Greetings from Washington DC

 

Last month I was in Washington DC surrounded by over 100 students from many Greek organizations. It was amazing. I went to Capitol Hill and got to meet with so many people who were part of Greek organizations in college and are now working along side Congress and the Senate. It’s really remarkable to see what being in a Greek organization can do for you. I know during recruitment people are always saying that going Greek gives great networking opportunities, and that’s true but more so, it helps you make steps to get into your career after college.  I spoke to so many people about when they were active in their chapters, they took on leadership positions and were very active in their volunteer work. This got them to see what they wanted to do after college. You get more from your organization with how much you put into your organization.

" Don't think about failing, just go for it. Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game " - A Cinderella Story

Here are a few suggestions on how to do just that.

1.       Run for a leadership position-Nothing says I want to get involved with my chapter more than taking on a leadership positon. It challenges you in ways you never thought possible. I suggest taking on a position that is close to what you want to do after college. For me I ran for scholarship chair because I want to become a teacher.

2.       Ask if you can sit in on meetings with your Executive Board/Council-Its like being the stage crew for a big Broadway musical. You get to see the behind the scenes work and what it takes to make an amazing organization.

3.       Volunteer just to volunteer-Don’t do it for the hours. Do it because you love to help others. With me I love to volunteer with education because I want to become a teacher after college. Not to mention I also love to work with animals. With me I love to volunteer in education, I got an internship on campus where I help high school, middle school and elementary students excited for college, and give them the support they need!

4.       Help out with recruitment-This is the craziest and most wonderful time of the year. This means your recruitment chair/chairs will need lots of help to make sure everything runs smoothly and goes perfect.

5.       Join a committee-In your chapter there are usually committees that go along with the many positions your sorority has to offer in leadership positions.

6.       Look into other student organizations- This is one I really recommend because knowing what your campus has to offer you will really open up doors for you. Especially when your part of a Greek organization. For me, I got an internship on campus with Associated Students where I help out with workshops and campus tours. I’m not only helping my community and school but also promoting getting involved with Greek life.

7. Become a Big Sister-When I first decided I wanted to become a big I had no idea what to expect. I had always wanted a little sister but little did I know it became so much more than that. My two amazing little sisters have made me a better version of myself. And also they have given me two also amazing grand little sisters. Becoming a Big is more than a title its about being a mentor them and also yourself. Best choice ever!

Side note from my DC trip: This was an amazing experience, I not only got to meet so many Greeks but also got to meet three amazing other women who I am proud and honored to call my sisters. Remembering that its not just four years, its for life!

Notes to the LDC: Amanda's Reflection on Being an LDC

Since today is my final day as a leadership development consultant for Phi Sigma Sigma, I wanted to reflect on all of the great things this job has offered me.

In addition to all of the benefits I mentioned in my first SGT blog post, I have had the opportunity to meet some amazing Phi Sigma Sigma women from around the country.

As you can see in this photograph, I received a lot of love from many sisters.

A majority of these notes are from the sisters of the Gamma Xi chapter at Widener University. They welcomed me into their beautiful home eight months ago. Throughout the school year I have worked closely with the chapter to create positive change and exciting new traditions. While it was a lot of work, the sisters and I had fun together as well. From hanging out in the manor to running the concession stands at PPL Park for a fundraiser, we have created many memories. I hope I taught them a lot because these women helped me develop leadership skills that I did not expect to gain. 

There are also notes in there from my consultant big, Shelly. Shelly is an amazing Phi Sig from Oregon who also was once a leadership consultant for the sorority. Even though she is from the other side of the country, she has been a huge support system for me. Whenever I  needed advice, Shelly offered her love and care through phone calls, text messages, and even surprise packages! Shelly mailed me a big package of my favorite candies and she even got me an adorable tank top from The Greek Supply "just because."

I also need to acknowledge my lovely sisters from the Iota Rho chapter at Saint Joseph's University. Some of the notes in this picture are from founders of the chapter and the chapter's advisor, Beth. This chapter has been such a joy to work with because the sisters are sweet and friendly and the leaders of the chapter are very driven and accomplished. Watching this newer chapter grow and experience its first formal recruitment was so rewarding and I look forward to seeing what the women do next.

Even though I was stationed in the Philadelphia area for a majority of my time as a consultant, I traveled to at least ten states and around 20 universities. In the pile I have an adorable thank you card from the Zeta Omicron chapter at Kutztown University and I have multiple kind notes and letters from another former consultant, Christina, after we colonized Phi Sigma Sigma's newest chapter at Farmingdale State College. All of my visits were unique, enlightening, and definitely unforgettable.

