Sorority Recruitment Prepares You For the Real World

Believe it or not sorority life is more than matching tee shirts, fake candid pictures, and themed parties.  Just like sorority life is more than all that, Recruitment is more than a popularity contest, matching outfits, and fake smiles. Being a member of a sorority means you are recruiting 365 days a year, whether it’s through formal recruitment, social media, networking with women in your classes, or the way you act while wearing your letters.  At some point during your time as a collegian, you will experience Formal Recruitment.  I’ve had the opportunity to experience the Formal Recruitment Process both as a PNM, Potential New Member, and as a recruiter. Formal Recruitment requires a lot of preparation leading up to the days filled with rounds of meeting new women. So how can Formal Recruitment help you in the real world?

Time Management Skills: Preparing for Formal Recruitment require long hours of preparation in the weeks leading up to the actual recruitment events.  For Fall Recruitment these days, known as Spirit Days, are crammed into the first few weeks of the year. On top of establishing new semester routines and remembering how to study, you now have to spend hours preparing to recruit your sorority’s future.  This requires time management.  For me, my agenda helps keep me sane during the first chaotic month of the fall semester. Time management is a skill that will help you be successful for the rest of your life.

Optimistic Outlook: Whether you are a PNM or a sister who is recruiting, the Formal Recruitment process can be very long and tiresome.  Sometimes you spend a long time in uncomfortable shoes and clothes, you go hours without eating, and you get hardly any sleep.  While these things sound awful, the experience you are getting makes up for it. There are two ways you can deal with these negative things: with an optimistic attitude or with a pessimistic one. Being pessimistic will make the whole process seem much longer, and if you are a PNM you will have a tough time getting into a sorority because nobody really wants a negative Nancy to be their sister. The better option is to have an optimistic throughout the whole process. Being optimistic will make you happier and allow you to turn the negatives into positives. This is a trait that will get you far in life. Living life with an optimistic attitude will bring you a lot more happiness and positivity, which makes life much more pleasant.

Communication Skills: Formal Recruitment is all about being able to converse with other women.  It is through these conversations that you either figure out the organization you will call home or the women you would like to add to your organization. Without these conversations recruitment really wouldn’t exist. Recruitment teaches you how to have quality conversations and how to communicate even when a conversation is dying. Being able to communicate in awkward or normal conversations is a skill that will help you in the workplace, socially, and on a daily basis.

Appearance: Believe it or not, first impressions are incredibly important.  During recruitment first impressions matter, which is why it is important to be groomed. This means your hair should be done neatly, attire should be on the conservative side, makeup should give off a clean appearance, deodorant should be worn, clothes should not be wrinkled, nails should be trimmed and painted neatly (or not at all), and perfume should be on the lighter side. Learning to make a great first impression through a well-kept appearance is something that is good to know how to do as you will need to do this during a job interview.

Good luck to everyone engaging in the Formal Recruitment process this Fall! Just remember that the experience you are gaining is helping you develop better professional skills, which will help you post college.

Congrats to one of our new writers, Michaela, for this amazing article!! She also blogs as The Shore Life According to M!

My Recruitment Story

Charisse A.

I don’t have the typical recruitment story. I didn’t sign up as a wide eyed freshman fresh outta high school, anxiously waiting for this process to begin. I didn’t meet so many sororities on campus during recruitment to where I lost track of faces and names. My recruitment experience is just the opposite.

               I had struggled with the thought of seeing myself in a sorority, but figured “hey, why not?” So I told my parents I wanted to go through recruitment during first semester of college. Needless to say they were not on board because they wanted academics to be my number one focus, understandably so. So I waited until spring semester. At that point, I was fully immersed in my school work and other extracurriculars that I didn’t even know how I’d be able to balance everything! But after a lot of back and forth from my parents, they finally became a little bit more understanding.

               Because I went through spring semester, I had an informal experience; meaning I would go to some events that each sorority was hosting and see where my best fit was. (It was pretty easy to decide, considering my school at the time only had 2 sororities.) I knew which house I belonged to. I knew where I wanted to establish my roots. Getting my bid was just perfect yet so surreal! And at first, I thought I wouldn’t feel the same as someone who went through recruitment before felt when they were greeted by so many sisters singing and yelling, waiting for new sisters to embrace them! I did in fact felt that way! Here’s where everything gets a little weird.

