Sorority Recruitment: New Songs To Sing & Learn By Heart

Ah, the trials & tribulations of planning & preparing for Formal Recruitment.

Besides deciding on what themes we’d like to use for our Recruitment Week skits, putting the finishing touches on our chapter recruitment videos, or putting together some truly dazzling chapter recruitment presentations, no Formal Recruitment would be complete without singing!!

Finding some beautiful & amazing songs to sing to the potential new members who will be visiting our suites/houses can be a chore & a half.  Getting your sisters to agree on which songs you want to use for your Recruitment Week events (skits included) is even more challenging still.  They have song suggestions of their own & want their voices to be heard:  “Can we do our own version of Katy Perry’s ‘Firework?’”  “How about doing our own interpretation of Selena Gomez’s ‘Who Says’ or better yet, ‘Love You Like A Love Song?’”  “Miranda Lambert, please…”  “What about Kenny Chesney?”  “I’d love it if we could throw some Justin Bieber into the mix.”  “Let’s use Luke Bryan’s ‘Sorority Girl,’ ‘All My Friends Say,’ or even ‘Country Girl’ if you can help it.”

Decisions, decisions & even more decisions.  Such is life when you’re searching for songs you want to use for your Formal Recruitment skits/presentations (obviously, in reworded form) or even using the original versions for your recruitment videos.  So many songs, so many choices & so little time for compromises.

When you’re rewriting the lyrics to your favorite songs, make sure that these words always stand out first & foremost:  friendship & sisterhood!!  Moreover, see to it that your songs are germane (i.e. appropriate) & relevant; the whole point of Formal Recruitment is about discovering lifelong friendship & authentic sisterhood, not partying, boys, Prada or Lilly Pulitzer.  (And of course, share these reworded songs with your sisters & see to it that they learn every word by heart; if they feel that you should change a line or two that sounds awkward, do it.)

Also, don’t forget to include songs & cheers from your chapter’s (& International) songbooks!!  And make sure to choose songs which will strike a chord with the PNMs who will be visiting our houses/suites during Recruitment Week.  (Note to self for all chapter song leaders:  pick those songs & cheers with plenty of care & forethought.)

Singing’s one way in which we can show potential new members how much we love our Sororities/Fraternities.  It’s also one more way in which we can share the message of friendship & sisterhood, at the same time showing these amazing ladies who our Sororities/Fraternities are & what our Sororities/Fraternities are about!!

Sorority Life: All Of The Above & Much More

A sorority is a place to find new friends & in the process, discover friendship & sisterhood that lasts a lifetime.

A sorority is a home away from home.

A sorority is a place where women can not only be themselves; it’s also a place where they can find their voices as leaders for their chapters, colleges/universities, communities & beyond.

A sorority is a place where women can make a heartfelt difference in the lives of others, both Greek & non-Greek.

A sorority is a place where women can make a heartfelt difference in the world.

A sorority is a place where women are empowered, inspired & encouraged to discover their true potential as leaders for their chapters & other campus organizations.

A sorority is a place where women are empowered, inspired & encouraged to realize their fullest potential as the women they’ve always wanted to be.

A sorority is a place where women can shine brightly when it comes to academic excellence.

A sorority is a place where women can shine brightly when it comes to making a lasting impact in the lives of others through philanthropy & service.

A sorority is a place where women can shine brightly when it comes to inspiring other women to lead by example in all the great things that they do on campus.

A sorority is a place where women can make their mark as leaders in so many ways:  as chapter officers, as Panhellenic Council members, as members of Student Government Association & as members of other campus organizations.

A sorority is a place where women not only promote & talk about sisterhood – they also live it as well.

A sorority is a place where women continue to set high standards & expectations for others to see & know.

A sorority is a place where women not only promote their values & principles – they also live both of the above.

A sorority is a place where women with differing backgrounds, talents & personalities share the same common goals, visions, aspirations & dreams.

A sorority is a place where women are constantly doing their part to shatter/erase the stereotypes which non-Greeks have held about Greek life for an eternity.

