On this episode, Kelly chats with the 2021-22 Leadership Consultants: Abby Dominick, ZN, Alexandria Horton, IH, Shelby Kriegh, Theta Upsilon, Taylor Landry, Theta Mu, and Elizabeth Martin, Zeta Upsilon. During the episode, the LCs reference a “lollipop moment” and a TedTalk they watched during their training. You can watch the clip here: https://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership/transcript?language=en
On this episode, Kelly chats with the 2021-22 Leadership Consultants: Abby Dominick, ZN, Alexandria Horton, IH, Shelby Kriegh, Theta Upsilon, Taylor Landry, Theta Mu, and Elizabeth Martin, Zeta Upsilon. During the episode, the LCs reference a “lollipop moment” and a TedTalk they watched during their training. You can watch the clip here: https://www.ted.com/talks/drew_dudley_everyday_leadership/transcript?language=en
Disclaimer: This transcript was developed with an automated transcription program, spelling and grammar errors may occur.
Kelly
Welcome to the Alpha Connect sisterhood series podcast. I'm your host Kelly McGinnis Beck, national president. This podcast is all about sharing the stories of our members and our connection through Alpha Sigma Alpha. Thank you for joining us today. All right, well, we are going to get started on a special podcast edition of our national headquarters series because I am sitting today chatting with our new leadership consultants. So welcome everybody. So this is gonna be fun to do with everybody gets to hear the five of you speak and a little bit of you know, how well can you listen to tell whether or not you know which voice is talking. But we'll start First I'm going to ask each of you to introduce yourself, your name, your chapter, your school. And then as I do with every visitor that comes onto the podcast, tell us your ASA story. How did you become a member? And so Abby, why don't we start with you?
Abby
All right. Hello, everyone. My name is Abby, I'm a second-year consultant. I am from the Zeta Nu Chapter and that is at Moravian College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Now Moravian University, so that's exciting. I grew up in Scranton, Pennsylvania, and really my joining ASA story, I always knew that I wanted to join a sorority. Once I got to college, it was kind of just figuring out which organization I fit best with. And going through recruitment. We had four total organizations on campus. And really, Alpha Sigma Alpha just felt like home to me. They were the most intentional about remembering conversations that we had on previous days, and you know, remembering things about me, and I really enjoyed their philanthropies as well, well our philanthropies, as well. So it really just made the most sense. Yeah, that's my joining story.
Kelly
Awesome. Did you come first semester, second semester, formal recruitment, informal recruitment.
Abby
Yeah, we had a formal recruitment in the spring. Moravian College does deferred recruitment.
Kelly
Got it. Okay. So you came as a second-semester freshman then?
Abby
Yeah, so I joined in spring 2017.
Kelly
Awesome. Okay, who wants to go next?
Shelby
I will go next. This is Shelby. So I joined Alpha Sigma Alpha as a first year freshman at Beta Upsilon at Boise State University. I, unlike Abby, had no interest in joining a sorority. I did not like Greek life going into college. But my three roommates were all doing it. And I had major FOMO. So I went through formal recruitment. And then of the four of us, I was the only one who got or accepted a bid. Yeah. So I was like, Well, here we go. Now, I really liked Alpha Sigma Alpha though, there was only one person in all of Boise that I knew going into college, and she was a year ahead of me in high school. And we had maybe one class together. And I always thought she was so cool. And she was always so nice to me. And she was an Alpha Sigma Alpha. And so she was my little buddy during the preference ceremonies, that was pretty cool to get to join a chapter with her. But that was really the only connection I had to Alpha Sigma Alpha before.
Kelly
Awesome. So what's her name so we can give her a shout-out.
Shelby
Her name is Mallory Payne.
Kelly
Thank you Mallory for welcoming in Shelby. So you So what was it in recruitment? I have to stay on this for a second. What was it about their recruitment experience? Because formal recruitment is overwhelming, regardless of how large or small your campus is, there's so much structure to it that I think it's overwhelming in general. But so what was it about going through that process that turns you from, I don't want to join a sorority to I'm excited to become a member of Alpha Sigma Alpha.
Shelby
You know, this is this might come off as kind of shallow, but during fully structured recruitment, Boise State has a pretty big campus has a pretty big Fraternity Sorority Life and going through recruitment, it was three days. And the traditional, you know, dress a little nicer with each day was kind of the tradition. And so that's what the sororities did as well when they were dressing up but Alpha Sigma Alpha on day two, instead of wearing dresses or skirts or heels, whatever they were actually in shorts and a T shirt because that was our first home game for football and all of the women going through recruitment had to miss it. And they had a Boise State blue and orange theme to their room. They were wearing black shorts and Boise State tshirts. And I was like, okay, so it's not all about the looks are all about the frills stuff like they just genuinely love this campus and they seem to genuinely like each other. So that was kind of the switching moment for me.
Kelly
I love that. I love the fact that you know, it is so much more than the frills that happened during recruitment. So you got to see more of the authentic side of the members of the chapter.
Shelby
Yeah, exactly.
Kelly
Awesome. Thank you. So who is next?
Elizabeth
Hi, Kelly. I'm Elizabeth. I am from the Zeta Upsilon chapter from University of Lynchburg, in Lynchburg, Virginia. And usually when people ask me how I got into Greek life and into Alpha Sigma Alpha, I always say I got dumped and I needed friends, which is true. In reality, I always want to join a sorority, and I kind of just would tell people that when they asked me why I went out for recruitment, but my grandmother was an Alpha Gam, my grandfather was in a fraternity. And so it was just something that I grew up around in my extended family. And so I always kind of wanted to do that. So I went out for formal recruitment the spring of my freshman year, and I had kind of a weird experience in that I was in a play at the time, and my directors did not want to work with my recruitment schedule. So greek life had to work with my theater schedule, and I ended up only going to about 10 minutes total of formal recruitment. So I kind of had no idea who I was vibing with, who I wanted to, like be a part of. And on a whim at the last night, I wrote Alpha Sigma Alpha first on my preference list, and I'm so glad I did, because I ran home to the most wonderful women and I wouldn't change it for the world.