               Towards the end of second semester, news broke that my school and another one were “merging” which meant that my university and another were to now be housed under the same name and jurisdiction. This also meant that for the fraternities and sororities who existed on both campus would also consolidate and we’d have to take on a whole new group of guys/girls whom we didn’t even know! After a lot of back and forth and trying to fit all the pieces together, everything turned on alright! I was initiated with a pledge class of 4, but now have a pledge class of over 70, will be recruiting with more than 80 sisters, and are expected to recruit HUNDREDS of PNMS!

            

   So like I said, I don’t have the most traditional recruiting story, but it’s unique and something special that I’ll always carry with me. 

Protecting Your Values

          One of my sisters, with whom I am very close, recently attended the Undergraduate Interfraternity Institute, a leadership conference that brings together fraternity leaders from across the country to remind them of the importance of reconnecting with their values in addition to training them in how to bring back the importance and awareness of their values to their campuses. Before she even left, she texted me asking me which of our fraternity’s values I had reflected today. I’ll admit, it wasn’t something I was expecting. I know our values, don’t get me wrong, but they were always something that I just knew were important to me. Integrity is something I hold very dearly. Honor and Respect are very important to me. All our values are incredible and good, but not something I thought about consciously on a daily basis. 

            I remember floundering for a minute, thinking, “all I did today was unpack and pick up my sister from gymnastics.” I hadn’t been reading to second graders, as my fraternity does as a part of our philanthropy, nor had I been raising money to improve literacy. Essentially, I hadn’t been doing anything important.

            In the end, I said something like, “Does driving my sister around count as a Philanthropic Service to Others?” and it does. And then I thought, “Oh I did some reading for my paper for graduate school, so there’s Intellectual Growth. And I chatted with my best friend from 8^th grade, and that’s Sincere Friendship.” So I guess our values apply to more than just fraternity and service heavy days.

            I began writing the values that I had reflected daily. And it has brought me closer to my fraternity. We are value-based organizations. We pride ourselves on our sisterhood, and our values are what bring us together. But unfortunately that which makes us strong can also be our downfall.

            Whenever a scandal breaks regarding our organizations, be it hazing, partying, or racist behavior, our organizations are heinously vilified in the media. Fraternities involved in hazing are called “appalling,” “vicious,” and worse. Furthermore, scandals involving mistreatment of minorities either in or out of the organization are repeatedly reported upon—the SAE scandal at Oklahoma University, for example, had well over a hundred headlines. Fraternity scandals tend to burn longer and brighter than many other organization’s scandals. Hazing, for instance, exists more openly and prevalently in other organizations, including but not limited to high school organizations, sports, honor societies, and the military (side note: a professor at my university, Jane Ward, recently wrote a book about hazing. I haven’t read it, but I have had a class with her and she’s incredible, so I would totally check it out if you’re interested).

            However, because Greek organizations are value based, we are more closely scrutinized. I would equate this to the way that those who create laws are held to them more closely. For instance, when politicians are caught breaking the law, they are persecuted harshly (well. As harshly as any United States politician will be).

            While journaling my values daily has been an incredible exercise in discipline and positivity, but I’m not sure that I would recommend this for everyone. I keep (what many would refer to as) too many journals, and I write prolifically on several aspects of my life—I have a general life journal for diary purposes, a bullet journal for organization, a reading journal dedicated to notes on whatever I happen to be reading at the moment, and a values journal. I completely understand that a lot of people don’t have this kind of time in their day, but there are other methods of keeping track of your values. A check-list is another good way to keep track of your values. Alternately, just tying your daily reflection to something else you do daily, like brushing your teeth is a good habit.

            This reflection has been incredible in helping me reconnect with my fraternity, especially when the fact that it’s summer right now is taken into consideration. I don’t get to see my sisters weekly at meeting or at letters, but I think of them when I think of Sincere Friendship. I found a Dr. Seuss book the other day and I thought of our Philanthropic Service to Others and how privileged I was to be able to participate in Champions are Readers, in which my sisters and I encouraged elementary students to love reading. I think about our founders and their hunger for learning every time I spend some time on Personal and Intellectual Growth. It’s a good way to feel productive and positive even when you don’t think you are.

            Pi Beta Phi has six values: Integrity, Lifelong Commitment, Honor and Respect, Personal and Intellectual Growth, Philanthropic Service to Others, and Sincere Friendship. Today I displayed four of my values:

·       Personal and Intellectual Growth: not only did I finish writing this article, but I also finished my philosophy class’s reading for the week and wrote out a section of GRE vocabulary flash cards.

·       Lifelong Commitment: My first and most important lifelong commitment is to myself, mind and body, and today I worked out.

