The Greek community is a unique opportunity and experience. During recruitment you may hear some terms that are unique to the Greek community and unfamiliar to you. Here is a list of a few terms that might help explain Greek life a little better.
Bid: a bid is a formal invitation to join a Greek organization.
Chapter: a chapter is a smaller piece of a larger organization. For example, Alpha Alpha Alpha sorority is a national organization with "chapters" on hundreds of campuses around the nation.
Charter: a charter is a document given to each chapter by their national organization recognizing them as an affiliated part of the organization.
Colony: a colony is the beginning stage in becoming a chapter. Once the colony completes certain requirements they can apply for a charter from their national organization to become a "chapter".
Four Pillars: the four pillars are the values that Greek life stands for. These pillars are scholarship, service, leadership and sisterhood/brotherhood.
IFC: this stands for Interfraternity Council. They are the governing body of all the IFC affiliated fraternities on campus.
Initiation: this is a ceremony through which you learn about the history of your organization and you become a true member.
Legacy: A legacy is woman who has an immediate family member (mother, grandmother, sister) who was a member of a Panhellenic sorority.
MGC: this stands for Multi-Cultural Greek Council. MGC is the governing body of all the MGC affiliated sororities and fraternities.
National Headquarters: every Panhellenic sorority here at KU is part of a larger organization. Each chapter follows the rules and regulations set forth by their national headquarters, and usually a representative from headquarters will visit the chapter each year.
New Member: a new member is a woman who has pledged to join a particular sorority but has not yet been initiated.
NPHC: this stands for National Pan-Hellenic Council. They are the governing body for the NPHC affiliated sororities and fraternities, which are historically African-American.
Panhellenic Association: The Panhellenic Association is the governing body of all 13 Panhellenic affiliated sororities here at KU.
Philanthropy: Greek life organizations often host Philanthropic events. The purpose of these events is to raise money for a charity of the Greek organization's choice. Each Greek organization usually supports the same charity as their national organization. Philanthropic events are extremely diverse. They can be a traditional walk/run, a benefit concert, a pancake breakfast, a scavenger hunt or even a water balloon fight.
Pledge: an oath taken to signify your intention to join a particular organization.
Purpose/Creed/Motto: each Greek organization was founded on values and principles. Each organization has a statement of these values. Some statements are public while others can be known only to initiated members.
Ritual: this is the ceremony before every chapter meeting. It was created by each organization's founders and is known only to initiated members. Its purpose is to remind members of the values their organization stands for.
Rush: this is a term for recruitment used on other campuses around the nation. Here at KU we call the process Fall Formal Recruitment.
Showing posts with label Parents. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Parents. Show all posts
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
Why Sign Up for Fall Formal Recruitment?
There's only one week left to sign up for Fall Formal Recruitment!! If you've been debating whether or not Greek life is for you, hopefully this blog will you help you make that decision, or at least make the decision to give it a shot.
Going through Fall Formal Recruitment does not mean you are automatically stuck in Greek life. If you feel at any point that Greek life just isn't for you, that's ok! It isn't for everybody, but you'll never know until you try. Also, going through recruitment is a great way to meet women on a campus that can seem overwhelmingly large. The women you make during this week could become some of your closest friends. So why not try it out? You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain!
So what else do you gain by joining a Greek chapter? Well, every Greek chapter values what we call the four pillars. The four pillars of Greek Life stand for Service, Scholarship, Leadership and Sisterhood/Brotherhood.
Community service and philanthropic support is an integral part of fraternity and sorority life. Each chapter sponsors events to provide service, raise funding and raise awareness to a wide variety of organizations representing many worthy causes. These events can take many forms and they bring the entire Greek community together. Grab your sisters and head off to a water balloon fight, a date auction, a scavenger hunt or even a rock concert, all in the name of helping others! Most students report that helping others is one of the most rewarding experiences that fraternity or sorority membership provides.
Scholarship: it's why you're at KU in the first place! Joining a sorority means that you have an automatic network of support and older women willing to help out with subjects they've already taken. For more than 30 years the All-Greek Student GPA has been higher than the All-KU Student GPA. The Greek Community at KU is acclaimed for its strong scholastic performance and history of academic excellence. Each chapter maintains its own GPA requirements for membership and initiation and ensures continued academic success, through tutoring, academic advising, scholarships and reward systems.
