Handling Leadership in Your Soroity

“I didn’t choose my leadership position; it chose me.” That’s how many sisters in my sorority explain their role to me. This goes to show that even if you may not see yourself in a certain position, your sisters may think you’re a perfect fit. Whether you were called to lead by your sisters, or selected for an applied position, leadership is very important within Greek communities.

This semester I was tasked with two chair positions with the potential of a third. I am honored that my President found that I was a good representative of our letters. Though I am terrified of speaking in front of groups of people, I have found the strength to be a good communicator whenever it is my turn to speak.

Here’s three tips that I think will help someone who is struggling to mentally cope with the expectations of a leadership role like I was.

1. Realize who you’re talking to. These are your sisters! Whenever you have to speak in chapter meetings, remember that these are women who you share amazing bonds with. These girls might laugh, but they will never abandon you or really make fun of you.
2. Have a script. I understand that for ritual things writing a script probably isn’t possible. I’m sorry. That stuff you’ll have to work out ways to remember. However, for reports, type them up and print them out! If you have issues improvising, this really helps make sure you look and sound organized.
3. Practice! It may sound stupid to practice reading your sorority reports in front of a mirror or with your best friend in the chapter, but I think that running your report by someone else really helps to make sure that you’re communicating everything that’s necessary.

With these tips it’ll be easy to talk during chapter meetings, but does that really mean you have “handled” your leadership role? No!

In order to really handle this role you need to be available for sisters! As Public Relations chair I’m always open to e-mails or having people stop by my room to ask me about flyers and other things. As a leader, there will be questions coming your way. Accept it now. You should also accept that you might not have all of the answers. That’s okay. Just try your best to be helpful or find the answers necessary!

Finally, the last thing you need to think about, especially if you’re on exec, is the fact that you will be in the know. To properly handle this situation you need to be aware that what is said among exec members stays with the exec board. Going around telling sisters about that one girl who is terminating really is not necessary until it’s announced at a meeting. Because let’s be real, we all know there’s really no such thing as secrets between members. If you tell one girl something, she’s probably going to go tell someone else. It’s just best to not start drama if you’re trying to lead your chapter in your organization’s values.

How do you handle leadership positions within your sorority?

The Friendship of Saint Valentine

            The month of February is notorious for the marketed holiday of Valentine’s Day where sweethearts are given flowers and candy or taken out to a fancy meal to celebrate their love. However, for the sisters of Alpha Sigma Alpha we remember the man behind the lover’s holiday: Saint Valentine. For my organization Saint Valentine is our exemplar for physical growth and friendship. As a sister of Alpha Sigma Alpha I’m proud to explore more of the story and ideals of Saint Valentine and what he means to my sorority.

           

Saint Valentine and Martyrdom

Saint Valentine was born in the 3^rd century AD in Tierni, Italy. During this time it was illegal to practice the Christian faith, and during the time of Saint Valentine’s life many Christians were condemned to die for their beliefs. Valentine became a saint for his helpfulness towards those who believed in Christ, as visited them as they waited in prison for their execution. He faithfully kept them at ease with his friendship and shared belief in God’s grace. In one instance; however, Valentine was able to heal a Roman judges daughter of blindness, which led to the judge to be baptized a Christian and the prisoners in jail at the time to be released.

It wasn’t until 269 AD that he became a martyr for the Christian faith. Valentine was arrested in Rome for marrying Christian couples against the orders of Emperor Claudius II. However, while he was imprisoned Claudius took a liking to Valentine, but he over stepped his bounds when he tried to convert the emperor. As a result he was sentenced to death where he was beaten and clubbed, but then ultimately beheaded. Later, he was named the patron saint of love, young people, and happy marriages.

Saint Valentine and the Ladies of Poise and Purpose

            For Alpha Sigma Alpha, Saint Valentine is the exemplar of physical development and friendship, and he is represented by our gem the ruby. Saint Valentine teaches us that friendship isn’t only a social construct but an actual physical and organic creature. It is both an emotional and physical feat to have friends and to keep a friendship.

            During his life Valentine was a loyal friend of Christ, Christians, and the beliefs that represented both. He steadfastly stood by those who were condemned to die for their faith, and comforted them in their time of need. As sisters, we are taught, by the example of Saint Valentine, to be loyal to our bond of sisterhood, and to support and cultivate friendships between sisters. There is nothing like the bond that forms between a group of women when we take the same oaths and vows just like there is a bond that forms between those who share the same faith. We are to stand by our sisters through their joys and downfalls and to accept them unconditionally for who they are. Saint Valentine also served those who were in need of guidance or help. Alpha Sigma Alpha does this through our three philanthropies: The Special Olympics, S. June Smith Center, and Girls on the Run. We gladly give our time to volunteer and give back to our community because there is a higher calling when serving others. This is how we become pillars of our community.