·       Sincere Friendship: I counseled a friend through her first break up, even though she goes to school 8 hours away from me now and I haven’t seen her lately. Maintaining friendships despite distance is incredibly important to me. I also hosted a brief hang out session with a few sisters, with whom I cannot wait to be reunited officially once the school year starts.

·       Honor and Respect: This one is tough. A few months ago I got into a fight with someone I was very close to. He did not respect my boundaries and repeatedly ignored my requests to take the discussion somewhere more private and to pause long enough for me to stop shaking and crying. The fight resulted in more than a month and a half of radio silence. Today he sent me an apology. It checked all three marks of a good apology: he recognized what he had done, he understood why it was wrong, and he promised to not allow it to happen again. However, he continued to tell someone (with whom I am very good friends) precisely how insincere his apology was, and how he was entirely selfish in his reason for apologizing. I have a hard time not accepting apologies, generally speaking. My first instinct is to give people the benefit of the doubt and befriend them again, but this guy in particular had already hit his three strikes. And sometimes, honor and respect means putting yourself first. Sometimes honor and respect means recognizing that after a certain point, people don’t change—won’t change, and manipulation is never ok. Sometimes Integrity means sticking to your guns and holding when so much of you wants to cave. Sometimes Personal Growth means knowing that two years ago that person would have slid right back into your life only to hurt you again and again and again. Your first and most important Lifelong Commitment is to yourself, and sometimes you cannot compromise on your own wellbeing.

We joined these organizations for different reasons, but I think one thing we can agree upon having found is sisterhood. But more than that are the values that bind us together. Our values are what our founders had in mind when they set forth to create a space where women can support their fellow woman, and where our love of each other and our values can shine.

I like to sign off every values journal entry with “here’s to the wine and blue,” my fraternity’s colors. So with all the love in my heart and the values of my sisterhood, PPL.

Which of your fraternity’s values did you reflect today?

Show Kaitlin some love on her first article!!

The 5 People You Meet in Every Sorority Chapter

Every chapter is different! We say that every member is unique and at the end of the day that is true however we all have a few people that you will find in absolutely every chapter!

1. Miss TSM

This formal superlative is used to describe your chapter's Starbucks loving, Kate Spade toting, cooler painting, srat-tastic sister! I'm my chapter's Miss TSM (at least for another two weeks) so this girl is usually someone I can relate to in every chapter!

2. The Hippie

While she may not always be rocking a flower crown, you can expect that she always has a little something boho on. She's the one that knows about the best music and the latest yoga trends. Shoutout to her if she is influencing everyone to pick up a hula hoop!

3. The Library Dweller

She is personally responsible for maintaining your chapter's GPA. If you need a study buddy, this sister is your girl. I think she has stopped paying rent to her apartment and now makes a check out to the library every month.

4. The Back Row Senior

When the president calls for new business, this girl is the first with her hand in the air with a comment on something or another. She cares so much about your chapter that she is terrified about what will happen when she leaves so she is throwing everything into her last semester!

5. The Real MVP

There is a sheet sign that is due for Derby Days in 24 hours. This is the first person you will text. Homecoming week is two weeks away and you need someone to step up as the chair? She will volunteer to help out and she will kick ass. This girl always comes in clutch so don't take her for granted and make sure to save her a spot on the tabling sign up!

Here's to these 5 lovely ladies! We love you!

Philanthropy Spotlight: Rock the CASA

Are you ready to rock?! For the past two years my chapter has held Rock the CASA as our fall philanthropy event to benefit Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA). CASA volunteers speak on behalf of children going through the court system. This battle of the bands competition that brings in the school and surrounding community to raise money for a great cause

My chapter has tried everything from a 5k to a capture the flag tournament, but we just couldn’t find a philanthropy that fit our chapter and our school. In 2013 we decided to try something new. Unlike most of the daytime sports-related philanthropy events at our school, our Chief Marketing Officer Katie decided to mix things up. She organized a battle of the bands competition for a Friday evening. It included campus bands and bands from the local Tacoma community. The gamble paid off and the inaugural Rock the CASA was a huge hit.

Rock the CASA 2013

Philanthropy events are all about raising awareness and raising money. This year, we increased awareness of CASA by inviting a CASA volunteer, and stepmother to one of our sisters, to come speak to the campus community about being a voice for children. To raise money, we charge admission, sell shirts or stickers, and have a fan favorite award. To vote for your favorite band, spectators just place money in the jar labeled with the band’s name. It’s a fun way to raise money and get people involved.

