed 28 percent longer, they said.

And the number of people on the waiting list for the shelter’s 18 beds increased 25 percent and has been at times as many as 40 individuals or families.

Sexual assaults have increased, too, according to Women’s Services. The number of victims seeking help from Women’s Services in the first six months of the year was up 18 percent, for a total of 301.

Financial worries and joblessness fuel the upswing in domestic violence and homelessness, and the area’s current unemployment rate of 11 percent is the highest since spring of 1986.

For those affected, Women’s Services “provides a safe haven,” said Hillard, a place where victims “can start to get their lives back.”

Great work Rho chapter and SAE at University of Washington. Article includes video and great photos, be sure to check it out! http://ow.ly/xIv3

‘Walk a Mile in her shoes’

By Breanna Lai

October 30, 2009

A procession of fraternity brothers in oversized women’shigh heels walked down Memorial Way at 4:30 p.m. yesterday as part of a jointeffort to raise awareness against domestic violence.

Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraterntiy and Alpha Chi Omega sororitycollaborated in putting on the mile-long march, the first of its kind at the UW,which included purchasing enough shoes from the Goodwill on the Ave to slip onthe 195 guys and 35 girls who participated in the event.

“I was taking women’s studies last year and did the event inTacoma,” saidLawrence Dearth, UW senior and president of Sigma Alpha Epsilon. “I thought itwould be great for the Greek system and ended up teaming up with Alpha ChiOmega and planning for the fall.”

The walk took about half an hour, and after walking along Northeast 45th Streetand through Greek Row, the marchers congregated in the Quad, led by members ofSigma Alpha Epsilon. The members carried a white banner with red letters thatread, “Walk a Mile in her Shoes.”

Along with a presence of 16 fraternities and any othermembers of the UW community who wished to sign up, Alpha Chi Omega broughtrepresentatives from the Eastside Domestic Violence Program (EDVP), a localorganization whose primary mission is to end domestic violence. The sororityhas been working with EDVP for some time.

Denise Bennett, the youth services manager for EDVP,delivered a pep talk at the end of the walk that highlighted the differenttypes of domestic violence, telling men they too can be victims, sharingstories, and explaining what individuals can do to help.

“We find this has more of an affect on people than physicalviolence because physical bruises and everything go away,” she said. “Butpsychological abuse sticks with you.”

During her speech, Bennett cited statistics to corroboratethe need to bring awareness to domestic violence. About 1.3 million women and835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States,she said.

For UW sophomore Tyler Leitch of Kappa Alpha, who made thewalk in four-inch leather boots from Goodwill, taking part hit closer to homeas he had a friend in high school that was abused by her father.

“This is really special to me; I really enjoyed being ableto demonstrate against this,” he said.

Of the march Leitch said: “It was agonizing. I don’tunderstand how girls can do this every weekend.”

Stuffing men’s feet in women’s high heels is about asdifficult as it sounds. Nick Feldman, UW junior and Intra Fraternity Councilvice president for public relations, said that finding size-14 heels was adifficult task. As a result, fraternity brothers improvised, cuttingtwo-by-fours and using blue duct tape to create their own stylish pumps.

Alpha Chi Omega president Michelle Kaufman’s future goal isto open the event up to the greater Seattlearea and increase the support base.

“All the guys showing their support really shows that the UWcommunity thinks this is a serious issue,” she said, “And [that] we’re reallytrying to go out of our way to make sure domestic violence doesn’t happen.”

Good luck to Alpha Upsilon with the 5k!

http://www.cw.ua.edu/alpha-chi-to-host-5k-run-1.2042528

Alpha Chi to host 5K run

By Kelsey Hendrix

Staff Reporter

Published: Thursday, October 29, 2009

On Nov. 8, Alpha Chi Omega host the first annual Stomp Out Domestic Violence 5K Race. The sorority, which works year-round to support Turning Point, a domestic violence shelter in Tuscaloosa, will be using the event to raise awareness about domestic violence and funds for the local shelter.

