Now that I have crossed the sands.........What's Next???

So you finally became a member of your dream sorority/fraternity. You are on cloud nine! You feel like a celebrity with everyone on social media congratulating you. People who you don't even know, now know you. They know you by name. Now, what??? What are the next steps?

Well, first I would tell you to enjoy being fresh off the sands. You are Geeked about your coming out show (Some refer to it as NIP, New Initiate Presentation). Your hair is on fleek, you all look fabulous in your outfits together, you have rehearsed and perfected the show. You can't wait to reveal yourself to your campus/community.  You earned it! You deserve it.  This is your time! Enjoy it!
How do you balance work and fun? Can you have both? Of course, you can! When I first became a Delta, I was a nerd regarding wanting to know EVERYTHING there is to know about Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. I read our ritual, page by page, cover to cover as if it was a juicy Zane novel. I wanted to find out everything about the founders, the organization, the history, etc. Sure I learned a lot when I was going through the membership intake process, but I wanted to know MORE!  I wanted to be knowledgeable before I attended my first "official" Delta meeting.

Look I get it, you're excited, passionate, you want to learn everything. You also wish to join every single committee, run for office, and get your hands dirty.  No shame in that. I was that girl. My first year, I was on several committees, the chapter president, participated in every step show, became the step-master, and on TOP of that, I had school and a part-time job. I was a bit overwhelmed, but I loved every minute of it.

My best advice? Take it slow. Only YOU know how much you can handle. Remember that membership in these organizations is a lifetime commitment, so there is no rush to join every committee under the sun all at once, primarily as a neophyte. Don't get me wrong, I am not telling you to get involved, but don't overwhelm yourself. The one thing that I have seen from other neophytes from various organizations including mine are they joining every committee, and within five years, they are burnt out. Brace yourself. Sign up for a committee or two. Make sure the committee you DO sign up for is one that you would enjoy doing. Case in point, if you love planning, then fundraising might be your thing. Have a lot of ideas for community service? Bingo! Do you enjoy meeting and working with people? Membership would be perfect for you.

Congratulations on your membership. Don't overextend yourself; you have a lifetime to make a difference.

NEO-ITIST!!!

So you just crossed into *Fill in the blank* -land. After weeks/months of studying, learning necessary information, and finally passing the test, you are finally a member of the Greek organization of your dreams. Now you have developed the disease "Neo-itist" What is that you may ask? It's when a brand new member talk, walk, sleep, and only buys things related to their organization.

For those who are a member of a BGLO, you know exactly what I am talking about. Heck, I have been there a well. When I crossed into Delta Land, everything that I had been red/white or crimson and cream. I was on the internet looking and searching for the fly-est, dopest- *yeah I know you all don't use these words anymore, but I am old school* jackets, shirts, sweaters that were around. My poor husband, bought Alpha Phi Alpha stickers, and he placed them on his coffee mug, his car, his mirror, etc. *He would kill me if he knew I was sharing this info, LOL*

Is something wrong with this, heck naw! You worked hard for those letters, The time you put in, the MONEY you spent, for some of you all (PreMIP) the Blood, Sweat, and Tears. After going through the pledge process *or MIP process* for weeks/months, and I know a few that went through it for an ENTIRE YEAR, you deserve to celebrate this moment by representing your organization by displaying your three Letters!

The only request that I have for brand new members is PLEASE don't forget how it was on the other side. Keep the same friends that you have. As long as you do that, then enjoy rocking your pink and green Shoes, Socks, Shoelaces, Shirt, Hat, and handbag. You are only a Neo once, so enjoy it while you can! I sure did! I rocked red and white as much as I could, and everyday I rep my org in some way shape of form. This range from either having one a hat, pin, shirt, bag, or a key chain.