Fan Favorite Voting Table

Unlike other philanthropic causes like the American Heart Association or the Girl Scouts of America, most people don’t know much about Court Appointed Special Advocates. Having events like Rock the CASA helps people recognize our cause more. This year even marks Theta’s 25^th anniversary with CASA. If you want to know more, click here.

Rock the CASA 2014

If your chapter is looking for a new philanthropy idea, why not try a battle of the bands?

Picking Up a Little on a Budget

So, you’ve been a part of your sorority for a semester or more, and you’ve entertained the idea of expanding your sorority family, but that’s all you’ve done. That’s when you get the unexpected call from your chapter’s VP of New Member Education, and you learn one of your newest sisters wants you as her big sister. You are flattered and, of course, you can’t refuse because in the past couple weeks you two have formed a bond that transcends the normal bond of sisterhood. However, here’s the catch: you’re absolutely unprepared and your funds are minimal. The panic starts to sink in. How are you going to give your new little the Big/Little week she deserves? Don’t worry you can do this, and without dropping $500 like some big sisters (yours truly).

Don’t Fool Yourself:

            
First things first, give yourself a little tough love and a reality check on what you can and cannot afford. If two new members wants you as their big sister take a while to think this through. If you believe you can pull it off, and make sure each girl gets the same amount of swag then go for it. However, if you feel that picking up twins would stretch you too thin then you’ll have to make the hard choice of picking up one versus the other. It’s rough, but you need to have faith that your VP of New Member Education will find another big sister that will be just as great for the other new member.

Big/Little Shirts:

            
One of your biggest purchases you’ll make is your Big/Little shirts especially if your buying shirts for your family or picking up twins. If you can’t afford more than two shirts (I find shirts to run around $40-$50 a piece) then do not hesitate to ask your big, g-big, twin, etc. to pay for their own shirts. Also, keep in mind that your whole family does not necessarily need shirts for you to get great pictures.

            
If you are picking up twins think about making your own shirts with fabric and shirts bought at the fabric store and puffy paint. Then you can just give your littles an IOU on official family shirts for when you have adequate funds.

            
Secondly, be wary when picking fabric for your letters. I know the store in which my chapter gets their Big/Little shirts that Lilly Pulitzer fabric costs extra. Now I love Lilly just as much as the next sorority girl, but if it costs extra that’s a no go. You could find cheap Lilly fabric online at Etsy or other such sites. However, by the time you order it and pay shipping you are basically paying the same amount if not more then you would in the store. Save the Lilly for Christmas or birthday gifts.

            
Also, pay attention to how much the shirt itself costs. It is better to go for the cheaper shirt then to pay a few extra dollars for the American Apparel v-neck. If you’re worried about how your little will look in her shirt remember she’s your little; she’s going to look great in anything!

            
Lastly, if you’re thinking about getting embroidery on the back do the minimum. If the store charges per letter get your monograms.* If the store charges in a range, for example 3-8 letters is x-amount, then it’s okay to get “Big” or “Little” on the back.

            
After this your second expensive thing will be your little’s craft box, but I’ll address that later. Now that you know roughly how much your expensive things will cost you can budget. My advice is to set a limit per little, for example $150 per little etc.

*Note: When getting your little’s monogram make sure you have the correct monogram. Unfortunately, when I picked up my little I got her middle name from Facebook where she had spelled her name phonetically, and therefore; her middle initial was wrong. Thankfully, I called the store in time and was able to change it.

It’s The Little Things:

            
If you are having a hard time thinking of small cutesy things to get your little just think back to when your big picked you up. What type of things did she get you? What types of things did you wish she got you? What are the other bigs thinking about getting their littles?

            
Now there are a few things that I believe are totally worth spending the money to buy. The first is a car decal with your letters on it. This is on the list because it fills your little with pride for her letters. She will literally have her letters with her wherever she goes, and that is a great thing. The second is a pad of stationary in whatever design represents your sorority. This way whenever your little goes to write a note to herself or one of her sisters or even to one of her Panhellenic sisters it’s a little reminder that she joined the best sorority for her and that she chose the best big sister in that sorority. Next, don’t forget to splurge a little on sunglasses. They are actually relatively cheap, and let’s face it any sister is cool wearing her shades with her letters on them. Lastly, get your little a baseball cap with your letters on it. That way the days when she rolls out of bed running late for class (because let’s face it we’ve all done it) she can just throw up her hair, and slip her hat on. Call it I-forgot-to-set-my-alarm chic.