This will be the first run hosted by Alpha Chi Omega, which usually raises funds for their philanthropy through cookouts and other campus-wide events.

“We wanted to do something different than we have done in the past,” said Jessica Boyd, vice president of fraternal relations for Alpha Chi Omega and a senior majoring in public relations. “We have done plenty of cookouts, supply drives and other things to raise money for domestic violence awareness and its victims.”

Boyd came up with the idea to host a run this year. After the Alpha Chi Omega executive board approved the idea, the members began planning for the event.

“We wanted to do something truly different and chose the 5K race because we had never done one before,” Boyd said. “This seemed like a great and active way to raise money and awareness for our cause.”

The run, which is being co-sponsored by Lambda Chi Alpha, will begin at the RISE Center on 5th Avenue, go throughout campus and end back at the starting point. The two groups decided on the route after discussing the event with the Tuscaloosa Track Club, suggesting that the race remain on campus since the groups are campus organizations.

“Lambda Chi Alpha has been wonderful by helping us raise money and get awareness out about the event all over campus,” Boyd said. “We also have several sponsors that have made this race possible, such as PUR Water, who is providing all of the water for the race for free after seeing our ad on campus.”

John Hails, the philanthropy chair for Lambda Chi Alpha and a junior majoring in political science, said Lambda Chi Alpha had been looking for a philanthropy event to get involved with and found the run to be the perfect opportunity to help out.

“We’ve been helping Alpha Chi find sponsors and get supplies, and our entire house is signed up to participate in the run or help out on the day of the event,” Hails said. “The cool thing is, you don’t see a whole bunch of young men supporting this cause, and it’s something that we should definitely be concerned about.

“Domestic Violence Month is also in October and shares the month with Breast Cancer Awareness Month,” Hails said. “So having the event right after Breast Cancer Awareness Month ends is a prime time to have it, since the other cause tends to overshadow this one during October.”

The run is not geared toward any particular group and Alpha Chi Omega and Lambda Chi Alpha encourage all students and community members to come out and get involved.

“We have been marketing towards college students for the most part, but we have advertised in the community as well,” Boyd said. “We are hoping to have Alpha Chi alums at the event as well as some parents of our members.”

Boyd and the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega are excited about the event and are looking forward to making it an annual event.

“I think this event is a great way for people to give back to a good cause,” Boyd said. “We have had so many barbeques and supply drives in the past, but this is something new to get excited about. Domestic violence is a serious issue, especially in Alabama, and the members of Alpha Chi want to do their part to raise awareness for its victims.”

Registration for the event will take place until Friday, Nov. 6, at 5 p.m. and costs $20 to participate. The check-in time for the race will begin at 1 p.m. with the race kicking off at 2 p.m.

“There will be winners for the race, probably a top male and a top female,” Boyd said.

“There will be pries for these winners that have been donated from local businesses in Tuscaloosa, like Nancy Taylor and Taco Casa.”

For more information about the run and how to register, contact Jessica Boyd at jessicakboyd@gmail.com or visit the Stomp Out Domestic Violence Facebook group.

Kudos to Zeta Upsilon chapter on their Domestic Violence Awareness Week at Case Western Reserve University. From Mu Tau Mu's blog: (see also attached graphics - DVA avatar sisters used as profile picture on facebook and twitter and poster of all events)

http://axomtm.squarespace.com/journal/2009/10/25/domestic-violence-awareness-week-at-cwru.html

Domestic Violence Awareness Week at CWRU

Great work, Tau chapter, Brenau! Please check out the original post for beautiful photos of the event.

AXO Hosts Take Back the Night

Following an inspiring performance by the improv group Sex Signals, Alpha Chi Omega sorority hosted a candle light vigil honoring victims of sexual violence on Brenau University's campus on Wednesday, October 21, as part of Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Here are some photos from the event.

http://axodvawareness.blogspot.com/2009/10/axo-hosts-take-back-night.html

Keep up the DVA and PACEing in October Zeta Nu chapter! 

http://www.theeagle.com/local/Breaking-the-cycle-of-abuse 

Breaking the cycle of abuse

By MICHELLE CASADY
michelle.casady@theeagle.com

Hundreds of people were in downtown Bryan on Tuesday night for a candlelight vigil meant to promote awareness of domestic violence.