A sorority is a place where sisterhood isn’t just for a few years of college – it’s a lifetime experience unlike any other!!

A sorority/women’s Fraternity is all of the above & so much more.

Sorority Life: By No Other Name

“Acting with friendship, conduct & character.“  #RSM

Every Fall/Spring Semester (depending on where you go to college), our chapters are excited about recruiting & welcoming more-than-amazing women into our Sororities/Fraternities.  Not only that, but these amazing ladies are also excited about getting involved on campus & learning all that there is to know about the amazing Sororities/Fraternities which they just joined.

But keep one thing in mind about these women who have just joined our organizations (& who we are welcoming with open arms).  They’re new members – nothing more or less than this. 

Let me reiterate what I just said:  these women who have just joined our Sororities/Fraternities are new members/sisters.  Not “babies,” not “pledges,” not “littles,” not “newbies” or any other demeaning nickname.  They’re new members/sisters & should be regarded/treated as such.

For some, the terms “babies,” “pledges,” “littles” or “newbies” may seem like harmless euphemisms/terms of endearment to describe our new members/sisters, but they’re not.  Our new members/sisters are new members/sisters & that’s that, regardless of which letters we wear proudly on our sleeves & hearts. 

These more-than-amazing women who just joined our Sororities/Fraternities are talented.  Empowered.  Inspired.  Driven.  Difference-makers.  Strong-willed.  Women with strong character.  But out of respect, please don’t call them “babies,” “pledges,” or any other degrading/demeaning nickname.  First & foremost, they are our new members/sisters & nothing less than this.

Sorority Life: Show ‘Em What You’re Worth

“Baby, you’re a firework.   Come on, show them what you’re worth!!”

No matter which letters we wear, we’ve heard all the misconceptions which non-Greeks have held about our Sororities/Fraternities.  We’ve heard their inappropriate comments & jokes about sororities & sorority women.  We’ve seen how non-Greeks have portrayed us – more often than not, in an inaccurate & unflattering light. 

But this is our opportunity to show non-Greeks that sorority women – & to a much greater degree, our Sororities/Fraternities – are a far cry from what they’ve seen on television & in the movies.  Here’s our opportunity to challenge them & prove the detractors of Greek life wrong.  Here’s our opportunity to set the record straight about who sorority women truly are, what sorority women truly do on campus & in the community & above all, what we’re truly about!! 

Above all – this shouldn’t be too much to ask – here’s our chance to show the doubters & detractors of Greek life what we’re truly worth:

Show them that our chapters are committed to academic excellence & that we’re dedicated to setting the bar high when it comes to stellar academic achievement.

Show them that our chapters believe in making a difference for our campuses & communities through various service projects & events.

Show them that our chapters can make a heartfelt difference in the lives of others by showcasing our Sororities’/Fraternities’ philanthropies, as well as the fundraising events we hold on campus & in the local community.

Show them that we can make a heartfelt impact for our colleges/universities by participating in other Greek-sponsored philanthropic events.

Show them that our chapters inspire, encourage & empower other women to find their voices as leaders on campus & beyond.

Show them that our chapters believe in recruiting quality women for chapter membership.

Show them that sorority women aren’t ditzy & exclusive – besides being classy & amazing, we’re also driven, compassionate, caring, kind & strong-willed.

Show them that we all work hard to achieve our goals, visions & dreams.

Above all, show anyone who is doubtful about Greek life that we’ve become stronger & better women by joining our Sororities/Fraternities.

Show them what you’re worth.  Show non-Greeks that we’re committed to shattering/erasing the stereotypes & misconceptions that they’ve held about Greek life for an eternity.

 

Delta Zeta: What Delta Zeta Is…

(Disclaimer:  The following post was written from a fraternity man’s perspective & doesn’t necessarily reflect with the opinions/viewpoints of others.)

Delta Zeta is all of the following:

Delta Zeta is about finding new friends & discovering friendships that last a lifetime!!

Delta Zeta is a second home away from home.

Delta Zeta is a Sorority where women can truly be themselves & where women are empowered/inspired/encouraged to make their mark as leaders & difference-makers for their chapters, colleges/universities, communities, the world & beyond.