            
Now the best place to buy all the little treasures to give your little is going to be most likely Dollar Tree/Store/General and the dollar section at Wal-Mart. Honestly, the things that you can find there can be absolutely silly, but at the same time absolutely magical. Some ideas are: tumblers, plastic crowns, glow sticks, silly string, plastic jewelry, mugs, etc.* All of these things you can customize for your little. Remember puffy paint is your best friend in this area.

            
Do not be afraid to ask your twin or your big if they have anything that was crafted (without their name on it or their name is easily removed) that they don’t mind parting with, so that you can re-gift it to your little. Trust me, every sorority sister has that one thing that someone made them that they really don’t want to keep. It also helps if your big is about to graduate because as an alum I can tell you I passed down a few things I knew I wouldn’t have room for in my adult life. Now if you are missing a few key pieces that’s when your crafting will come in.

*Note: Do NOT forget to pick up your candy, gift bag/basket, and tissue paper at these sites!  These will be your “fluffers”. It will give your gifts a feeling of fullness and fill in any gaps you might have.

Craft Supplies:

            
Now if you’re having troubles coming up with ideas for things to craft then navigate over to Pinterest! You can follow Sisterhood Redefined, and find different craft inspirations for your little.

            
Now there will be some supplies that you will have to buy at Michael’s or A. C. Moore. It’s inevitable. I know my sorority family just started the tradition of doing stools. Honestly, stools really only cost $15, and a good thing about buying canvases at these stores is that you can quite often find them in bulk packaging. Take advantage of this! You never know when you’ll need to craft a gift again.

            
For other supplies such as paint and that type of thing go ahead and just browse your fellow sisters’ craft boxes. Most of the time in a chapter those sisters who are picking up at the same time will often craft together. Take advantage of the things that your sisters have in their craft boxes. It will save you a ton of money. Also, you do not necessarily need spray paint. I will admit that it saves time, but you can just as efficiently craft a stool with acrylic paint. You can also do a homemade coloring book by printing off free coloring pages online, and you can make your own coupon book for your little with coupons for a crafting dating or an ice cream date.  

            
Now if you were anything like me when I first started crafting you may not be a savant. That’s okay! Practice makes perfect, but if you’re still wary of your skills don’t be afraid to ask advice or help from your more artistic sisters. I learned a lot about crafting from one of my sisters who was an art major. If you are also in a time crunch where you’re picking up without a break in between do not be afraid to ask for help from your big, twin, or other sisters. When my little picked up we split the crafting half and half. Of course afterwards I never wanted to see another canvas again, but it was worth it.

            
Also, don’t be afraid to snoop and stalk your little on Facebook to find out what her interests are, and ask her friends what she really likes or obsessed over. You want your gifts to be catered to who she is.

The Craft Box:
There is a simple way to put together a craft box on a budget. Only really give her the necessary tools, i.e. brushes, a few tubes of paint, something small to craft, fabric, a few paint pens, ribbon, etc. Most of these things you can ask sisters if they have and they don’t use. However, do not put already used paint or paint brushes. Then it really looks cheap. Yes, the goal is to do this on a budget, but we don’t want it to look like that.

Tips:

The first is my own opinion for picking up a little, but you should at least do one special thing for your little that week. My big had my twin and I do a voluntary (we volunteered) scavenger hunt across campus. When I picked up my little, I ordered her a pizza to be delivered to her with a special message. It’s those somewhat grand gestures that make littles feel extra special.

            
If you find an idea on Pinterest that you really like, but you feel like it’s out of your skill zone, and you can’t print it off and modge podge it onto a canvas then just leave it. Big/Little week is really not the time to start experimenting. Instead use the experimenting for an activity that you can do with your new little.

            
Remember Big/Little week isn’t about you, it’s about your little.

            
If you pick up twins make sure that they each get equal amount of gifts. This is very important for building a healthy and equal relationship between you and them.

            
Lastly, make that week as deceptive as possible. That’s the whole fun of Big/Little week. Keep her guessing as to who her big is that way when reveal happens she is totally surprised.

Big/Little week doesn’t have to break your bank and it doesn’t have to be stressful. If you follow these tips and tricks picking up your little will be the greatest and one of the cheapest things you ever do.

            
But also remember, it’s not about the gifts it’s about building that bond that goes beyond the normal bond of sisterhood. Not only are you her big, but you’re her mentor and best friend.       

Editor's Note: This post was written by one of our new writers, Alexis. Congratulate her in the comments on her first post! 

