(for those women planning on going Greek during Spring Recruitment.)

You’ve heard all the negative remarks which non-Greeks have about sororities.  You’ve heard about how they’ve been wrongly portrayed & misrepresented at various times & in various ways.  You’ve heard more than you can stand from the haters & doubters – you know there are a lot of good things you’ve discovered about sororities but you’re still not sure what to believe, not sure what to think of the situation.

You want to go Greek but it seems that those misconceptions, those biases which non-Greeks display in spades about sorority life keep intervening, getting in the way.  Where do you stand?

Keep your head up & be strong.  Don’t let the doubters & haters sway you every which way to deter you from joining a sorority/fraternity.  The choice is yours to make on going Greek – it never was theirs.  Set out to disprove all that they say – show them sororities are so much more than they think.

Sororities are – & never were – not about all things exclusive & ditzy.  Some women are more energetic than others, others more down-to-earth, yet other ladies are more straightforward.  You can’t pin a label on the various ladies you’ll find in one chapter alone but remember:  each of these ladies are driven to succeed, to be the best they can be as future leaders, teachers, businesswomen, etc.

And most of all, sororities are a home away from home, a place where you can find a second family.  It’s lifelong sisterhood & friendship.

For those women who are interested in going Greek in the Spring, rise above the hearsay & stereotypes folks try to reinforce about sororities.  Sisterhood is much more than words alone can describe/explain.

At certain colleges/universities, sorority recruitment doesn’t take place until the start of Spring Semester (whereas for most it usually begins in the fall, or in some instances, at the very start of the school year).  For those chapters who defer recruitment to January, there’s plenty to think about & there’s lots to prepare for.  But in the meantime:

Remember to set the right expectations & standards when we’re having conversations with the potential new members!!  This is something I keep on emphasizing but it needs to be stressed while we’re ahead:  there are two sides to every story & the same can always be said about Greek life so keep your focus on both the positive & more serious aspects of sisterhood when you’re speaking with the PNMs.

Don’t put on a facade or just sugarcoat around about your chapters.  Put in a wholehearted commitment to tell the PNMs the whole truth & nothing but the truth about your organizations, who you are & what you do as well as what makes your chapters stand out on campus. 

Keep these ladies informed on recruitment week events!!  The worst we could do is to keep the PNMs in the dark on when & where our chapter events take place; worse yet not to keep these ladies updated or to tell these ladies what to expect during the recruiting process.  So keep the potential new members aware of all things pertaining to Spring Recruitment while you’re ahead.

Getting everyone in your chapter on the same page as far as attending & preparing for Recruitment Week events can be a challenge – some women have classes, others work-related issues, yet others plenty of personal baggage to lug around…At any rate, keep things tenable for one & all; see to it that each sister is doing their part & pulling their share of the workload both in the weeks leading up to & during Spring Recruitment!!

Select these ladies on criteria which the Founders would praise you for:  values-based, ideals-based, principles-based.  Anything less than this is not just wrong – it’s also not doing our job as far as selecting quality membership is concerned.

Mean every word that you say during your skits & chapter presentations!!  Ask yourself:  am I living the values of my organization?  Am I truly living up to its standards?  Do I truly mean what I say in my conversations with the potential new members?  Am I sincerely doing my part to promote lifelong friendship & sisterhood? 

Last but not least, do your part to inspire & encourage women to go Greek, whether it’s through your chapter websites or through your organizations’ official sites.

For those chapters whose numbers aren’t up to average, searching for quality membership during Spring Recruitment is always a key area of concern.  Not just that, but every Recruitment chair should also get the word out to potential new members who are really dedicated to difference-making in a variety of ways:  academics, community service & getting involved in chapter activities (e.g. philanthropies, taking on responsibilities as chapter officers). 

Whether these women are very energetic or really down-to-earth doesn’t matter:  what does matter is that these ladies meet values-based criteria, that these ladies have something unique which will make your chapters become the best of the best around, such as leadership abilities, a singleness of purpose to get things done, & definitely taking their grades seriously.  No more, no less than this.

