Dear new members,
After a strenuous week of parading around campus in heels, smiling your biggest smiles, and shedding a tear or two during preference, I hope you’ve come to find your second home. In your new sorority, you have a new set of sisters to lean on that will support you unconditionally. You might not think you need that support, but there will come a time and your sisters will be there for you like you never imagined.
I hope you ran home on Bid Day to be greeted with love and appreciation by your chapter actives who selected YOU for membership in this national organization. Your unique qualities stood out to your new sisters and you were selected with a purpose. Revel in this idea, because you are appreciated more than you know. Do not take your new membership lightly, however. Your coveted attributes and talents will be put to use to enrich your new sisterhood. You will be expected to contribute and participate actively in chapter activities, academic, philanthropic, and social, if you want your chapter to give back to you.
In just a short time, you will receive your very first letters. Whether stitched onto a jersey or etched into a pencil, your new letters represent this organization locally and nationally. Wearing letters is a privilege that unites us across the country and further promotes solidarity among members. Your actions and attitude while wearing letters should reflect the pride you feel for obtaining membership in this organization. You are not entitled to your letters, they are a gift given graciously to you when you were selected for membership. Should you choose to disrespect the tradition and values of this sisterhood, your letters can be revoked. Be mindful of what you say, do, and promote in and out of your letters because they are now a reflection of more than yourself.
As an active member, I promise you the following things:
A life-changing experience — if you let it. Sorority membership might offer you certain social status on your college campus or networking opportunities in your future career, but most importantly, your pledge to this sisterhood and to your new sisters is a bond for life. Utilizing traditions upheld for hundreds of years, your pledge to this sorority serves as your commitment to preserve history, in addition to joining an empowering organization of collegiate women. Your affiliation with this sisterhood is life-long, and from it you can reap the benefits of support, friendship, prestige, and dedication.
To offer guidance as I see fit. As an older, active member with much more insight and experience with chapter business and workings, I promise to never undermine your age, opinions, or status as a sister. I promise to never call you a “baby” during your pledging process. You are a valuable new member, and beautiful, young adult who will be respected during the new member education period. Although this affiliation may seem foreign at first, I promise to earnestly answer any questions you have and to do my best to lead by positive example.
Opportunity to find your niche. Whether your new chapter has 50 or 300 members, there are responsibilities for everyone. While our organization must answer to Nationals, we operate as a largely independent entity that is internally responsible for our own activities and events. There are numerous leadership positions, both in front of and behind the scenes of chapter members and events that require special women to execute various tasks. In this sisterhood, you have the opportunity to explore various chapter operations and apply your personal strengths as you see fit.
Ultimately, you have been selected for your potential to positively contribute to this sisterhood. You will pay for membership, yes, but your dues fund the local and national maintenance of this organization and contribute to the events hosted by your chapter. As a new sorority affiliate, you have immense responsibility and likewise immense potential to enrich your sisterhood. In your new home, I hope you take the time to learn about the history you are now a part of and are working to preserve. You are embarking on an incredibly unique experience, one that you will share with the other special members of your pledge class. Enjoy this time and take every chance you have to meet older members; their experiences and wisdom may shock you. This membership, though cliche, is certainly more than just four years; it is for a lifetime. With this, I welcome you with open arms to your new family and home away from home.
XOXO,
Your chapter