Because this job allowed me to explore different parts of the country with sisters, I added in some ticket stubs. I visited museums in Washington, D.C. with another consultant, Katie, and I even attended a campus-sponsored drag queen show with the Zeta Rho chapter at Fitchburg State University.

At the top of the photograph is a review of my work as a consultant after the fall semester. I added the review to this pile because it was full of encouraging feedback from chapter leaders and advisors. I am so proud to see that I have been making a positive and lasting impact on the chapters I work with and visit. I hope to keep in touch with everyone and hear about how they have grown.

There are many other special people that shaped my LDC experience as well. Some additional memories added in this next college include chaperoning the Grab-a-Date date party for the Delta Eta chapter at University of Delaware, helping the Iota Eta chapter at Florida Institute of Technology with formal recruitment, taking photo shoots with the other Phi Sigma Sigma consultants, working at Leadership Conference in Virginia, running extension presentations with HQ staff, playing laser tag with sisters from the Delta Upsilon chapter at Siena Heights University, and bumping into my grand little at a Phired Up workshop.

This has been a crazy eight months, but I do not regret a minute of it. LITP!

Kid President Inspires Phi Sig

This past weekend, Phi Sigma Sigma held its second Leadership Conference of 2015. This weekend-long conference educated hundreds of chapter executive board members on the sorority's philanthropy, leadership, retention and engagement, and other important aspects of sorority operations.

My favorite part about this conference is the goal to inspire young collegiate members and alumnae volunteers to create positive change in the world.

Inspiring is exactly what Kid President achieves in his funny and upbeat videos. To kick off the weekend, Phi Sigma Sigma's current Grand Archon, Alicia Scott, played this charming video from Kid President during the opening session:

Kid President is from the YouTube channel SoulPancake. In addition to being absolutely adorable, he encourages viewers to make the world a better place. He says one line in this video that means a lot to me now:

Pretty deep stuff. This could not be more important for sorority inclusiveness and for everyday interaction. Making people feel important and valued goes a long way, and Kid President phrased it perfectly.

While I greatly appreciated the dance break that occurred at the end of the opening session, this video made me want to dive right into the weekend. Hopefully it empowers you to make a difference, too. You can follow Kid President on Twitter to read more inspiring quotes!

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During a different leadership conference for another organization, I met the SoulPancake team. I can attest to the fact that they are an awesome group of motivational people:

A Letter to my Freshman Self

 Dear freshman me,

It’s currently January 31, 2015 and that means that it’s been about a month and a half since you graduated from college. Right now, there are a lot of things I wish I did, or didn’t do, depending on the situation.

Go through recruitment now instead of next spring so that you can spend more time in your chapter and with the girls who will become your best friends. Those “friends” from freshman year, I know it may not be what you want to hear, but none of those friendships will truly last. Once in a while you’ll see the people you came to know but they aren’t going to be the truest of the true. That best friend of yours that talked you into coming to college here instead of the school you really wanted to, your friendship didn’t last through your first semester, but don’t worry because things will get better.

Freshman me, you’re going to want to do a lot of things, but always keep your future in mind. Think ahead and don’t ever forget where you want to go, no matter what you have to do to get there. Work hard, pull all nighters if you have to, but NEVER give up on your dreams. Right now, in spring of 2011, you’ve officially switched over to Criminal Justice and I promise you that you’ll fall in love with it. 22 year old you still dreams of becoming an FBI agent one day, so strive towards that, okay? You’re only 18, but be responsible!

As for those boys who broke your heart, don’t pay any attention to them because I can promise you that, once again, the best is yet to come. The summer of 2014, you’ll meet the one that’ll make you forget that anyone else is in the world. When you meet him, you’ll immediately know because he won’t come into your life quietly. He’ll obnoxiously message you telling you that he thinks you’re beautiful and you’ll bond over Marvel and everything nerdy. He’ll call you beautiful and princess and he’ll always listen to you and give you advice, no matter what your problem is.  He’ll be the one that listens to you and makes attempts to care about everything that’s happening in your life. Make sure you love him every single day and love him as hard as you can, because when you least expect it, you’ll wake up to a message that’ll change your world. I won’t be nice about it because you should be prepared, especially because I wasn’t. A drunk driver is how he met his untimely demise and you’ll feel like you’re dying. Heck…it’s 4 months later and I still feel like I’m dying inside but guess what, you’ll have your three best friends.

These girls have been there for you no matter what. You met one in February 2012 and the other two in September 2012. You may not know it when you meet them, but you’ll end up being inseparable. These are the girls who take you hiking and go with you to the restaurant you’ve wanted to go to since you moved here for college.

You’re probably wondering what 22 year old you is doing now and to be honest, you’re sitting at your room at your parents house in your hometown. Trust me, freshman me,  you have a job that you LOVE and you didn’t give that up, even for another job in another state that paid twice as much. When you’re looking through internships, you’ll know in your heart where you’re supposed to be.

18 year old me, hug your parents every day and call your grandparents to tell them hi and that you love them at least three times a week. They’re still here and doing well, but just let them know that you appreciate them and all they’ve done for you. You’ll pay it back to them when you graduate in December 2015.

That’s all for me. I’ve given you a lot of hints, but you have to write your own story and be your own person.

Good luck, freshman version of me. You’re going to be successful.

Xoxo,

22 year old, UCCS graduate version of me.

Love Being in a Sorority? There's a Way You Can Do It Professionally!

Sisterhood events, semi-formals, recruitment, philanthropy work. Sororities really offer some of the best experiences in college. But why let the fun end there? There are many ways to keep the exciting memories coming after the first four years. You can join the local alumnae chapter or volunteer as a chapter advisor or chaperone your chapter's dances. These opportunities can be very rewarding, but there is a way to have all of this AND get paid!

Have you ever had a consultant visit your chapter? Those positions are typically contracted full time jobs for recent graduates. I graduated this past May, and received a job right out of college as a Leadership Development Consultant for Phi Sigma Sigma. As I was spending my last semester going to my internship in New York City, attending all of my classes, participating in sorority events, and doing my homework full of reading, writing papers, and preparing for exams, I frantically searched for full time jobs. I started hearing about an opportunity to be a traveling consultant for Phi Sigma Sigma after I had already applied to countless jobs. Even though working for my sorority was not my plan for after graduation, I decided to apply and see what could happen. So far, being a consultant has been a unique and exhilarating experience!

For Phi Sigma Sigma and many other Greek organizations, qualifications include being a graduate in good standing with the fraternity, having strong written and oral communication skills, and having the ability to foster and demonstrate teamwork and cooperation. Being a consultant means motivating and inspiring others to make the most of their collegiate experience while fostering leadership and positive growth. 

In return for the hard work advising and educating members on chapter operations and recruitment, this position sharpens many professional skills such as project and budget management, conflict resolution, event planning, and public speaking. This temporary position is a great stepping stone into any field because of these invaluable skills. 

OK, now for the real perks of the job. Like the title states, this is an opportunity to be a professional sorority woman! Even though I am a representative from Headquarters, I get all the perks of sorority life. I attend fun events for various chapters like a Zumba class with froyo for a health and wellness event, and Make a Wish parties for philanthropy work, and even recruitment video shoots. Not to mention all of the great conferences and training sessions with the headquarters staff! Plus, I am always getting countless free Phi Sig swag. Most of all, I get to see the positive change I make on these chapters. I develop a bond with the sisters who look up to me.

If you are looking for an exciting adventure like this, now is the time to apply for next year. Ask your advisor or headquarters staff about work opportunities, and see what you can do to continue your sorority experience!

Quality Over Quantity

What do most people look for when it comes to recruitment ?

Do they look for leadership potential? Do they look for people that would mesh well with them? Do you look for people who won't create drama and bring everyone down? While each sorority is different, it is absolutely key to find people who work well with others and who would be leaders within your organization. 

Within the past few weeks, we've elected for our executive board and executive council for the 2015 term and it was then that it hit me. This year our we actually have people who want to fill positions. 

It's been a problem within our organization that we don't have enough people to fill positions or that we get our positions filled and then weeks later, people drop their position. 

It's been this time around that we, as a chapter, have actually had people be willing to fill almost all of our positions. Though there are things left unfilled, I find it better that they were left unfilled then somebody winning and then dropping. 

I'm curious, what do you look for when you're looking at PNM's? 

If leadership skills or leadership potential aren't some of the things that you're looking for, maybe it's time that you start thinking about these things before the next recruitment period comes around. 

I, personally, would have a smaller chapter of quality sisters than a large group of women who aren't contributing anything. 

As a senior and a veteran member of my chapters executive board, as well as executive council, I want to leave the chapter in a better place than it was when I came in.

After three years of being in my chapter, our sisterhood is the strongest that it's ever been and I want it to stay that way long after I'm gone from this chapter.