True, there’s strength in numbers but at the same time there also needs to these strengths in the women you’re looking for during informal Recruitment this spring:  commitment to academics, commitment to excellence in all that they do, commitment to community service without self-glory, commitment to keeping true & upright in their character & most of all, a wholehearted commitment to your organizations’ values, ideals & principles.

For who knows how many women who are planning to go Greek, joining a sorority/fraternity is the dream of a lifetime, one of the brightest moments of any woman’s collegiate experience.  Yet some potential new members botch their chances of getting a bid through making some common – & easily avoidable – mistakes.  So with this issue in mind, here are some pointers to take into consideration:

1.  Guard your reputation steadfastly!!  Don’t put out negative info about yourself on places like Facebook/MySpace/etc.: it’s not only a recipe for disaster but it’s also a surefire way to not receive a bid from anyone – period.

2.  Make sure what you say about yourself on FB/MySpace/etc. is an asset, to assure the actives that you’re not just for real, but that you’d be a perfect candidate for chapter membership.

3.  It’s imperative to watch how you act in public.  The actives know what’s up & also when you’re not making wise decisions so be smart & wise when it comes to how you conduct yourselves on campus & at social events.

4.  Plan ahead!!  Make sure you get the required paperwork done on time:  that includes documents, fees & in some cases, references (if need be).  Also, check out the deadlines on stuff like registration.

5.  No tent talking.  It’s one more means by which you can reinforce negative & inaccurate stereotypes about sororities; at the same time, it’ll sway women who prefer a certain sorority in the worst way.  Moreover, the Pi Chis/Gamma Chis/etc. will hear about it too -  not good, especially if you’re thinking about joining a sorority/fraternity.

6.  Go into the recruitment process with an open mind!! Do all the homework & research about these women’s organizations you can possibly do – free yourself of any biases or misconceptions while looking into these fraternities/sororities.  Also, don’t let certain chapters get dibs over the less popular or lesser-known sisterhoods on campus; rate each one accordingly with an open heart & without partiality.

7.  Don’t let your reputation precede you when you visit each chapter during Recruitment Week!!  You can’t be rude/snobbish at one chapter visit then oh-so-friendly at another;  this mindset will definitely work against you & reduce your chances of getting a bid exponentially.

8.  Be yourself!!  Don’t be afraid to be genuine when you’re talking with the actives; they’ll not only get a better chance of knowing who you are & more about you but they’ll also be assured that they’ve found some wonderful & amazing ladies who’d be right at home in their chapters too!!

9.  Ask any pressing questions you may have with your recruitment week leaders!!

10.  Last but not least, have fun & a good time during Recruitment!!

Sororities, like I’ve said numerous times, are not what you see on television or in movies.  To tell you the truth, they’re a whole lot more:

They’re lifelong support systems which offer various career & networking opportunities both during college & after graduation.

They value community service & philanthropy highly.

They are places for women to become leaders.

They are places where women can find amazing friends who will be there for you through both good times & bad.  Also, sororities are a home away from home.

They are places where you can enjoy various social functions & make plenty of precious memories.

They put your values & personality ahead of your looks & wardrobe.

They’re not exclusive – they stress diversity (athletes, scholars, down-t0-earth & more energetic ladies:  they’re all here).

They help you build your character not just through the best of times but also through the most difficult of situations as well.

They provide you unconditional, constant support when the going does get tough.

Most of all, they help you realize your true potential, encourage you to be all that you can be.

For women who want to join a sorority/fraternity during Spring Recruitment, the first impressions are always lasting ones.  So when it comes to making a mission statement which will have the actives saying “Wow!!” here’s some advice to bring up, both spoken & unspoken:

1.  Let them know about your involvement in high school activities (sports, student council, National Honors Society, SADD just to name a few)

2.  See to it that you don’t say anything untoward anything about yourself on Facebook/MySpace or post photos on these sites which cast you in a negative light in the eyes of the actives.

