CL Welcomes Greek Gear as an Affiliate!

College Lifestyles is proud to announce Greek Gear as their newest affiliate.  Greek Gear is a “superstore” for greek supplies!  They offer fraternity and sorority clothing, hats, footwear, jewelry, bags, signs and much more!  Greek Gear not only has some of the best prices around but the best quality as well!

Shirts/Sweatshirts

Can’t decide if you want screen printed letters or sewn on letters?  Mix it up and get a combination of both at Greek Gear.  The options seem endless at this greek superstore.  You can get polos, oxfords, tank tops, long sleeve shirts, unisex t-shirts, fitted t-shirts, and much more.  There is also an option between  hooded and original sweatshirts.  The color and letter combinations are to die for!

Bags

Looking for a bag to carry your books?  A nap sack for show?  Greek Gear has several bags to choose from.  Explore their supply of totes, shower caddy’s, field bags, , duffle bags, backpacks, briefcases, and much more!  There are bags for all activities.

Recruitment/Bid Day

Recruitment and Bid Day are some of the most important days to sorority and fraternities.  These are days to build on their organizations and add brothers and sisters.  At Greek Gear you can buy bid day packages and place group orders on your recruitment clothing.

Greek Gear has so much to offer for those involved in greek life.  If your not involved in greek life this is also a good opportunity to buy presents for family and friends.  Check out the website for College Lifestyles newest affiliate Greek Gear.

Stephanie Coppola is an intern at College Lifestyles ™.  She recently graduated from Quinnipiac University with a major in Print Journalism and a minor in Sports Studies.  She uses Greek Gear when purchasing her sorority clothing!

A Classy Co-ed’s Guide to Spring Recruitment

      With the start of a new semester just around the corner, preparations for Spring recruitment are already in full swing. The planning, conversations, and impressions can prove to be a very stressful time for any participant. With the help of a few helpful tips and tricks, you can enter recruitment with the confidence and attitude that can help your organization attract the classiest women.

Dress to Impress – First impressions are very important during recruitment. In most recruitment processes, Potential new members (PNM) are forced to make quick decisions about which sorority is the right fit for them. Appearances of the current sisters can play a big part in their decision process, but this does not mean that the sisters have to be dressed in the best designer clothes. It is easy and inexpensive to let your personality shine through while being dressed in the appropriate and sometimes mandatory outfits that recruitment requires.  Accessories are a perfect way to show individuality and add a touch of style to your recruitment outfit. These add-ons can also prove to be good talking points with PNMs.  

Show your personality – Common interests are a great way to keep the conversation going as well as deviate from the questions that the girls have inevitably heard from every person they have spoken to already. This also allows the girl to form a connection with you and visualize a place within your chapter.  

Prepare for difficult questions – Every chapter has those sensitive questions that the sisters would rather not deal with during recruitment. The best way to handle these situations is to discuss the most appropriate way to answer the questions with your chapter during a chapter meeting or recruitment retreat.  Other situations may also arise that sisters may not be prepared to deal with.

1. Sometimes rumors circulate that can be damaging to a chapter’s reputation.  It is important to dispel these rumors as best as possible.
2. PNMs may also ask about other chapters on your campus. Do your best to keep the conversation about your specific chapter. Do not discuss stereotypes of chapters with a potential new member.

Confidence is Key – Recruitment can be very intimidating for the PNMs, but these nerves can easily be calmed when the sisters are confident and welcoming. If a sister is confident about herself and her sorority, the PNM is able to get a better sense of what type of sisterhood is the best fit for her.

The most important thing to remember during any recruitment season is to do your best to allow the potential new member to let go of those nervous feelings as well as provide a comfortable environment in which the PNMs to get to know the sisters as best as possible.

Happy Recruiting!

Sara Chobert is a senior Journalism major at Rider University and a sister of Phi Sigma Sigma. She loves listening to music, watching movies, and attending Broadway musicals.

