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my last visit as CDC Courtney

The feeling of my LAST visit was very surreal.  This job had defined me for a year and I could not believe it was coming to an end.  My last stop was UC-Riverside once again.  I had visited them for Formal Recruitment in the fall, so it was definitely nice to come back to a familiar place.  The women were so sweet and showed much excitement for having me back, which of course made me feel great :)  It set a happy tone for my last visit!

The first night I got there, I gave my last CDC presentation at chapter meeting.  I showed my favorite video, You're Always Wearing Your Letters (will post soon) and may have gotten teary eyed as I tried to impart words of wisdom to these women as my journey was coming to an end.  I think I probably needed to take some of my own advice, as I promised them that membership is for a lifetime.  Meaning my time as CDC is just a small slice of my Delta Gamma life!

My visit was centered around recruitment prep as the members needed a lot of help with recruitment logistics and conversation.  Facilitating RPWs is something I really love, and I gave it my all for this last one!  We practiced rotations, conversations, and learned effective voting practices.  The members seemed very receptive to some changes I helped their EVC implement, which always makes my job a little easier ;)  Themes for dress and decorations are always a hot topic, and it took a long brainstorming session with the recruitment team to finally decide on a first-round theme (actually inspired by my room at home!)...Shabby Chic!  They wanted to convey a southern hospitality style paired with DG colors, I sure can't wait to see pictures in the fall!

After an officer meeting, I was walking down the hall of the student center and happened to glance over and see a poster with a picture of one of my favorite DG leaders, Erica Upshaw.  Erica spoke at Purdue when I was chapter president about loosing her brother to alcohol and drugs while they were both at Ohio State.  She was speaking that day at UCR!  Of course, I insisted on going with the chapter president and a couple other officers.  We stayed after the lecture to talk to Erica and she was as inspiring as ever.  Truly a proud to be a DG moment.  Check out her website!  http://www.keepfriendshipalive.org/

With Erica Upshaw (right of me)

I spent a LOT of my visit hanging out in the campus libraries (since I had a broken computer) and at the "letters out" tent the members pitch each week to promote the chapter and events they are hosting.  Anchor Splash was approaching so there was lots of PR going on!  Check out those cream rose letters!

"Letters Out"
 

Another highlight was my dear and wonderful best friend/roomie Emma driving in to visit me for a lovely breakfast in downtown Riverside.  It was so thoughtful of her to some see me and I was SO happy to spend time with my Purdue/DG friend!

I couldn't have asked for a better last visit as I was inspired by how these ladies make DG work for them on this unique campus (primarily commuter).  They truly love DG...many of them using their summer savings to fly to Indy for Convention just because!  What a great end to my journey!

aggieland!

I stepped off the plane in College Station, TX to meet two enthusiastic and super sweet collegians.  I was greeted at the chapter house with an rhinestone anchor schedule binder, gift basket, and ice cream meet-and-greet for me.  These Texans sure know how to make a first impression!  And the hospitality did not stop that week.  Each and every member I met was so kind and friendly and truly made an effort to make me feel welcome.

During my visit, the members were planning their 1st Annual Anchorman Pageant.  Their creativity and innovation in PR and planning for this event was very impressive...even down to the slogan "Stay Classy, College Station"!  Attending this with the chapter having seen how hard they worked to make it happen was a highlight of my visit.  The male contestants were hilarious, bringing so much enthusiasm for DG and Service for Sight!  

Towards the end of my visit, I had gotten very close with the member who had planned my visit and some of her closest DG friends.  They decided to make me a homemade dinner because they knew how hard that was to find on the road---SO thoughtful!  But this was no normal homemade dinner...it was extravagant!  The women had brought in beautifully decorated DG desserts, and only made my favorite foods!  We had grilled chicken, pasta with pesto, and grilled veggies.  It was the BEST meal I had on the road mostly because of all the kindness behind making it :)

My fabulous dinner hostesses!