3.  Don’t spout gobbledygook during your conversations when it comes to why you want to go Greek.  Be honest & speak with a heartfelt conviction – mean every word that you say!!

4.  Don’t give certain chapters the upper hand & leave others out of the picture when it comes to what makes each sisterhood on campus so unique.  Be fair & impartial in how you assess each sorority/fraternity!! 

5.  Ask the actives the factors which inspired them to go Greek & how Greek life has benefitted their lives.  (Undergraduate sisters can be an inspiration to other women planning on going Greek in so many ways through sharing their chapter experiences along with the reasons why they went Greek to begin with & what they have gained from going Greek.)

Just after New Years’ Day in 1897, four women at Barnard College set out to create a democratic, unostentatious women’s society, an organization based on a simple devotion to some worthy end.  Not just that, but Stella George Stern Perry said it herself when it came to what she & the other three founders of Alpha Omicron Pi wanted:  “We wanted a society that should continue our companionship through life and extend the like joys to others, usefully, unselfishly, and without pettiness.“

Founders’ Day is just around the corner; not only will it be a chance to celebrate another milestone in AOII’s history.  It’ll also be an opportunity to reflect on how far AOII has come as a Fraternity, how many expectations the Fraternity has exceeded over the past century.  It’ll be a chance to see what the future holds for Alpha Omicron Pi.

In addition, it’s a chance for each sister – alumnae & undergraduates – to look back on the pledges made, those first feelings of loyalty & devotion to AOII you had at Initiation.  It’s an opportunity to reflect on how AOII has changed your life, how the Fraternity has given you the confidence & power to be all you can be – even today.

January 2, indeed, will give AOIIs all over the place cause for celebration & reflection.  It’s a chance to tell others, “I’m truly proud to be an AOII.”  It’s a chance to show our appreciation for the accomplishments of the Founders who created a sisterhood which keeps on exceeding expectations, which keeps on perpetuating the bonds of lifelong friendship & sisterhood.

When it comes to supporting & promoting your philanthropies, you’re also supporting & promoting a good cause as well.  At the same time, you’re proving that your chapters are dedicated to making a difference in the lives of others, that you’re about benefitting your campuses & communities through the various philanthropic events your chapters hold each semester.

Getting the word out about your philanthropies as well as the philanthropic events you’re going to host not only takes a great deal of planning, communication & hard work.  It also takes good PR as well:  going from chapter to chapter, business to business, one residence hall to another, sponsor to sponsor, etc. to deliver the word about your events & what we can do for, say, Cardiac Care, the Make-A-Wish Foundation or The Painted Turtle.  Through your efforts, not only will you inspire others to effect change but they’ll also be encouraged to make a difference for one & all.  In addition, they’re showing their heartfelt support & appreciation for sisterhood through both attending these events & contributing selflessly through their donations – talk about a win-win deal!!

The possibilities are endless when it comes to the various themes your philanthropic events can have.  There are who knows how many chapters who stick to the tried & true each year with Red Dress Galas, Dodgeball Tournaments, Yippie Chi O, among others – all this, with amazing results & lots of success!!  But there are other ideas/suggestions which work plenty of wonders as well:  Ice cream socials, 5K runs/walks, powderpuff football, Twister tournaments, just to name a few.  Just remember:  the choice is yours in terms of what types of events you want to hold to promote your philanthropies throughout the school year.

Philanthropy is one of many aspects of Greek life which is truly amazing – & it must also be said, philanthropy gives each sisterhood a chance to shine their true colors for all to see:  serving others without self-glory.  Also, it’s a great way to benefit your campuses & communities, a great way to leave a positive impression on both & most of all, a great way to be a positive inspiration to others around us.  Most of all, it’s showing that we’re doing what we do for a good cause, for now & always.

Just wanted to wish everyone, both far & near, both Greek & non-Greek, a happy & wonderful holiday season!!  For those who are traveling during the holidays, I also wanted to wish you a safe trip to wherever you’re going along with a safe trip back home. 

I’ll resume writing right after Christmas; in the meantime, when you get the chance, check out the posts which I’ve written up to now.

- Chad

“…to my friends, understanding and appreciation; to those closer ones, love that is ever steadfast…”  – Dorothy Mumford Williams

With Christmas coming up in three days & then New Years’ Eve (& Day), it’s a good thing for both alumnae & undergraduates to always keep the spirit of friendship & sisterhood in your hearts, prayers & thoughts.  Whether it’s wishing your sisters a happy holiday season, whether it’s reconnecting with some of your fellow alumnae, or whether it’s making connections with fraternity/sorority sisters from other chapters or whether it’s getting the chance to hang out with your sisters during the holidays, keep the spirit of lifelong friendship & sisterhood going steadfast & strong wherever you are/may be for the next two weeks.

Keep in touch when you can, stay connected when you can:  during times like these, promoting lifelong friendship & sisterhood is one of the sweetest things any woman wearing Greek letters can do.  It’s one more way to show your appreciation for your sisters, to show you’re truly proud to be a DZ, an AOII, an A-Phi, so on & so forth – I’m saying this for both undergrads & alumnae alike.  And it’s one thing the Founders of your organizations would be proud of, even now.

Since 1982,  Alpha Omicron Pi’s official merchandise program, the Emporium, has exceeded expectation in so many ways.  Whether it’s designing Recruitment & Bid Day T-shirts or giving sisters surprise gifts, the Emporium has always shown that sisterhood is forever.

For almost three decades, the Emporium has been about providing excellent customer service as well as offering the customer high quality merchandise.   Having said that, there are so many good reasons why shopping at the Emporium is such a wonderful experience – of which I’ll give two:  first off, each customer helps to support AOII & a good cause.  Secondly, the proceeds go to fund the Fraternity’s various everyday operations.  It’s a truly wonderful thing to think about when it comes to making a difference for AOIIs everywhere!!

Over the years, the Emporium has grown by leaps & bounds; each customer has made this growth possible.  Collegians, alumnae, friends, family & supporters of Alpha Omicron Pi still continue to make a difference both for the Fraternity & the Emporium.  Moreover, who knows those same customers serve as an inspiration to the Emporium staff & are making an impact on AOIIs all over the place.  With their assistance & support, the Fraternity keeps exceeding expectation & always will.

http://www.alphaomicronpi.org

http://www.aoiiemporium.com/store/

Listening to This American Life by PRI, and this week’s episode entitled #1 Party School it makes me wonder something about the USA. The media appears to be at odds with fraternity and sorority culture. Of course a lot of these things could said about hostelling culture too, but I feel that they’re far less prevalent.

The way I see it on one hand we have the media promoting joining fraternities and sororities with shows and movies that make them out to be an integral part of the college experience enabling you to party, get laid, get drunk and have an adventure. On the other you have the same media saying that they’re disgusting, degrading and discriminating while promoting binge drinking and “loose morals”.

It seems that America has such a love/hate relationship with fraternities and sororities so much so that terminology has arisen to describe those who belong to them: frat boy (it’s derogatory) and sororitute (a combination of sorority and prostitute). Yet, for all the horrible depictions and general dismay at the entire process from hazing to pranks to generally low hygiene standards the culture continues – whether it’s growing or not I don’t know as I don’t have the appropriate data.

It just seems that fraternities and sororities are emblematic of the inherent hypocrisy of American culture at large. One time frats are said to be good and the next it’s said to be bad – no different than drinking – or sex – or… well anything really. TV shows and movies are dedicated to the glory or alternatively the follies of such a culture; which while it’s good to present both sides, does any of it really present the truth?

The Z in the first image was one of a number of Greek letters carved into the moss (by fraternities, I assume).

The greek system (frats and sororities) has always seemed pretty weird to me…

Opinions?

