To celebrate the end of classes and gather together before winter break, we decided to have dinner at The Carolina Ale House. On December 1^st, 26 brothers and 11 guests met at the restaurant in Cary, NC around 7 pm. We enjoyed dressing up and eating wonderful food. This was a much need break from studying for exams next week.

Each December, the North Carolina Chapter partners with Operation Holiday Cheer to help support a family going through rough times enjoy the holiday season. Operation Holiday Cheer located a family for us to contact. We found out that the family includes a single mom with two boys ages 3 and 11, as well as a 7 year old girl. A hat was passed around at each meeting in November for brothers to make donations. Alumni were also notified and gave very generous donations. We raised about $450 from brothers and alumni.

Thirty-five active brothers exchanged secret gifts on November 28^th at 8 pm. Participating brothers drew names out of a hat on November 7^th and were given two weeks to find the perfect gift. Brothers were encouraged to draw names of people they did not know as well, so that they could find out more about them when deciding on a $5-$10 gift. On November 28^th, the social committee decorated the meeting room with an artificial Christmas tree and area to place gifts. Brothers were thrilled to open their gifts and left the meeting joyful.

Starting at 6:00 pm on November 28^th before our last meeting of the semester, twelve brothers of the North Carolina Chapter sat down for dinner at Sammy’s Grill in Raleigh. It was a great time to enjoy fellowship with those graduating in December.

The North Carolina Chapter is very active in working, volunteering and enjoying the annual State Fair in Raleigh. Many brothers helped out with our Pork Chop Fundraiser, but least ten brothers worked or volunteered with other activities at the fair October 11^th through the 21^st.

On November 30^ththe brotherhood gathered at Weaver Hall to set up for our Christmas tree sale. The selling began in October to many family members and professors on campus. On Friday ten brothers showed up at Weaver to receive the trees from a Christmas tree farmer that was kind enough to drive from Avery County, NC to deliver us the trees. We separated all of the trees, wreaths, garland and tips into respective sections around the shop so that it would be very organized for the next day...

On November 17^th, a brother led five fellow brothers on a tour of Kornegay Farms, Inc. John Mitchell Kornegay, a graduating senior in Agriculture Business Management and Animal Science invited the chapter to visit his family’s farm in Mount Olive, North Carolina. The leadership committee planned the visit to begin with a campout including a bonfire Friday evening and a farm tour the following morning. Brothers brought food, sleeping bags and tents, however due to weather brothers slept inside. This fellowship time was a great opportunity for brothers to relax away from Raleigh...

Cook chapter worked with our campus Deans and our own Alpha Zeta Alumni Association to Co-Sponsor Responsible Drinking Happy Hour on Friday November 2nd. The event was unfortunately postponed by Hurricane Sandy, and was rescheduled for the 9th. Cook chapter used this event to celebrate Founders Day, while promoting responsible drinking. Anyone over 21 who arrived received a wristband, and that wristband allowed them to buy exactly one alcoholic drink per hour, encouraging casual socialization without overuse. Free food and non-alcoholic beverages were also provided. Our chapter also sold shirts and buttons to raise money for those devastated by Hurricane Sandy. The event was a huge success and we were able to raise over $250 for Sandy Relief.

The weekend of October 12, 2012 twenty members participated in a Diversity Seminar, with 14 presenters and Seminar Hosts. Through participation in this three-day seminar, the Townsend AZP Chapter's 14^th class developed a firm understanding of the ways that diversity and pluralism are related. On the first day of this seminar, AZP members focused on the many aspects of diversity, and discussed the social stigmas that are stereotypically attached to different ethnic, socioeconomic and religious groups. Students were able to participate in a hands-on activity that illustrated the fallacy that each person has an "even playing field" in life; students discussed the difference that monetary privileges can make on an individual's lifestyle and educational success.

Congratulations to our new members this fall! Our three new actives were initiated on October 20^th. The Cornell chapter is proud to have Caroline Smith, Andrew Gardinier and David Denton as new members. Sophomore Caroline Smith is studying Landscape Architecture and is from Oregon. Juniors Andrew Gardinier and David Denton are studying Agricultural Science and are both from upstate New York. Their hard work throughout the pledging process has paid off, and they are truly dedicated to the future of Alpha Zeta. We are very proud of our new members and we wish them the best of luck!