Chi Omega
| Chi Omega | |
|---|---|
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ΧΩ
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|
 |
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| Founded | April 5, 1895 University of Arkansas (Fayetteville, Arkansas) |
| Type | Social |
| Vision statement | Sisters inspired by our values who serve the world while keeping Chi Omega ever at heart |
| Motto | Hellenic Culture and Christian Ideals |
| Colors | Straw |
| Symbol | Skull and Crossbones |
| Flower | White Carnation |
| Jewel | Pearl, Diamond |
| Mascot | Owl |
| Publication | The Eleusis |
| Philanthropy | Make-A-Wish Foundation |
| Chapters | 174 |
| Members | 310,000+ collegiate |
| Psi chapter, University of Arkansas |  |
| Headquarters | Memphis, Tennessee, USA |
| Homepage | http://www.chiomega.com/ |
Chi Omega (ΧΩ) is a women's fraternity and the largest member of the National Panhellenic Conference.[1] Chi Omega has 174 active collegiate chapters and over 230 alumnae chapters.[2] Chi Omega's national headquarters is located in Memphis, Tennessee.
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[edit] History
Chi Omega was founded April 5, 1895 at the University of Arkansas by Dr. Charles Richardson (an initiate of the Kappa Sigma Fraternity), Ina Mae Boles, Jean Vincenheller, Jobelle Holcombe, and Alice Simonds. In 1915, Chi Omega established its executive headquarters in Lexington, Kentucky, pioneering the use of office space among all national women's fraternities, before moving to Cincinnati, Ohio in 1926. Since 1995, the Fraternity's executive headquarters has been situated on 1.5 acres (6,100 m2) in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Fraternity's colors are Cardinal and Straw, the flower is the white carnation, the mascot is the owl, and the symbol is the skull and crossbones.
Chi Omega made the Make-A-Wish Foundation its official philanthropy in 2000.
[edit] Mission
Chi Omega is a sisterhood, that aims to provide a network of friends and life long development for both collegiate and alumnae members. Chi Omega is committed to:
- Personal integrity
- Excellence in academic and intellectual pursuits
- Inter-generational participation
- Community service
- Leadership opportunities
- Social enrichment
[edit] Vision
Chi Omega aims to be the premier national women's organisation in the 21st Century. They also aim to establish renewed respect for women, by promoting high morals and ethics, personal growth, professional development and a network of help and support, for life.
[edit] Organization
The sorority's day to day business activities are overseen by the Governing Council which consists of five elected members. Each individual chapter of Chi Omega receives at least one visit per year from a National Consultant who aids in the development of the young women. Furthermore, each chapter gets additional support from Chi Omega alumnae, national volunteers, professional staff and resource manuals.
[edit] The Eleusis
The Eleusis is the official publication of Chi Omega Fraternity. In continuous publication since 1899, its mission is to connect Chi Omegas to the national organization by promoting our common experiences, communicating the state of the Fraternity, affirming our values and purposes, highlighting our success stories, and providing resources for the development of women.
"I... make an earnest plea to my young sisters who may read these words. I urge you not to doff your interest in Chi Omega with your cap and gown but to regard your membership as something so precious that you will make of it a lifelong experience." - Ida Pace Purdue, National President 1904-1910 and First Editor of
Current Editor: Christine Thomas Barnicki
[edit] The Chi Omega Symphony
The Symphony was written by Ethel Switzer Howard, Xi Chapter, in 1904: Chi Omega Website:
"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 loveable rather than "popular"; to work earnestly, to speak kindly, to act sincerely, to choose thoughtfully that course which occasion and conscience demands; 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."
