for hope. for strength. FOR LIFE.

Fraternal Thoughts (a blog I would highly suggest following!) posted a meaningful interpretation of membership in a Fraternity/Sorority based on a childhood classic, The Giving Tree.  It truly connects to the meaning of lifetime membership in Delta Gamma.  Read more and enjoy!

The Giving Fraternity by Fraternal Thoughts

a magical visit

I was greeted at the airport by a bubbly DG who made me feel so welcome!  As we drove to the UC Riverside campus, she insisted on taking me to where she works….Starbucks.  How could I deny that offer?  She claimed she had a 95% accuracy rate in guessing peoples typical order and she was right (fyi now that I sleep less than usual, I’ve become slightly addicted to a tall café Americano with sugar-free vanilla and soy!). 

I arrived at the UCR campus a few hours before Round One of recruitment began.  I was caught up to speed by the president, director of recruitment records, and membership adviser.  Then we headed straight to the room on campus that Panhellenic uses for recruitment (UCR does not have chapter houses).  The weekend of recruitment went by fast!  There were three rounds back to back.  I was very proud of the women for all their efforts and they sure paid off!  The women were able to extend bids to 29 new members, making them the second largest Panhellenic chapter on campus!

Philanthropy Round: with the chapter president, Araya and a crest
one of the talented members hand-painted!

After a fun Bid Day celebration at the Citrus Center!  It was a beautiful park surrounded by…you guessed it…California oranges!  The main building had a large, wooden cabiny feel.  It is also where the women hold their Initiation, I can only imagine how pretty that must be!  On Bid Day, I was able to introduce myself to the new members and congratulate them on their decision to join Delta Gamma and the wonderful lifetime membership that lies ahead of them J

The members insisted on a "let's all point at the CDC!" picture. 
You can see my embarassment :)

Once recruitment responsibilities slowed down, I had a free afternoon.  And I could not have chosen a better way to spend it other than lunch and a "mom hike" with Emma DeLain!  It was so wonderful to spend time with a Beta Iota sister, even when far away from our alma mater.  Then the next day, the women insisted on taking me to Disneyland, despite the pouring rain. Seeing the infamous park really was magical. And the best part of the day...seeing Emma dressed in costume as a character hostess :) Such a "proud to be a DG" moment! Love you, Emma!

With Yasmine and Kayla, chapter members,
in front of the castle

The nation's best Disney character hostess...
Emma DeLain!

to my delta gamma sisters...

If money grew on trees, I would buy each & every one of you this necklace.  Could it be more perfect?  Every DG should have this :) 

california, california, here I come!



Gamma chapter house

Being a Midwest girl, the concept of visiting California naturally seems exciting.  When I found out one of my visits was to the infamous Berkeley campus, I couldn’t wait for Gamma chapter to be my first taste of California culture.  I stepped off the plan to overlook the Bay from the terminal....alas, the state of California!

I was greeted at the airport by the chapter president and vp: Panhellenic, both women were so welcoming and quickly began to explain all the sights along our drive through Oakland to the Berkeley campus.  The main street on campus is an adventurous food scene—basically any ethnicity you can imagine is represented.  The women took me to a quaint little “whole in the wall” French restaurant.  It was delicious!

The first weekend I spent at Gamma was filled with eating at yummy restaurants and getting to know the officers through individual and group meetings.  I was able to attend a new member meeting and it made me smile to see such enthusiastic and already involved new members!  Formal chapter meeting was another highlight, as I was able to present on taking pride in DG membership.  The women were engaged, enthusiastic and proactive!

A table of goodies upon arrival :)

The rest of my stay was filled with more meetings and spending time with the women.  I also had the amazing opportunity to explore San Francisco (pictures in my last post!).  A tour of the infamous campus was beautiful; the history and character of the grounds was so incredible to see.  Definitely a much different student demographic and culture than I have ever seen, but so cool nonetheless!  Big/Little reveal also took place during my stay which was so fun to see their bonds strengthen even more through these pairings! 

The Campanile-a Berkeley campus icon

 To end my visit, the chapter president and vp: programming were determined to take me up to “The Big C”.  The large  letter represents Cal and sits high up on a hill on the edge of campus.  The view overlooks not only all of Berkeley, but the entire Bay area!  The long trek to the top was so incredibly worth the beautiful sun setting behind the Golden Gate Bridge.  Something I will always remember! 

The beautiful view of the bay from "The Big C"

CDCs cover the ANCHORA!

It is with so much pride that I share the most recent issue of the ANCHORA, featuring the 2011-2012 CDC Team!  Check it out!!

http://digital.watkinsprinting.com/publication?i=82126

exploring san francisco

The wonderful women of Gamma-Berkeley scheduled a day for me to do some sight-seeing in downtown San Franciso!  They day was absolutely perfect and I got to see so much!  Here is what I found :) ...

As I hopped off the Bart, I immediately found the cable car station! 
I bought a day pass to use this fun transportation all day!

First stop, Fisherman's Wharf.  It was a beautiful view of the water, with
seals & seagulls galore.  You could easily see Alcatraz from the Pier and a view of
the Golden Gate Bridge from afar.  There were many great shops & restaurants here!

As I explored the Wharf, I found many anchors :)

Homeade clam chowder in a San Francisco sourdough bowl--an famous Wharf lunch!

Just had to stop by the Ghiradelli Factory to do some taste testing!

Walked through China Town

Took a bus to see the Golden Gate in person!  It was beautiful!

Walking across the bridge!

The "Crookedest Street" in the world, Lombard Street

happy thought