 

The Dos and Don’ts of Having a Rush Crush

Don’t lie.  You’ve had one.  The girl you see volunteering in class that always looks put together and has a smile on her face.  The freshman you met during orientation that you just clicked with and is getting involved on campus.  Your partner for a class project that you always get along with.  However you know her and whoever she may be, you don’t just want to be her friend…you want to call her your sister!  As school is starting and we all start thinking about recruitment, it’s great to keep your eyes open for girls you want in your chapter, but there is a good way and a bad way to go about having a rush crush.

Here are some of my Dos and Don’ts…

DO creep on her. Yes, it is okay to creep on this girl and get some information about her!  Before you throw her a lettered sweatshirt, make sure that she actually is someone you want wearing your letters and representing you and your organization on campus.  Look through her Facebook and see what kind of things she is interested and involved in.  Keep your ears open for stories.  Just because someone makes a great first impression in class doesn’t always mean she has her life together.  At the same time, though, remember that freshman year is a learning time.  Don’t judge her to quickly for a messy night or some questionable pictures.  Many of your sisters probably had some too before they grew into college life.  Make sure that she has a good heart and the potential to be a productive chapter member.

but DON’T be creepy. Asking this girl invasive questions, randomly showing up and watching her from around the corner in her classes, or staring at her from across the room are not good ways to make an impression on your rush crush.  Actually create a friendship with her so you know who she is!  If she sees you as a crazy person who is creepily obsessed with her, she might think twice before joining your chapter.

DO recruit her. Put you and your chapter’s best face forward!  Wear your letters often and really be an example of what your organization is all about.  Don’t complain about going to sorority meetings or functions.  Talk up all the wonderful things that come with being Greek!  When you start conversations about your sisters, things you do together, and how much your relationships with them and your involvement in your sorority life has impacted you, it starts a positive relationship between her and your chapter.

but DON’T dirty rush her.  Always stay Panhellenic!  Do not threaten her to join your chapter instead of another one or break any Panhellenic guidelines for interacting with potential new members.  (If you are questioning whether something is appropriate, be safe and don’t do it).  Do not talk badly about other chapters or members of other chapters with her.  That just makes you look petty.  Talk about the benefits of Greek life, your campus’s philanthropic contributions, how you collaborate with other chapters, and the connections that come with being Greek.  Focus on enticing her to go through recruitment, not just to join your chapter.  You and your sisters will take care of that during the week of recruitment.

DO talk her up to your sisters. Make sure your sisters know who this girl is and why you think she is wonderful!  While you don’t need to have a group Facebook-creeping session (while it does have some benefits…), let your sisters know who to keep an eye out for.  Be specific in why you think she would be a great member of your chapter.  Saying, “I love this girl, she’s so sweet!” doesn’t mean as much as saying, “I think she would be a great asset to our chapter.  She gets involved in class, is put together and classy, and always has a positive attitude.”  Try and use adjectives to succinctly explain why she would be a great sister.

DON’T overreact on Preference Night/Bid Day. If you get the chance to talk to this girl on Preference Night, try not to overreact.  While it is great to tell her why you think she is so wonderful and why you want her to join your sisterhood, there is a line between being complimentary and fawning all over her.  Again, please don’t be creepy.  Whether or not your rush crush becomes your sister, behave yourself on Bid Day!  If she joins another chapter, congratulate her on becoming Greek and finding a place where she feels comfortable.  That is really what recruitment is about.  If she is your sister, congratulations!  However, don’t monopolize her time on Bid Day.  That is a time for her to get to know all of her new sisters, not just you.  Try not to talk about how you were in love with her all the time.  Tell her you’re so glad to be sisters, but going on and on about it can get annoying and makes you overlook your other new sisters!  You have a fantastic new pledge class, make sure they all know it!

