The Time Commitment of Sorority Membership

When I joined my sorority, I did not fully understand the time commitment of being a member and the different events I would participate in. During recruitment conversations, sisterhood and values are emphasized, but there is little discussion about the time commitment and day-to-day expectations. I also didn’t know that the requirements may change throughout your membership. In my first year in my sorority, I attended nearly every event and did everything with my friends in my sorority. Now, as a senior, I still spend most of my time with them, but I have other responsibilities. I have been able to balance leadership positions and work. I don’t attend as many events as I used to, but I still make an effort to be present and enjoy the experience. Requirements may vary by chapter, year in the sorority, membership status and other factors. I have broken down the different types of events you can likely expect during your sorority membership.

• Chapter Meeting

  A chapter meeting, commonly called “chapter,” is a weekly meeting of the entire sorority. The type of chapter meeting can vary. During certain chapters, officers will go over announcements, and members will watch presentations on educational topics. Each school or organization may have requirements for educational programming to keep the community safe and informed. Other chapters include fun bonding activities since this is the main time everyone gets together. Occasionally, there will be a formal or business chapter, with the expectation of dressing in business casual attire, and it is typical to discuss important business during these meetings. 

   

• Ritual

  Ritual is a short service for chapter members, integrating them into the chapter and teaching them about the organization. Rituals include new member services, big-little and initiation. They are a great way to bring everyone together through shared experiences and to have the chapter’s support for new members.

• Sisterhood and Social Events

  These events usually happen throughout the week, ranging from movie nights to bouquet-making to events with other Greek chapters. There are also bi-annual and annual events, such as formal dances and Panhellenic events, such as Greek Week. 

  Some chapters will have a point system for attending non-required events. Every chapter does this differently. Chapters with houses may use points to determine room picks each term or year. 

   

• Philanthropy Events

  Every sorority has a philanthropy, a cause for which it raises funds or awareness. These events could include athletic tournaments, toy drives, cookout fundraisers and more. For example, my sorority’s philanthropy is Breast Cancer Education and Awareness. We host our annual Philanthropy Week in October, which other chapters can participate in for Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Attending events during the week is required; however, there are also many optional events, such as ribbon passing and volunteering at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk.

• Recruitment

  The recruitment timeline varies at different schools, and members are expected to help. Some schools recruit in the fall, potentially even before the school year starts. Other campuses will hold deferred recruitment in the winter or spring. The length of recruitment will depend on the number of chapters on campus. More chapters to meet means more time needed to meet them. Members attend workshops and bonding events throughout the year and the week before recruitment to help them bond and prepare.   

• Other Things to Consider

  Every school and chapter is slightly different in what the sorority experience may offer. Be sure to ask questions when signing up for and throughout the recruitment process. Every chapter will have different rules, processes for counting attendance, housing requirements, and definitions of an allowable excuse for missing a required event. All of these are in place to ensure that everyone contributes to the chapter and represents themselves and the chapter well while getting the most out of their experience. The average amount of time a member spends on chapter activities varies based on the time of year, whether they hold a leadership position or serve on a committee and other factors such as scheduling conflicts.

There are so many opportunities to get involved, make connections, grow as a leader and a student and build your resume! While it may seem overwhelming, it’s definitely manageable and what you make of it. School comes first, and sorority members know that. Balancing the time requires planning and clear communication. You will find this balance as you go! But like most things in college, you get out what you put into your experience.