Delta Zeta isn’t a destination – it’s the journey of a lifetime & an experience unlike any other!!

Delta Zeta is being part of something truly special.

Delta Zeta is about being there for one another through both the best of times & the worst of times.

Delta Zeta is proof that sisterhood isn’t just for college days alone.

Delta Zeta is about living your values, principles & standards (as the Delta Zeta Creed demonstrates in all of its timeless, heartfelt power & beauty).

Delta Zeta is showing others that service for your campuses, communities & the world can be an exciting, rewarding, life-transforming – & above all, enriching – experience.

Delta Zeta is enriching the lives of terminally ill children through hosting fundraising/philanthropic events which support the Painted Turtle Camp.

Delta Zeta is enriching the lives of people with speech & hearing disabilities through participating in Build-A-Bear projects, as well as hosting fundraising/philanthropic events which support speech and hearing initiatives like Gallaudet University, the Starkey Hearing Foundation & the House Ear Institute (along with other local & national speech and hearing organizations).

Delta Zeta is enriching the lives of others through participating in other Greek-sponsored philanthropies on campus, as well as participating in such events like Dance Marathon.

Delta Zeta is about empowering women to realize their true potential as leaders for their chapters, campuses, communities & beyond through their efforts in academics, philanthropy, community service & leadership development.

Delta Zeta isn’t just about being classy, sweet & amazing.  Delta Zeta is also about being caring, kind, courteous & compassionate.

Delta Zeta is life & love.  At the same time, Delta Zeta is about living the life you love & loving the life you live.

Delta Zeta is about sparkling like the diamond & shining like the lamp in all the more-than-amazing things that you do on campus.  Whether it’s through your efforts as chapter officers, through your efforts as chapter advisors & volunteers, through your efforts in recruitment, through your efforts in philanthropy & service or through your involvement in other campus organizations (such as Panhellenic Council), you’re finding ways to make Delta Zeta shine brightly!!

Delta Zeta is sparkling like the diamond & shining like the lamp through the more-than-amazing things that you do for your alumnae areas/chapters.

Delta Zeta is learning about life both inside & outside of the classroom.

Delta Zeta is about stepping up & accepting the challenge to achieve your personal best.

Last but not least, Delta Zeta is about realizing your goals, visions & dreams!!

 

Sorority Life: Always A Part Of You

“You are always wearing your letters.  From this day forward, always.  Every day, in every situation.  They never come off.“  – T.J. Sullivan

“If you’re going to put the letters on put them on your heart.” - David Stollman

Once you join a Sorority/Fraternity, you can’t say you’ve “arrived.”  Nor can you say that you’ve “made it.”   To be honest with you, once you’ve accepted that bid, you’ve just began the journey of a lifetime.

It’s true.  This is the start of something which is not only cool/awesome.  It’s also more-than-amazing.

You have your reasons for going Greek – & you have your reasons why you joined a Sorority/Fraternity in the first place.  It’s for the friendship.  It’s for the sisterhood.  It’s for the philanthropy.  It’s because you want to impact your campus & community through service.  It’s for fun & good times.  It’s because you’re looking for a second home away from home.  It’s because you want to make your mark on campus as a leader, a difference-maker & empowered woman inspiring other women to realize their potential as leaders (& as the women they’ve always wanted to be).

Or it could just as well be for all of the above reasons.

Remember one thing:  Once you’ve accepted your bid, the letters which you’re wearing will always be a part of you in more ways than one.  Even when you’re not actually wearing those letters, they’re still going to be a part of you.   You can’t ever forget them:  those letters will define who you are, what you do & what you’re about.  (Make no mistake, those letters are going to shape your identity as a member of both your Sorority/Fraternity & Panhellenic community.)

It must also be said that once you’ve accepted that bid, you not only wear your letters on your sleeve.  You wear them proudly & sincerely on your heart as well.  Whatever you say & do with those letters on not only reflects what others think of you as a sorority woman; your actions leave a lasting impact on your sisters, the Sorority/Fraternity you represent, your Panhellenic community & the Greek system in which you belong.