No Matter the Letters - We're All Greek Together

I’m sure it’s happened to you before. You’re walking across campus, proudly sporting your letters, and across the way you spot a girl in another sorority’s letters. As you make brief, almost-awkward eye contact with her as you cross paths, you can’t help but smile a little. Hey! I’m in a sorority, too! We’re both Greeks! While she may not be your sister, she’s a sister, nonetheless. And that’s something special. While you may not be in the same sorority, you know that she understands the sorority experience, and you can bet that she lives up to her sorority’s values just as you do yours. So doesn’t that make you sisters, all the same?

“PANHELLENIC SISTERS: NO MATTER THE LETTERS, WE’RE ALL GREEK TOGETHER.”

It’s a thing. You’ve seen it on Pinterest. You’ve probably liked and shared it on Facebook. There are plenty of Panhel-Pride images out there that make you proud to be you. And it really is something to be proud of. I mean, think about it: we’re members of fraternal organizations that have banded together to create a beautiful alliance of womanhood and Greek pride. That’s the National Panhellenic Conference, comprised of twenty-six sororities that strive to help women become their best and bond with sisters to make friendships that last a lifetime. It’s an organization that helps sororities to strive and flourish, enhancing the college experience and promoting friendship and sisterhood among collegians. Your school’s Panhel is made up of leadership representatives from all sororities on campus working together to promote the sorority experience for everyone. This Panhel thing certainly is something to be proud of, isn’t it?

No matter the letters, we are all Greek together. We all have aspects that bind us together, and though our traditions may be unique, we are all united by that Panhel Love.

Letters and Greek Pride
Whatever letters you wear proudly on your sweatshirt, you have letters to believe in. These letters mean more to you than meets the eye, more than anyone not duly initiated could even imagine. You’ve learned your letters’ true history and significance throughout your sorority experience. They are sacred. Whether you sport two letters or three, you have something to be proud of, and so do the other sorority women on your campus. When you wear your letters, you represent everything your sorority believes in and everything the sisterhood has meant to you. And you know what? We all have that privilege. Anyone who wears any letters at all knows the feeling of pride you get from walking across campus in your Bid Day shirt, thinking to yourself, “That’s right, I’m a proud member of Kappa Alpha Theta! (or what have you.)” Every sorority woman knows that feeling of an indescribable love for all her sisters, countless memories, and tears of joy. How can one possibly describe these wonderful feelings in mere words? You don’t have to. You have your letters. The letters say it all.

A Rich Heritage
Each sorority has its own unique history, its own founders, and its own story. Some have 11 founders, some have 4, but we can all attribute our memories back to a group of courageous women who founded an organization that would soon grow to be what it is today. Whether you’re a proud member of the Syracuse Triad or the Macon Magnolias, you’ve got heritage. You have thousands of sisters across the globe. You’ve got sisters that have come before you and will come after you. We all share a continuing history. Though our stories may be different, we all have a history that dates back through the generations, often back to when a woman attending college was a rarity. Just as you have your own family history, your sisters across the world and your Panhellenic sisters all have history to cherish.

Traditions and Rituals
Whatever they may be, we all have rituals. Though we don’t talk to them outside of the chapter room, we all have our secrets. These secrets are sacred and cherished. They are the tie that binds all sisters together. Sisters have been diligently conducting these traditions for generations. While the rituals of another sorority may be different from yours (whatever they are), they are traditions, nonetheless. It’s an honor to be a part of something so magical. I don’t know about you, but I sure feel the goosebumps whenever I participate in my chapter’s Ritual. I’m sure other women understand.

Campus Pride/Greek System Pride
Regardless of your letters, you’re still a proud student of your campus. You’re still a member of the Greek system. You’ve all competed together, you’ve all celebrated together, and you’ve all studied together. You’re a lady and a scholar. You’ve got school pride and sorority pride. Might as well show it off!

Character
Although you may still feel bitter about your rival sorority’s win of the Homecoming contests, you can’t deny that those women are still wonderful people on the inside. We were all chosen to become members of our respective organizations because our sisters saw something in us that they believed in. They saw the chapter’s values in us and knew that we would be excellent members of the chapter. Heck, they straight-up liked us as people! We’re all women of character, so toss rivalries aside and remember this.

Other sorority women know the true values of sisterhood. They know what it’s like to scream in delight as you get your beloved little on Big/Little Reveal. They know how it is to be rescued from an awkward bar encounter from your best wingwoman. They know what it’s like to have unconditional love for one another.

Our differences are what make us unique. Like a rose is made up of individual petals, a sorority is made up of individual members. Panhel is a garden, made of individual rosebushes.


And so, whether you’re repping angels and arrows, squirrels and pearls, or a golden lyre, you’re repping something more. You’re a proud woman of Panhel. Now, go out there and show some Panhel pride!