Greek life also provides students with a wide variety of leadership opportunities. Members can participate within their chapter as an officer or on one of the committees each chapter maintains. There are also opportunities outside each chapter to become actively involved in KU’s 500 + student organizations. If you're interested in Student Senate, you will find that the student body president and vice president are members of the Greek community. Greeks are actively involved in sports, professional organizations, religious groups, community service opportunities, even the marching band. For members to achieve a well-rounded education, fraternities and sororities encourage active participation in a variety of KU leadership experiences.
Finally, alumni of Greek organizations often report that the most rewarding part of their Greek experience was the friendships they were able to build and maintain over the years. Fraternities and sororities build a unique bond of brotherhood and sisterhood that students carry with them throughout their lives. The connections that are built in a fraternity or sorority during the college years transcend time and often impact students many times after graduation.
Greek Life has a lot to offer and we would love for you to give the experience a chance. Look back through this blog to read the stories other Panhellenic women have shared about their experiences. Read why Caitlin decided to join a chapter here Read about Megan's experience as Student Body Vice President and how Greek life helped her get there. Or read about Courtney's sisters who supported her through her history of cancer.
And Don't forget to sign up for Fall Formal Recruitment before August 7th!
Going through Fall Formal Recruitment does not mean you are automatically stuck in Greek life. If you feel at any point that Greek life just isn't for you, that's ok! It isn't for everybody, but you'll never know until you try. Also, going through recruitment is a great way to meet women on a campus that can seem overwhelmingly large. The women you make during this week could become some of your closest friends. So why not try it out? You've got nothing to lose and everything to gain!
So what else do you gain by joining a Greek chapter? Well, every Greek chapter values what we call the four pillars. The four pillars of Greek Life stand for Service, Scholarship, Leadership and Sisterhood/Brotherhood.
Scholarship: it's why you're at KU in the first place! Joining a sorority means that you have an automatic network of support and older women willing to help out with subjects they've already taken. For more than 30 years the All-Greek Student GPA has been higher than the All-KU Student GPA. The Greek Community at KU is acclaimed for its strong scholastic performance and history of academic excellence. Each chapter maintains its own GPA requirements for membership and initiation and ensures continued academic success, through tutoring, academic advising, scholarships and reward systems. Greek life also provides students with a wide variety of leadership opportunities. Members can participate within their chapter as an officer or on one of the committees each chapter maintains. There are also opportunities outside each chapter to become actively involved in KU’s 500 + student organizations. If you're interested in Student Senate, you will find that the student body president and vice president are members of the Greek community. Greeks are actively involved in sports, professional organizations, religious groups, community service opportunities, even the marching band. For members to achieve a well-rounded education, fraternities and sororities encourage active participation in a variety of KU leadership experiences.
Finally, alumni of Greek organizations often report that the most rewarding part of their Greek experience was the friendships they were able to build and maintain over the years. Fraternities and sororities build a unique bond of brotherhood and sisterhood that students carry with them throughout their lives. The connections that are built in a fraternity or sorority during the college years transcend time and often impact students many times after graduation. Greek Life has a lot to offer and we would love for you to give the experience a chance. Look back through this blog to read the stories other Panhellenic women have shared about their experiences. Read why Caitlin decided to join a chapter here Read about Megan's experience as Student Body Vice President and how Greek life helped her get there. Or read about Courtney's sisters who supported her through her history of cancer.
And Don't forget to sign up for Fall Formal Recruitment before August 7th!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Dispelling Recruitment Myths: Chapter Selection
Some Chapters are better than others. FALSE
I won't be happy unless I am offered a bid by a particular chapter. FALSE
Fall Formal Recruitment can often be a hectic and uncertain week for potential new members and current chapter members alike. The pressure will only increase if you go into the process with preconceived notions about chapters. Until you meet the women of every chapter on campus, there is no way to know which chapter will fit you best.
Each and every chapter here at KU is unique in its own way. And every chapter changes with each incoming pledge class. Keep an open mind and make your own decisions. Being a sorority woman does not end with your four years at KU. You will be a sorority woman for life. You will come to cherish the time spent in your chapter and the women that surround you will be come your closest friends. This decision will affect you and you only. Don't allow anyone else to sway your decisions, you will be the only one who can decide where you belong.
It is my strongest belief that things always work out for the best. Try to keep this in mind during recruitment and especially on bid day. Sometimes, you might receive a bid from a chapter that was not your top choice. It is important to keep in mind that every chapter has a unique set of wonderful women. These women are scholars, leaders, philanthropists and most importantly, sisters. The women represented on your bid card want you. They see in you qualities that are important to them and they would love to welcome you into their sisterhood with open arms. They might not have been your first choice, but on graduation day you will look back and be unable to imagine your college experience any other way.