From this moment on, you have a charge to keep with those letters.  They’re a responsibility for a lifetime, not just for a few years of college.  These letters are here to stay, not just on a tee or a sweatshirt, but on your heart.

It’s true.  These letters will always be a part of you.

Sorority Life: Wearing Our Letters On Our Sleeves & Hearts

“These letters don’t make me better than you; these letters make me better than I used to be.“

Whenever we wear our letters on campus – or even when we’re not actually wearing them – we need to be reminded of some things that we tend to forget every now & then:

No matter which Sororities/Fraternities we represent, we’re called upon to set & live high standards & expectations day in & day out.  Not when we “want to”  &  not when we “feel like it,” mind you.  We’re called upon to set & live our organizations’ high standards & expectations on a daily basis.

The things which we say & do with our letters on – whether it be good or bad – directly leave their impact on our chapters, our sisters, & to a much greater degree, our Sororities/Fraternities.  (Like I’ve said numerous times, the first impressions we make with those letters on are lasting ones.)

Our letters don’t give us a license to say to other sorority women, “We’re better than you,” or even worse, “We’re better than you’ll ever be.”  On the contrary.  Our Sororities/Fraternities are shaping us into not only leaders & difference-makers for our chapters, campuses & communities – they’re also shaping us into the women we’ve always wanted to become!!

When we wear our letters proudly on campus – or even when we’re not literally wearing them – we’re also living the values which define who our Sororities/Fraternities are, what our Sororities/Fraternities do & what our Sororities/Fraternities are about.

When we wear our letters, we’re also living a lifetime commitment, a lifetime responsibility.  Our letters define who we are as sorority women, what we do as sorority women & what we’re all about.

Above all, our letters don’t make us better than other sorority women on campus – our own sisters included.  (Let’s face it, all sorority women are amazing in their own way & on their own terms.)  But our letters do make us into better women.  They do make us into better leaders.  They do make us into better difference-makers.  And they make us so much better than we used to be.

We’re not only wearing our letters on dazzling tees/sweatshirts (or even hats & sorority totes).    We’re also wearing them on our hearts as well.

Sorority Life: Dancing For A Good Cause

When it comes to doing great – & or better yet, more-than-amazing – things for our colleges/universities, communities & beyond, our Sororities/Fraternities truly know how to shine in more ways than one.  Whether it’s doing something for our Sororities’/Fraternities’  National/International philanthropies or participating in other Greek-sponsored philanthropies, we’re showing others that sorority women are doing their part to bring change for the better – & also transforming the lives of others around us!!

But our Sororities’/Fraternities’ official philanthropies & other Greek-sponsored philanthropies aren’t the only ways in which we can make a positive – & lasting – impact for our campuses & communities.   We can also make a world of difference for others – & as always, do a whole world of good – by participating in dance marathons!!

Dance marathons aren’t just an opportunity for our Sororities/Fraternities to have plenty of fun & good times.  They’re also an opportunity to dance for a good & worthy cause as well.  Whether it’s raising money for Riley Children’s Hospital,  The Children’s Heart Foundation, the Embrace Kids Foundation (which aids families of children who have cancer & blood disorders), the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, the Four Diamonds Fund (a charity which is devoted to defeating pediatric cancer through research & caring for patients at the Penn State Hershey Medical Center Children’s Hospital), among others, we’re doing the following:

We’re showing our dedication to the children, families & hospitals we’re supporting.

We’re dancing for those who can’t – namely, we’re dancing for the kids!!

We’re giving back selflessly to the local community.

We’re also making an enormous impact in the lives of children & their families by dancing & fundraising – we’re making a difference where it matters most!!

Our Sororities’/Fraternities’ national/international philanthropies aren’t the only show in town when it comes to transforming the lives of others around us.  Dance marathons are one more way to do just that & so much more – we’re showing both Greeks & non-Greeks that we’re making a difference for our colleges/universities, the local community & beyond!!

Sorority Life: If I’m Not…Who Will?

(This post was written for undergraduates & alumnae alike.)