Editor's Note: This post was written by one of our new writers, Lauren. Be sure to leave her comments on her first official post! 

4 Apps Every College Girl Needs

The one thing we keep on us at all times is our smart phone. We try to live without it but let's be real it's attached to our hand pretty much 80% of the time. We may as well make good use of the 15 GB in our lives.

1. Pocket Expense - This is an app that I use to track my finances. It's amazing to use for budget management, tracking your bills and keeping your accounts organized. I love it because it allows me to see where my money is being spent and where I'm going over budget. It enables me to adjust monthly and see a month in a review that shows me when I am spending more money than I have. 

2. Adobe Reader - I don't know about you but almost all of my professors send me articles, assignments and syllabuses in pdf format. When I use the Adobe Reader app, I can access all of these pdfs whenever I want. My favorite feature is being able to sort and save all of my pdfs. 

3. Quizlet - Flashcards are the easiest way to study on the go, but who wants to put up with all of the paper, I know I sure don't. Using the Quizlet app, you have access to all of the online flashcards from the Quizlet site as well as the ability to make you own! 

4. Your Chapter's Website Made into an App - So this isn't an app that you can find in the app store but it's certainly one you'll use daily. Both Apple and Android give you the ability to bookmark frequently used websites into apps on your home screen. Auto save your login information and have all of your chapter information at the click of a button! 

What apps do you use daily? 

Big Appreciation Week Ideas

There’s no relationship quite like the big/little relationship. She’s your mentor, your best friend, you role model, your partner in crime. She was showering you with gifts before you even knew her name. Now it’s your turn to pay her back for everything she’s done…it’s Big Appreciation Week! If you’re at a loss for what to your amazing big, here are some suggestions:

Picture Frame - I’m sure you and your big have tons of adorable photos together. What better way to say “you’re beautiful and I love you” than with a frame for her to look at every day. Bonus points to you if you craft the frame so it’s more personalized. If crafting isn’t your specialty, hit up your local TJ Maxx or Target to look for a cute photo frame.

Crafts - Speaking of crafting, why not make some crafts! I’m sure your big made you a slew of cute crafts for big reveal. Now it’s your turn to return the favor. Whether it be a paddle, monogrammed wine glasses, or a pin box, I’m sure she’ll love whatever you make. Every craft is beautiful if it comes from the heart.

Date Night - Take your favorite lady out for a big/little date night. Grab a bite to eat at your favorite café and then catch the latest RomCom that your boyfriend refuses to see. Don’t forget a trip to the nearest ice cream parlor at the end so you two can catch up on gossip over a cone of rocky road.

Matching Shirts - There are so many cute big/little shirts out there. You can find the style that fits your relationship perfectly. Preppy? Get matching frockets with your monograms embroidered on the pockets. Too cool for school? Get the all too hip Biggie Smalls shirts. The possibilities are endless!

When in doubt, just buy candy! Every girl loves candy. With gifts like these, it will be like big reveal week all over again, but this time you get the be the gift-giver!

What have you done for Big Appreciation Week? We’d love to hear it in the comments.

Sisterhood Is...

    

During recruitment, one of the most common questions we ask PNMs is "what does sisterhood mean to you?"  It's one of those questions that we use to help evaluate why someone is going through recruitment. It is also one of those questions that when a PNM asks us the same thing, we give a sugar coated answer 9 times out of 10. We don't lie per se but we also don't talk about the no perfect side of sisterhood. My PNM answer to this question is:

Sisterhood is a lifelong bond between me and all the girls in this room. We are there for each other in any situation. My sisters love me for who I am and don't want me to change. They are all my best friends and will be my future bridesmaids. 

       

None of that is wrong however it isn't completely true. Not all of my sisters are my best friends. There is certainly a list of sisters within my chapter that would get the first phone calls when I need help before I reached out to people who aren't my sister. Here is my real life answer to "what does sisterhood mean to you?" 

Sisterhood is a lifelong bond between a group of women. It is the smiles and the tears. It is the laughing and the yelling. It is being in the middle of a fight but when your sister says she needs you dropping everything to go comfort her. It is wiping someone's face and holding their hair when they are sick. My sisters won't all be my bridesmaids but they will be the first people to know (behind my family) that I'm getting married. I know all of my sisters names but I don't talk to all of my sisters. My sisters aren't all my best friends but they all could call on me for help and I'd do whatever I could to be there for them. 

Every now and then I think it's important to really think about (and share with your sisters) what does sisterhood mean to you?

I would love to know what sisterhood means to you so please let me know in the comments! 

