Greeks March to the Same Beat

For most institutions, the school year has started and that means two things: summer is over and college football is about to begin. Both are inevitable each Fall and with college football beginning this Thursday, Sept. 2^nd, that means band practice is in session. If you have been on campus early in the mornings or late at night I’d imagine you have heard the marching band practicing or at least seem them marching around on the practice field.

As a previous marching band member in college, I love hearing the impressive sounds of the brass, the faint sounds of the woodwinds, and the beat of the drum line. I appreciate their skill set and I can’t imagine a college football game without the marching band being present. Can you?

Recently, I watched a video (below starting at 2:10 mark) of the Michigan State drum line practice (nerdy I know) and as I watched, I couldn’t help but notice how every movement the line made was in perfect synchronization. Their hand speed, their wrist movement, and the height of the drum stick as they played were all the same.

This made me think about our Greek organizations in the Fall semester. Specifically, how do you ensure everyone is marching to the same beat? Maybe a better question is, do you see the importance of making sure everyone is on the same beat as the school year begins?

Think for a moment that most chapter members have had three months away from school. Many have been working, traveling, and probably haven’t thought very much about the chapter. So, should it be a surprise if they come back to school and don’t know everything that is going on for the chapter? How do you get them on the same beat if they haven’t been to a leadership conference, UIFI or an Executive Board retreat?

Furthermore, as many institutions go through recruitment around this time, how do you convey to your new members what the mission and vision is for your organization? How do you get them to be on the same beat as well?

I think often times we struggle with this notion of getting people on the same beat. Too often I see students make assumptions that new members or even older members should know the beat of the organization and just jump right in. However, much like a marching band drum line practice, it takes hours of working together, listening to the metronome, and setting aside private time for those that may not pick up the beat as quickly to get everyone on the same beat.

Strong fraternal organizations recognize this need for practice and ensuring everyone is on the same beat. They make sure to have an all chapter retreat at the beginning of the semester. They make sure at the first chapter meeting expectations and goals are outlined for the semester. They take the time to work with those members who may be a little “offbeat” and help them get back on track. They treat new members with respect and not as a new member, but as another chapter member. Strong chapters talk Ritual because they know in order to have a strong, vibrant beat; Ritual is where the beat starts.

So as you move forward in the Fall semester, take some time to get the feel of the beat of your chapter. Are you all in rhythm? In synchronization? If not, what sacrifices will you make to ensure that the chapter’s beat does get back to being one beat, not 40 different beats?

Hopefully, you will have a strong beat and have a successful Fall. If you are having trouble getting everyone on the same beat, ask for help. That’s what your chapter advisors, local volunteers, inter/national headquarters staff, and fraternity/sorority life advisor(s) are for. Good luck!

Spartan Marching Band Drum Line 2010 from Scott Westerman on Vimeo.

Recruitment Through the Eyes of a PNM

Those of you who know me, know that UCF's Panhellenic community just concluded Formal Recruitment. It was a success to say the least as we placed 604 women into one of the 10 Panhellenic organizations and all 10 chapters made quota.

As I recovered today from sleep deprivation, I thought I'd check out a few things online. Little did I know as I browsed some websites that I would come across a PNMs story about going through recruitment at UCF. I found it fascinating to see recruitment through a PNMs vantage point. So, I thought I would post it.

Below is a transcript of what the PNM posted on another website. I deleted her identity because that doesn't matter. I also decided not to edit any of her posts so that everything you read is from her. Enjoy!

Greek Forum:

So maybe the shorts would have been a better idea, given the whole "sitting on the floor" deal. I love my Rho Gamma and the other ladies in my group--most of us are sophomores--and I can't wait till tomorrow! Starting the day tomorrow at Taxi Driver, and I have to get to school early to pick up my parking permit. I've got my bag packed and my clothes picked out! I'll post about my experience at UCF Day tomorrow night!

Oof! I am so completely exhausted... my day was 12 hours long at UCF today (granted, I'm including the time I was there to get my parking permit). Visited all 10 chapters, ate lunch, and waited 3 hours to turn in our choices.

So yeah here goes!!!!

UCF DAY:

Taxi Driver was the first house of the day. I already knew to expect cheering and stuff from reading the stories on here but OH GOODNESS. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT I WAS IN FOR! I was double rushed and bumped twice. One of my rushers actually was my roommate from last year, so it was nice to get to see her =] I didn't have a huge connection to this house today, but I know that I get along with my ex-roomie and therefore I'm guessing there are some others in her group I'll like too.

Rocky Horror was next. I was really excited to meet this group, but not gonna lie, I didn't really get that spark I was hoping for. I hit it off really well with one of my rushers, but only one of the three.