Linda Chandler, director of Phoebe's Home, an emergency shelter for victims of domestic violence, said the Brazos County Coalition Against Domestic Violence aims to reach out to new segments of the community each year with awareness and outreach programs.

The vigil, in its 15th year, is held in celebration of survivors of domestic abuse and in honor of those who lost their lives. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Ashley Wesp, executive director of the Brazos Animal Shelter and the event's keynote speaker, explored the link between domestic violence, child abuse and animal abuse.

"Without throwing a lot of statistics at you," she said, "I will tell you, the link between animal abuse and domestic violence has been documented extensively. Children exposed to abuse are more likely to participate in animal abuse, creating a vicious cycle."

She offered the crowd of community leaders, concerned residents and members of the Alpha Chi Omega sorority a few examples that officials have encountered in Brazos County.

In one case, a student told his teacher he was worried about his puppy, Shelby, who was sick, after being burned by his older brother.

The teacher alerted animal control, which made a visit to the home to investigate. The officers were able to determine the older child had wanted a new puppy but was told by his mother that wouldn't be possible unless he got rid of the other dog.

He decided to get rid of it by burning it alive, she said.

Investigators found the puppy in desperate need of medical attention, hiding under a shed at the home. Inside was a new pit bull puppy.

"Shelby was treated, rehabbed, and adopted by a vet and is now properly spoiled," she said.

The older child who burned the puppy, she said, later developed a criminal record for breaking and entering and assault.

After hearing the speech, others said recognizing the link might make a difference.

"I think we've known for awhile there was some link," Chandler said. "But now that it's being more frequently published and discussed, maybe it will help with earlier detection of abuse."

Wesp said animal control officers in the county now know to inform Child Protective Services and other agencies if they see animal abuse in a home where children live.

"It's encouraging to me," said Michelle Barnett, a Phoebe's Home counselor. "Because clearly, if there's violence going on in the home at all, that's a red flag."

Several at the vigil said, above all, making residents aware of instances of abuse in the community is essential to getting victims to come forward and in breaking the cycle of abuse.

"In a community, you're going to have violence and crime," Wesp said. "We're no different than any other community in regard to that. But if the whole community is made aware of the problem, and starts to ask questions, it just might be what it takes to save a child, or an animal."

Good Luck Alpha Epsilon chapter with your DVA philanthropy November 17th - and interesting Panhellenic blog!

Way to be involved Phi chapter!

 

Cosby: Domestic violence revealed

http://www.kansan.com/news/2009/nov/02/domestic-violence-revealed/ 

This week is Domestic Violence Awareness Week at the University of Kansas. The student group Delta Force will be spearheading a campaign to educate students and community members about domestic violence, and several other student organizations and community groups are co-sponsoring the event.

A week of education about domestic violence is important because it’s extremely pertinent to the daily lives of many people at the University and in Lawrence.

“A lot of people don’t understand how prevalent it is,” Liz Stuewe, Lawrence senior and member of Delta Force, said.

A survey done in 2000 by the National Institute of Justice and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention found that one in four women is a victim of domestic violence. The National Coalition Against Domestic Violence Web site said most cases of domestic violence were not reported to the police.

Until I started learning about the advocacy groups on campus and what they planned to do during Domestic Violence Awareness Week, I did not know much about domestic violence. I don’t think many students think about it until they or someone they know experiences it firsthand.

It seems this problem is only made worse by common misconceptions about domestic violence.

“The overarching stereotype is so often between a husband and a wife,” Stuewe said.

Stuewe explained that domestic violence happened in non-marital relationships, LGBT relationships, between family members and even between roommates.

Another seemingly widespread fallacy is that domestic violence constitutes mainly physical abuse.