How to Celebrate Fall with your Sisters

Happy fall!

One of my favorite things about fall is spending time with my sisters! Here are some of our favorite fall sisterhood activities!

1. Scream through a haunted house! You can hold them tight all night long! This could even lead into a sisterhood horror movie marathon and a sisterhood sleepover!

2. Carve pumpkins! Incorporate your letters or just add glitter - your options are limitless.

3. Go on a hayride! Even if you have to drive to find one, this is a great way to bond with sisters!

4. Make s'mores! If you can find a bonfire, you can make legit s'mores or you can settle for oven s'mores - whatever works.

5. Take a fall sisterhood photo shoot! Jumping in leaves, throwing leaves, running through falling leaves - adding leaves to any photos makes them more fun!

6. Play at the playground. Bring out your inner child at your local playground! Have a competition to see who can swing the highest. Winner gets coffee!!

I hope you have fun with your sisters this fall! Be sure to send us photos at sisterhoodredefined@gmail.com!

Impromptu Memories

My years in Delta Zeta afforded me some awesome opportunities I would have never experienced on my own. I’m not talking about business contacts or having to buy chapter clothes that now double as interview outfits—I’m talking about sisterhood events that brought me all around Columbus, and even outside the city limits, and the memories I made with both sisters I saw regularly, and those I didn’t.

I had never even heard of Sky Zone before we started planning 2013’s bid day. Now I’ve been there twice, both times with my chapter, and I absolutely loved it. Though I love hockey, I probably never would have attended a Blue Jackets game. But when the Greek Life office offered us seats in the press box, I was beyond excited. And when my sisters and I had so much fun we decided to make a weekend of it and hung out at a local spot before heading to an Ohio State hockey game, it combined for a weekend I won’t forget.

Tip: only jump off the walls if you want to snap your neck

Because even though I would probably not have made it to Nationwide Arena without DZ, it’s the impromptu sisterhoods like the OSU game that have always been my favorite.

OSU hockey game

The entire month of October was devoted to scary movies in the informal room. And, subsequently, Insomina cookies to make us feel better after The Exorcist girl rotated her head all the way around. It’s my favorite thing to talk about every year during recruitment when I pass through the informal room during house tours.

It’s the sisterhoods we have after the Mirror Lake jump each year, all congregated in our dining room tracking mud all over the house (much to our house mom’s dismay, sorry Barb!) and talking animatedly about the night and potential hypothermia we faced to show *ichigan we’re still better than them that I remember the best.

Or the times I’ve spent on the mouse mansion floors upstairs, talking about the most random topics until four in the morning when I had to get up for an early class the next morning.

Even though planned sisterhoods are all about bonding with one another, it’s always the unplanned ones that have the most lasting impact. They're worth the late nights; the relationships last far longer than the desire to take a nap. 

Gifts For Your Little

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 

1) DIY Canvas - super cute yet fun idea! Gather a couple of your sisters and hit the craft store!

2) Build - A - Bear - who doesn't love a teddy bear? Your little will always remember who gave this to her and have great memories with it!

3) Mason Jars - when you combine a mason jar with your monogram I don't think you can do much better!

4) DIY Wine Glass - I love the glitter idea I found on Pintrest! Of course if your little happens to be under 21 you can mix it up a little and make a cute mug for her.

5) Letter Necklace - this is such a small and simple accessory. It's not too flashy yet you can always layer other necklaces with it.

6) Starbucks - saved the best for last.  Who doesn't love Starbucks!! Whether it's drinks to go or a gift card you can never go wrong.

How to Dress For Your (First) Ritual

Despite the many differences between each sorority, one thing that I've found relatively similar is how we dress for our rituals. If you're a new member of a sorority or if you've just never really grasped the concept of ritual attire here are some tips on how to dress for your ritual.

White Dresses (or sometimes a white skirt and top are acceptable) are worn at rituals. The dress should not be tight or show too much cleavage. It should be modest. White Shoes are also required. In my experience I've found white closed-toed flats were the most comfortable and the safest bet when it comes to proper shoes. You wear white because the color white is a symbol of purity and you are supposed to come to rituals in your purest form. Which leads me to...

Minimal to No Make-up or Jewelry Again, you are supposed to be in your purest form, make-up and jewelry are not a part of that. If you are going to wear make-up, it must be very light and wedding/engagement rings are the only form of jewelry allowed to be worn.

When in doubt you could always google "Sorority Ritual Attire' and look at pictures of other sorority girls online in ritual attire or just ask a sister who has been through numerous rituals already. Here are some good examples: