How many of you remember why you joined your chapter? If you just joined, this is probably fresher in your mind than older members who are almost through with their collegiate experience. I challenge you to think back to when you joined your chapter.
Some sorority women joined through formal recruitment while others participated in continuous open bidding (COB). Some of us may have joined for academic support, leadership positions or simply to meet more people on campus. What was your favorite philanthropy event? What was your favorite chapter value? What was your favorite Panhellenic event? Who was one sister that inspired you? Regardless of your answers, we ended up connecting with our chapters for one reason or another.
When we joined our chapters, we committed to being part of something bigger than ourselves. Let’s reflect on the Panhellenic Creed that all Panhellenic sorority women uphold.
The Panhellenic Creed reads:
“We, as Undergraduate Members of women’s fraternities, stand for good scholarship, for guarding of good health, for maintenance of fine standards, and for serving, to the best of our ability, our college community. Cooperation for furthering fraternity life, in harmony with its best possibilities, is the ideal that shall guide our fraternity activities.
We, as Fraternity Women, stand for service through the development of character, inspired by the close contact and deep friendship of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and wise human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the tenet by which we strive to live.”
In reading these words, I am reminded of my dedication and commitment to Panhellenic as well as my chapter. When we join an NPC sorority, we commit to representing and serving our chapter and councils through our actions. Sadly, many women believe this dedication and commitment ends after graduation.
I am a member of Pi Beta Phi, and one of our core values is a lifelong commitment. I am confident that when we all joined a sorority, we were eager to get involved and make the most out of our collegiate experience. But, what if we changed our perspective and were excited to take on sisterhood as a lifelong role? Consider the options below as ways to continue your sorority experience beyond your collegiate years.
Volunteer Opportunities
There are so many ways to continue your sorority experience within the Panhellenic community or your own organization. Sisters can become advisors, you can join an alumnae chapter or Panhellenic, you can write for thesororitylife.com and share your experiences as a sorority woman or you can volunteer for your organization and continue developing resources and tools to aid in the success of future sorority women. You can continue to shape and impact the future of the sorority experience by remaining involved and finding ways to volunteer. If you are interested, contact your national organization and watch for the National Panhellenic Conference to open their volunteer form.
Stay in Touch
If you don’t have the time to volunteer, you can be intentional about keeping in contact with sisters near and far. Since 1902, the beginning of the National Panhellenic Conference, the true spirit of the sorority experience has always been friendship. For many years, it was hard for sorority women to stay in contact after college. They did not have the technology that we do today that allows communication to be so accessible. Living in a time where technology is more relevant than ever, we can use this to our advantage. I encourage you to talk to a sister you haven’t talked to recently. Be intentional and ask how she is doing. Find time to talk monthly at a lunch or set up a Zoom call with sisters who live farther away. Stay connected to your sisterhood and prioritize the relationships you made as a collegian.
These are just two ways to stay connected to your organization after graduation. Find more ideas and resources here.
No matter why you joined your chapter, you joined for a reason. You had experiences that impacted who you are today. And, by being an active member of your organization, you can continue to have a transformative experience and have an impact on the future of the sorority experience.