Paper Moon was the first house I really liked. I got along with my rusher so well-- our conversation flowed the entire time, they didn't bump or double rush, and we were a lot alike! The group was really nice and energetic, but not so much so that it seemed fake. You could tell they all really loved their sorority.

Star Wars was a sorority I had a big misconception about. The ladies I talked to were so nice to me and not fake at all. They totally understood where I was coming from when I said I wanted sisters and not just a bunch of people to go to parties with.

Close Encounters of the Third Kind was the second biggest surprise of the day to Star Wars. I didn't know what to expect at this house, I hadn't really heard much about it at UCF, but the second I walked in my rusher and I began talking like old friends. We were so similar! Regardless of where I pledge I totally can see myself staying close with her.

Kramer vs. Kramer was probably my biggest disappointment. I didn't really hit it off with any of the ladies I spent time with, but their philanthropy is so interesting to me. Hopefully I'll get to go back tomorrow for philanthropy day and show my enthusiasm for it.

Jaws was next. This is one of those sororities that everyone wants to join, but I decided to go in with a completely open mind and not let the stereotypes associated with the group sway my opinions. I ended up absolutely loving all three girls who rushed me--they were all big into sisterhood and philanthropy which are my two main interests as far as sorority life goes. I really liked this house and hope I'm invited back tomorrow.

Willy Wonka was crazy. I wasn't feeling too well (stupid Florida heat), and I was double rushed by a girl I had nothing in common with. The other girl being rushed (idk if this is proper terminology but I promise it makes sense in my head) was from the same town, high school, major, etc as our rusher. I just really didn't get a good vibe from her.

Grease was another big surprise. I had so much in common with the girl who rushed me and our conversation flowed really easily the entire time.
LAST HOUSE!!

Rocky was our last house of the day. My first rusher and I didn't really have that much in common, and I can't really say my second rusher and I had a lot in common either; however, the second girl who rushed me had very similar ideas about sisterhood and what a sorority should be to me, and I think that's why I ended up liking her so much.

At the end of the day (well... 3 hours after the end of the day), my rankings went like this:

(in order we visited... we don't rank our top 8 houses)
Taxi Driver
Rocky Horror
Paper Moon
Star Wars
Close Encounters
Kramer vs. Kramer
Jaws
Rocky

------------
9. Grease
10. Willy Wonka

As of right now, I definitely have my top 3/4 (which I'm sure you can tell by reading my descriptions of them), but I'm staying very open to all of my possibilities still. I'll update y'all tomorrow during the day with my list if I can, then I'll recap once I get home. I had so much fun today but I am so completely exhausted! I'm going to bed as soon as I post this, which is wayyyy early for me!

Hope everyone (especially the other ladies rushing at UCF) had a great day today! Thanks for all the well wishes; it means a lot. <3

Philanthropy Day:

So I got a call from my rho this morning while I was drivig to school and couldn't really pick it up. I have four houses today & don't need to be at UCF till 12:30. Great. I'm thinking this means one of my top four cut me and I'll be visiting grease instead of jaws. I'm not going to lie, I was kinda expecting it. I'm a sophomore and a grade risk, so I've expected heavy cuts after day one the whole time. I'll find out at 12:30. One good thing though is that this gives me time to eat breakfast and ~*maybe*~ read a Sookie Stackhouse book. Lol. I hope the other UCF pnms are getting invited back to all of their houses!

Just got my list. Heading back to rocky horror, grease, & taxi driver.

Thanks so much for helping me through the morning. I am so glad that I didn't have to pick one to drop today, I ended up loving all of them so much and can't imagine not going back to any of them tomorrow. So here goes Philanthropy Day!!

Rocky Horror was the first house I went back to this afternoon. I was really relaxed and my first rusher and I had a lot in common. Our conversation was really easy and I had lots of fun doing the craft with her. The second girl who rushed me was kinda awkward, but we were sitting at tables and one of my rushers from the day before was there so we talked a lot as a group.

Grease was where I went next, and I'm so happy that I got to go back. Everything that I had thought badly about them yesterday was totally wrong. I've gotten along really well with all the ladies from here. After today I can totally see myself in this house, something that was totally unfathomable yesterday.

Finally...

Taxi Driver was amazing. Their philanthropy is great--something I really feel strongly about-- so I was able to really connect with the sisters when we were talking about that. Everyone I have met in Taxi Driver has been really nice to me and very genuine. As of right now, I'm hoping I run home to Taxi Driver Saturday, but I know now that nothing is set in stone at all.