As my sisters can attest, I have had at least one rush crush in every recruitment that I have been through.  Some of them have become my sisters, and some of them have not, but it is exciting to see what happens throughout the week of recruitment!  While I have not always been a prime example of how to not be creepy and weird about my rush crushes, those girls know I love them and I am so happy they went through recruitment.  Focus on being a good friend or even just a friendly face on campus to girls you want to call your sisters, and the rest of it will fall into place.

Happy recruiting!

Karen Woods is a recent graduate of Millikin University and a proud member of Delta Delta Delta.  She is so sad that she be missing the most wonderful time of the year, recruitment!, but is so excited to see the new fall additions to the Delta Epsilon chapter!

Is sorority life for me? Part 3

Recruitment is upon us! Hopefully Part 1 and Part 2 have helped you consider whether sorority life is for you, but really you will never know until recruitment week. Here’s 5 easy tips for recruitment:

Sign up!: The first step is to actually register for your school’s recruitment. Typically you can sign-up online through your university, but if you’re in doubt, contact your school’s office of student affairs. Some schools have deferred, or winter, recruitment and might not be accepting new members until next semester. The best way to see if sorority life is right for you is to check it out yourself. You’ll never know until you try!

Question: During recruitment, ask pointed questions to show your interest and to help you gain insight into sorority life. Ask the women why they chose to go Greek and what their favorite parts of being in Sorority X are. Tell them what you hope to get out of your college experience and ask how Greek life can fit into that. They will not only be impressed that you’re taking the initiative to find out more about their house, but from the responses you can help gauge whether it’s the right house for you.

Mix and mingle: DO try to meet as many women as possible from a variety of sororities. Sororities are mosaics of very different women – get to know them! Even if you don’t end up going to their house, making friendly connections makes for a stronger Greek system. DON’T make decisions based on what your friends are doing – it’ll only lead to trouble down the road.

Put the best you forward: Go into recruitment as you would a job interview or meeting your boyfriend’s parents. You don’t have to wear a pantsuit, but try to look classy. Dark-wash bootcut jeans look good on everyone along with some dressy sandals or cute flats. A nice blouse (one that’s not too tight or shows a lot of boob-age) will do the trick, or a flowy sundress.

Remember the commitment: My sorority house always had a bulletin board that said, “Not four years, but for life.” Remember that joining a sorority is a lifelong commitment. These women will stand by you throughout college and also 25 years from now when your first child is going off to college. If you don’t feel like this is something for you, do not join. Nothing can hurt a sisterhood more than losing a member.

When in doubt, trust your gut. Smile. Try new things. You’ll be glad you did.

Stephanie Hardiman is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM). She is a proud alumna of Washington and Lee University and Pi Beta Phi. Follow her on Twitter @Steph_Hardiman.

Is sorority life for me? Part 2

The start of school and recruitment are fast approaching. Is wearing letters in your future? Check out Part 1 of this three part series on deciding if sorority life is for you.

Going Greek was never a part of my college plan. I didn’t know anyone who was in a sorority or fraternity before college, and the sole basis of my knowledge of the Greek system was a few references in pop culture. I couldn’t have been more unprepared. Luckily, I gave it a chance, and I found friends that will be by my side for a lifetime and a chance to hone my leadership abilities.

Take time before recruitment starts to take a self inventory. The best way to make a decision about your future is first to analyze who YOU are. What are your wants, needs and aspirations? How can Greek life fit into this?

You say: I have strong friendships/relationships
I say: Many women in my sorority had very close female friends in high school or had strong relationships with their families that transferred well into sorority life. They were used to coming home to people who they could talk to, share stories with and plan future activities. When embarking into college, these things are harder to come by when we’re miles away from home or our cell phone bills don’t allow us to constantly call high school friends. The sorority can be a great stand-in for family and offer many new friends. Mentors, or “big sisters,” can serve as the older voices of reason and as sounding boards. Pledge sisters and other members often become our best and lifelong friends.