If you take any advice from these blogs to heart, let it be this. Go into recruitment with an Open Mind and always always always Be Yourself. Things have a funny way of working out in the end. You will end up in the chapter you were meant to be in.
I won't be happy unless I am offered a bid by a particular chapter. FALSE
Fall Formal Recruitment can often be a hectic and uncertain week for potential new members and current chapter members alike. The pressure will only increase if you go into the process with preconceived notions about chapters. Until you meet the women of every chapter on campus, there is no way to know which chapter will fit you best.
Each and every chapter here at KU is unique in its own way. And every chapter changes with each incoming pledge class. Keep an open mind and make your own decisions. Being a sorority woman does not end with your four years at KU. You will be a sorority woman for life. You will come to cherish the time spent in your chapter and the women that surround you will be come your closest friends. This decision will affect you and you only. Don't allow anyone else to sway your decisions, you will be the only one who can decide where you belong.
It is my strongest belief that things always work out for the best. Try to keep this in mind during recruitment and especially on bid day. Sometimes, you might receive a bid from a chapter that was not your top choice. It is important to keep in mind that every chapter has a unique set of wonderful women. These women are scholars, leaders, philanthropists and most importantly, sisters. The women represented on your bid card want you. They see in you qualities that are important to them and they would love to welcome you into their sisterhood with open arms. They might not have been your first choice, but on graduation day you will look back and be unable to imagine your college experience any other way.
If you take any advice from these blogs to heart, let it be this. Go into recruitment with an Open Mind and always always always Be Yourself. Things have a funny way of working out in the end. You will end up in the chapter you were meant to be in.
Monday, July 18, 2011
Dispelling Recruitment Myths: Legacies
I am a Legacy for a certain chapter, so I will automatically get a bid.
My Mom/Grandma/Sister had a wonderful experience in "Alpha Alpha Alpha" so that's the only the chapter I will consider.
Both of the above statements are common recruitment myths. But before we start this blog we should define "What is a legacy?" A legacy is a potential new member whose mother, grandmother or sister is affiliated with a Panhellenic chapter.
In answer to the first recruitment myth, each potential new member is considered on an individual basis. Women who are legacies are not obligated to join a particular sorority and that particular sorority is not obligated to pledge her. The potential new member and the sorority are looking for a mutual compatibility, not family connections.
In reference to the second myth, we encourage all of the women participating in Fall Formal Recruitment to keep an open mind about each sorority. It is always wonderful to hear about the lasting friendships and bonds that tie a woman to her sorority. However, each campus is unique and each chapter changes and evolves every year with each new pledge class. It is important to follow your heart and choose the chapter and group of women you feel the most comfortable with. Keep in mind that which chapter to join is your own decision, no one else can make it for you.
My Mom/Grandma/Sister had a wonderful experience in "Alpha Alpha Alpha" so that's the only the chapter I will consider.
Both of the above statements are common recruitment myths. But before we start this blog we should define "What is a legacy?" A legacy is a potential new member whose mother, grandmother or sister is affiliated with a Panhellenic chapter.
In answer to the first recruitment myth, each potential new member is considered on an individual basis. Women who are legacies are not obligated to join a particular sorority and that particular sorority is not obligated to pledge her. The potential new member and the sorority are looking for a mutual compatibility, not family connections.
In reference to the second myth, we encourage all of the women participating in Fall Formal Recruitment to keep an open mind about each sorority. It is always wonderful to hear about the lasting friendships and bonds that tie a woman to her sorority. However, each campus is unique and each chapter changes and evolves every year with each new pledge class. It is important to follow your heart and choose the chapter and group of women you feel the most comfortable with. Keep in mind that which chapter to join is your own decision, no one else can make it for you.
Monday, July 11, 2011
One Mom's Thoughts on the Parental Role in Sorority Recruitment
Fall Formal Recruitment can be an emotional process for many women. It is often their first experience being away from home and the task of choosing a home for the next four years can be daunting. Parents often want to be parents during this time and help their daughters through the process. But as many parents of teenagers know, it can be hard to determine what is helpful and what is not. How can you best help your daughter during the week of Fall Formal Recruitment?