Kelly
That is awesome. So Zeta Upsilon has a very special place in my heart because I was the leadership consultant that is installed that chapter.
Elizabeth
Oh my gosh, I did not know that!
Kelly
So yeah, I spent a lot of time in Lynchburg, Virginia, which is beautiful. Of course, it was Lynchburg college back then. There's a lot of the alums that I think really struggled when it changed University. And I imagine Abby, the same thing with your alumns from Moravian. College to Moravian. University as well.
Abby
Oh, absolutely.
Kelly
So yeah, so I know that little town and that chapter really, really well. So, welcome.
Elizabeth
I love that.
Kelly
All right, so who wants to go next?
Alex
Hello. All right. So my name is Alex, I am a founding member of the Iota Eta Chapter at the University of Arizona. So unlike the lovely women who just spoke before me, I did not go through formal recruitment. I have to say the University of Arizona's formal recruitment is kind of scary, there's usually around like 1600 pnms, that go through recruitment and the 100 degree heat walking around campus. And that just did not sound fun. So I actually did a freshman orientation camp called bear down camp, and I had the time of my life. And from there, I was dedicated towards this camp. And it was the exact same time as recruitment. So I would never be able to go through formal recruitment for the rest of my college years, because I was just so happy about the camp. And then a semester later, some of the women from the camp who were like my mentors, they're like, I joined the sorority, we're brand new on campus, I think you should totally go to some events. And I was like, no. And then later on, my, one of my friends actually got a bid from Alpha Sigma Alpha. And I was like, oh, my goodness, this looks like a lot of fun. And so I went to an event, and I actually got my bid on my birthday. Very special to me, and yeah, that's how I got involved with Alpha Sigma Alpha, and we got installed and initiated and there has been a whole journey that I have loved so much.
Kelly
So I want to stay for a second on that because you have had a very different experience than most of our our members. What, What was it like to be a founding member of the chapter what was new and what was hard, because I remember what that experience was like at Lynchburg. So I'm curious to hear from your perspective, you know, how that you know, how it impacted you.
Alex
With an organization that has so much tradition and history. It was really interesting to found a chapter who had none of that really so far, because again, we're installing a brand new chapter and so we got to be a part of that, like the new history, the new traditions, we really got to be like the pioneers for that. That was also hard at times, we didn't have like as much support with like, maybe alumna in the area. And again, the campus was happy that we were coming. And we were also and still are, like the only unhoused Panhellenic chapter on campus. But we were so different in that way, that sometimes it was hard to merge well with the Panhellenic and ther chapters and so I think we've really overcome that within the last few years, it still will be like a fight that like internally that we have to keep going with and like understand that our worth on campus. And so just like creating that chapter name for ourselves and our brand has been, has been a roller coaster, but I think Iota Eta is doing very well now. And I'm very proud of them.
Kelly
That's great. And yes, and we went to your campus, that was an intentional decision, both by the campus and by our organization to be an unhoused option.
Kelly
Yes. It was a great decision. Different is good change is good.
Kelly
Absolutely. Okay, so Taylor, that leaves you.
Taylor
I know, right. Last but not least. Hi, guys, I'm Taylor. I was in the Theta Mu Chapter at Valdosta State University. I was the vice president of PR and recruitment while I was there, which was a big shocker to me, because I did not want to join sororities, originally. I didn't really even want to go to Valdosta State. So it was just a whole bunch of not doing what I wanted to do, and ended up working for the good. My experience was through informal recruitment, I joined as a freshman in the middle of the semester. And what really got me was I went to a hangout because they had free food. And I like free food. So I went for it. And I enjoy it. And while I was there, I was like, hey, you guys are kind of cool. I kind of want some more friends. So I'm gonna join. And from that point on, I had the best experience I could have ever had. So really, nice.
Kelly
Did that make you love Valdosta?
Taylor
Yes, 100%, I don't think it would have been the same if I never joined Alpha Sigma Alpha.
Kelly
I can relate, I wanted to join a sorority, and I went to Millersville University, but I also thought I was gonna transfer. I thought I wanted a bigger school, I missed some of my friends from high school, even though I have friends at Millersville. And I was like, I'm going to join a sorority, and I'll try the national one. And maybe I'll try, it'll, I can transfer and then I joined. Obviously, Malcolm was like, I'm never leaving this campus.
Taylor
You find home with your people in your chapter for sure.
Kelly
Yeah, it is amazing. I don't know that everybody has an appreciation for the impact of your sorority experience as it relates to your campus experience. I know, at least for me, and it sounds like maybe for some of you guys, too, like that really solidified my place on campus and me loving the experience and the culture and the community at the campus more so than I did before I joined.
Taylor
100%.
Kelly
Awesome. So next question for you guys. What was it that made you want to apply to be a leadership consultant? And certainly, you guys are gonna have a year slightly different, different than what Abby has had, as you know, in her second year, because Abby last year, I think you, you probably didn't travel much at all during the pandemic and did more virtual visits than in person. And we can talk about that in a minute. But certainly, normally, you're living out of a suitcase and traveling all across the country. And this year will be a little bit of a hybrid since we're still you know, managing through the pandemic and whatnot. But what was it that made you say, this is something I want to do? You know, right out of college.
Taylor
I'll start us off. It's Taylor again. So what really got me was my chapter has always had a very tight relationship with national headquarters. So we've always had a leadership consultant. And those leadership consultants were like the best women ever. They always gave us amazing support and amazing influence. And I want to be that same person for another chapter. So shout out to Maddie, Claudia, all of y'all who helped with Theta Mu. Amazing 10/10 women.
Kelly
Awesome. Love that.