You say: I’m looking for professional/leadership opportunities
I say: Sorority life can offer a great avenue for leadership experience. Contrary to popular belief, sorority life isn’t all partying and giggly girl talk – there’s also huge responsibility involved. Newsletters must go out to members, alumnae and national organizations that require writers. The finance officer deals with thousands of dollars for philanthropy projects, housing and events. Event planners must organize large groups of people to action and execute flawless activities. It’s real-life experience that can transfer well into the classroom and jobs. Sorority executive boards often have a dozen officers, not to mention committee chairs – there’s opportunity for everyone, regardless of time commitment.

You say: Helping others is important to me
I say: Each sorority has a national philanthropy that it supports. Multiple events each year take place to let you help others – from reading to school children to working in a soup kitchen or holding a bake sale to support your Relay for Life team. Sorority members are also required to complete a certain number of community service hours, and the philanthropy officer is a great resource for service opportunities in the community and on campus. Service is also a perfect way to meet new people.

You say: I want to have fun in college
I say: From sorority social events like mixers and formals to philanthropy projects, football games with sisters and late night chats at the house, being in a sorority will give you some of the best times of your life. While most meetings and ceremonies are mandatory, a host of other social opportunities are there for your choosing – as much or as little as you like and at times that can fit your schedule and situation.

Always ask you school’s office of student activities any questions you might have about Greek life and keep an open mind – the best times of your life are about to start!

Stephanie Hardiman is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM). She is a proud alumna of Washington and Lee University and Pi Beta Phi, attending graduate school at DePaul University in the fall. Follow her on Twitter @Steph_Hardiman.

Getting the Most Out of Pre-Recruitment Work Week:

Some call the week before formal recruitment work week, polish week, or spirit week; there are many names for this exciting time. I LOVE the week before recruitment, it is a great time to remember your sisterhood, polish up on your sorority facts, and consider why you joined your organization! Here are a few tips on how to make sure you get the most out of your pre-recruitment week.

Be ready to work: If you stay focused during work week you will get more out of recruitment. If you work hard you won’t be concentrated on where you are supposed to stand or what words come next during your door song, you will just know it! More confidence in the background parts of recruitment will help you remember why you are working so hard…to help women join your amazing sorority!! If you stay focused during polish week then you will reap the amazing benefits of recruitment.

Stay positive: Everyone’s emotions are running high and the week can be pretty stressful, it is crucial that you stay positive or you could cause yourself or others to not enjoy the week. Just remember all of your hard work is going to pay off on Bid Day!

Offer a helping hand: Even if you are not the chair or on the committee for a certain day of recruitment you should still offer a helping hand. Remember that it is everyone’s responsibility to recruit! Plus, you might offer a solution to a problem or have a great idea that someone else didn’t think of.

Take a break: This is a great addition to anyone’s work week. You are with your sisters for most of the day working very hard; enjoy your breaks by grabbing a meal with your sisters, take a walk/jog, or hit the gym!  My recruitment chair sets time aside to let anyone who wants to get their nails, tanning, or any grooming done during spirit week so that everyone is looking their best when recruitment starts! Plus if you enjoy getting a mani and pedi this would be a great time to do so

Hopefully these tips will help you enjoy and take in all of the information you’re going to learn during work week. Happy recruiting!

Check out this CL post on recruiting throughout the year!

Sarah Franklin is a senior at Western Kentucky University and is sad this is her last recruitment.

Recruit Year Round! The CL Way of Course!

Many of us see recruitment as a once a year event, but it is absolutely not!  Girls are watching all year long, thinking, “Should I join that group?”  The way your chapter acts throughout the year could make or break you!  Make your back to school resolution to recruit all the time!  Follow these tips to have a great recruitment!!!

*Wear your letters as much as possible!

Think about yourself as a new freshman.  You probably couldn’t remember the difference between a sigma and a delta.  Most likely, new girls on campus meet your organization, and like you, but with the confusion of Greek letters, they cannot remember which organization you are in!

Great places to wear letters are the library, the gym, class, the cafeteria, and pretty much, anywhere!!!  Wear them in places were people will see you having fun and showing off your sisterhood!