If I’m not doing my job to say good things about sorority women, as well as cast their Sororities/Fraternities in a positive light, who will?

If I’m not doing my job to post good things about sorority women, as well as cast their Sororities/Fraternities in a positive light, who will?

If I’m not doing my job to tweet good things about sorority women, as well as cast their Sororities/Fraternities in a positive light, who will?

If I’m not doing my job to inspire/encourage women to see if Greek life is truly for them, who will?

If I’m not doing my job to show & prove how sorority women are doing great things for their chapters, campuses, communities & beyond, who will?

If I’m not doing my job to show how sorority women can make a positive difference for others through philanthropy & community service, who will?

If I’m not doing my job to show how sorority women are constantly setting high standards in academic excellence, who will?

If I’m not doing my job to show how sorority women are inspiring other women to become difference-makers & leaders for their chapters, campuses, communities & the world, who will?

If I’m not doing my job to show how sorority women are setting the bar high when it comes to living their organizations’ values & principles, who will?

If I’m not doing my job to show others who sorority women are, what sorority women do – & for that matter, what Greek life is all about – who will?

Sorority Life: My Top Ten Quotes About Sororities & Sisterhood

No matter which letters we wear, the following quotes still hold true – better yet, they’re still undeniably relevant – about both our Sororities/Fraternities & sisterhood:

“First you’re a part of it, then it becomes a part of you.”

“Sororities symbolize all that we wish to accomplish in our lives.  They represent the struggles we all face as we grow.  Why we cling to them no one can explain, but in the end, we are all stronger for it.”

“Sisterhood is the essence of the wisdom of all the ages distilled into a single word.  You cannot see sisterhood; neither can you see it nor taste it.  But you can feel it a hundred times a day.  It is a pat on the back, a smile of encouragement.  It’s someone to share with, to celebrate your achievements.”

“Sisters are angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble remembering how to fly.”

“Sisterhood is not letting petty differences get in the way of anything.  It is about being true to yourself.  It is about experiencing new adventures by entering the realm of others.”

“Sisterhood is many things.  It’s a warm smile on a cold & rainy day, a friendly hug, a cheerful hello…It’s all that a good & lasting friendship is, only better.  It’s treasured.  It’s sacred.  It’s knowing that there will always be someone there for you.  It’s dreams shared & goals achieved.  It’s counting on others & being counted on.  It is real.”

“People ask why I am in a sorority & I try to explain all the things a sorority is that they cannot see.  A sorority is more than letters on a sweatshirt, I say.  More than traditional songs, a gold pin, rituals, & obligation, or a way of life.  A sorority is learning about people, a sorority is giving without expecting a return.  A sorority is earning respect from others, as well as for yourself.  A sorority will not solve your problems.  But I have made good friends & found confidence there to help me take life one step at a time.”

“It’s not just letters, parties & good times.  It is a feeling that will never leave you as long as you live.  It is a responsibility & a duty to yourself & your sisters.  It is an eternal love.”

“You should never look down on a sister except to pick her up.”

“Sororities aren’t about drinking & boys & Kate Spade & Prada (or even Lilly Pulitzer).  Sororities are about laughter, tears, friendship, sisterhood, honor, loyalty & love.  The people in my sorority want me to succeed.  They help me to rise up & allow others to follow.  At retreats we share in times that we will remember forever.  But it’s not really just my sorority.  Homecoming, Socials, Parents’ Weekend & other Greek activities have given me the opportunity to find out what is unique about each sorority & I really find wonderful friends among them all.  We need to let other people know who we are.  Greeks are not exclusive – they are merely one group of many.  I have heard the jokes, we all have…about what non-Greek students may think about us.  But I challenge you – prove them wrong.  Don’t just try to make your house look good, try to make Greeks look good.  Let people know that we are athletes, we are scholars, we come from diverse backgrounds & we have diverse goals.  But let them know that we have similarities.  We are all in the constant pursuit of success.  We are all working to achieve our goals & we are all making friendships that last a lifetime.  So be proud, prove people wrong…Remember that although my sorority may have different history & ideals than yours, that we are all here for common reasons.”