“I believe that domestic violence is any abuse, albeit verbal or physical, that takes place in the confines of a situation where one person feels like the other one has more power in a relationship,” Tanner Willbanks, Hayes senior, said.

Willbanks is the domestic violence outreach coordinator for the Commission on the Status of Women, one of the groups spreading awareness during Domestic Violence Week.

Domestic abuse often occurs in relationships where one partner tends to be more dominant than the other, Willbanks said.

“Another big misconception when it comes to domestic violence in particular is that, well, if it’s that bad, she can just leave or he can just leave,” Willbanks said. “That’s not really the case. These people have been pretty much terrorized to the point that they don’t see a way out, and part of the abuse is usually their partner convincing them that there is no way out.”

It is my hope that students will take time to educate themselves about domestic violence so if they find themselves in violent situations, they can recognize it and remove themselves immediately.

Other groups involved in Domestic Violence Awareness Week include KU Young Democrats, Queers and Allies, Amnesty International, KU College Republicans, Alpha Chi Omega, The Emily Taylor Women’s Resource Center, Women’s Transitional Care Services and the GaDuGi Safe Center.

For information on the week’s schedule, students should stop by the informational tables that will be on the lawn in front of Stauffer-Flint Hall this week.

Great work Iota Phi chapter! 

http://media.www.quchronicle.com/media/storage/paper294/news/2009/11/04/Scene/Girls.Fight.Back.A.SelfDefense.Course-3821357.shtml

Girls fight back: A self-defense course

'This is an issue for all women on campus to be aware of'

Jenny Connell

Good job, Alpha Gamma chapter at U of New Mexico!

http://www.dailylobo.com/index.php/calendar/event/u61epj4impvt5jbjm35o7elfdk?time=1257559200

Omega Man

Alpha Chi Omega’ annual Omega Man will be Friday, Nov. 6th at 7pm.
Omega Man is a male beauty pageant where contests compete, raising money for the fight against domestic violence. Each contestant is representing a UNM student organization and will compete in various events (formal wear, talent, etc.). 
Patrons should bring extra cash/check to “vote” for the Best Chest In The West at the beginning of the event.

Tickets are $3 in advance, $5 at the door.
You can buy tickets from collegiate members of Alpha Chi Omega.

Proceeds will go towards the New Mexico Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

Where: SUB Ballroom

Albion, Beta Chapter, continuing to set a great example

Alpha Chi Omega Sheds Light on Domestic Violence with Luminary Fundraiser

Reported by Stephanie Kelly, ’10

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and Albion College’s Alpha Chi Omega is supporting the cause with a luminary project. Bags emblazoned with the sponsor’s name will be lit on Albion College’s campus on Thursday, October 8 at 8 p.m. to raise awareness about domestic violence. Bags cost 5 dollars, and all profits will be given to S.A.F.E. Place Women’s Shelter.

S.A.F.E. Place is an organization that provides shelter, referrals, court advocacy, and comprehensive counseling programs for women and children who have been abused physically, verbally, or emotionally.

The luminary project is part of Alpha Chi Omega’s Go Purple Week, which takes place from October 5-9. Everyone is encouraged to wear purple to spread awareness about domestic violence.

To sponsor a bag or for more information, call 517/629- 0769 or contact Lindi Edger at lce11@albion.edu.

http://www.albion.edu/news/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=991 

Great article about a girl who overcame a horrific dating violence incident, and now helps others.  This could be a great video to show at a Chi Connection during DVA month!

(video) http://www.wkyc.com/video/default.aspx?bctid=64765462001 

(accompanying news story) http://www.wkyc.com/news/local/news_article.aspx?storyid=130079&catid=3 

related story and cool idea of a "purple out" idea for DVA month:

NBA News - Cleveland Cavaliers team up with Domestic Violence Center for
"National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Week".

Saturday, February 6 - RESPECT Night at The Q - 7:30 pm tipoff
Get your tickets now to watch the Cleveland Cavaliers take on the New York Knicks at the Quicken Loans Arena. The arena will be lit up with purple as each guest will receive a purple glow stick upon entering. The Scream Team will perform a routine to Aretha Franklin's RESPECT and Teen Leaders from the Cleveland area will be recognized at halftime! Help us to wrap up the week of events with a great night at The Q! Purchase tickets by clicking here - ticket prices vary.