Below is an excerpt from www.sororityparents.com. Blogger Mary Beth Rice offers some of her tips and advice. To read her full blog post click here.
"A couple of weeks ago I was asked to speak at our local University to the parents of potential new members going through Recruitment. It was move in day; the auditorium full of tired and emotional parents. I was asked to share some advice on what role they could play in their daughters’ upcoming sorority recruitment and start to college. This was a bit daunting to me and humility set in as I hoped I had at best a few encouraging words to share.
Fortunately, I did come up with a few suggestions parents could reflect upon in supporting their daughter through recruitment and beyond, yet allowing them to spread their own wings. I will share them with you too. Take them or leave them but do enjoy this new phase in life for the both of you.
1. Lose expectations or feelings from your own Greek life experience. Whether you have a Greek affiliation or not, you do have some opinion about Greek life if you went to college on a campus with a Greek system. Some of these opinions or biases may be based on a college experience quite a few years back. Try and encourage your daughter to form her own opinions AND only after she begins the process, not taking to heart any bias from boyfriends, siblings, hometown friends, distant relatives, etc.
2. At each of the recruitment events, encourage her to look around those rooms and really get to know the other potential new members at each of the events. Those are the young women she will be living with and experiencing campus life with and each day of recruitment will help her know where she is most comfortable.
3. For daughters who may be shy or reserved, the recruitment process might be overwhelming. Encourage her to be open minded, taking a risk as she embarks on college. It is a great time to branch out and perhaps lose some of the high school labels we all put upon ourselves. One can really be and should be authentic and sincere throughout the whole process. Even if your daughter decides recruitment might not be a fit for her at this time, remind her that this experience will afford her a great opportunity to get to know other women on her residence hall floor and beyond. New friendships may come from it.
4. She will be exhausted and emotional. Allow her this indulgence and help her maintain her sense of humor. Remind her other potential new members are experiencing the same things.
5. Be a good listener. You don’t have to fix anything. If she can share the ups and downs of her experience she can sort through her feelings about all of it and often doesn’t need or want advice.
6. As she begins college try and become connected to your daughter through technology. NOTHING replaces voice to voice communication, eye contact or hugs…but this generation communicates on Facebook and in text messaging and there is no going back. Learn to text and possibly get a Facebook page (especially if your daughter is encouraging it) just to be connected….not to hover but just to be available. The technology allows a kind of subtle way to be present.
7. Encourage and frequently discuss safe choices especially regarding alcohol and driving under the influence or with others who have been drinking. The more we encourage them to be safe and smart, the more likely the messages will stick when presented with more risky choices. If you are informed about binge drinking and alcohol poisoning then you can help inform her. Awareness is the first essential step.
And finally,
8. Love her up and remind her of the gifts you see in her! As a parent I was not prepared for how difficult the transition was for my own daughter on many levels. One loses a bit of confidence beginning all over again out of high school-especially if the new campus is large. That is why it is EXCELLENT that our daughters want to join a sorority to engage in that support system and in those relationships as they begin college life.
Below is an excerpt from www.sororityparents.com. Blogger Mary Beth Rice offers some of her tips and advice. To read her full blog post click here.
"A couple of weeks ago I was asked to speak at our local University to the parents of potential new members going through Recruitment. It was move in day; the auditorium full of tired and emotional parents. I was asked to share some advice on what role they could play in their daughters’ upcoming sorority recruitment and start to college. This was a bit daunting to me and humility set in as I hoped I had at best a few encouraging words to share.
Fortunately, I did come up with a few suggestions parents could reflect upon in supporting their daughter through recruitment and beyond, yet allowing them to spread their own wings. I will share them with you too. Take them or leave them but do enjoy this new phase in life for the both of you.
1. Lose expectations or feelings from your own Greek life experience. Whether you have a Greek affiliation or not, you do have some opinion about Greek life if you went to college on a campus with a Greek system. Some of these opinions or biases may be based on a college experience quite a few years back. Try and encourage your daughter to form her own opinions AND only after she begins the process, not taking to heart any bias from boyfriends, siblings, hometown friends, distant relatives, etc.
2. At each of the recruitment events, encourage her to look around those rooms and really get to know the other potential new members at each of the events. Those are the young women she will be living with and experiencing campus life with and each day of recruitment will help her know where she is most comfortable.