Each visit has its highs and lows, and although the lows never outweigh the highs....I had a low that was pretty low.  Just as I was getting ahead on all of my CDC reports, I had opened my NetBook to hear a pop.  Yes, my NetBook (aka CDC lifeline to the real world) was broken.  But of course, this wonderful chapter swooped in to help, taking me to Best Buy and hooking me up to a screen monitor so I could still see my reports and finish my work.  And hey, it gave me an excuse to take a day off from reports ;)

Other great things about this visit were going to a Texas A&M baseball game and getting pedicures!  I was also able to facilitate some recruitment prep at RPW2.  I even met my "twin" since there was a collegian who looked identical to me--it was kinda freaky!  I was also able to attend something called Muster.  This happens once a year where all Aggies (Texas A&M students and alums) gather to honor those Aggies who passed away that year.  It was a very special ceremony and showed the immense pride and community students have at A&M.  

There is a reason why people are so drawn to College Station aka Aggieland--there is something very special about this place and I truly loved my visit there!  

Okay...so I know this post is WAY past due but I promised myself I'd finish blogging about each chapter I visited.  And I sure could not miss this one as it truly was one of my favorite visits!

stay in florida? don't mind if I do!

After the perfect break in south Florida, I traveled north to Gainsville to visit Gamma Theta at the University of Florida.  The weather was beautiful and the chapter house was so cool---tanning porch and all!  I had a great time getting to know their ATC who was a former CDC.  It's so nice to be around people who truly get this job, all of the highs and lows.  I got to go on some long runs on this beautiful campus as the weather was just perfect each day!  Here are some pictures from this visit:

Gamma Theta house

Inside the UF stadium!

sunny florida!

Easter break could not have been better!  A wonderful combination of family, a dear CDC friend, sleep, and sun!  It was just the rest and recharge Erica and I needed to finish out the semester strong!  So thankful for this trip with her and my fabulous grandparents who hosted two CDCs :)

Nana and Papa...the best grandparents!  

sure do love her!

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war eagle!

Campus tour...I even wore orange and blue!

I was SO lucky to be assigned the visit to Delta Sigma-Auburn University!  What made this visit so special was the fact that CDC Annie came from this chapter, and I had already heard such wonderful things about the women and the University.  Everything Annie had told me about the immense school pride and respect for the University was so true....these students believe in Auburn and love it! (taken from the Auburn creed which they recite frequently!).

I was welcomed by a wonderful gift basket put together by Annie and her younger sister Sarah, who is a junior in the chapter.  I received an southern-style Auburn t-short (oversized, of course!), a gift certificate for a manicure, a Toomer's lemonade (an Auburn tradition) flavored candle, and a Starbucks gift card (Annie knows how much I love my coffee!).  She wrote me the most thoughtful note welcoming me to the University that molded her into the wonderful woman she is, and it sure did make me cry and miss her!  I was truly taken care of by each and every member I met during my stay...there is much truth to Southern hospitality!

I took so many pictures during this visit so the rest of my story can be told through these...

Outside the chapter suite

Auburn gardens-the original site of the first football field

Auburn is an Engineering school just like Purdue!  

With CDC Annie's sister, Sarah Foster---they are SO much alike!

In front of the Auburn creed with my great tour guide, Chelle!

back to houston

I was excited to return to Gamma Sigma as it is always fun to see familiar faces.  The chapter was so sweet in welcoming me back after I had helped them with Formal Recruitment in the fall.  It was so great to see a lot of the new members I helped recruit in the fall already stepping up and taking leadership positions in the chapter!

During my stay, I was able to attend their chapter retreat in Galveston, TX!  They had rented a beach house and the vp: programming did a great job coming up with fun team building exercises and bonding opportunities. I was able to facilitate and activity based around Article II of our Delta Gamma Constitution which helps the chapter evaluate their progress on the four main missions of our Fraternity: to foster high ideals of friendship, promote educational and cultural interests, create a true sense of social responsibility, and develop the best qualities of character.  I was so impressed with the chapter's self-awareness and willingness to create an action plan to improve.  When all members have had the ability to participate in creating goals to improve, they are much more likely to buy in and take action!

Gamma Sigma also has a fantastic Advisory Team that is always willing to meet over great food!  In the fall we went to an awesome Thai place and this time we went to the original Ninfa's, home of the beef burrito!  One of their younger advisers even took me back to the Thai restaurant another night to get the best Pad Thai I have EVER had!  DGs sure do know how to pick yummy food, collegians and alumnae alike!

