HQ News

RESPONSE ABILITY Program Receives Top Honors

Chi Omega collaborated with other Inter/National Greek organizations through the Greek Video Consortium to sponsor RESPONSE ABILITY, a reality-style educational video that focuses on how group dynamics can prevent people from taking action to stop dangerous behavior-the bystander effect.

This program received the 2009 Willis HRH Fellow Award at the 79th annual Fraternity Executives Association (FEA) Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 9. A group of collegians from around the country spent a month getting to know each other via the Internet and then gathered at a "retreat house" in Sedona, Arizona for a weekend. The entire retreat weekend was captured on camera and is shared with the audience in a powerful video.

Chi Omega's own Holly Sahrmann facilitated the weekend retreat. Holly received specialized training from Alan Berkowitz, a bystander behavior expert to prepare for the weekend. The video discussions demonstrate skills to successfully intervene when one witnesses hazing, drug/alcohol abuse, eating disorders, sexual abuse, offensive language/behavior, homophobia, racism, sexism, or other high-risk or unhealthy behaviors.

Chi Omega unveiled the new program during Firesides 2009. National Consultants travel with the DVD and chapters may purchase the DVD or access the video online for free. Visit www.ChiOmega.com/EveryDay to view the video and resources.