3. For daughters who may be shy or reserved, the recruitment process might be overwhelming. Encourage her to be open minded, taking a risk as she embarks on college. It is a great time to branch out and perhaps lose some of the high school labels we all put upon ourselves. One can really be and should be authentic and sincere throughout the whole process. Even if your daughter decides recruitment might not be a fit for her at this time, remind her that this experience will afford her a great opportunity to get to know other women on her residence hall floor and beyond. New friendships may come from it.
4. She will be exhausted and emotional. Allow her this indulgence and help her maintain her sense of humor. Remind her other potential new members are experiencing the same things.
5. Be a good listener. You don’t have to fix anything. If she can share the ups and downs of her experience she can sort through her feelings about all of it and often doesn’t need or want advice.
6. As she begins college try and become connected to your daughter through technology. NOTHING replaces voice to voice communication, eye contact or hugs…but this generation communicates on Facebook and in text messaging and there is no going back. Learn to text and possibly get a Facebook page (especially if your daughter is encouraging it) just to be connected….not to hover but just to be available. The technology allows a kind of subtle way to be present.
7. Encourage and frequently discuss safe choices especially regarding alcohol and driving under the influence or with others who have been drinking. The more we encourage them to be safe and smart, the more likely the messages will stick when presented with more risky choices. If you are informed about binge drinking and alcohol poisoning then you can help inform her. Awareness is the first essential step.
And finally,
8. Love her up and remind her of the gifts you see in her! As a parent I was not prepared for how difficult the transition was for my own daughter on many levels. One loses a bit of confidence beginning all over again out of high school-especially if the new campus is large. That is why it is EXCELLENT that our daughters want to join a sorority to engage in that support system and in those relationships as they begin college life.
Friday, June 24, 2011
Dispelling Recruitment Myths: Letters of Recommendation
You Need a Letter of Recommendation in order to receive a bid from a specific chapter. FALSE
We have received numerous calls in the Panhellenic office worried about this myth. The summer before I went through recruitment I was scrambling to find letters for all 13 chapters at KU. I asked almost everyone I had ever met, hoping and praying they were Greek. I wish I had known that this Recruitment myth was just that, a myth.
Letters of Recommendation are not necessary for membership in a particular chapter. Recruitment is a week-long mutual selection process, and I strongly believe that at the end of the week each individual ends up where they are supposed to be. Ask any member of a Panhellenic sorority here at KU and she will tell you that her chapter has become a home, and she couldn't imagine it any other way. Things always seem to work out the way they should.
However, if you would like to send in Letters of Recommendation it certainly can't hurt you. You can ask family members, mothers of your friends, friends of your mother, anyone that can speak to your character. If you are still really set on obtaining letters for every chapter at KU and you don't know women affiliated with a specific chapter, the Alumnae Panhellenic of Greater Kansas City is a great resource. These women will be happy to write letters of recommendation. Their website is www.kcpanhel.com or you can email info@kcpanhel.com for additional information.
Just remember that Recruitment is meant to be a fun process, allowing all the participants to meet new people and have great conversations. There are no "secrets" to recruitment. You don't need anything special, just yourself and a smile!
We have received numerous calls in the Panhellenic office worried about this myth. The summer before I went through recruitment I was scrambling to find letters for all 13 chapters at KU. I asked almost everyone I had ever met, hoping and praying they were Greek. I wish I had known that this Recruitment myth was just that, a myth.
Letters of Recommendation are not necessary for membership in a particular chapter. Recruitment is a week-long mutual selection process, and I strongly believe that at the end of the week each individual ends up where they are supposed to be. Ask any member of a Panhellenic sorority here at KU and she will tell you that her chapter has become a home, and she couldn't imagine it any other way. Things always seem to work out the way they should.
However, if you would like to send in Letters of Recommendation it certainly can't hurt you. You can ask family members, mothers of your friends, friends of your mother, anyone that can speak to your character. If you are still really set on obtaining letters for every chapter at KU and you don't know women affiliated with a specific chapter, the Alumnae Panhellenic of Greater Kansas City is a great resource. These women will be happy to write letters of recommendation. Their website is www.kcpanhel.com or you can email info@kcpanhel.com for additional information.
Just remember that Recruitment is meant to be a fun process, allowing all the participants to meet new people and have great conversations. There are no "secrets" to recruitment. You don't need anything special, just yourself and a smile!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Novak Institute for Hazing Prevention
This past weekend a group of four students and three administrators from KU attended the Novak Institute for Hazing Prevention. Representatives from multiple campus organizations were present. Christi Davis, Vice President of Public Relations, attended the institute on behalf of the Panhellenic Association.