A highlight of my visit was going with some of the members to the Light House, a facility that has classes and activities for the blind and visually impaired.  We were able to help with a clay making art class and they clients I met there were incredible.  One man said to me "This isn't a condition I have always had.  At one time I was able to see.  But I thought to myself I could react to this in two different ways, and I chose to embrace it, move on, and enjoy life!".  Tears formed in many of our eyes as we admired their strength.  This will be one of the highlights of my CDC year, being able to volunteer according to our Service for Sight mission.

Gamma Sigma was a great visit and I formed many special relationships with collegians and advisers!

SURPRISE!

A 3:30 am wake up call took me from Colonial Williamsburg to Purdue University!  Two months of planning, with the help of my wonderful grandlittle Marlee, I was able to fly to Indiana to surprise my dear Little, Katelyn, for her Senior Dinner!  I was actually pretty impressed with myself for keeping this a secret and my goodness was she shocked!  Tears and hugs surrounded the surprises of other great friends, like Andrea, Morgan, and even CDC Erica who was visiting my chapter too!  It was THE highlight of this semester as I had missed my best friends so very much and couldn't have been happier to be back in the most magical place in the world...boilermaker country!

Happy Senior Dinner, Little!

CDC Erica!

Morgan and Andrea--reunited :)

My beautiful DG family!

colonial times

Epsilon Mu-William and Mary

Arriving in Williamsburg, VA felt like I was going back in time!  The College of William and Mary is located in Colonial Williamsburg and filled with American history.  There are reenactments of colonial times going on daily and the most adorable shops!  The first morning I woke up to go for a run and saw a horse and carriage, blacksmith, and a small fort with a cannon.  The town is so clean, safe, and quaint!  I had so much fun exploring!  I found the cutest coffee shop called Aromas, and pretty much went there everyday for free wifi and the best Early Grey tea I've ever had!

Colonial Williamsburg

My visit was filled with so many great highlights!  The second day I got a tour of the Wren Building, which is the oldest standing academic building in the U.S. William and Mary had notable students such as Thomas Jefferson and George Washington!  The chapter conducts Initiation in the same room that TJ and GW studied---probably the coolest Initiation ever!!  I learned about the TWAMP (typical William and Mary person), the Triathlon tradition (streaking the main lawn, swimming in the campus pond, and jumping the Governor's fence....crazy!!), and was able to see an a capella show which was held at 10 pm on the steps of the historic Wren Building.

The chapter gave me a free day on Saturday, and I was lucky to have two wonderful friends come visit me!  Michelle drove in from Charlottesville and we started the day with a yummy breakfast at Aromas, spent the day shopping at the outlets, and had a great lunch at the infamous Cheese Shop in Colonial Williamsburg.  Michelle left in the evening to meet friends in Richmond, meanwhile Tori drove in from Richmond so we could grab dinner!  We had a great walk around campus/town, then out to dinner for Mexican.  I was in such need of familiar faces and these two lovely ladies sure did make my day (and even month!) so wonderful!

My dear friend, Michelle!  Tori and I forgot to take a pic :(

I was lucky to be visiting the chapter during Founders Day, which was my first Founders Day experience on the road!  The chapter did a fantastic job planning this event and had a wonderful program filled with ritual, awards, and brunch!  They even showed Beth Searcy's Founders Day address...

and speaking of Beth Searcy!  This amazing Fraternity President showed me the most wonderful form of sisterhood by driving 2 hours (4 round trip!) just to meet me for lunch during my visit.  She insisted on coming to see me and check in on me.  She showed me so much support and love, which was something I needed more than I realized at the time.  She is such a beautiful example of Delta Gamma in all she does and I truly admire her :)

Delta Gamma Fraternity President, Beth!

Beth and I with some of the Epsilon Mu collegians!

Overall, my visit to Epsilon Mu was fantastic and I so enjoyed getting to know these talented and intelligent group.  And the top it off, they won Outstanding Chapter and Excellence in Member Education & Risk Management right after my visit...they sure did deserve it!