*title a Midlake song

**click images for full view

Fall Semester is over & done but this doesn’t mean that we should be content or rest on our laurels once Spring Semester arrives.  Nor should we go through the motions or spin our wheels in hopes of finding ways where we can make s0mething good better.  The worst things we could do when it comes to keeping a successful track record going on campus are to get complacent or coast along thinking we’ve got it made; so think of what our chapters can work on once next semester starts up & what we can do to go above & beyond the expectations of others.

Ask yourself what your chapters can do better at, what strengths they can build upon during Spring 2010:

How can our chapter leadership be improved?  How can we improve communication where it is lacking?

How can we step things up in terms of academics?  How can we get the new initiates to do their part & take study tables seriously?

We did awesome in terms of community service hours last semester, but how can we exceed our expectations for this Spring?

What can we do to get the word out about our philanthropies?  what events would we like to hold to bring our philanthropies to light for others to know about?

When it comes to Spring Recruitment, where do we stand as a chapter?  Are we going to stick to our tried & true plan on recruiting ladies on values-based, Founder-approved criteria?

Where do we go from here?

Spring Semester won’t begin until three weeks or so from now but still, here’s the thing:  It never fails to plan ahead to make both your chapters & your Panhellenic communities better.  And it’s another way to prove you’re not about to settle for second best, that you’re ready to move forward & keep getting better at those things which you do best for Spring 2010:  grades, community service, chapter leadership, philanthropies & so much more.

Formal recruitment for sororities can sometimes be a confusing & complicated process not just for those women wanting to go Greek but also for the chapter members themselves!!  But depending on where you go to school, here’s the standard operating procedure for the recruiting process (which usually ranges from a few days to ten).

First off, after the Activity Fairs, Greek-oriented events for first-year students & what have you, first-year students (among other women) go to Orientation.  It is where women will get their recruitment items & be assigned to a particular Pi Chi/Rho Chi/Gamma Chi group.  (The Pi/Gamma/Rho Chis are around to give these ladies not only inspiration & encouragement during Recruitment Week but also to offer their guidance as well, helping things along for the potential new members.)  Also, these potential sisters-to-be will get much more detailed information about recruitment & what to expect during Recruitment Week.

Secondly, it’s opening day or open house time.  The prospectives visit every chapter on campus as well as converse with the active sisters.  The whole premise of the first day of Recruitment Week is for these ladies to be genuine, be themselves & approach these chapters with an open mind (& free from biases of any kind).  There are plenty of women, who by night’s end, are still unsure of which chapter is just right for them – at this point, it’s a common experience each woman has going through this first phase of the recruiting process.  Then there are those ladies who know which chapters aren’t the perfect fit for them…stating the obvious, but it’s true.  At any rate, the prospectives assess each chapter effortfully & go from there.

Third, it’s on to Preference Rounds. During Pref Rounds, the actives give skits/presentations about their chapters, telling these ladies who they are & what they do as well as providing their own unique views on sisterhood.  At this point in Recruitment Week, the decision-making process becomes even more difficult for those women planning on going Greek as well as more challenging; still, by night’s end, these women assess each chapter they’ve visited with much scrutiny & move on to the next-to-last event on the Recruitment Week schedule which is…

Preference Night.  The prospectives now visit up to three chapters; this event is more formal & more serious as well.  And with good reason:  these women will have to pick one chapter which truly stands out, one chapter where they feel right at home.  The actives (& in who knows how many cases, alumnae) share their thoughts, feelings & memories on sorority life as well as how going Greek really gave them the confidence to succeed & be a proven leader in all that they do. 

Then we move on to Bid Day.  It’s the moment of truth; you could call it the main event of Sorority Recruitment.  Anyways, each woman who has gone through Recruitment receives an invitation from the chapter which got  a #1 ranking on their list; from there, they’re received with open arms & enthusiastically by the actives & will begin their first adventure into all things Greek.  It’s a pretty exciting time for one & all, I’ll tell you this much.

People on both sides of the issue of Global Warming are thoroughly convinced that they are correct.  Both sides use scientific data to back up their claims.  Those who stand to make a massive amount of money off of this debate are relished with the controversy, but the following verses are what people of the world need to be prepared for and fear the consequences of ending up on the wrong side :

2 Peter 3:7 (New International Version)
7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

Hebrews 10:26-27 (New International Version)

26If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, 27but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.

Hebrews 12:29 (New International Version)
29for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Revelation 16:8-9 (New International Version)

8The fourth angel poured out his bowl on the sun, and the sun was given power to scorch people with fire. 9They were seared by the intense heat and they cursed the name of God, who had control over these plagues, but they refused to repent and glorify him.

Revelation 20:15 (New International Version)
15If anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

John 14:6 (New International Version)

6Jesus [Yeshua in Hebrew] answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

2 Peter 3     The Day of the Lord   (New International Version)
1Dear friends, this is now my second letter to you. I have written both of them as reminders to stimulate you to wholesome thinking. 2I want you to recall the words spoken in the past by the holy prophets and the command given by our Lord and Savior through your apostles.
3First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation.” 5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God’s word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

8But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

10But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare.[a]

11Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives 12as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.[b]That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat. 13But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness.

14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul [Shaul in Hebrew] also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

17Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. 18But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [Yeshua HaMashiach in Hebrew]. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

Hebrews 4:13  (New International Version)
¹³Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

As a proud supporter of Autism Speaks, the largest autism advocacy organization worldwide, Alpha Xi Delta has made it a commitment to raise awareness of this complex brain disorder which affects 1.5 million people nationwide as well as tens of millions around the world.  (Thus far, the Fraternity has also raised more than $120,000 in support of this organization!!)

The Fraternity has had a lengthy history when it comes to supporting issues focused on children & this philanthropical effort is no different.  Add to that the fact that its members – both collegians & alumnae – have been personally impacted by autism in so many ways.  It is here where Alpha Xi Delta is about rising to the occasion, supporting Autism Speaks to effect change & improve the lives of children & families affected by this disorder.

Autism has increased tenfold over the last decade; with no known cure, finding a way to combat it can be a challenge.  But Alpha Xi Delta has been about accepting & responding to challenges; through their alliance with Autism Speaks, the Fraternity leaves no doubt that there is hope for both those who have autism & for those families searching for answers to such a complex issue.

http://www.autismspeaks.org

http://alphaxidelta.securesites.net

For two decades, Chi O Creations has been the official merchandise boutique for Chi Omega Fraternity.  Whether it’s helping chapters out in designing their Recruitment & Bid Day T-shirts or giving the seniors in each chapter a special goodbye gift, COC has shown that sisterhood is truly for a lifetime. 

Folks out there are probably wondering who Chi O Creations looks up to when it comes to great customer service:  COC serves all collegiate & alumnae chapters as well as parents, friends & supporters of Chi Omega.  Those women (& men) who shop at COC are not only helping to make a difference for Chi Os all over the place; they’re also helping a good cause as well:  supporting the Fraternity in their everyday operations.

Doing what’s right for the customer has always been one of Chi O Creation’s strengths & it shows:  offering superior customer service, offering each shopper the most up-to-date styles & trends (around 500 items!!) along with competitive pricing…you can’t go wrong there.  And all this while you’re supporting the Fraternity & helping Chi Omega flourish!!

Since 1989, Chi O Creations has grown by leaps & bounds; each customer who has shopped at COC over the years has helped make this growth possible.  With their assistance & support, Chi Omega is finding ways to flourish & expand its horizons; this is a truly wonderful thing to think about when it comes to making a difference for the Fraternity.  If that’s not enough good news, every customer - whether they’re collegians, alumnae, parents, friends, or supporters of Chi Omega – has helped serve as an inspiration to the women at COC & has made an impact on the lives of Chi Os nationwide.

https://shop.chiomega.com

Getting the word out about ourselves takes plenty of not only good PR campaigns but also lots of time & hard work – all the more so when it comes to addressing who we are & what we do as members of the Greek community.

Activity Fairs & recruitment tables aren’t the only places where we can introduce others to Greek life.  Events aimed specifically at promoting our Greek communities  – like, say, “Meet The Greeks” or “Welcome to Greek Life” – are great vehicles to show women what each of our organizations has to offer as well as what makes each of our chapters so unique.  (If we don’t have events with such aims in mind, we should get the word out to see to it that such efforts see the light of day.)

Not only should we showcase each of our organizations but we should also demonstrate our strengths, those things which make our chapters the best of the best around.  Likewise, these events should spotlight, in some way or other, individual members of the Panhellenic community & how going Greek has really changed their lives, what they have gained from going Greek (e.g. confidence to succeed, improving on their leadership skills), the benefits which Greek life has to offer & not to forget how it can build character.

Going public about our Greek communities takes not just plenty of good PR:  it also takes plenty of time & effort in order to show others who we are & the good things we have done.  When it comes to giving students a first glimpse of fraternities/sororities, both showing & telling are imperative; Activity Fairs & recruitment info booths are only the start.  So what better way to reveal to these women who we truly are & all that we do than during events which are hosted by Greeks, with the Greek experience in mind.

Back on October 23, 1897, at the State Female Normal School in Farmville, VA, four women got together & created Kappa Delta.  To just sit down & create a sisterhood which has continued to endure as KD has done can sometimes be mind-boggling.  But that’s exactly what Lenora, Julia, Sara & Mary did on a dreary autumn afternoon just over 112 years ago.

KD’s Founders were four very different women yet they brought a singular sense of purpose to their endeavor:  their dream was to create a women’s organization which was so much more than just an ordinary club & one which would be more lasting as well – a Sorority!!  Doubtless, it would expand beyond their own chapter back at State Female Normal School but they never dreamed that Kappa Delta would thrive & grow into an organization of 200,000 women (to the tune of roughly 200 chapters & around 500 alumnae associations nationwide). 

Kappa Delta’s Founders were women of vision, women who believed that miracles could happen.  And that’s how the Sorority came about back in 1897:  through an ordinary miracle, a miracle unlike any other around.

When it comes to going Greek, some folks are like, “OMG!! I can’t believe you would want to join a sorority after all the crap I’ve heard about Greek life.”  It’s not that these women have second-rate or inadequate information about sororities; it’s the negative publicity which Greeks receive that has them so up in arms.  Worse yet, what they read & see about Greeks in books, in the news, on film or on television isn’t exactly helping matters much.

Prove these ladies wrong.  Be at the ready to provide a sound & strong defense of Greek life not just by telling them about the benefits of sisterhood but also showing them how those benefits come about as well.  They might not immediately come away convinced or exactly sure if Greek life is everything you say it is; then again, who is in situations like these?

The more you let these ladies know about the whole truth about sorority life, the more you serve as an inspiration & a source of encouragement where it is needed.  Telling someone who is skeptical about all things Greek has never been a small task;   at times like these, it’s on each of us to speak with all our hearts – & with all our souls – how Greek life has given us the confidence to succeed, to be the best we can possibly be, to help us discover our true potential. 

The next time someone goes, “OMG!!”  when it comes to going Greek, be on hand to assure them one thing:  sorority life is not Kate Spade, Prada & partying.  It’s so much more:  leading, learning, living your values & benefitting your campus & community in so many ways.

Our chapters are only as strong as the women whom we select for membership.  Likewise, the quality of our chapters is only as good as the quality of the women we’re giving bids to.

True, strength can be found in sheer numbers.  But when it comes to the recruitment process, strength takes on a whole new meaning:  It can be found in those women who truly meet values-based, ideals-based criteria, those women who truly meet the standards & requirements of our organizations.

Selecting who we want for chapter membership is a matter of quality over quantity.  Yet there are always complications:  each semester, it seems, can be a battle of not which chapter gets who but who gets into which chapter.  Some of these women may be more energetic or down-to-earth than others, but even so, we need to assess each prospective closely – & with much scrutiny if we must.

They say strength can be found in numbers.  But with Spring Recruitment coming up next semester, we should stick to the tried & true:  finding strength in the quality of women we’re handing out bids to.

Just half a month from now, AOII will celebrating Founders’ Day as well as its 113th year of existence as a Fraternity.  Not only will January 2 be a chance for collegians & alumnae to celebrate the accomplishments & hard work Stella, Jessie, Bess & Helen put in to make Alpha Omicron Pi such a force to be reckoned with.  It’ll also be an opportunity to reflect on how far the Fraternity has come since its inception, how much AOII has grown by leaps & bounds, & how the Fraternity has impacted the lives of its members over the years.

At the same time,  January 2 will be a chance to look at the future of AOII, what we can do to keep it bright & keep exceeding expectation. 

Early on, the Founders pointed out that Founders’ Day wasn’t intended to honor them but to stop & think of how far AOII has come as a Fraternity; let us keep this in mind as that day comes closer.  Such an unselfish, gracious display – one with no pretense at all!! – shows us the Founders’ unwavering spirit & integrity, as well as their unswerving commitment to perpetuate the bonds of friendship & sisterhood, something AOIIs all over the place have done for well over a century.

Remember.  Reflect.  Think of how far AOII has come:  it’s cause enough to celebrate on Founders’ Day.

You’ve heard the old maxim, one that still holds up even now:  The more things change, the more things stay the same.

Sororities, to keep a consistent track record at being among the best of the best in the Panhellenic community, stick to what they do best:  placing emphasis on academics, community service, leadership opportunities & philanthropic efforts.  To be at or near the top of the ladder in your Greek systems, you have to keep steadfast at your greatest strengths – & the areas I just mentioned are where the best of the best sororities on campus truly shine & excel at.

Year in, year out change takes place around you but our strengths, the very defining characteristics of our chapters should remain unshakable & steadfast.  They’re what brought us this far along, what have propelled us to or near the top in our Greek communities.  And they’re what make our chapters such forces to be reckoned with each year:  grades, philanthropy, community service, setting examples of leadership in action.

To stay at or near the top is no small task; there are plenty of challenges which come at us each semester, plenty of expectations from others to deal with.  But we are able to take heart, knowing that we can keep our place among the best of the best through hard work & effort – though times change,  our modus operandi to leave a positive impression in the Greek community has remained the same, has found ways to endure.

The more things change, the more things stay the same.  As Fall semester winds down in a couple of days, remember this simple maxim.  We do what we do best in spite of & despite change going on around us:  whether it’s academically, philanthropically, or in terms of community service, we’re doing our part to be among the best sisterhoods which Greek life has to offer.

Finals Week is now over:  the last flickering of activity this semester has now ended & who knows how many undergraduates are returning to the warm comforts of home, to familiar neighborhoods & familiar routines.  For three weeks or so (anyways), it’s back to the home life:  working, relaxing, doing whatever.

This isn’t to say that we should fold up our tents & call it a day with all things Recruitment-related:  as any recruitment/rush chair knows, there’s plenty of work needing to be done & plenty of planning ahead as far as Spring Semester recruitment events are concerned. 

Which brings us to some key items on the “to-do” list:

Keeping in contact with those folks thinking about going Greek in the spring – check.

Keeping in contact with those folks we’ve already decided are good to go for Spring Recruitment – check.

Keeping those same men & women informed & up to date on Spring Semester recruitment events – check.

Getting in touch with friends & friends of friends who want to know more about Greek life – check.

We may have work & other issues on our plate for Winter Break but these things shouldn’t distract us from the matter at hand:  getting the groundwork & preparations for Spring Recruitment all set & ready to go before school gets back in session.  So keep that in mind when you travel home for the holidays.