The Institute ran over four days at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Nationally recognized faculty led discussions and offered expertise from their own experiences. Participants represented all types of organizations, including athletics, marching bands, student clubs and Greek chapters.
Institute faculty discussed the importance of hazing prevention instead of simply responding to incidents. The goal is to stop problems from occurring by reducing risk factors and promoting protective factors.
Hazing is a complex and multi-faceted issue. It is more than just one incident. It is a set of beliefs and actions developed and accepted over time. Simply responding to an incident after the fact will not create change.
Representatives from KU have started working toward change by creating a partnership among staff and undergraduate students. During the institute KU delegates discussed some of their first steps in the process to hazing prevention. Institute faculty stressed that "effective hazing prevention is a process, not a program". Most campuses address hazing issues by bringing in a speaker and sponsoring a program. These programs can be helpful, but only as a supplement to a complete hazing prevention process that digs beyond the surface.
Recently, KU has started a University-wide initiative to "Start a new tradition. Stop Hazing". Visit their website at www.preventhazing.ku.edu. The website offers resources for students, parents, organization advisors/coaches and University staff/faculty.
The University has also created a hazing prevention task force, which will be planning National Hazing Prevention Week from September 19 – 23. The Panhellenic Association fully supports the University in all their efforts and has pledged to "Start a new tradition. Stop hazing". Panhellenic members understand why hazing is harmful and will not be bystanders. Join us and take the pledge at http://www.preventhazing.ku.edu/pledge.shtml.
The Institute ran over four days at Lehigh University in Pennsylvania. Nationally recognized faculty led discussions and offered expertise from their own experiences. Participants represented all types of organizations, including athletics, marching bands, student clubs and Greek chapters.
Institute faculty discussed the importance of hazing prevention instead of simply responding to incidents. The goal is to stop problems from occurring by reducing risk factors and promoting protective factors.
Hazing is a complex and multi-faceted issue. It is more than just one incident. It is a set of beliefs and actions developed and accepted over time. Simply responding to an incident after the fact will not create change.
Representatives from KU have started working toward change by creating a partnership among staff and undergraduate students. During the institute KU delegates discussed some of their first steps in the process to hazing prevention. Institute faculty stressed that "effective hazing prevention is a process, not a program". Most campuses address hazing issues by bringing in a speaker and sponsoring a program. These programs can be helpful, but only as a supplement to a complete hazing prevention process that digs beyond the surface.
Recently, KU has started a University-wide initiative to "Start a new tradition. Stop Hazing". Visit their website at www.preventhazing.ku.edu. The website offers resources for students, parents, organization advisors/coaches and University staff/faculty.
The University has also created a hazing prevention task force, which will be planning National Hazing Prevention Week from September 19 – 23. The Panhellenic Association fully supports the University in all their efforts and has pledged to "Start a new tradition. Stop hazing". Panhellenic members understand why hazing is harmful and will not be bystanders. Join us and take the pledge at http://www.preventhazing.ku.edu/pledge.shtml.
Monday, June 6, 2011
Top Five Tips for Fall Formal Recruitment
One of the Head Recruitment Counselors, Jill, offers her top five tips for a wonderful recruitment experience.
1.) Go into recruitment with an open mind: Forget anything and everything you have previously heard about the chapters. Each chapter is made up of a diverse group of women so no one stereotype fits a chapter. Keeping an open mind will give you the best opportunity of finding a group of people that you feel comfortable with.
2.) Be yourself: As cliché as it may sound, you want to find a chapter that fits your personality and you can’t do this if you’re pretending to be someone else.
3.) Do what feels right for you: Don’t let your friends or family decide which chapter is best for you. You are the one that will be spending time with the women of your chapter, and you want them to be people you enjoy being around. If you are having a difficult time and need someone outside of your friends or family to confide in, talk to your recruitment counselors. They will offer you guidance from an unbiased viewpoint.
4.) Participate in the conversations: When visiting the chapters, don’t make the chapter members do all the work in the conversation. Ask them what you want to know about their chapter, so you can make a decision as to whether or not the chapter is right for you.
5.) Have fun: While recruitment is stressful and overwhelming 3/4ths of the time, don’t forget to relax and enjoy yourself. Recruitment is a great way to meet new people and make your first friends at KU. Talk to the person sitting by you on the bus, strike up a conversation with someone waiting outside of a chapter house, and get to know the women in your group. Having normal interaction outside of the actual recruitment process and taking time to relax will help make the recruitment process more exciting!
