Goodbye Riverside (But see you again soon!)

I’m spending the day packing in preparation of leaving Riverside tomorrow morning. Although it’s not the officially end to my consultant year, today is definitely bittersweet.

I could go on and on about my last three and a half months in Riverside, California. From colony marketing to colony recruitment week and bid day, fast forward to Initiation and Installation, I have had many busy weeks as a colony consultant. This experience has not only allowed me to be a part of building a chapter from the ground up, but it has thrust me out of my comfort zone.

I’ve explored the unfamiliar: Los Angeles to San Diego. I’ve checked Riverside and Southern California must-sees off my list and even had time to go to Disneyland. Twice.

I came to Riverside not knowing a single person and walk away not only with 100 plus new sisters, but also countless new friendships. That’s why I don’t think I am as sad as I should be saying goodbye ­– I know it’s far from the end, and I cannot wait to cheer all these special people on from the East Coast.

Not to overuse a cliché, but all good things must come to an end: This “end” allows us to move forward, change, develop and strengthen. As I move forward into a new career, our new chapter at UCR will strengthen as they experience their first formal recruitment and new member class.

Thank you Theta Omega for giving me the best experience and being the best colony (I am totally biased). You have staked your claim as the funniest set of sisters I have encountered, but you’re also among those most passionate and driven.

By knowing you, my life has been “enriched by true friendships”. Honestly, y’all rock.

Thank you University of California Riverside and Southern California for being a pretty great final stop and definitely a place I will always feel at home.

One Hundred and Fifty-Five.

Fifteen Days: Officer Elections, Pillars Week, Diamond Dash, Last Colony Meeting, Sports Week, Officer Training, Diamond Days, Initiation, Installation, Officer Transition Workshop, Two Recruitment Workshops & First/Last Chapter Meeting.

Needless to say, it’s been a busy last half of May in Riverside! The colony elected their first officer class, and those women have been working hard on their training before the summer months start. The colony also participated in their first Pillars Week and Sports Week within the Fraternity Sorority Community.

Perhaps the most exciting (and the busiest) week was Diamond Days. The charter members took time on the night before their Initiation to do a Sister Share, where they each shared their favorite ADPi memory. I loved hearing what mean the most to them in the past eight weeks.

Saturday, May 30th was Initiation and Installation Day! We welcome 107 sisters into Delta membership and the 155th active chapter of Alpha Delta Pi was installed as the Theta Omega chapter. The weekend brought lots of friendly faces back to Riverside, including our fabulous installation team! At times it was chaotic, but it was one of my favorite Alpha Delta Pi memories to date. The realization (and the waterworks) hit when our charter members were singing two of the most perfect ADPi Song: “Pass It On” and “Home” by Phillip Phillips. It was incredible to see how far this colony, and now chapter, has come in eight weeks and how it has brought the most incredible new sisters into my life. I thank my lucky stars that I was choose to help colonize at UCR!

After the excitment of the night, we still weren’t quite finished for the quarter! We held Officer Transition Workshop the morning after, along with a Recruitment Workshop facilitated by the Remarkable Rebecca Gentry that night. The jam-packed schedule was worth it to end the quarter talking about who this chapter is, where they are and where they are going!

I also loved having my fellow consultant sisters close throughout these crazy two weeks! I am so thankful for their constant love and support, along with all the amazing things that they have done for Theta Omega!

It’s not quite goodbye to Riverside! I will be here until I fly to Arizonia for Grand Convention. For now, it’s wrap-up officer meetings and recruitment prep for the next few weeks (along with enjoying my remaining time in Sunny California!).