            Saint Valentine teaches us these lessons of love and friendship:

Giving: “You give but little when you give of your possessions. It is when you give of yourself that you truly give.” – Kahlil Gibron

Faith: There is a story that when Saint Valentine’s friends came to collect his remains after his death. However, instead of finding bones they found a bright red beating heart, which shows that faithful and unselfish love can never perish from the Earth.

Unselfishness: “Love gives only of itself and takes nothing from itself. Love possesses not, nor would it be possessed, for love is sufficient unto love.” – Kahlil Gibron

            I think Saint Valentine has a lot to teach us about friendship and love in general. It is unselfish, unchanging, and faithful. It doesn’t judge and is unconditional. This is the friendship and love we should extend to our sisters. We share a bond with them that we will carry with us no matter where we end up in life, and I know that the bond I share with my sisters of the Theta Beta chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha will always inspire me to be better, to do better, and to care for everyone that I meet.  

Enjoy Valentine's Day When You're Single

So the day is approaching. The day single ladies hate. Valentine’s Day. Just another Hallmark holiday to remind you how much it sucks being single, right?

WRONG!

It’s a day for you to love yourself unconditionally and remind your best friends and sisters how much you love them! Not sure how to spend the day when everybody else in the world is getting all goo-goo eyed with their Googly Bear? (a la Monsters, Inc.) Try some of these ideas to make your Valentine’s Day the best yet:

TREAT YO’SELF!

1. Get a mani/pedi in funky colors.

2. Get that cool new haircut you’ve been wanting, but been too afraid to have done.

3. Go to the mall and buy yourselves a few cute new outfits (bonus points if you’re a bargain hunter or a thrifter! See what you can get for $25!)

4. Make a nice meal for yourself or have your favorite food delivered.

5. You know those large heart-shaped boxes of chocolate? Go get one. You deserve it.

TAKE YOURSELF ON A DATE

6. Go see a movie by yourself (there is NO shame in that!) or with your sisters. Some movie theatres have tickets for as low as $2. Go on a quest to find your local budget theatre!

7. Visit a museum and ponder the lives of your cultural ancestors.

8. Get the girls together and go out to a fancy restaurant

9. Hit the club (or the bar) and dance your worries away. Maybe flirt with that cute bartender ;-)

10. Cozy up in your favorite chair and get lost in your favorite fantasy world. 

11. Watch some sappy rom-coms with the sisters. Or alone. With your dog. In bed. On Netflix. With a pan of brownies. Because you deserve it.

12. On that note, go for a shameless Netflix binge. You need the break from the real world. One more episode can’t hurt, right?

13. Lose your mind on the internet. Tumblr, Reddit, StumbleUpon

MAKE SOMEONE ELSE’S DAY

14. Crafting! Need I say more? Make presents for people you love.

15. Make homemade valentines and send them to your loved ones. On campus? Give them out to random strangers.

16. Get out there and do some random acts of kindness. Buy lunch for a homeless person and listen to his life story!

17. Tip your baristas when you get your morning caffeine fix. Trust me, they’ll appreciate it.

18. Call your mom. Just do it, okay? Actually, Call your grandma, too. Call family members and tell them you love them. Even your annoying little brother. 

19. Go to the local animal shelter and volunteer or adopt a kitty if you can. Who wouldn’t love an afternoon playing with fluffy furry friends?

LOVE YOURSELF

20. Write a list of 100 reasons you love yourself. Put them on slips of paper in a pretty decorated jar and pull a few out whenever you’re feeling down.

21. Are you religious? Go to a service. That will certainly make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

22. Go rock climbing, take a Zumba class, or just go to the gym with your favorite jams on your iPod. Love your body in the best way possible.

23. Try meditating! Challenge yourself to find that inner peace.

24. Remember that no matter what, even if it seems like everyone has a significant other but you, people love you. More people love and cherish you than you can ever know in your lifetime. So cheer up if you’re feeling down!

So now you’ve got a ton of things to do this Valentine’s Day, you feisty single lady, you.

I guess at the end of the day, just remember – it’s not the worst thing in the world not to have a valentine. Some people don’t have mothers on Mothers’ Day and some people don’t have fathers on Father’s day. So be happy! Feel the love.