This article includes a really great audio podcast interview with Katie Curran, co-Philanthropy Chair at Epsilon Tau, Virginia. Listen to it at http://krystynesblog.blogspot.com/2010/04/benefiting-victims-of-domestic-violence.html

Benefiting victims of domestic violence with help from the community

Alpha Mu chapter, Indiana University

http://www.idsnews.com/news/story.aspx?id=77922 

Men run in stilettos for domestic abuse awareness

Olivia Elsner | IDS

Attendees at Alpha Chi Omega’s “A Walk in Her Shoes” event listen to live music during the fundraiser’s after party Saturday at Alpha Chi Omega. The fundraiser pitted 60 teams of heel-clad men against each other in a race that raised money for Middle Way House, a nonprofit organization that protects women from domestic violence.

By Hallie Robbins | IDS

Iota Phi chapter, Quinnipiac

http://www.quchronicle.com/2010/10/alpha-chi-draws-frisbee-funds/ 

Alpha Chi draws Frisbee funds

Posted on Oct 06, 2010 by Andrew Timothy in Mount Carmel, News

Every 15 seconds a woman is physically assaulted in her home. Ten percent of women are raped by boyfriends or ex-boyfriends. Eleven percent of women are raped by their father or stepfather. To top off these shocking statistics, most incidents of domestic and relationship violence are not reported, according to the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

On Saturday, these figures were displayed on plates hung from trees as the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega held their 13th annual Frisbee Fest tournament on the Quad. The purpose of the event is to raise awareness about domestic and relationship violence, and proceeds go to the Domestic Violence Services of Greater New Haven. The event was held in memory of AXO sister Elizabeth Pernell, who died in a domestic violence dispute in 1998.

“Awareness about domestic and relationship violence is necessary, especially for college-aged women because love shouldn’t hurt; yet the rise in relationship violence at campuses is an alarming trend,” AXO Philanthropy Chair Bradee Luhr said.

Members of other Greek organizations came out to support the cause, although the event wasn’t exclusive to Greeks. Non-Greek organizations including the Anime Club, Physical Therapy Club and varsity athletes participated in the event that more than 500 people attended.

More than an athletic tournament, the event included activities such as cornhole, spin art Frisbees, cotton candy, snow cones and raffles. Raffle prizes included box seat tickets to a New York Giants game, Boston Celtics tickets, an autographed New York Jets football and a parking spot in the College of Arts and Sciences lot or Hilltop. AXO served refreshments including buffet options and a barbecue station. For a dollar, attendees could pie an Alpha Chi member in the face.

“Today is not a day to worry about looking pretty, but to reflect on domestic violence,” senior AXO member Staci Sherman said. “Alpha Chis are team players!”

“Aside from Frisbee Fest being awesome and decked out with the works, we came out today less because of the competitive aspect and more to support Greek life,” senior Delta Tau Delta member Pete Quigley said. “Particularly important to us was the cause of opposing relationship and domestic violence. Abusing women is incompatible with being a gentleman, one of Delt’s core values.”

Senior Christen Samuels, a member of Kappa Alpha Theta’s “Kites in Flight” team, agreed.

“As a criminal justice major, I find protection of women an issue which needs to be more prioritized, given how few women report their attackers, even on campus,” Samuels said.

For some, the cause hit close to home.

“I’ve been close with someone who experienced domestic violence in her life. As I play with a Frisbee in hand, I hold her experience in my heart,” senior PT Club member Julia Bean said. “Not a single soul more should be forced to experience such terror.”

In the end, the Sigma Phi Epsilon team won the tournament and gift certificates to Drougie’s Pizza.