I was so frazzled thinking I only had been matched with four other sororities that when I found out I really only had matched three I was really sad. I talked to my Rho Gamma when I got there today and she helped me out a lot. She said the same things y'all did, but looking at it on the screen and hearing it out loud while watching the person tell you their story about how they were cut from their favorites is totally different. I 100% love my Rho and I feel like I was destined to be in her group, as cheesy as that sounds. I was really glad I didn't have to drop any today because I love them all so much now. I (obviously) have a favorite, but I can see myself being happy at any of the houses I have left. I'm glad I don't have to be the one to choose =P

Video Day:

Noon: OMG!!! I just got a call from my Rho Gamma and I'm going in for "four parties" like I did yesterday (I ended up just having the 3 parties plus a break where I got to go inside one of the buildings and chill out). I really hope I got invited back to all three!!!

Thanks everyone for your support! As much as I like going to all of the different houses, I can't wait for it to be Saturday so I can run home!

3:48pm: So I don't have to make any decisions. I'll update later.

6:35pm: I'm already back home from today's party. Yeah, just one. I was invited back to Grease, which on the first day was in my bottom two. However, after watching the video today and talking to even more ladies I can tell this is where I was meant to be. After all of the issues I had on the first day deciding whether or not I could, in good conscience, join this sorority, I'm glad to say my misconceptions have been corrected. I'm debating going ahead and telling y'all what sorority it is, but I'd like to hear what your guesses are first =P

Hope y'all are having a good day. I was having trouble being positive when I first saw my party list but I'm alright now. My Rho Gamma is REALLY the best.

8:56pm: I have no clue how I'm going to think about anything else until I find out if I got called back to go to Grease again tomorrow night for prefs. I want this so badly, and everytime I feel like it's going well and I am clicking with people I get totally rejected. I hate not knowing how this is going to end. D=

Preference Day:

5:26pm: Pref parties were moved up to 4, so now we need to be at school at 3:15. I'm still getting the text messages from my Rho Gamma so I'm assuming that's a good sign =P

I'll let y'all know how it goes later!!! Thanks for being so sweet, everyone. I don't think I've ever felt so connected to and loved by people I don't know before. I really appreciate all of you guys being here for me this week.

Soooo today was pref ceremony at Grease!! As if I didn't already love it, I love it even more now. I had the same girl rushing me today as I did yesterday. Honestly I get along better with her than I do with anyone else I can think of right now. Haha. We looked at her scrapbook, laughed, cried, and talked about tomorrow (which I don't think we were supposed to do. oops!). Even after all the heartache and stress of the week, I honestly can't see myself in any chapter other than Grease and I'm so glad it is working out this way. Since it's the only place I could be accepting a bid tomorrow, I'll go ahead and let y'all know that Grease is...

My original hesitation about this particular sorority was the fact that it is historically Jewish. However, I'll be the first to admit that I was totally wrong about them. I am so completely in love with these ladies, their philanthropies, and their sisterhood that I can't see myself joining anywhere else. I'll let y'all know what happens tomorrow.

Bid Day:

I've been texting my Rho Gamma all morning! They still haven't gotten schedules!! I'm like 99% sure I got in, but that 1% is totally killing me right now!

Hey everyone! I got the text saying to meet at the school at 11:30. I was so rushed trying to get ready. Lol. I'm so ready to run home to aephi!!!!

So the enormous post I've promised is waiting until tomorrow when I can properly form a full sentence. Yes, I ran home to AEPhi today! We went to dinner and a drag show for our bid day celebration. OMG it was so much fun!!! My favorite part was though that they sang songs from *Grease*!!!! We all sang along, got pulled on stage, were groped, etc. My alpha friend is a little weird but lol it's okay cause she's my pref buddy's little and they are always together =P I'm really happy but omg so tired. I see no way I could make an intelligent sounding post tonight. Sorry, but it'll have to wait! =P Thanks for the kind words everyone! I appreciate your support sosososososo much <3

There was another PNM that started to write about her journey through sorority recruitment at UCF and should she finish it, I will post that as well. Overall, I think we can learn so much about what the recruitment experience is like for the PNMs that will in turn, help tailor our efforts in creating an experience that isn't scary or intimidating. It also provides an insight into the chapters and how their recruitment efforts are portrayed by a PNM.

Makes me wonder if every PNM at every institution blogged about their recruitment experience, what would it say?

Dear Fraternal Member

Dear Fraternal Member,

Remember me, that friend you had in high school. You know, the friend that didn’t go Greek during our freshman year. Now that I am a junior, I thought I’d write you a letter to remind you of a couple of things before you begin recruitment. I hope you will read it.

First, remember that recruitment is slightly terrifying for those going through it. A potential new member is dealing with a new school, a new environment and a large number of upperclassmen who are intimidating. Do you remember that feeling of anxiety as you went house to house? Do you remember thinking, do I impress them? Most of all, do you remember feeling judged? Try to make your recruitment process a welcoming environment. It will make a world of difference.