1.) Go into recruitment with an open mind: Forget anything and everything you have previously heard about the chapters. Each chapter is made up of a diverse group of women so no one stereotype fits a chapter. Keeping an open mind will give you the best opportunity of finding a group of people that you feel comfortable with.
2.) Be yourself: As cliché as it may sound, you want to find a chapter that fits your personality and you can’t do this if you’re pretending to be someone else.
3.) Do what feels right for you: Don’t let your friends or family decide which chapter is best for you. You are the one that will be spending time with the women of your chapter, and you want them to be people you enjoy being around. If you are having a difficult time and need someone outside of your friends or family to confide in, talk to your recruitment counselors. They will offer you guidance from an unbiased viewpoint.
4.) Participate in the conversations: When visiting the chapters, don’t make the chapter members do all the work in the conversation. Ask them what you want to know about their chapter, so you can make a decision as to whether or not the chapter is right for you.
5.) Have fun: While recruitment is stressful and overwhelming 3/4ths of the time, don’t forget to relax and enjoy yourself. Recruitment is a great way to meet new people and make your first friends at KU. Talk to the person sitting by you on the bus, strike up a conversation with someone waiting outside of a chapter house, and get to know the women in your group. Having normal interaction outside of the actual recruitment process and taking time to relax will help make the recruitment process more exciting!
Monday, May 30, 2011
Making the Most of Fall Formal Recruitment
One of the head recruitment counselors, Caroline, has a few tips for women going through Fall Formal Recruitment.
"Fall Formal Recruitment is right around the corner! Even though the end goal of recruitment is exciting, I haven’t met a single woman who isn’t nervous and uneasy at the beginning of the process. What you need to remember is that the women in the chapters are just as nervous and excited to meet you as you are to meet them. Recruitment is the most important event of the year because you are the women who are the future of each chapter. The chapter’s goal is to impress you and make you feel as comfortable as possible so that you want to come back and learn more. While the women in the chapters are excited to talk with you, it is important that you ask questions that you have as well. The conversations need to be as 2-sided as possible as opposed to one person constantly asking questions and the other always answering.
As I’m sure many of you know, there are stereotypes for each chapter on our campus. One of the best things you can do before beginning recruitment is forget everything you have heard. Regardless of the supposed validity of stories or rumors, there is no chapter with strictly one type of person. Each chapter is diverse and unique in it’s own way, and you will learn this quickly as the week progresses. With the amount of women in the chapters, it is impossible to not find someone you enjoy talking to and spending time with. The chapter members are going to be as genuine as they can be so that you get a real feel for what they are about. Since they are being genuine with you, your best bet is to be as authentic as you can be with them. In doing this, you’re going to give yourself the best chance possible at ending up in a chapter that you will love all four years at KU.
You will all be in a recruitment group with 20-30 other women, and two Recruitment Counselors. Utilize these women during the process. You will have at least 20 other women who are experiencing the exact same thing as you are. Hang out with them and get to know them because the women in your group could end up being some of your best friends. Your Recruitment Counselors are there for you 100 percent of the time. That is their reason for being there. Anytime you are feeling uneasy or unsure about something, talk to them about it. They are there to offer you guidance and to help you wade through your emotions (which are sometimes high during this week) to figure out how you are really feeling and what you really want. For the entirety of recruitment week, they will be more than happy to talk to you at any hour, day or night.
Finally, have fun!! That is the key to a successful, enjoyable week. You having fun will translate into conversations in the chapters as well as helping others around you keep their spirits high. If you are enjoying your week, it will make the process so much better for you. When you are going through some long days, because there will be a few long, tiring days, just remember how much you will benefit from sticking it out in the end. It can be one of the best experiences of your life, but it is up to you to make it that way!"
"Fall Formal Recruitment is right around the corner! Even though the end goal of recruitment is exciting, I haven’t met a single woman who isn’t nervous and uneasy at the beginning of the process. What you need to remember is that the women in the chapters are just as nervous and excited to meet you as you are to meet them. Recruitment is the most important event of the year because you are the women who are the future of each chapter. The chapter’s goal is to impress you and make you feel as comfortable as possible so that you want to come back and learn more. While the women in the chapters are excited to talk with you, it is important that you ask questions that you have as well. The conversations need to be as 2-sided as possible as opposed to one person constantly asking questions and the other always answering.
