Hello Everyone!
It's been a while since my last blog, so I hope all is well. My chapter just had intake and was initiated a few weeks ago. I was honored to have been able to be a part of the process. I wanted to take this time and congratulate ALL Sorors, Sistergreeks and Fraternity Members who have crossed the Sands into Greek-Life. Some of you have waited for years and dream of becoming a member of XYZ sorority/fraternity, and it finally came true. I am sure you have heard this saying before, however, let me reiterate that "Now the REAL work begins." Let me give you a little advice. I will list a few things that I hope you find this helpful as you transition from being a prospective member to being an actual member if your organization.
1. Take it all in and enjoy being a neophyte. I loved being a neo. When I first became a Delta, I was beside myself. I wanted to be the BEST Delta I would be. I also made a vow to make the soror who wrote my letter or recommendation proudly. I studied every rule, protocol, do's and don'ts, etc. I remember how impressed my chapter sorors were when I went to my first chapter meeting.
2. Take in all the love! You will receive love from everywhere included your new sorors, fraternity members, prospective members, GDI's, etc. They are excited for you; they see the love that you have for your organization,
3. Have THICK SKIN! Why? There will always be haters out there. Folks who are hating because you got picked and they didn't. People will hate because you didn't select the org that THEY felt that YOU should have chosen. (Yes, it does happen). And if I can keep it REAL one hundred, you might even receive some haters from people from your organization. Shake those haters off. You are not going to be embraced by everyone, but that's just life. Remember how you felt when you got that phone call inviting you to membership. You became a member of *Feel in the blank* Org. That feeling you experience after being embraced by your new sorors/fraternity brothers.
4. REMEMBER why you joined this organization and that you made a LIFETIME commitment. What breaks my heart is that same zeal that I have seen from people becoming members in year one, to "girl I ain't got time" to support this event, or join this committee, or run for office, or *fill in the blank.* Well, you had time to go through the process which I am sure was time-consuming, expensive, and required you to give your all. Also, remember that you yes YOU were chosen. Some too many people wished they were in your position. The chapter where you were initiated saw something special in you to pick you for membership.
5. Now that you have revealed yourself to your campus/community and people know who you are, now is the time to get ready to WORK! I am sure many of you can't wait to get your hands dirty. And on behalf of members who have been in the organization and have been working hard, we are more than happy to hand that torch over to you. We are open to new and innovative ideas, and we LOVE when new members are eager to work.
6. Now that you are ready and willing to work, brace yourself. Look at all of the committees within your Org. Is there one that tugs at your heart? If so then THAT'S the one for you. My recommendation is to join ONE. As a new member I get it, you want to join this committee and that committee, and run for this office, and a year later, you are BURNT OUT and want to take a year off. I tell new members all the time that it's more useful to join ONE committee and put there all into it. Year two, you can either rejoin that committee (as chair this time possibly) and join a second committee as well.
7. Paraphernalia - Not everything that has your letters is CUTE. I honestly do mean that. Now you couldn't tell me that when I first crossed. I bought everything that had Delta Letters on it, or clothing that was red, if it looked anything close to Delta, I HAD to have it. Remember you have a LIFETIME to collect/purchase paraphernalia. If you want my personal opinion, the best pari you can purchase is at State and Regional Conferences, and National Conventions. For me, I love buying things that are different and unique. My biggest pet peeve is seeing vendors create the SAME items for all organizations. Look, I get it. You just crossed, and you love all things pink, green, red, blue, gold, purple, brown, etc. but as I stated before you have a lifetime!
8. Stay educated. You need to know your tools, (I mean your ritual, Constitution, and Bylaws, etc.) These organizations are forever changing so what you was true the year YOU pledge, could have changed. The last thing you want to do is tell someone something that is no longer than the case in your organization. When I was chosen from my chapter to participate in membership intake, I read my tools. What I found was a lot of things have changed. I was surprised by how much has changed since my last intake. Now that you are a member of XYZ org, now is the time for you to educate yourself at the national level, as well as your local chapter. Not sure where to find the information in regards to your local chapter? Reach out to your local president, and I am sure she/he will guide you to where you need to go to access the procedures for the chapter.
9. The best way to stay informed? Attend your state, regional, and national conventions/boules. New Policies are introduced/changed and updated during this time. I spoke about my first national convention, and it was nothing short of amazing. To see my sorors in the sea of white was breathtaking. I met SO many sorors during that time, from coast to coast and sea to sea. It was wonderful. I was able to take pictures with my current National President (Marcia Fudge) and the upcoming National President (Gwendolyn Boyd). I learned so much during this time. It was also amazing to see how Delta conducts business at the National Level. For those of you who just crossed, I would HIGHLY recommend that you attend your next National Convention/Boule. I can't even put into words how overwhelmed you will feel. I will also add how important it is to attend your state/regional conference as well. It's important to know and understand how your organization operates at the local and state level. The BEST Soror/Sistergreek/Fraternity Member to me is an informed one. Don't rely on the second-hand information because although I am sure the person that is relating the information has the best intentions, there is nothing better than hearing it first hand. Although these conferences/boules/conventions are all about business, this is also an opportunity to network, and have fun as well. There are usually Step shows, Galas, Concerts, etc. happening during this time. It is also an excellent opportunity for a lot of sorors connect with their line sisters/ships during this time since this is the only time they can get together. So, in essence, a lot of people use this as a reunion to catch up. It is also how you can see and listen to the speeches of those who are running for office.
10. Be humble! Remember a few months ago you were a prospect wanting someone to take a chance on you. You expressed your desire to the chapter on why they should pick you to become a member; all you needed was a chance. Why am I I saying this? Because there are other prospective members out there that want to become members as well. They want to be your shoes. If someone comes up to you expressing interests, be very careful how you interact with them. Trust me; they are more than likely already intimidated because you have something they so desperately want, so it's essential for you to remember that. At some point in time, we were all in their shoes. Back when I pledged Delta, I only had one person that I could talk to, and even then I was intimidated because one, she was my boyfriend's at the time sister. I didn't want to come off as being as if just because I was dating her brother, she had an obligation to help me, and two, I wanted it so bad that it took me a long time to make the initial step to call her. I said this before that DeltaNet (A Delta website created by Bee Jae Jackson- RIP Soror- before the internet was popping. She was the FIRST webmistress of that as well). I loved how she created a platform for people like myself who was very shy, yet I wanted this and couldn't quite understand how to express my interest in the organization. I met a lot of Deltas during this time and established relationships with them both before, during and AFTER my process. I credit soror Jackson for this blog. Because she created a platform for prospective members for Delta, I wanted to create a platform as well. The only difference is I try to keep all of my posts generic for any and everyone who wants to join a BGLO.
Congrats again everyone! I hope this post was helpful and enjoy Greek life!
"V"
