Alpha Chi Omega - University of Missouri

Welcoming Jane into the sisterhood was an exciting surprise to the family. Emily had mentioned to Jen Wallach, Iota Chi '06, how Jane was her Real. Strong. Woman. and how she always spoke so highly of Alpha Chi Omega. "As soon as I talked to my mom about it, I saw a spark light up in her eyes and knew that this was something we were going to do," Emily said. "It was such an amazing process and all of the National members we spoke with could not have been nicer." One of their biggest concerns was hearing that the process could take up to a year. "Being 98 years old makes time so precious so we asked if we could speed the process up so that my grandma could enjoy as much time being a sister as possible," Emily said. To their delight, they got through the initiation process quickly. "Now we have this special bond that we are all thankful for," Emily said. Emily joined Alpha Nu Chapter not just because of the family connection, but also because it is where she found a sense of home away from home. Being six hours away from home for the first time in her life, she appreciated the instant connection she felt at Alpha Nu. "I gained a special and unique kind of pride that most people don't get to feel," Emily said. "I saw how much my mom and older sister's relationship grew and that was something I envied and wanted to be part of too." The bond that Emily, Julie, Lauren and Jane share now spans two families and they couldn't be happier. To learn more about the post-graduate initiation process, you can email Alpha Chi Omega's lifetime engagement staff at dnorrod@alphachiomega.org. FAMILY, LEGACY, SISTERHOOD (Continued from page 1) Read more about Jane in the spring issue of The Lyre. Visit alphachiomega.org/stay-connected/the-lyre. HOW TO BECOME AN ALUMNA INITIATE • APPLY – The candidate fills out an online alumna initiate application. • SPONSOR FORM (INDIVIDUAL) – Each candidate must be sponsored by an Alpha Chi Omega member in good standing. The member must complete an alumna initiate sponsor form. • SPONSOR FORM (GROUP) – In addition to the individual sponsor, each candidate must be sponsored by a collegiate chapter, alumnae chapter or group of six alumnae. The group sponsor must complete the alumna initiate group sponsor form. • INTERVIEW – The candidate will talk, typically by phone, with one or two members of the National Alumna Initiate Program Panel. This is an opportunity for her to get to know a few alumnae and learn more about the process. The panel members will ask why the candidate wants to be a member of Alpha Chi Omega as well as let them know how they can serve as a resource to her. The National Alumna Initiate Program Panel will then review and approve or deny the candidate's application. • EDUCATION – Once approved, the candidate is paired with an alumnae educator to learn more about Alpha Chi Omega. Incorporating alumnae- specific materials, the educational process involves a mix of conference calls, Skype sessions, one-on-one meetings and/or emails to make the process as convenient as possible. • EXAM – After the educational materials have been fully reviewed, the candidate must take an initiation exam. Passing an exam with a minimum score of 70 percent completes the education portion. Then the collegiate chapter, alumnae chapter, or group of at least six Alpha Chi Omega members may initiate the candidate. • FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS – Candidates will be required to pay an alumna initiate new member fee of $175 and purchase a badge (prices begin at $100). alpha chi omega | page 2

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