*Decorate everything with your letters!

Would you want to join a sorority that you have never heard of?  Or would you be more interested in an organization you see EVERYWHERE?  For the girls that may not see you around in letters, decorate with your letters!

Using window paint, decorate your car windows with friendly, go Greek statements.  Decorating everyone’s cars will be a fun sisterhood activity, and suddenly people will know about your organization wherever you drive!  Don’t have a car?  You can also paint the windows of your dorm room!  People will be reminded of how awesome you are every time they pass by!

*Pretend it is always recruitment!!!

People join people, not organizations!  Put yourself in the shoes of the girl going through recruitment for the first time; you wanted to be with the girls who you felt comfortable with, and that you saw yourself being friends with.  With this being said, be friendly and welcoming to everyone on campus!  Great times to show this welcoming spirit is at philanthropy events, homecoming events, or anyplace where a lot of your sisters are together!

*Keep up with the PR!

No one wants to join the group with the “bad girls.”  This means:  no cat fights in the cafeteria and no screaming about private chapter issues in the library.

Act lady like, and you will attract girls who are lady like!

How do you recruit “off-season?”

Christine Palaski is an intern with College Lifestyles.  She loves her Delta Delta Delta sisters, the beach, and recruitment!

How to Add Pizazz To Your Philanthropy Bake Sale, The CL Way of Course!

It is no secret that all sorority girls LOVE their philanthropies, and bake sales make EXCELLENT fundraisers for these great causes!  But, some sisters (and customers) don’t get as excited as they once did for these bake sales as the semester continues.  Last week, you made your back to school resolution to cheer up your upset sisters (http://collegelifestyles.org/2010/07/cheer-up-the-cl-way-of-course/), but add ending the boring bake sales and raising more money for your awesome philanthropies to your list of things to accomplish!!!  Here are some ideas and recipes to make them more fun and successful!

*Buy Sorority Mascot Cookie Cutters!

You would be amazed by the array of different cookie cutters that you can find online!  I was able to find a lot of cutters that are also sorority mascots!

Imagine how much fun your sisters would have making cookies that look like some of your favorite symbols!  This will also be great for public relations on campus, as it can help make customers remember your organization!  These customers may just be girls who are thinking of going through recruitment!  (Oh! I remember you girls! You are the ones with those cute dolphin cookies!)

Find your organization’s mascot or symbol here!  Click on it to find out where to purchase it!  All are very inexpensive!

After you have your cutters, decorate them with sprinkles, frosting, or colored sugar!

*Put a Twist on an Old Recipe!  S’mores Brownies!

Having something different will really turn heads and keep people coming back for more!  S’mores brownies are fun and delicious!  Follow the pictures to see how to make them for your own bake sale!

Gather your regular brownie ingredients:  brownie mix, oil, water, and eggs.

Mix them up, but just don’t over beat!

Grease your pan!

Pour in the batter and bake according to package directions, but subtract 10 minutes from the normal baking time.  For example, my package of brownies stated to bake them for 28 minutes, so I put mine in for 18 minutes.

While the brownies are baking, coarsely chop up 6 graham crackers.

Gather 1 cup of mini marshmallows.  Marshmallows + Graham Crackers = BFF

Pull the brownies out of the oven!

Pour on the marshmallows!

Add on the graham crackers, and put them back into the oven for the remaining 10 minutes!

Take it out of the oven!  Look how yummy they look!  Let them cool completely before you decide to cut into them!

The chewy brownie, sticky marshmallow, and crunchy graham cracker make the best combination!

Yummy!

*Make Dorm Friendly Recipes!

Our kitchens at home during the summer are great!  The fridge is always stocked and there is every piece of equipment that is needed.  But when we are away at school, this isn’t at all the case!  The kitchen in my residence hall at school doesn’t really have that much equipment, and sometimes during the school year, I really don’t have much time to bake!

