SERVICE|SCHOLARSHIP|SISTERHOOD|LEADERSHIP
SERVICE
One of the Founding principles of Alpha Omicron Pi is to be of service to others – to bring into the world around us a spirit of love, not for self-glory, but as an opportunity to give something back to our communities. Each AOII chapter and its members may choose to organize and participate in various fun-raising and hands-on service events. Our sisters have fun while sharing their friendship and love thought community service. Thought the years, the combined service efforts o of over 115,oo members has made a marked difference in the lives of thousands.
Alpha Omicron Pi’s International Philanthropy supports Arthritis., Juvenile Arthritis and related disease. Since 1967 when we adopted the Arthritis foundation and Canadian Arthritis Society as out international philanthropy, over one million dollars had been raised by AOII’s to help researchers find a cure for this crippling disease that, so often, targets women as its victims. Chapters also donate time to countless local community projects to benefit children, the elderly, the less fortunate, and others.
AOII ‘s also enjoys supporting and participating in a number of other philanthropies on campus including Dance Marathon, Relay for Life, and Big Event, as well as philanthropies hosted by other Greek Chapters!
HUNGRY HUNGRY HUSKERS
Our fall philanthropy is called Hungry Hungry Huskers. It is an all-you-can-eat tailgate party with foodlike Jimmy Johns sandwiches, pickles, chips, soda, and cookies. There is also live entertainment provided by local bands and DJ’s and a Husker signed Football raffle.
HOOP-IT
Our Spring Philanthropy is a 5-on-5 men’s basketball tournament called Hoop-It. Over 50 teams from all over campus and surrounding areas participate, and the top team gets prices! Including a Championship T-Shirts, Medals, and gift cards to a local restaurant for each member of the team.
SCHOLARSHIP
AOII encourages all members to excel academically and has many programs designed to assist women in achieving their academic goals. Expectations are high but the support provided by scholarship programs, academic development officer resources, and fellow members makes success attainable. The emphasis on these pursuits was instilled by the four founding members of AOII in 1897 at Barnard College of Columbia University in New York, and this commitment remains a strong part of AOII today.
AOIIs are continuously striving to exceed expectations. These efforts do not go unnoticed. Our all-house GPA is consistently higher than the all-university average and stands out among AOIIs nationwide. Many of our sisters are members of honor societies.
Our academic resources include:
- Test Files - You have the opportunity to look over old tests and papers from other AOIIs who have taken the same classes as you.
- Professor Evaluations - AOII has a binder of reviews of past teachers and classes that is helpful when it comes time to register for classes.
- Major Match - AOII matches everyone with the same major for class advice or tutoring
- Modules - Several times during the semester, we have presentations that will be helpful in academics. These include subjects such as how to use UNL’s Career Services, tips for interviews, or how to develop good study habits.
Our motivational support system includes:
- Scholar Dollars - Girls receive scholar dollars for attending AOII study hours, getting an A or B on a test or paper, attending a review session, etc. After awarding Scholar Dollars through the semester, AOII holds an auction where members can purchase prizes with the Scholar Dollars they have earned, such as an Ipod or purse.
- Scholarship Banquet - Girls who earn a semester GPA that is equal to our all-house goal or above are invited to the Scholarship Banquet at a local restaurant.
- Traveling A Cup - Each week the name of member who got an A on a test or paper during the week is drawn from a hat and is rewarded with the traveling A cup bra.
- Certificates - Each semester, girls who each a semester GPA equal to our all-house goal or above are given a certificate of recognition.
SISTERHOOD
AOII sisterhood is a feeling of belonging to a group of women who accept you for who you are and encourage you to develop into who you want to become. In AOII, you can find a place where you feel at home. It’s the power of friendship that makes our sisterhood unique.
Fun and Friendship
Alpha Omicron Pi’s Founders, four young college juniors, were committed to preserving friendship for a lifetime. In the words of one of our Founders, Stella Perry, “We cared so profoundly for one another that we unconsciously desired a society based upon original feeling, something peculiar to that deep friendship, something more earnest than a mere social decoration. We felt that as love never faileth, a future on that foundation was assured.” So it is through friendship that we have excelled.
For our collegians, AOII provides an opportunity to have fun and enjoy all that the college experience has to offer. Sharing good times are at the heart of each AOII chapter’s activities. From sharing laughter with a sister, to planning rush parties, to dancing at a Red Rose Ball, membership in AOII is fun. Years later, when we think back on our collegiate experience, the moments that we remember most are the great times with the best of friends, our AOII sisters.
Individuality
In AOII, we pride ourselves on sisterhood. Through our diversity of personalities and interests, we are able to strengthen our bonds of friendship while remaining true to our own identities. Alpha Omicron Pi encourages each member to recognize what is unique in each of us, to develop our individual talents and to be proud of our differences. As represented by one of our symbols, the sheaf of wheat, we are made stronger by coming together as one. We can accomplish more as one, but we proudly acknowledge that our real strength lies in the originality of each member.
Here is just a sample of the many ways we support, encourage, and enjoy each other:
- Panda Pals - Each new member receives a panda pal on Bid Day. Panda pals are AOII upperclassmen who seek to make the new member's transition into AOII and college an easy one! Along with having fun, they'll answer questions, guide new members around campus, and even pick them up for meeting!
- Big Sis, Lil Sis - What could be more fun than getting showered with gifts and candy for an entire week?! That's the kind of treatment our new members enjoy from their Big Sisters! Big Sis/Lil’ Sis Week culminates with a maze of colorful yarn at the AOII house and the new members follow their strings to reveal their Big Sis at the end!
- Class Retreats - What a great way to get to know our sisters even better! Class retreats are a time to get away, let loose and have a night of fun, food, and laughter! Each class can plan their own activities, but many are filled with games, facials, and story telling!
- Sisterhoods - Once a month, Monday night meetings are canceled to devote the entire evening to having fun with our sisters! We have amazing times going ice skating, pottery making, and laser tag, and we love every minute! It's a great time to de-stress and renew our sisterly bonds!
Whether a member chooses to serve on a committee, run for a chapter office, or represent AOII as a member of other campus or community organizations, there are unlimited opportunities to be involved in AOII. At the chapter level, there are workshops that foster the understanding of different leadership styles and how to promote group consensus and collaboration. Developing and refining leadership skills are an ongoing process that is nurtured through AOII’s Leadership Academies and Leadership Institute. Leadership Academies are held every fall and spring and provide skills training for those who hold a specific office and the advisor. In addition, Leadership Institute is held in the summer of even years and is an opportunity for any member to participate in leadership activities and training.
Alpha Omicron Pi encourages campus involvement. Through involvement in campus activities, our members reach out to the entire student body. When members are actively involved in campus organizations and activities of their choosing, AOII chapters are enriched by helping each sister to be open to new ideas, topics and experiences. We learn from each other’s special interests and we grow from these experiences.
Our sisters are always busy on campus. We encourage members to become actively involved in campus organizations and activities of their choosing. AOIIs can be found as leaders on campus, actively involved in organizations such as ASUN (Student Government), Student Advisory Boards, NHRI, Dance Marathon, and many more!