Alex
I will go next is similar to tailor leadership consultants have been a part of my experience from day one, I received my bid from a leadership consultant. I got, I really was put in my presidency because of a leadership consultant. And I really just like thrived in Alpha Sigma Alpha because of leadership consultants. So because of that, they really instilled this confidence in me, and especially with my leadership skills that I didn't even know I had, so they really just unlocked this new skill that I have, and I really want to instill that into other women all around the country.
Kelly
Awesome.
Elizabeth
So the University of Lynchburg actually hasn't had a consultant in about four or five years, so I have never met one until I met my coworkers. So That was fun. But I honestly applied, I got that email in my inbox that was like Alpha Sigma Alpha is hiring the 21-22 leadership consultant team. And I was about to graduate with a degree in English and theatre, which are not people that like streamline you into a career right away. And so I figured. Heck, this, this could be it for me. And I was Panhellenic president on my campus for a year and I loved that. So I figured maybe the fraternity sorority Life was gonna be a good path to take.
Kelly
Awesome.
Shelby
Yeah, similar to Elizabeth, I had not ever met a leadership consultant. I didn't really know what they were about what they did. But after some more research into the position, what they do, the skills you can work on in this position really easily, quite frankly, just I realized it was a really good career move for me as someone who might potentially be looking into grad schools and wanting to go into higher education. This was just a really good step in that direction for me.
Kelly
Yeah, I think we've had a number of consultants that have moved into the higher ed space after they finished their tour on the road. So Abby, what about you, you applied, you did it for a year, and you are back again for year two?
Abby
Yes. Back at it again. For year one, honestly, I, for Zeta Nu we had Sarah Johnson as an education consultant, my first semester, as a member. And I was like, "Who the heck is this lady?" I was not an officer so I didn't have to meet with her. But I remember grabbing lunch with her and I was like, okay, like, there is more to the Alpha Sigma Alpha experience than just our chapter here at Moravian College. And then a few, the following year, we had Alex Deaton come as our leadership consultant. And I was just kind of curious a little bit about the experience. And I really enjoyed getting to know Alex and what her experience was like, as a consultant. And honestly going to the events, whether it's the academy or LDI, I really enjoyed meeting new people from different chapters and learning about their experiences, you know, the similarities and differences. And I was like, you know, this would be perfect to, you know, get a little bit outside of this Zeta Nu mindset and meet more people and learn more about the organization. And on top of it at that point, I was like, and I love to travel. So I think, the opportunity. Yeah, we traveled here to Indianapolis, Indiana for training at headquarters. And you know, shortly before we were set to head on road, you know, the pandemic was just getting worse. So we moved to a virtual setting. So that was definitely not what I expected. But honestly, I had the opportunity to meet even more chapters, because we were two a week. So I think that that was really cool. And I'm just really excited to work for this, with this hybrid option this year, get a little bit of travel in, but still have the opportunity to meet a bit more chapters. I think for a year two for me, really, I was unsure if I wanted to do a second year. I talked a lot with the second year consultants from last year, Maddie and Dinah, and was like, I don't know, I really want to but I'm not sure if I should say. And the best advice they gave was, if you feel unfinished in this job, take a second year. And I promise it'll all work out. So that's kind of what happened. So I was like, I'll take a second year, meet even more people, the chapters see what kind of creativity we got going on, especially in this virtual and hybrid setting. And here we are.
Kelly
Oh, awesome. So talk a little bit about what last year was like in really kind of doing virtual visits. I know some chapters will get virtual visits this year, as well, especially as we start to watch this delta variant kind of continue to ramp up and have to be thoughtful about travel. But what was what was that experience like? Especially if you you know, had the experience of Alex coming to your chapter so you knew what an in person visit was looked like. But now you've got this kind of online visit and I think about you know a number of our collegiate women who may again have not seen a consultant before or their consultant experience last year was virtual so there's there's a whole kind of gap if you will, of what a traditional experience looks like that people have have had and seen versus where we are today. I'm just kind of curious from your, your lens is doing them how that works in what you saw is no benefits. I think one of them you've already shared in terms of getting to visit more chapters because you don't have all of that travel, which is awesome. And we certainly saw that as a as a benefit of having you guys be remote but what were some of the fun things and some of the challenging things in that kind of structure.
Abby
And yeah, absolutely. So going into it I was incredibly nervous especially hearing stories from Maddie and Dina, you know, their in person experience and all the, you know, fun things that you get to do after you know, your officer meeting and checking all those boxes and just hanging out the women. I was nervous that it was gonna be more of an interview, like, okay, we're going to have our zoom meeting, that's going to be it like, the women aren't gonna really know me, I'm not gonna really know them on a personal level. But honestly, it was quite the opposite on just because with the virtual format, we were able to meet with chapters multiple times, so is, and so just having 1 visit in the semester and then leaving, we were able to, like be beginning, the end of the semester, multiple times. So I did get to build great relationships with a lot of the women and the chapters that I worked with, I felt like I wasn't gonna get the whole chapter manage, but just, you know, taking the time to with members, putting that on the table. I know this year, Tess had brought up doing roundtables and just providing that opportunity of having members coming to talk to the consultant to get to know you a little bit better ask questions about the national organization. Honestly, it really wasn't as bad as I thought. And I my favorite thing from this past year is really saying that you have to meet in person, to build amazing relationships. I built great relationships with so many of the women in different chapters, and I've never met them. So some of the chapters, I get to work with them again this year, I'm really excited to finally meet them. But just seeing the chapter creativity and how they were intentionally, you know, reaching out to the members reaching out to each other. I think that was my favorite thing about the virtual format.
Kelly
That's great to hear. And he certainly made the most of it now. Did you, were you home at, you know, home home? Or did you, I know a couple of consultants stayed in Indy and got an apartment together and did their visits that way. Where did you sit in that spectrum?
