Philanthropy Spotlight: Rock the CASA

Are you ready to rock?! For the past two years my chapter has held Rock the CASA as our fall philanthropy event to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). CASA volunteers speak on behalf of children going through the court system. This battle of the bands competition that brings in the school and surrounding community to raise money for a great cause

My chapter has tried everything from a 5k to a capture the flag tournament, but we just couldn’t find a philanthropy that fit our chapter and our school. In 2013 we decided to try something new. Unlike most of the daytime sports-related philanthropy events at our school, our Chief Marketing Officer Katie decided to mix things up. She organized a battle of the bands competition for a Friday evening. It included campus bands and bands from the local Tacoma community. The gamble paid off and the inaugural Rock the CASA was a huge hit.

Rock the CASA 2013

Philanthropy events are all about raising awareness and raising money. This year, we increased awareness of CASA by inviting a CASA volunteer, and stepmother to one of our sisters, to come speak to the campus community about being a voice for children. To raise money, we charge admission, sell shirts or stickers, and have a fan favorite award. To vote for your favorite band, spectators just place money in the jar labeled with the band’s name. It’s a fun way to raise money and get people involved.

Fan Favorite Voting Table

Unlike other philanthropic causes like the American Heart Association or the Girl Scouts of America, most people don’t know much about Court Appointed Special Advocates. Having events like Rock the CASA helps people recognize our cause more. This year even marks Theta’s 25^th anniversary with CASA. If you want to know more, click here.

Rock the CASA 2014

If your chapter is looking for a new philanthropy idea, why not try a battle of the bands?

5 Things to Look Forward to Over Thanksgiving Break

I don't know about you but this week before Thanksgiving feels like the longest week of the semester. Some would argue that the week before the end of the semester is worse but honestly, we have finals so I don't think it even compares to this week where you don't feel productive at all.

One thing that almost always helps me get through long days or long weeks are things to look forward to! Here are the top 5 things (though there are countless more) that I am looking forward to next week.

1. Seeing my family. I haven't been home since the beginning of August and let me tell you that it is so incredibly rough. I have plans to shop with my sister, catch up on favorite TV shows with my dad and my mom and I are hair salon bound the day I get home.

2. Catching up with old friends. My two closest friends go to a different school and while we try to see each other during the semester, somehow our schedules never seem to align. I use my week home for Thanksgiving to spend time with people I love. 

3. Going shopping on Black Friday. For those of you that don't know, the shopping in Statesboro is essentially obsolete. I can't wait to take advantage of my mall back home to find a dress or two for winter date nights and a few comfy power outfits for finals.

4. Eating all the incredible food. It's Thanksgiving. Enough said. 

5. Saying no to school work. Now unfortunately, I will have to do a little bit of studying for finals but I am looking forward to vegging out instead of blistering my fingers in the library. Hello Netflix, here I come. 

Semi Formal Fashion

As we approach semi formal and winter formal season, we begin the ever constant struggle of finding the perfect dress. First of all, no matter how much you love the concept of a new dress for every event, shop your closet and closets of sisters before you go drop $100 on a new dress that you will wear for a few hours at the most.

This velvet green dress will not only keep you warm as you dance the night away but also won't break the bank at $15.90 from Forever 21. Style it with black booties and silver or gold accessories. 

This blue lace dress is fun, flirty and perfect to style up or down depending on how formal your semi is! For $29.95 from H&M, you get a lot of bang for your buck! Style it with some awesome pumps and big earrings.

This cute black dress is perfect for a less formal evening. Style it with some black tights to keep warm during a colder season, For $29.98 from Body Central, you can also save some money instead of dropping all your savings. Plus this is perfect to wear again! 

This classy little number is perfect for when you don't know what to expect at a Semi Formal event. If you know alumni will be there, this screams I can have fun but also can be a grown up. Reuse this dress for Christmas Eve with your grandparents! It's a little bit of a splurge for $58 from Francescas. 

Send us your semi formal pictures to show us what you end up wearing and we will feature you on Instagram! 

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween from Sisterhood Redefined! We have some very exciting news for you today - starting tomorrow, we will be opening up applications for new staff writers! Applications will be open from November 1 until November 30. Results will be announced on December 15. Keep a look out on our Facebook tomorrow for the application! We would love for you all to apply to join our team. If you have any questions concerning what a staff writer does, please email our head of recruitment at bethj.sr@gmail.com or sisterhoodredefined@gmail.com.

We hope you stay safe this Halloween - here are some tips from our staff on the most important things to remember tonight.

1. Drink water. No matter what else you are drinking, stay hydrated!
2. Don't wear all black. All black makes you hard to see at night so avoid it especially if you are going to be walking around in dark areas without much light.
3. Travel in groups. The ever classic rule of thumb is to pick a buddy and to not lose her no matter what is going on.
4. Have fun! It is one of the best holidays of the year! You get to dress up and eat all the candy you want without being judged so enjoy it!

Philanthropy Spotlight: Delta Phi Epsilon's ANAD Week

One of my favorite events that my sorority hosts each year is a week to bring awareness to ANAD - the National Association of  Anorexia Nervosa and Associated Disorders. Every Fall, the sisters of the Gamma Omicron chapter of DPhiE plans a week that essentially promotes positive body image and self-worth.

The week's activities include No Make Monday, Trashing Your Insecurities, Zumba, a fashion  show and a candle light vigil. In one event, Scale Smashing, students from the Georgia Southern campus were invited to write inspirational quotes and phrases on scales and then take sledge hammers to destroy the scale. 

I hope that you all remember that regardless of your body shape, hair color, weight or age that you are all beautiful! I invite you all to take a look into ANAD and even print out your own copy of the ANAD pledge to put next to your mirror! 

Let me know what your favorite philanthropy events are in the comments!