Here are some ideas for when all you have is a little bit of time, and a microwave!

Chocolate Covered Strawberries!!!

-In a microwave safe bowl, melt a cup of chocolate chips (any kind:  white, dark, milk, semisweet, etc.).  Be sure to do it in small intervals (10 to 15 seconds at a time) to make sure that the chocolate doesn’t burn, and stir up the chips between each interval.

-Once your chocolate is melted, dip and roll your strawberries in the chocolate!  Once they are fully covered, place them on a plate, and put them in your fridge to set!  So easy!!!

-To make it more fun, after you roll the berries in the chocolate, roll them in toasted coconut, crushed nuts, colored sugar, or anything else you can think of!

Rice Krispie Treats!

Not everyone knows this, but you can make rice krispie treats without the use of an oven!

In a microwave safe bowl, microwave ¼ a cup of butter with 3 cups of miniature marshmallows for 2 minutes.  Stir, and then return to the microwave for another minute.  Then, stir in 6 cups of rice krispie cereal until it is all combined.  (It may be easier to use clean hands rather than a spoon!)

Then, grease 13 x 9 inch pan, or if you do not have one, you can buy a cheap, disposable aluminum one.  Press your cereal mixture into the pan and allow it to cool.  Cut into squares and enjoy!

*Pack Your Items Prettily!

It is all about presentation!  No one wants to buy an ugly brownie, no matter how delicious it may be!

Ribbon and cute labels can really dress things up!  For this picture, I simply tied a ribbon around a plastic bag, the type without a zipper.  They sell cellophane bags in craft stores, but they can get expensive, and the other bags can be purchased in the dollar store, yet they get the same look!  Make a label out of construction paper and tie it on!

Cupcake liners are not just for cupcakes!  They make great holders for almost anything:  chocolate covered strawberries, cookies, and small brownies.  They are inexpensive and make it easy for customers eating on the go!

Need a place to hold all of your already packaged products?  Line the inside and the outside of an old shoebox with wrapping paper.  Everything will be instantly cute!

*Make Committees and Competitions!

Baking is more fun when you are doing it with someone else!  For your chapter’s next bake sale, randomly split up sisters into different committees, for example, the cupcake making committee, the brownie making committee, etc.  Working together will make it easier for those “baking-challenged” sisters, and for those sisters who do not have any baking supplies.  This is a great way to build sisterhood too!

Make some competitions that will make people want to go above and beyond and to bake even more!  (Which then means more profit!)  Which committee can make the most?  Choose a fun and inexpensive prize to reward these hard working sisters!

*Advertise!!!

No matter how awesome everything is, no one will come if they don’t know your event is happening!

Make a facebook event, describing where and when your bake sale will be, and describing some of the delicious food that will be there!  Have your sisters invite EVERYONE they know!  The day of the event, ask each sister to make their status about the sale.

Make a banner where a lot of people will see it, for example the cafeteria!

How do you make your philanthropy fundraisers more exciting?

Christine Palaski is a College Lifestyle Intern.  In the fall, she will be a junior at Adelphi University where she is a nursing major and a proud sister of Delta Delta Delta.  She can be found baking something fun and delicious.

Is sorority life for me? Part 1

For many of us, back-to-school shopping and roommate assignments also means recruitment.

This is the first of a three-part series on deciding if sorority life is right for you.

I have to start off with a personal note about myself: I went into college without any intention to join a sorority. I went to a university where roughly 80 percent of students join a Greek organization, but still I was skeptical. I’d heard rumors that it was just “buying” your friends and an excuse to drink and party a lot. I decided to rush simply because I wanted to go through the process and be able to say with certainty that the entire Greek thing was the farthest thing from what I wanted.

Granted, I do not think that being Greek is for everyone, however I know that if I hadn’t given the opportunity a chance, I would have missed out on the most profound aspect of my college experience.