As I’m sure many of you know, there are stereotypes for each chapter on our campus. One of the best things you can do before beginning recruitment is forget everything you have heard. Regardless of the supposed validity of stories or rumors, there is no chapter with strictly one type of person. Each chapter is diverse and unique in it’s own way, and you will learn this quickly as the week progresses. With the amount of women in the chapters, it is impossible to not find someone you enjoy talking to and spending time with. The chapter members are going to be as genuine as they can be so that you get a real feel for what they are about. Since they are being genuine with you, your best bet is to be as authentic as you can be with them. In doing this, you’re going to give yourself the best chance possible at ending up in a chapter that you will love all four years at KU.
You will all be in a recruitment group with 20-30 other women, and two Recruitment Counselors. Utilize these women during the process. You will have at least 20 other women who are experiencing the exact same thing as you are. Hang out with them and get to know them because the women in your group could end up being some of your best friends. Your Recruitment Counselors are there for you 100 percent of the time. That is their reason for being there. Anytime you are feeling uneasy or unsure about something, talk to them about it. They are there to offer you guidance and to help you wade through your emotions (which are sometimes high during this week) to figure out how you are really feeling and what you really want. For the entirety of recruitment week, they will be more than happy to talk to you at any hour, day or night.
Finally, have fun!! That is the key to a successful, enjoyable week. You having fun will translate into conversations in the chapters as well as helping others around you keep their spirits high. If you are enjoying your week, it will make the process so much better for you. When you are going through some long days, because there will be a few long, tiring days, just remember how much you will benefit from sticking it out in the end. It can be one of the best experiences of your life, but it is up to you to make it that way!"
Friday, April 8, 2011
Like Mother Like Daughter
Every spring sorority mothers flock to Lawrence to spend some quality time with their daughters. Many of our chapters have either celebrated Mom's Weekend last weekend or are getting ready to celebrate this weekend.
Each chapter usually has a few fun things planned as a group and then some free time just to hang out with Mom. Mom's and their daughters can always be found shopping on Mass St. or even, like these Delta Delta Deltas, at a KU Baseball game!
As sorority women, Moms tend to be a big part of our lives! So if you and your Mom are looking for ideas to spend time together and support your sorority at the same time, we suggest looking at the Sorority Parents blog for tips! http://sororityparents.com/ also has great information for parents on any topic related to Greek Life. But, we thought we'd share with you some of our favorite ideas.
The following ideas were posted on International Badge Day, but they can really apply to everyday! Visit http://sororityparents.com/2011/02/our-family-international-badge-day/ to read the full article.
"My daughter is coming home next week. So I started thinking, what we could do together. After all, we are our own little Panhellenic-she an AOII and me a ZTA.Here is what we have come up with to promote Panhellenic spirit.
Is your mom in a Panhellenic chapter? What are your favorite things to with your mom?
Each chapter usually has a few fun things planned as a group and then some free time just to hang out with Mom. Mom's and their daughters can always be found shopping on Mass St. or even, like these Delta Delta Deltas, at a KU Baseball game! As sorority women, Moms tend to be a big part of our lives! So if you and your Mom are looking for ideas to spend time together and support your sorority at the same time, we suggest looking at the Sorority Parents blog for tips! http://sororityparents.com/ also has great information for parents on any topic related to Greek Life. But, we thought we'd share with you some of our favorite ideas.
The following ideas were posted on International Badge Day, but they can really apply to everyday! Visit http://sororityparents.com/2011/02/our-family-international-badge-day/ to read the full article.
"My daughter is coming home next week. So I started thinking, what we could do together. After all, we are our own little Panhellenic-she an AOII and me a ZTA.Here is what we have come up with to promote Panhellenic spirit.
- Since we can’t have matching letters, we have decided to select a “family pattern” and have a set of sewn letters made in that pattern. I haven’t had sewn letters in years and I am excited to have a pair that represent our family. Even cooler, this was her idea! And should my younger daughter decide to go Greek, she can then get a shirt with the same pattern. Heck, we may get a set for my husband with DAD!
- We are looking for a way to volunteer our time to some cause or organization that might need help-a food bank or a clothing donations center. Just something we can do together to give back.
- We are definitely going to get dressed up and put on those shiny badges. Its been a long time since she and I went to lunch together (other than Chick-Fil-A). So we will go somewhere a little more formal and dine like ladies.
Is your mom in a Panhellenic chapter? What are your favorite things to with your mom?
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