Abby
Yeah, so I was one of the consultants thatdid stay in Indiana. It was me, Maddie and Mikelah. After we had signed our new contract that had talked a little bit about what virtual support was going to look like, we were sitting there, and we're like, you know, let's create our own experience. We were like, how can we do that? Maddie is from Illinois, I'm from Pennsylvania and Mikelah's from Colorado. And we're like, let's just stay in Indiana, like maybe we can rotate into the office with everyone. You know, we can lean on each other for support and just kind of have that, like have each other to get through this virtual year. Because honestly, none of us knew what to expect. So we stayed in Airbnb, three different airbnbs are on Indiana, and it was honestly a lot of fun. I have no idea what I would have done without them honestly, especially as a first year consultant, but it was just incredible to get to know the city of Indianapolis a little bit better. And then to create those close friendships with Maddie and Mikelah as well.
Kelly
That's awesome. And certainly as someone who took the job because you wanted to travel, it did give you a little bit of travel. Yeah, different than Pennsylvania.
Abby
Yes, absolutely.
Kelly
That was awesome. I remember when crystal shared that. And I thought how fun for those of you that chose to go down that path to get, you know, when you get the experience of being together. Cuz it was certainly a, you know, an isolating experience for part of the year having to be in quarantine and not getting to be social in general. And then also, you know, to be able to be in a different city and get to experience that. So fun. I love it.
Abby
Yeah, we're like, we're gonna create our own experience, like virtual consultants, everything's new this year. Let's just pry it out.
Kelly
Fantastic. So we heard a little bit from Abby. And in her experience, we know a little bit about what she's most excited about. But for the rest of you, what are you most excited about for this year of travel?
Elizabeth
I'll say my piece on this, This is Elizabeth. I am really excited, as simple as it sounds, just to talk to these collegiate women. During training, we've like the ins and outs of Alpha Sigma Alpha. But I think I kind of forgotten that we are just going to be in the thick of it kind of, you know, like on the ground with these women. And it didn't really feel real until last night, we started getting into contact with some of the chapters we're going to be supporting. And suddenly I got very excited, not for the first time, but for the first time it feels very real, because we are going to be like, we have the chance to make a difference. And we have a chance to remind these women like why they are part of Alpha Sigma Alpha and remind them why we love this sisterhood. And I'm so excited, like Abby said to make those connections, build those relationships. So I'm just so excited to meet all these women.
Kelly
Awesome. What else you guys excited about?
Alex
This is Alex. So again, coming from Iota Eta and not having a lot of history and traditions and being at the University of it. Arizona, which has a ton of history and traditions. That's what I'm most excited for us to get to learn kind of the history and tradition of each part of the chapter. And just like what the women do there. I know Elizabeth and I were looking at Instagram last night, one of the chapters does a crawfish boil. And I think that is so cool, because it's definitely not something I would ever experience in Tucson, Arizona. So just getting to learn about them. And kind of just like their campus culture is what I'm really most excited for.
Kelly
What this is that it's got to be a campus on a coast.
Elizabeth
It's the University of Arkansas, Monticello.
Kelly
Yep. So I don't know how close they are. Definitely as you're like crawfish, I'm like, they've got to be close to water, something like that. So that sounds interesting.
Taylor
It's Taylor. I would have to say, I'm really excited to play on the strengths of each woman that I come in contact with. I feel like after the pandemic, a lot of us kind of found ourselves. And in other ways we kind of struggled. So just kind of giving that support and reinforcement that all of us are worth something, especially in our organization, I am looking forward to just amplify their confidence.
Kelly
I love that. And especially for those who just came off of our Virtual Leadership Academy. We certainly talked about some of that there. Awesome.
Shelby
Yeah. And then I'll finish us off on this question, coming from a bigger chapter of 200 plus people, when I graduated., I am very, very excited to work with those smaller chapters and get more of that intimate sisterhood experience. And then kind of help connect those smaller chapters with, you know, other chapters and their alumnae. And give them that kind of that networking opportunity, connecting them to more people but also getting a better understanding of those smaller, more intimate chapters.
Kelly
Yeah, it is a very different experience. So I come from a small chapter. And when I was on campus, total is 45. I remember and we were at total, but I remember going becoming a consultant and going to chapters that had 100 plus women and I was like, Whoa, this is a very different experience than what I had. And I thought it was it was really cool to see the differences between a larger chapter and a smaller chapter, but also to see what is the same.
Abby
Yeah, it's so funny that you know, your total was like 45. Meanwhile, the group of women that I joined with was over 50 in the spring of 2017 at Boise State. So it's just, it's so cool. I remember Taylor had actually messaged me before we met, before we met in person one time, and she, Valdosta has a smaller of a chapter and she just texted me and was like, okay, so you need to explain this to me, I don't understand how you have over 200 people in your chapter. How are you best friends with all of them? I'm like, Okay, well, I'm not. Yeah. It's very different experience for sure. So I'm excited to add some more of that experience, get some more of that kind of experience under my belt.
Kelly
Yes. Well, I am curious to hear from you guys, after your year. And Shelby, especially you have of , okay, well, what did you see from that experience in terms of similarities and differences and whatnot, because I think we come, we each come from our own chapter experience. And, you know, that's the lens we have for Alpha Sigma Alpha, knowing that there's different chapters and different sizes. And so once you kind of get into working with other ones, and you start to see things, I think one thing I remember was, this chapters have some of the same issues, regardless of size. It's just a scale matter, depending on whether you're large or small.
Shelby
Yeah. So it's funny to see the differences between our chapters and what they struggle with, especially just like considering the spaces that they're in as well. Like Alex with Iota Eta, for example, obviously, they have a whole different kind of recruiting struggle not having their own chapter house versus, you know, maybe Taylor's at Valdosta with just continuous open bidding struggles with recruitment like some of them are similar, but there is stem for different reasons, kind of based off of where they are.
Kelly
Abby, what did, what would you share from your experience having you know, traveled? I'll use that word traveled last year to this year, you certainly had interactions with chapters at different sizes. What What was it that struck you the most of, you know, interacting with the larger chapter verse is a smaller chapter.
Abby
Yeah, absolutely. I think what you had said before, about kind of all coming down to the same thing, it's just with the chapters, you know, we all have all of the same policies and procedures, the commitments, the mission, vision and values, all that good stuff. But at the end of the day, it's just kind of how you communicate, how you communicate it to each individual member and the chapter. Really personalizing, you know, okay, this is the bones of what we have to follow, but like, let's make it your chapter experience and really, like, play on each of their strengths, what they enjoy what they're good at. So I think, really, it's just all about that customization. But at the end of the day, like really, like, they all are, like, hey, like, you know, we're struggling with not everyone's best friends, or people aren't showing up, or x, y, and z. And you know, just tailoring the different action plans for them is just incredibly important. I think at the end of the day, though, like, that's my favorite part, because we can still connect with them. Like, like I said, like we are all part of the same organization. So it's not super difficult. Just being super intentional, I guess.
Kelly
Absolutely. So what do you guys, are you guys nervous about anything? Is there anything that you know, as you prepare to start your visits that you're still kind of working through or nervous about or apprehensive about, which is totally normal, by the way,
Alex
I definitely would say that I'm most nervous about this being uncomfortable. And I think that's mainly with traveling, like these chapters are going to be housing us, which is like, super cool. But like, also, we're in a brand new place with brand new people, and their housing a stranger, they don't know us yet. And so we're definitely going to make those relationships and try to like, make them as strong as we can beforehand. But there's still that discomfort of like, not being in your bed not doing it's like okay, we have to go interact with real people again, in person. Like, you know, make sure that we don't have like our zoom face on or a mask face on like, it's we have to go back to being Yeah, just like in person. So I'm like nervous about it. But like, ultimately, super excited.
Kelly
Coffee, sweat pants, won't necessarily work because you're not on zoom anymore.
Alex
No, no it will now.
Abby
I agree. I think that is what I'm most nervous for. Which is funny, because that was one of the things that I was most excited about going into my first year, just because it's not what I was used to in this past year. And I'm like, Alright, now I have to get back in that mindset of I'm going to be meeting these women and hanging out with them seeing their chapter experience on a different level. So I'm a little nervous, but definitely overall excited about it.
Taylor
I think our nerves and excitement are pretty cohesive.
Kelly
That's, that's fair, right? Because it's the excitement of something new and then the nervousness of something new. It's the anticipation of the unknown.
Alex
Yes, definitely.
Kelly
Well, I have every confidence, it will be a fun and rewarding experience for all of you. And I'm sure Abby can attest to that, given that she's traveled. And on her set, she's on her second year of traveling. So clearly her first year was a positive one.
Abby
Yes, certainly. I'm excited for them.
Kelly
Me too, and you too. To get to do a second year.
Abby
I was just going to add, I think another great piece of this job is the personal development that you will get not just in that professional setting, like okay, we're gonna gain public speaking skills and curriculum development and all that, but also the personal development. I am such a different person from when I first started. And I've had so many conversations that I've never imagined myself having, and also not just having been handling them the way that I have. And I think that that's just an incredible piece of the job as well. So I'm excited to see their personal development, and also what's in store for me for year two. And I'll end on that note.
Kelly
That is a perfect transition into my next question, which is what do you hope to gain from this experience? Now individually, what to each of you hope, you know is one of the things that you take away after your year of traveling? And Abby for you, I realize it might be a little different. So maybe we'll start with you.
Abby
Sure. So I for me, I hope to gain a little more confidence in myself and my next steps. I love working with the volunteers especially so shout out to all of them, because they do incredible work with our organization and our members. So I'm excited to talk more with the volunteers to see how they can support our chapters, but also learn about their stories as well. You know where they are in life because they're doing other, you know, jobs and just kind of see how their membership has impacted that career path. And just all that. So I'm excited to network a little bit.
Kelly
Definitely,
Elizabeth
I personally am terrified of airplanes. So I am really excited to get over that. That's something that I'm excited to do this job, because a week from tomorrow, I'll be on a plane back to Virginia, and then a week from then I'll be on a plane to Arkansas. So I have to get over it pretty fast. But on a more serious note, I am really excited to kind of like, sounds a little basic, but grow my speaking skills and not just like public speaking, because that's something I'm comfortable with. But just kind of taking a step out of that professional voice and your work voice and be able to really like connect with these women in a like, position that we're actually like professional leaders, because I think it can get a little misconstrued sometimes when we're talking to people in a work setting, because we want to be professional. But ultimately, we also want to, you know, come out a place of care and concern for these women. And we want to be able to make friendships and make relationships. So I'm excited just to kind of get a little bit more out there and put myself in a position of friendship with these women.
Kelly
I love that.
Alex
I would say that, definitely professional development is a given, especially coming straight out of college, I've definitely had some experience. But I'm really excited with this new experience that I'll get. And just like a whole different realm. I studied physiology in college. So like, I was more on the pre med route. And so like professional development here with like fraternity and sorority affairs is completely different. So I'm really excited for that. But overall, like Abby was saying, just growth as a person, I know, I'm not going to be the same person, I don't think when I landed here in Indianapolis, that I'm the same person as I'm going to be when I leave. So hope my friends are ready for that when I come back.
Kelly
You're gonna learn a lot about yourself.
Alex
Yes, and I'm really excited about that. I definitely, like younger change was not my favorite thing and I really struggled with that. But over the years, I've really overcome that. And really, again, all of us have been adaptable within the last year. So continuing to see myself grow is probably something that I'm really looking forward to,
Taylor
I would have to say what I'm looking forward to the most out of this experience would have to be broadening my scope. I feel like the pandemic really narrowed it down to just me and me only because that's all I really had to worry about. It was a very isolating experience, I really didn't have to think more so out of my experience. And so with this experience, I get to see the lens of life and the lens of membership through a bunch of different Alpha Sigma Alpha women. And that's what I'm loving to see.
Kelly
Yeah, I think oh, so many of us miss, like we crave that connection after being isolated and quarantined and and I now work from home. So I can relate to that, you know, I'm ecstatic to get out of the house and go see people because otherwise it's me in the computer screen all day. And my kids, which I love my kids, but they're teenagers. So, my dog is the most happy because I'm home all the time.
Kelly
Who else didn't we get yet?
Shelby
I'll finish us off for this one. So I guess the number one thing that I'm hoping to get out of this job is that professional development. Like I said, hoping to go into higher ed at some point at least that's the plan right now we'll see what this job does to me. But I would really like to grow professionally in leadership and communication, curriculum development, all that good stuff that we get as LCs. But since coming to Indianapolis and living and working with all the other LCs being together 24/7, I kind of told them like to be quite honest and vulnerable. Like I did not take this job because I love Alpha Sigma Alpha so much, it really just genuinely was a good career move for me. But since being here and going through all the ins and outs of the sorority, learning every single little detail of it, it really has brought me back to that place I was at freshman year and realize, like how much I really needed these friends and these sisters and so I also hope that out of this job, I get that sisterhood experience kind of rejuvenated. I've already told the other LCs like, this is the sisterhood experience that in some ways I feel like I missed out on in college already. So I'm excited to keep gaining more sisterhood. That sounds probably corny, but
Kelly
No, I think it makes sense to and especially like I said, given this last year was just so unique in so many ways. And some of the women you're going to meet that was their, they might have joined Alpha Sigma Alpha last year, and were initiated virtually. And so I know in some of our virtual Leadership Academy conversations, some of our, some of those members, you know, have never actually seen the ritual performed in person, because they're newer members that just joined in the last, you know, year, year and a half as we've gone through this COVID experience. So that'll be another element for all of you to connect with with those members.
Shelby
Yeah, absolutely. I feel like I have a lot of personal experience in that kind of disconnect from sisterhood. A lot of my college experience was just like, Okay, well, if I just get through this semester, and then I'll get my little, and then my little will help me stay in the sorority. And then oh, I'll just like run for a position, that'll encourage me to stick in, just kind of like, next steps, just trying to push myself to stay in the sisterhood. And now looking back, I can like see where my disconnect was. So hopefully, I can help others reconnect to it on just a very basic level, like looking back at those rituals, and looking back at our vows of sisterhood, and really, hopefully fostering that connection and making it stronger.
Kelly
Absolutely. Awesome. I'm so excited for all of you guys to hit the road, whether it's in person or virtually, with our chapters and our members, because I think I know you'll have a huge impact on all of them. whether you realize it or not, it might take you several years to realize the impact that you had on some members. And some you'll might you might realize right away, but as an alum, and once you kind of step back from that it's interesting, I had a member come tell me years and years and years later about an impact that I had on her that I had no idea. I remembered her from the visit and remembered some fun things we had done. But when she talked about the impact of that visit, it was really moving and meaningful to me, but and I'm glad she shared it because I never would have had any idea. I just didn't think about my interactions and impact in that way. So whether you see it in the moment, or it comes to you later in life, know that you are having a huge impact on Alpha Sigma Alpha and every member that you interact with.
Alex
We all just sat around the table while you said that, and we looked at each other. And we all know the word lollipop. I don't know if you have seen that TedTalk. But there's a TED talk about lollipop moments. And it doesn't make sense until you watch it. But what you just described was a lollipop moment. And we are really excited for those moments too.
Shelby
Yeah, so we challenge you if you haven't seen it, you have to go watch it because it will make you cry.
Kelly
I just wrote that down. But I just wrote down lollipop. So I'm gonna go look for that Ted Talk.
Alex
Yes, please do well even email it to if you want. We have it ready to go. Because we watched that during one of our last new member trainings, when we were talking about legacy. And so it just really brought us back to our you know, to start college experience that legacy and then our legacy now as leadership consultants and what we're really going to do within the next year.
Kelly
Awesome. I'm definitely gonna have to go look that up, too. And someday I'm going to get to meet you in person I'm sure.
Abby
Kelly, I don't know, you definitely don't remember this. But I would just like to say,
Kelly
Uh-oh
Abby
Senior year I went to the Academy as a senior, so it was in Philadelphia, what was it, I graduated in 2020. So fall 2019 Academy-
Kelly
Did you come up and introduce yourself?
Abby
Yes, I did.
Kelly
Now that you said that you were the new president, right?
Abby
No, no, I wasn't it. No, I wanted to give you my business card and say, "hey Kelly, this is me I might, you know apply to be a leadership consultant." And so I look forward to meeting you once again. I was all set and ready to go like to be like alright, national organization, here I come.
Kelly
And so I literally just pulled that out because I have them sitting here in a little pile on my desk. And so I have it, Abigail Dominick, Zeta Nu Moravian College.
Abby
I got Abigail, the professional name on there.
Kelly
You know what, Louise must have been your president
Abby
Oh yeah, she was the president.
Kelly
Yep. So you must have came up together because I have both of yours sitting here together.
Abby
Yes. Louise was like I just want to meet Kelly, I just want to meet Kelly. And I was like, well, I want to be Kelly. And I want to be a leadership consultant. So let's go. I was like, I'm sorry, this is your lunch break. But-
Kelly
No, well, that's part of their job. And I love it. I love when I get to meet members and our especially our collegiate women. So I'm glad you did. And as you said that I remember a couple of women came up and introduced themselves. So Louise must have been first and said she was president, which is what why it stuck in my head initially, but I have both of your cards. So look at where you're at now, that's awesome. Well, then I hope that we get to see each other again in person. So this year, our our board has not met in person yet, either. We are traveling to Baltimore in a couple of weeks, which is the site of our 2022 convention. And it'll be the first time that this board will have gotten to see each other in person. I mean, they have operated for a year virtually. And it has been a different experience. And we used zoom long before it became kind of the the status quo from the pandemic. So we did that for our monthly calls. But we would still meet we usually meet three times a year in person. And so when the pandemic hit, and all that trouble stopped, and we have just this will be our first time and we're so excited, although the city of Baltimore has just put a mask mandate back out. So I emailed everybody bring your masks. We're going to need them every time we leave the hotel. But just the ability to be back in person and see each other there is an element of that physical and maybe is it Taylor, did you say he was a pre med major? and majored in physiology? Maybe there's something about the body of that?
Alex
That is Alex.
Kelly
Alex, sorry!
Alex
That's alright. Yeah. Um, the the physiology one. Yeah, definitely. Importance of having mask on.
Taylor
Yeah, I could never be a pre med track, could never be.
Kelly
Well I think about, so there's that element of, you know, protecting yourself with the mask. But I also wondering, and Alex, I'm curious from the perspective of and maybe this isn't necessary, thoroughly physiology, but makes me think about, you know, the human body, just the interaction of being in a room together, like you guys are now, versus communicating over a screen, a screen is still better than a phone call where you don't see them. And so there's like a level of progression. But I still think there's something about that dynamic when you're all at the same place at the same time.
Alex
No, there definitely is. I would even just say us as leadership consultants, we've been connecting virtually before we came to Indianapolis, and being in person has been so different. And we definitely have identified that there are going to be potential new members out there who have not had that in person contact that are going to want that. And so they're going to seek out sorority, and they're going to seek an Alpha Sigma Alpha. And that's something that we really want to make sure our members know, because they're also going to once again, come back and be in person, of course, we will have our struggles, there's still a lot going on. But definitely from a scientific perspective, there is just something a lot different about being in person after being virtually for so long. And just being virtual in general. Again, body, like you can see a lot of things too, body language, just like what that person is doing in general. I mean, we can still hear our like voice and whatnot, but like facial expressions that you can see very clearly versus on screen. Very different.
Kelly
Absolutely. I agree with that.
Abby
Also, like makes me think of like last year's report, we're constantly looking at the screen and I'm like checking myself like, hey, like, am I, like I was more self aware of my own reaction. Were this year, it's gonna be like, alright, well, now I'm just my full self, right? There's something more beautiful, like,
Alex
Do I look at myself? Do I look at the camera? Where am I looking on the screen. There's, again, just different etiquette in general. It's like having to reteach ourselves how to be in person. Thankfully, we've had these six weeks and the rest of, the rest of the national headquarters staff to help us, you know, gaain back our confidence in being in person or in person, like curriculum versus online. So we have covered it all. And I feel like we're prepared for that.
Kelly
Well and you're you'll have had the similar experience to what our collegiate members are experiencing today. Right? Because you're fresh out of college and you've lived through that and understand that and I think that is the lost piece of that. Technology has come a long way and it is incredibly beneficial. But I look at you I look at my teenagers and their heads down in their phones non stop and I'm like you're missing that in person piece. And you know, My son will look at me, we're going somewhere He's like, so what do I say? How do I do this? Because he's just, it's it's so much easier if he can text somebody, versus having to look them in the eye and have that conversation. And so you had mentioned kind of that confidence piece. And there's another I think, element to that, especially our younger generations, and some of them entering into college that are much more tech tech savvy and tech heavy than some of us have been in the past.
Abby
You know, it's actually really funny, because we've been joking a lot about how our leadership consultant team is very much on the generational cusp between Gen Z and like millennials. And so in our role as leadership consultants, kind of serving as chapters and national headquarters in a sense. Even just like the years we were born, have really helped play into that we're kind of that connection, not only between chapters, and an HQ, but we're also that connection between the Gen Z potential new members coming into our chapters and the millennials here at NHQ. So that, you know, and knowing how to play those technological and in person, we can play both sides pretty well.
Kelly
Definitely. Well, this has been a lot of fun. I thought the best way for us to wrap up today might be to do a few of the rapid fire questions that we had done with the board, and that I've done with some of the headquarters staff already as we've recorded their session. So are you guys ready for a handful of rapid fire? Whatever comes to mind, share your thoughts questions. I am going to have you guys go in a specific order so that our listeners will know who's given what answer so let's see. I'm going to pick I'm just randomly picking an order here. We'll go Taylor, Alex, Abby, Shelby Elizabeth. I'll ask the question. And each of you answer that question in that order, ready?
Kelly
What three words best describe you?
Taylor
Crazy outgoing and sleepy.
Alex
Confident, selfless, spirited.
Abby
Friendly, chaotic and compassionate.
Shelby
Impulsive, caring and leader.
Elizabeth
Happy, fun, Ginger.
Kelly
There we go. Where some of you might have answered this already. But answer again. Where did you grow up?
Taylor
New Orleans
Alex
Tucson, Arizona.
Abby
Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Shelby
Spokane, Washington.
Elizabeth
Northern Virginia.
Kelly
Window or aisle seat?
Taylor
Window
Alex
Window
Abby
Window
Shelby
Window
Elizabeth
Aisle
Kelly
Someone wants to sit next to Elizabeth because she likes the aisle and the rest of you will fight for the window.
Kelly
What's a song that you know all the words to?
Taylor
Any Cheetah girl song.
Alex
One Direction song, like literally anything.
Unknown Speaker
Same with the Jonas Brothers.
Shelby
Oh, God. Kelly Clarkson. I know her pretty well.
Elizabeth
The original cast recording of Dear Evan Hansen.
Kelly
Oh there's a new one. What is something most people don't know about you?
Taylor
I hate outside.
Alex
I'm double jointed and both of my arms.
Abby
I can touch my nose with my tongue.
Shelby
I know all the presidents of the US.
Elizabeth
I have a snake.
Kelly
Oh boy. salty or sweet?
Taylor
Salty.
Alex
Salty.
Abby
Sweet.
