How to survive your first chapter meeting

So you've survived the craziness of recruitment, the excitement of bid day, and finally met all your lovely sisters! Now you're probably thinking though what your first chapter will be like and how you should act as a new member. You want to make the best first impression, make new friends, and generally just have a great time. Here's my biggest advice for you new members so you can reach all these goals. 

Exec

1. Get familiar with your sorority's rituals, songs, poems, mottos, nick names, and hand signs. 

Song

Whether you passed your sorority's knowledge test with flying colors, are still studying to take it, or are in a local sorority that doesn't have a specific testing procedure at some point you are going to want to know all of your sorority's traditions. Search Pinterest, Sorority Sugar, and various other sorority blogs and learn all that you can! 

2. Listen to the announcements about future events. 

Hoops

Sorority events are a great way to get involved with the Greek community. Especially being a new member this is the best way to get to know not only girls in your sorority but also members of other sororities and fraternities. Formals, philanthropy events, mixers, and speed dating events can all be a blast if you go into them ready to have a great experience. 

3. Be aware of when you need to pay your sorority dues. 

Dues

Whether it is every term, semester, or month make a note somewhere of when you have to pay your dues. Maybe even make a piggy bank like the one above so it becomes a fun occasion. If you need help paying your dues look into how your sorority or university can help you through scholarships or other opportunities. Consider an unhoused local, professional, multicultural, or service sorority as they also normally are less expensive than Panhellenic sororities. 

4. Stay up on your service hours. 

Plunge

There will be so many opportunities for you to work on your service hours. Listen to your philanthropy chair at chapter, find sisters who you can volunteer with, and look into helping organize events! Philanthropy events are a great way to take on more responsibility in your sorority and give back to your community. 

5. Learn your Greek vocabulary. 

Vocab

Check out our blog, Sorority Sugar's blog and glossary of terms, Sorority Ever After's Greek term list, and Bows, Pearls, and Sorority Girls to start. Rho Gamma, colony, door stack, creed, lavaliere can all just seem like random words until you realize their meanings and how they apply to you.  

6. Get to know your chapter's exec board. 

President

Whether you were your class president in high school, anime club co-president, or simply were just very involved in high school you may be interested in an exec position in the future. Get to know the exec board members of your sorority and they can pass on their advice to you. Even if you weren't super involved in high school and want to work on your leadership and teamwork skills now is a great opportunity to step up and represent the place you will be calling home the next four years (or more). 

7. Pick out your badge worthy outfit the day before. 

Attire

From my experience in a local sorority we tend to have formal chapters a couple times a term and the rest of our chapters are informal however yours may be different. Your first chapter I would dress on the more formal side. Try something similar to what you wore during rush such as a nice dress, formal top, or a cute skirt. To be prepared lay out your options and pick out an outfit the night before so you're not scrambling to get to your first chapter meeting on time. 

8. Turn your phone off or put it on vibrate. 

Phone

We all hate that person in the middle of class whose phone starts blaring some annoying pop song so in the middle of a chapter meeting won't be any different. Don't be that new girl who gets on the bad side of exec board her first chapter meeting. Just turn it on silent, vibrate, or completely off because it can wait. Your exec board deserves your undivided attention and respect. 

9. Sit by a new sister every meeting. 

Friends

You may not think the girl with the Lilly planner or the super high voice will become your best friend or even your future big but don't judge based on these quick assessments. Sitting by a new sister every meeting will give you the chance to get to know your sisters no matter your first impression. Whether you become best friends or just passing acquaintances it is good to have these connections for the future. 

10. Have fun! 

Shout out to my goofy sisters and I having a blast!

Your first chapter meeting can be pretty overwhelming and you'll learn a lot in a very short amount of time. So despite all the stress you may be feeling remember that all the older members were once in your shoes. They are there to help you  and they picked you to be apart of their sisterhood so you're already doing something right. That said you'll be an old pro in no time so just have fun and be yourself. 

Life as Sorority Alumna

With the end of the semester coming near, many sisters of chapters all over the country will be making the jump from being a collegiate sister to alumnae. When I was living out my years as a collegiate sister, I thought alumna-hood would never get to me and I'd be a fun, active, collegiate sorority sister forever. All too quickly though, I found myself as an alumna sifting through old pictures reminiscing over my college days.

Shortly after relocating a few states away from my collegiate chapter, I realized there was an alumnae chapter in my area. I thought, "Wow, this is my shot to get to do it all over again!" Until one day, I was told the alumnae chapter had been inactive for quite a few years. Being as young and gung-ho as I was, I decided to reactivate the chapter.

Now, for the past two years, I have served as the Chapter President for my alumnae chapter. I have found life as an alumna to be even more satisfying than I thought. I have been able to lead my chapter and recruit new sisters to be involved with the chapter. We have participated in multiple philanthropy events such as Campfire USA, the American Heart Association's Heart Walk, Girls Love Mail, and many others. As an alumna, there are still so many opportunities to give back to the community in the name of your letters.

Not to mention the bonds that have been formed… The sisters still involved with alumnae chapters are the sisters who truly want to continue to help their sorority grow and flourish. You're going to meet sisters who are still just as in love with their letters as the day they received their bids. You're also going to meet their daughters who look forward to going through recruitment and continuing the tradition of sisterhood as a legacy. It's one of the most fulfilling feelings I've ever been able to experience.

So while you work on decorating your graduation caps and picking out the perfect outfit to walk across the stage in, just know that your time with your sorority isn't finished just because you receive that piece of paper you've worked so hard for. There is still a whole world of opportunities to connect with sisters, give back to the community, and represent your letters and values in the best way possible. Good luck graduating seniors, and welcome to life as an alumna.

How Greeks Celebrate Pi Day

In case you avoid math or don't eat dessert or never learned the Greek alphabet, this past Saturday was National Pi Day.

And it was not just any Pi Day.

The first five digits of pi are 3.1415, and the date this year was 3/14/15.

We can take this a step further. And we can extend the digits of pi further. Pi continues on to be 3.141592653

If you happened to have looked at a clock on 3/14/15 at 9:26:53 AM/PM, then you saw some unmatched coincidental history!

Pi Day was created to celebrate the birth of Albert Einstein, but it is often used now as an excuse to eat pie and create great puns within the Greek community.

Fraternities and sororities have often had "Pi(e) a Phi" or similarly titled events to raise funds for philanthropies or dues. This money maker is as simple as buying cans of whipped cream and plates and charging people a small donation to pie a member in the face. I took part in this celebration this year to help a math fraternity, because I can't help but support a good cause!

How did you choose to celebrate this special day? Did you get a chance to pie anyone? Or at least eat some pie? Or... do math homework?

Philanthropy : Service Hours Matter

As sorority women we always strive to achieve the highest potential we can. Whether that includes academics, social relations, or philanthropic endeavors, we are expected to exceed expectations. Of course sometimes that may be overwhelming but at the same time, there are some of us out there who think it doesn't apply to us. We assume that the rest of the chapter will get those philanthropy hours and will pull our GPA higher, but at the end of the day the future of our chapters depends on the determination of all members as a whole. 

Philanthropy has always been my favorite aspect of sorority life. In high school, I went through a ton of life obstacles and people who I didn't even know always jumped in and helped me out. I swore when I had the chance I would return the favor and make a difference, and Kappa has given me the opportunity to do so. The problem is that many sisters think getting in service hours is a chore and what you have to do is find something to do that you love. 

I've been blessed to have military men in my family and the first big service project I worked on was something I had started in high school. A group called the Adopt A U.S. Soldier program has made itself near and dear to my heart. The program allows you to be matched with a service man or woman overseas and gives you the opportunity to write to them, send care packages, and correspond electronically to show your support. The whole experience is rewarding and I still keep up with my soldiers (all 8 and counting of them) and I have absolutely loved to contribute. 

The second opportunity I came across was the opportunity to coach cheerleading at my local recreation department. Being a cheerleader for 17 years, I wanted to jump back into the scene and this was the perfect chance. Not only did I get the community to recognize that Kappa's are out and involved around our town, but I also got to be a role model to the girls I coached. These will be out future sorority girls and we have the chance to show them what amazing women we are. 

I guess my main point is that we need to take everything a little more seriously. It's easy to do one event, have your council chairman plan it, and show up.....but it's different to get out there and make yourself know. Each one of us has the power to make a difference in our communities and our sororities outside of normal chapter wide philanthropy events. So go out there, find a cause you're passionate about, and make a change. 

(My cheer babies after their competition) 

Why Should You Join a Sorority?

1. You get to meet a ton of great girls, who can possibly be your sisters.
2. It teaches you to work together.
3. It will allow you to break out of your shell.
4. You get involved with your campus community.
5. Gain connections with other Greeks.
6. Getting a BIG sister!
7. Formals
8. Opportunities to step up and be a leader in Greek life or PanHellenic.
9. Lifelong Friendships.
10. Home away from home. Place of belonging.
11. Emphasizing academics.
12. Teaches you to aim high in all your goals.
13. Always have someone to hangout with and grab dinner.
14. Networking, with people in Greek life and your own sorority.
15. Philanthropy involvement.
16. GREEK WEEK competitions
17. Hold officer positions.
18. Taking a LITTLE!
19. Making memories to last a lifetime!

Greek Stereotypes

              College life is just one big party. Your drink, make friends, have hookups and who cares about studying, especially if your in a sorority! All those girls do is hangout only with each other, always have to look pretty not to mention they are the brattiest people on the campus. Every sorority hates one another and that's just how it is and will continue to be.
              This is a HUGE misconception! Don't get me wrong, every campus is different. Almost all of the sorority women I have met are women of substance. They believe in their values and ideals but they are also there own person. Yes sorority girls love to hangout with their sisters but they also have friends outside of them. I know I have multiple friends in other sororities, and outside of Greek life. Not every sorority is known for partying, some are known for their pride in their philanthropy! Every sorority is different which means this idea of the "stereotypical sorority girl" needs to be broken for people to see the opportunity and the genuine character of the girls. 
             I know at my school, and at many other we are doing a great job breaking down this barrier, and if ever someone does stereotype like my teacher did in one of my universities health classes we have to stand up to it, bring awareness and let people know that isn't how it works now. I know my sorority sister and I were terrified when my professor said something negative about Greek life, sororities, or fraternities, but we raised are hands and said no. We explained ourselves and he fought back, but we continued to disagree in front of a huge lecture. These letters on my chest help make me the person I am today, I am not going to let someone who thinks they know what they stand for or who I am tell me what they are. Awareness is something we don't think about too often when are with sisters, but everyone is watching a judging. Lets continue to strive to make a good mark on people, colleges, and universities for all of Greek life!