Second, remember to have a little perspective. While I know you have now labeled me as a god damn independent (GDI), don’t forget that you too were once not a Greek member. While I’m happy that you have made your decision to join a brotherhood/sisterhood, don’t dismiss those that decided going Greek wasn’t for them. To my understanding, I could still join a Greek organization even as a junior or senior. So, please try not to set yourself up on a pedestal simply because you are a member of a Greek organization. You never know who you may meet that might want to go Greek but your snooty attitude could change their mind.

Next, flip your vantage point. Too often I hear Greeks saying that us non-Greeks don’t understand or don’t appreciate all that you do. While I’m sure some non-Greeks feel that way, don’t label us all in that manner. I see the good things you do but when you get extremely defensive or have an aggressive tone when someone questions the Greek experience, that doesn’t help your case. Here is a suggestion. Go around campus for one day and ask any non-Greek why they didn’t join a Greek organization. Simply listen, don’t respond. Talk to at least 50 people. I think you’d learn a lot about how Greeks are perceived and instead of getting angry, try to combat any negative comment in a positive way. Who knows, you may even be surprised by the number of compliments you may receive for actually talking to non-Greek members and getting their perspective instead of making assumptions.

Finally, I found a quote that I’d like to share with you…

"Be careful of your thoughts, for your thoughts inspire your words. Be careful of your words, for your words precede your actions. Be careful of your actions, for your actions become your habits. Be careful of your habits, for your habits build your character. Be careful of your character, for your character decides your destiny."

I know Greek organizations are values-based organizations that are asked to live their secret Ritual on a daily basis. Yet, at times I don’t see your actions being consistent with your values. To me, this is a disconnect that creates bad habits.

So, as you talk to a potential member during recruitment, be honest, be sincere, and be truthful. Don’t lead them to believe the Greek experience is something that it is not. Don’t give them a broken promise. Most of all, remember that joining a Greek organization should be a positive life changing experience. Why do I feel that way? I feel that way because my sister is Greek and it has changed her life. It has made her happier than she has ever been before. This is how I know being Greek can change a life. Remember that…you can impact those of us who are not Greek without you knowing. Actions speak louder than words.

Thanks for reading.

SororityLeaks & Fraternity PostSecrets

Have you heard of WikiLeaks and Post Secret? If not, you should check them out because I think they are two fascinating websites. WikiLeaks, according to their website (www.wikileaks.org) is, “a multi-jurisdictional public service designed to protect whistleblowers, journalists and activists who have sensitive materials to communicate to the public.”

Post Secret, according to Wikipedia is, “an ongoing community mail art project, created by Frank Warren, in which people mail their secrets anonymously on a homemade postcard.” After spending more time on each website, I found them particularly interesting within the context of the fraternal world.

Specifically, what if there were SororityLeaks or Fraternity PostSecret websites? WikiLeaks strives to produce, “a level of transparency in government activities which leads to reduced corruption, better government and stronger democracies.” What if sorority members were able to post any type of corruption within their chapters or even within their inter/national organizations? In the past, the risks of conveying information deemed “important” or potentially “corrupt” used to be a risk that could have lead to hazing and/or a loss of membership. Women wouldn’t want a “tattletale” within their organization. Now with technology and anonymous internet capabilities, we could really start to see what is going on within sororities…and fraternities. This is not to say that such dishonest or shady things are occurring within sororities or fraternities, but what if such a website was created. Would there be corrupt and or unethical decision making occurring? Would anyone “leak” documents of faulty behavior? Could this help reduce hazing, forced drinking, etc?

In similar fashion, what if there was a fraternity PostSecret website? How neat that would be? Too often men have grown up in a society where they are taught not to share their emotions and feelings. Doing so was (and in some circumstances, still is) considered weak or “unmanly.” Yet, what if there was a website where their secrets could be unleashed? All secrets on the website would be from fraternity men. What secrets would be told? What secrets may you want to share? Again, this idea could obviously be created for sororities as well. Heck, it may be even more popular for the women. As stated in Wikipedia, “According to Youth Trends' February 2008 "Top Ten List Report" PostSecret was the 10th most popular site amongst female students in the USA, with 7% of those polled naming the site as their favorite.” The age range for the Youth Trends report…18-24.

In closing, I find each of these sights unique in their own way. WikiLeaks has found a way to hold governments accountable while PostSecret provides an avenue for people to share their secret to the world. Should there be similar websites for fraternities and sororities? Would it help the fraternal world? Time will tell I suppose. Thanks for reading.

Links:

WikiLeaks: http://wikileaks.org

PostSecret: www.postsecret.com

Youth Trends Report: http://www.emarketer.com/Article.aspx?R=1005972