“Today’s event is one of many Greek life events that exemplifies that Greeks, regardless of chapter affiliation, are a force for positive change,” said Courtney McKenna, assistant director of the student center and campus life. “Frisbee Fest brings awareness to the issue of domestic and relationship violence, something which can affect the entire Quinnipiac University community. As QU Greek Advisor and an Alpha Chi Omega alum, I can say that the Iota Phi chapter of Alpha Chi Omega has done an amazing job representing the organization and Greek life as a whole.”

AXO expects to exceed last year’s earnings of more than $16,000 from this year’s Fest.

Beta Pi chapter, Washington College

http://elm.washcoll.edu/index.php/2010/10/casino-night-a-success/ 

Casino Night a Success

By Lindsay Dodd

Elm Staff Writer

Last Saturday evening the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega hosted their annual Casino Night in the Casey Academic Center.

The philanthropy of Alpha Chi Omega is domestic violence and the sisters help spread awareness and help victims of domestic violence throughout the year. Casino night consisted of a variety of betting games such as black jack, roulette, and poker. Raffles were also held and this year a digital camera, a limited edition Joe Flacco bobble head, a basket with beauty products, a purse, and a membership to Pintail Point were all donated to the cause and raffled off. There was also a silent auction with a variety of baskets the sisters put together.

To spread domestic violence awareness in amongst the fun, a representative from Midshore set up a display called “A Mile in Her Shoes,” with the shoes and stories of women who have experienced domestic violence.

All of the proceeds from the event are given to the Midshore Council on Family Violence, a local organization which seeks to help victims break the cycle of domestic violence. They provide shelter, counseling, and services for anyone who comes to them for help. They also seek to promote awareness of domestic violence and to change society’s attitudes towards it. The sisters are still receiving donations and would like to present the grand total raised as a surprise to Midshore at the Domestic Violence memorial in October. The event was put on in collaboration with the Victimology class at Washington College.

The sisters of Alpha Chi Omega had a great turn out of parents, family, friends, students and faculty. Even President Reiss and his wife Elisabeth came out to show their appreciate for the sisters’ event. Alpha Chi Omega would like to thank all those who helped out, especially Michelle Moore, fund raising chair of AXO and Beth Anne Langrell.

Zeta Nu chapter, Texas A&M

http://www.kbtx.com/local/headlines/Hundreds_Attend_Candlelight_Prayer_Vigil_for_Domestic_Violence_Awareness_104545379.html 

Domestic violence shouldn't happen to anyone, but it does.

And our community is not immune.

In 2009, Aggie siblings Travis and Rachel Joiner were killed at their College Station home.

Rachel's ex-boyfriend, John Thuesen, was convicted of the crime.

Thursday night Travis and Rachel were memorialized as hundreds gathered to take a stand against domestic violence and remember those who have lost their lives.

It was especially emotional for Travis and Rachel's parents who attended the vigil tonight but understandably did not want to go on camera.

They were thankful though that their children's memory is living on.

It was a solemn evening at the George Bush Library during the candlelight vigil to raise awareness for domestic violence.

Red silhouettes of Travis and Rachel Joiner have been on display at the A&M campus and Thursday night those who worked on their case from police to district attorneys and even counselors were recognized as silent witnesses.

More than 200 sorority sisters from Texas A&M's Alpha Chi Omega also stood in solidarity.

"October is domestic violence awareness month so Alpha Chi Omega's national philanthropy is to raise awareness against domestic violence and we feel that this event embodies everything to support domestic violence awareness and that's why we're here for this month to come out and show support in the community," said Amy Aaronson, Alpha Chi Omega Sorority President.

"Domestic violence is a more prevalent problem that people care to discuss or want to acknowledge and candlelight vigils serve to remind us that it is in our community, that we need to commit time, resources, and education to domestic violence as an issue in our area," said Rochelle Cade, Brazos County Coalition Against Domestic Violence Chair.

According to the Texas Council on Family Violence, 111 Texas women died in 2009 as the result of domestic violence.

And, D.P.S. said in 2008 there were 1,392 family violence incidents in Brazos County alone.

Thursday evening's ceremony marked the 16th annual vigil for domestic violence in Bryan-College Station.