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recruitment prep excitement

My visit to the University of Montevallo was filled with recruitment conversations, songs, and preparations!  This welcoming group had planned two full days of a recruitment workshop that I was able to help facilitate.  Their genuine excitement to share DG with others was evident and I enjoyed learning about what DG means to them at this small University in Alabama!  Here are some pictures of my visit to Zeta Nu!

My guest room! 

Practicing door chants for recruitment! 

DG Pilgrimage

1873.  Lewis School for Girls.  Oxford, MS.

This line is something every Delta Gamma memorizes....the date and place that Eva, Anna, and Mary founded their club of "mutual helpfulness" that soon  became a way of life for thousands of women.  And I was the lucky CDC that got to visit this place! 

Our Alpha Psi chapter at the University of Mississippi is in the place our founders attended school (the Lewis school was later absorbed by Ole Miss).  The chapter takes much pride in Delta Gamma history and ritual, and their house sure shows it!  They have a Founders Room filled with artifacts from the Lewis School, and letters written by our Founders!  I even got to see the famous historical marker for our Fraternity!

To make this visit even more special, I was able to go with the chapter president to Kosciusko, MS which is the small town where our founders were born and raised.  In 1994, Delta Gamma created a Founders Memorial at the church where Eva, Anna, and Mary grew up in and features one of the two original portraits of our founders.  And who was our tour guide you might ask?  Oh, just Mary Comfort Leonard's niece!!  At age 92, she happily gives tours to any Delta Gamma who stops by and she shares special stories about her memories of our lovely founders :)   After spending time in the Founders room, she and her Anchor Man (her husband) drove us to the site of two of our founders graves.  Putting cream roses on these sites will forever be one of the most meaningful memories I will ever have as a CDC!  Now I can check the DG Pilgrimage off of my Bucket List :)

The church our Founders attended

Mary's niece is in the middle!! 

Mary Comfort Leonard

Eva Webb Dodd

getting BACK on track!

Well as you can see, things have been a bit busy as I have neglected this blog for quite sometime!  Each time I tried to write, something else would come  up and sadly my chronicles of CDC life took a hit.  But don't fear, I am starting to get back on track!

Since my visit to Tennessee, I have had some pretty exciting visits and am ready to share!  Before I start, here is a bit of inspiration for my writing....a new favorite song I can't get out of my head!

happy 23rd birthday, me :)

Happy.  A feeling I did feel today.  A lot :) 

Birthdays are my favorite!  I enjoy celebrating these special days for all of the wonderful people in my life.  And this year, for my own birthday, I was definitely sad knowing I'd be spending it without my favorite people.  But the chapter here at UTenn did such a wonderful job still making me feel special! 

I started my day with brunch with former Purdue Fraternity/Sorority adviser, Lindi Smedberg, who actually wrote one of my recommendations for this CDC job!  She now works for UT and was a sweetheart and took me to a yummy brunch at a local Knoxville restaurant.  The day was gorgeous here, 60 degrees and sunny!  The campus is near a river so I was able to go for a long run, something I miss a lot in this job.  It felt so good to exercise!!  I spent the most of my afternoon catching up with dear friends & family, I really had one phone call after another which made me feel very special.  I got lots of cards, packages, and even cupcakes from friends & family...I felt so spoiled!  It meant so much to me that these wonderful people sent these wishes all the way to TN just for me!

Cupcakes sent from Michelle and Lauren!

The chapter made reservations at a local restaurant, The Copper Cellar, and I had a great turkey burger!  Definitely not the same as my homemade birthday dinner I can always request at home, but still pretty good :)  Then, we went to the chapter suite for an officer meeting.  Much to my surprise, the chapter had decorated the room and brought out a cake with candles as they sang me "Happy Birthday".  I got a little teary eyed as I blew out the candles.  Sounds cheesy, but this truly is such a beautiful example of Delta Gamma sisterhood.  These women barely knew me, yet still made me feel so special on this day.  I will forever remember this group of women for their amazing hospitality and thoughtfulness on my birthday!