Shelby
Salty.
Elizabeth
Sweet.
Kelly
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Taylor
Oh my gosh, there's so many. I can't.
Kelly
You gotta pick one.
Taylor
Oh man. I'm being woken up while I take a nap.
Alex
When people Venmo me but don't add the tax to it that I paid for it.
Kelly
That's very specific.
Abby
When people don't take the K cup out of the Keurig.
Kelly
I'm guilty of that.
Shelby
When people leave the like condensation ring of water from a cup on the table without wiping at
Elizabeth
Brown nosing.
Elizabeth
Okay, who is your celebrity crush?
Taylor
Um, Beyonce.
Alex
Harry Styles.
Abby
Zac Efron.
Shelby
Taylor Swift.
Elizabeth
Ryan Gosling, but Ryan Gosling specifically in crazy stupid love.
Kelly
What is one product you can't live without?
Taylor
Bottled water
Alex
Sunscreen
Abby
Sunglasses.
Shelby
I don't know my phone probably.
Kelly
I figured somebody was gonna say their phone.
Elizabeth
Probably like lotion.
Kelly
Well alright. Well, I would say chapstick. So I get the lotion. What is the chapter you wish to visit?
Taylor
I want to go to Texas.
Kelly
Any Texas chapter?
Taylor
Any Texas chapter.
Kelly
Okay.
Alex
I want to go to Boston so Iota Alpha.
Abby
I want to go to Arizona. I've heard so much about it, turtle pond.
Shelby
I really want to work with Theat Delta in Anchorage.
Elizabeth
Probably the chapter that we have in South Carolina and I think Taylor has been this year, but maybe I'll snag them another time.
Kelly
Awesome. What is the most over worn item in your closet? Or in your suitcase?
Taylor
My favorite t shirt.
Alex
My Ariana Grande size large hoodie. I'm a size small for reference.
Abby
My black sweater because it's the only sweater I brought.
Shelby
My Birkenstock sandals.
Elizabeth
My boyfriend's Falcon sweat pants that I stole and brought here.
Kelly
What is your favorite season?
Taylor
Fall.
Alex
Summer.
Abby
Fall.
Shelby
Winter.
Elizabeth
Fall.
Kelly
We got everybody? Sorry, I lost track there. What is your favorite word?
Taylor
Can I say a phrase?
Kelly
Sure.
Taylor
Okay, I like to say like "not the" and then like insert the thing.
Alex
I don't have a favorite word. I just like do weird screeams sometimes. Whispers screams or it'd be "like" it's really bad.
Abby
My favorite word is resilience.
Shelby
I guess mine is more of a term but servant leadership.
Elizabeth
Penultimate and enigma. I think they're fun.
Kelly
What is your favorite holiday?
Taylor
My birthday.
Alex
Oh my gosh, I was gonna say that.
Kelly
You could still say is your answer.
Alex
My birthday.
Abby
I'm gonna go with Halloween.
Shelby
I'm Fourth of July.
Elizabeth
Christmas.
Kelly
What is your favorite type of flower?
Taylor
Tulips.
Alex
Rose.
Abby
Sunflowers.
Shelby
Sunflower.
Elizabeth
White roses.
Kelly
Starbucks or dunkin donuts?
Taylor
Dunkin.
Alex
Starbies.
Abby
Dunkin
Shelby
Starbucks
Elizabeth
Dunkin
Kelly
Beach or mountains.
Taylor
Beach
Alex
beach
Abby
beach
Shelby
mountains.
Elizabeth
Both.
Kelly
Heels or sneakers?
Taylor
Sneakers.
Alex
Sneakers.
Abby
I love a good heel. But probably sneakers.
Shelby
Yeah, sneakers.
Elizabeth
Sneakers.
Kelly
And last what is the most adventurous thing you've ever done?
Taylor
I've eaten bugs before willingly.
Alex
Last minute trip to Disneyland.
Abby
Just randomly decided I was going to live in Indiana over a weekend.
Elizabeth
One time I ate rattlesnake. I went swimming in the Middle East.
Kelly
Those are some fascinating things. And if we had more time, we probably dive into some more of those. I imagine that when we hang up, you guys are gonna dive into more yourselves. Ladies, thank you. I appreciate you spending some time with me so we can share your stories with our members. I can't wait for you to hit the road and connect with all of our collegiate members and make an impact. And so thank you in advance for your time and energy that you're going to put into this. I hope that it is as rewarding of an experience it is for you as it will be for our collegiate members and the impact that you're going to have on them. So thank you I'm so excited for you guys to get started. And to our listeners, hopefully you'll get to see them on the road, especially our alumnae. If you I forgot to say this before we end up right. So as you are traveling and visiting chapters, and there are some alumnae in the area that you know, you know, or their own volunteer directory, like send them a note and be like, Hey, I'm in town. And often you'll if you're lucky, and there's some alumnae around, they'll come, you know, snag you for a couple hours and maybe take you out to eat or, you know, run errands or do something. I know, I think the last consultant that we had here that I was able to connect with was AlexDeaton. And so she came over and we made her homemade dinner.
Alex
So everyone can connect with us on our Instagram it's aasconsultants. That way, they can also keep track of where we are. Just in case you don't get to email everybody out real quick.
Kelly
Definitely Yes. So keep keep following them on that. Whoever comes, ifyou come to Delta Gamma to Westchester University, let me know because they are literally in my backyard. And so hopefully we can connect them.
Abby
Yes, Kelly. That is me, Abby. I will be at Delta Gamma this semester. All right, well
Kelly
All right, well send me an email and we can have a home cooked meal here at the house and run whatever errands you need to run.
Abby
I love that. Well, you have my business card.
Kelly
I do, although it has your Moravian email address on it.
Abby
It doesn't have my phone number, okay.
Abby
Oddly, it doesn't. So you'll have to, but I knew where I could get that information. All right. Well, thank you ladies and to our listeners, until next time.