Sue's Letter Reblog

Dear Sisters,

At heart, my letter of love for Autism Speaks is really a letter of love for Alpha Xi Delta! I love our Fraternity, and appreciate everything it has brought into my life: so many dear friends, and opportunities to develop my strengths and realize my potential. This is especially true when it comes to Alpha Xi Delta's philanthropy endeavors.

Would it surprise you to know that philanthropy in Greek life has always been important to me? That I was interested in sorority philanthropy even "back in the day" as a prospective member in Panhellenic recruitment? Flashback to 1976, at Kent State University- I liked the social aspect of Greek life, but sensed that there had to be a lot more to it. While touring chapters on campus, I made a point of asking Sisters to tell me more about their sorority's philanthropy. I wanted to know what causes they cared about, how they contributed in meaningful ways and what kind of service opportunities engaged their Sisters? The word philanthropy is of Greek origin, translating to "the love of humankind" and although I probably wouldn't have been able to articulate this thought at the time, I really wanted to know how sorority women put their shared values into practice.

Fraternal values are timeless, but campus life can change a lot in forty years. Philanthropy by fraternities and sororities BACK THEN pales in comparison to how TODAY'S fraternities and sororities engage in philanthropy. I've been fortunate to observe the development of philanthropy programs in student organizations during my career in Student Affairs and as an Alpha Xi Delta volunteer. In 2017, the role of philanthropy in Greek life is so much more prominent that it used to be. The importance of Alpha Xi Delta's partnership with Autism Speaks is hard to overstate. We're proud to celebrate what we do for them -- sponsor Autism Speaks Walks in 60+ cities, volunteer at Walks and other events, host AmaXIng Challenges, fundraise over $6.5 million dollars to fund essential research, advocacy and services -- but I'm also mindful of what Autism Speaks does for Alpha Xi Delta. We get even more than we give, ten times over!

We claim a distinctive niche as the only Greek organization to champion autism acceptance and understanding, advocacy, research, and services.

Our chapters and associations get resources and support from Autism Speaks staff and volunteers in regional offices. Our chapters get custom event microsites which are built by Autism Speaks to facilitate our online fundraising and messaging.

Sisters find that Autism Speaks opens doors for internships (including the Summer Immersion Experience), significant volunteer roles, and jobs.

Our membership is galvanized by a strategic philanthropy focus: funding Autism Speaks' mission with AmaXing Challenges, Letters of Love, participation in Autism Speaks Walk events both near and far and observing World Autism Month in April.

Most of all, our Sisters share heart sunshine with families and individuals on the spectrum, making a very real difference by advancing autism acceptance and understanding. We have so many opportunities to put our shared values into practice, in our own communities every day.

My heart sings every time I hear about our Sisters enjoying success in their philanthropy endeavors. When opportunities arise to share information about our shared mission, I feel so proud to represent both Alpha Xi Delta and Autism Speaks. And I'm humbled by the heartfelt responses from parents and family members who appreciate Alpha Xi Deltas' support; this often reminds me of part a favorite inspirational quote, "All that we send into the lives of others comes back into our own.”

Our Fraternity's philanthropy program has been a source of pride and inspiration, and that is especially evident today. We're doing things I hardly dared to dream were possible for our members to achieve. So you can count me as a passionate ambassador for Autism Speaks, in large part since Alpha Xi Delta is so dear to me. Our organizations go together, hand in hand. It's a partnership in the truest sense of the word, because we're even better together than we are as individual organizations. Aren't we lucky to have found this connection? This is a relationship worth celebrating! This is the kind of meaningful Fraternity philanthropy experience that I sought years ago as a prospective member. I hope that Sisters who join today and those who join in years to come will also find lifelong inspiration in both Alpha Xi Delta and Autism Speaks.

Yours in the bonds of Sisterhood,

Susan Eicher Mamber

Beta Tau Chapter, Kent State University, 1977

National Philanthropy Director