News 3's Steve Fullhart was also honored at the candlelight vigil for his on-line coverage of the John Thuesen murder trial.

He was presented the voices against violence award.

Kendra Watson Couch of the College Station Police Department was presented the Robert E. "Bob" Wiatt Award.

Delta Lambda chapter, Ripon College

http://media.www.riponcollegedays.com/media/storage/paper944/news/2010/10/13/News/Alpha.Chi.Omega.5k.Walkrun.Successful-3945160.shtml

Alpha Chi Omega 5k walk/run successful

Taima Kern        Issue date: 10/13/10 Section: News

For as long as Alpha Chi Omega (AXO) has existed, its philanthropy has been the prevention of domestic abuse, via the AXO Foundation, which collects donations from all of the National Sorority's chapters across the United States.

Every year for the last eight years they have hosted a 5k walk/run starting and ending at the J.M. Storzer Center in an effort to raise more money for their philanthropy. The event took place Oct. 9.

Their goal was to top the amount they raised last time and hoped for a better turn out than last year since the weather was much more favorable this time, as it did not snow. It was held on Saturday, Oct. 9 during family weekend.

"Our goals are to pass our record for funds raised," said junior Margaret Wiener and President of Ripon's AXO chapter, prior to the event. "The more money we can raise the more we can help a community in need."

Toward this goal all the sisters of Alpha Chi Omega helped the event in some way, whether it was working at the race, pre-planning, or devoting their lunch and dinner times to sitting at a table outside the commons trying to raise awareness and get people to sign up for three weeks before the race even began, leading all the way up to the day of the race itself.

"We had 42 participants and raised three hundred and fifty dollars this year," says sophomore Sarah Moehrke, AXO Philanthropy chair. "We will add that to the three hundred dollars we raised from the date auction with Sigma Chi as well as the approximately hundred and twenty-five we received from the donations of friends and family, and whatever else we raise this semester and donate it to the foundation." They also send out donation envelopes to their alumni who are their biggest supporters.

The mission statement of the AXO Foundation is to help victims of domestic violence financially and emotionally, and to educate the community on domestic violence. This walk/run is not the end of it either.

"We are planning monthly visits to the Christine Ann Domestic Violence Shelter in Oshkosh, where the sisters will be training and eventually spending a great deal of time volunteering to help families victimized by domestic violence," says Moehrke.

"I like that domestic abuse is our philanthropy because it's the kind of problem that too many people blow off or think that it doesn't affect them until it does, and when it does, it's devastating. I really like to see my sisters helping out a good cause," says Moehrke.

"Alpha Chi Omega is very passionate about our philanthropy against domestic violence. We also believe it is important to support other Greek organizations on campus in their efforts toward individual philanthropic groups. Alpha Chi Omega takes great pride in being part of the Greek life here on the Ripon campus," says Wiener.

The sisters of Alpha Chi Omega also thank those who assisted them with the 5k walk/run, especially the Brothers of Theta Chi for cooking and helping them break things down after the event concluded.

Iota chapter, University of Illinois

http://www.dailyillini.com/features/2010/10/13/fall-philanthropy-rakes-in-donations 

Becky Zilis and Hannah Gettleman, The Daily Illini

Leaves aren’t the only thing changing on campus this fall. Greek philanthropy events are making strides to help out a veritable cornucopia of organizations, with charitable events occurring throughout the season. Take a look at some of the events that have already taken place.

...

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Chi Omega held their fifth annual paintball tournament Sunday to raise money to promote domestic violence awareness. 200 people, split into teams of 10, competed in one of two brackets. The winners of each bracket then competed against each other. The event took place at Salt Forks Paintball in Sidney from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The participants received a t-shirt, free equipment rentals, lunch and the opportunity to shoot each other for a good cause. Proceeds came from entry fees and donations from companies outside of the tournament.

“In the past, we’ve always [raised] around $7,000 to $8,000,” said Kelsi Rosella, an Alpha Chi Omega member. “Our chapter supports the Center for Women in Transition.”