As I reflect on this day, I realize I am not officially 23 and have lots of changes coming in this year!  Thoughts of my next life phase consume me daily.  Not knowing what I will be doing when my travels end in May gives me anxiety...but it is also refreshing knowing I get a new start to life soon!  God brought me to this job and I know He will lead me to the next.  I have a good feeling about this year!  I pray its filled with more adventures, unknowns, new friends, challenges, hope and happiness :)  Thank you to all those who make this life so great! 

My cake and giant card!



At my birthday party!  With the president, Emily :)

back to my kentucky roots

Delta Beta house

Being in Lexington at the University of Kentucky was filled with so many wonderful things!  I arrived at UK the night after the Regional Training Day, so I was on a DG high!  The officers at Delta Beta are enthusiastic, organized and just plain fun!  The week I visited the women were practicing hard for an all campus event called GreekSing.  The chapter chose Monopoly as their theme and they rallied all 160 of them to choreograph a full dance...it was AWESOME!  I saw two of their practices, including a dress rehearsal, and according to my YouTube creeping...they rocked it! 

One of the most special parts about this visit was being reunited with our dear family friends, the Darsts!  Meghan, Kristen and Michael all attend(ed) UK and I got to see all three of them during my visit!  Most of my time I spent with Meghan, who truly was one of my best friends in elementary school.  We picked up right where we left off and I tried to spend a good amount of my free time with her since this really was such a wonderful coincidence that I could even see her!  We have already planned a family reunion this summer because of our great time we had together :)

Another highlight was being able to attend a UK Wildcats basketball game too!  It was SO lucky that I got a ticket considering the team is ranked #1 in the NCAA!  The game was such a cool experience..they have fireworks as the players enter...uh seriously!?  Even some DGs cheer for the team, which was so great to see them too. 

Ready for the game!!

There is just so much southern charm in Lexington and I truly enjoyed my visit.  The women were such great hostesses and I just loved the UK campus.  They are preparing for their 50th Anniversary weekend and I believe they should be so proud of their history and have much to celebrate :) 

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Something I've been playing on repeat and needed to be shared!  Another reason why I adore Ben Rector.  Always puts me in the best of moods :) 

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region 2 training: a perfect example of lifetime membership!

As a CDC, it is quite the opportunity to be a part of a Regional Training Day.  I was able to serve as a vp: programming and vp: member education facilitator for the Region 2 Training in between my Delta Omicron (MSU) and Delta Beta (UK) visits.  The other wonderful facilitators were Region 2 members, past CDCs, past Council members, and current Cabinet members.  It is days like these where I smile and think about all of the leadership possibilities I will continue to have when I'm surrounded by these inspiring leaders of all ages!  I enjoyed this day and learned so much from the other facilitators and chapter members.  I was very thankful to have been a part of such positive idea sharing, leadership training, and solidified even more what membership in Delta Gamma truly means!  It was awesome :)

Past and present CDCs, oldest to youngest!

Melissa Hansen, the wonderful Region 2 Director.  Her younger sister is a
Beta Iota and was in my new member class at Purdue! 
It's one small world :)

kentucky country

Heading back to the state of Kentucky was something I was really looking forward to.  My first of two visits in the state was Morehead.  I was welcomed with thick Kentucky accents, trucks, and cowboy boots...I was definitely in Kentucky country! 

The town of Morehead was very small, but had little pockets of charm.  I feel in love with a cute little coffe shop and bookstore called Fuzzy Duck.  They had the best iced Chai I've ever tasted and their little book shop was full of greeting cards, my favorite!  I got a campus tour at the beginning of my visit and a part of my tour was a drive up to Eagle Lake, a large lake near campus.  It was beautiful and the chapter is hoping to do a canoeing day there for their upcoming sisterhood retreat!

Morehead State campus

I stayed in the chapter apartment, called Gilley, which was near all of the athletic fields/buildings.  I got to catch a Women's basketball game, where two Delta Gammas were cheerleaders for the game!  COB events were going on during my visit, including a Cupcake night and dinner at Buffalo Wild Wing's. 

Gilley Apartment

It was a quick and jam packed visit because I drove with the women to Lexington for a Region Training Day the Saturday of my visit.  More on this fun day next!! 

MSU CMT members at the Region 2 Training Day!