Here’s some things to think about regarding Greek life before you even step foot on campus:

• Find your university’s Greek life website. Learn which chapters are on campus and what they stand for. Look at their philanthropies and check out their websites to see if it’s something that might interest you. Follow them on Twitter to keep updated with what sorority headquarters is up to.
• Talk to Greek women you know already. Many of us have older sisters, friends, aunts, mothers or grandmothers who are Greek alumnae. Talk to them about their experiences and why they chose to “go Greek.” Feel free to ask the College Lifestyles interns too!
• Check out websites such as this one sponsored by the National Panhellenic Conference or this one by SureSister. There’s a lot of information out there about the Greek system and recruitment. Make sure the information is credible! Plenty of bloggers and writers claim to tell you the “insider scoop” on Greek life, but often these people were not involved with the Greek system or have a negative, uninformed viewpoint.
• Talk with your family about the decision. Having the support of your parents in a decision to go Greek is just as important as it is in other decisions like choosing a college.
• Always, always, ALWAYS keep an open mind. Don’t say no to an opportunity before you give it a fair shake.

Stephanie Hardiman is an intern with College Lifestyles (TM). She is a proud alumna of Washington and Lee University and Pi Beta Phi, attending graduate school at DePaul University in the fall. Follow her on Twitter @Steph_Hardiman.

How to Motivate Your Chapters the fun CL way!!!

Even the best sorority chapters in the world have issues motivating those certain apathetic members.  Whether you have an officer position or not, follow these fun tips to have a chapter full of energetic, volunteering, happy sisters!

Distribute Weekly Awards

People feel more motivated when they are being recognized for what they are doing!  A great idea is to have an officer of the week and a sister of the week, to recognize those who go above and beyond.  An inexpensive idea for a prize is to have a princess crown for the winner to wear during the chapter meeting in which they are being recognized.  The crown can then be recycled for the rest of the semester!  It is also great to recognize those sisters with awesome GPAs!  At the beginning of the semester, in a chapter meeting, announce those sisters who made the Dean’s list the past semester, and award them with a pack of Nerds candy, and a certificate that says, “Sister Sally is a super Nerd! Congrats on your awesome GPA!”

Tape Candy Underneath the Seats Before a Chapter Meeting

As silly as it sounds, a sweet surprise like this will make chapter meetings more fun!  Just image the surprised and slightly confused look on everyone’s face!  It will remind everyone of all of the fun they have in chapter, and make them want to do more with it.

Post your Organization’s Songs in Showers!

This is a great idea if you are not an officer, but if you just want to get everyone in that happy, motivated spirit.  If your school has houses, (and if they do, I am extremely jealous), laminate printed copies of your sorority’s songs, and tape them to the walls of the showers.   As the girls shower, they will see these songs, and they will smile, no matter how unhappy they were.

Create Committees

This is a great way to make everyone feel important and needed.  Often, a lot of people become apathetic because they have the mentality that “someone else can do it” or they simply feel unneeded and give up.  Committees can be made for literally everything your chapter needs!  Examples include making committees for recruitment and philanthropy events, so the work can be split up evenly.

Thank Those Who Helped You

As stated earlier, people feel better when they are recognized for what they have done.  If you lead a committee, thank all of those who helped you in your chapter meetings, so everyone else can see how awesome they are.  Also, a personal, hand written thank you letter is so easy to write, yet it really makes people better to receive one.

Texts

If you are an officer planning an event, text the entire chapter that morning with a cute message, encouraging them to go, and reminding those who forget!

Plans Events Afterward

Again, another great idea if you are not an officer.  (And a great way to get noticed if you are interested in becoming one, cough, cough.)  Plan a fun event after a meeting or after another chapter event, such as going to see a movie or meeting up to get sushi, and then let everyone know about it, either through word of mouth, text, or email.  Even the most apathetic members will feel more excited about attending a recruitment workshop if they know there will be something fun afterwards.  Events like this are also great ways to build sisterhood!

Christine Palaski is a proud sister of Delta Delta Delta at Adelphi University.

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