Because I am a sorority member . . .
 

As some of you know, I am a newspaper columnist. Every year I try to mark National Badge Day with a column. Here's a rough draft of this year's - I'd love to hear your contributions (which bear in mind, might be utilized in my final draft!).

BECAUSE I AM A SORORITY MEMBER
- I have an appreciation for the struggles of the first generation of college women, who overcame prejudice and discrimination by forming groups to support and guide themselves and those who came after them.
- I have a creed which has enabled me and hundreds of thousands of other sorority women to strive to live lives of excellence.
- I learned to work with others to bring about positive change in my community.
- I have benefited from leadership programming which has given me real-life skills I use on a daily basis.
- I have had my life touched by the opportunity to help sisters, and the many occasions when they have helped me.
- I have honed my conversational skills through recruitment training.
- I have learned to work with a wide variety of women in pursuit of the greater good.
- I have made friends from all over the country, both in my sorority and, through my work with alumnae panhellenics, members of other NPC groups.
- I have been able to help provide scholarships for deserving young women and leadership training for the next generation.
- I have supported a worthwhile philanthropy.
- I have felt the instant bond of sisterhood with sisters I just met.
- I have cherished the friendships of those who were my sisters in college.
- I know that all the work I put into my organization will bear fruit for years to come through those who will follow me.
- I have had my own cheering section, who celebrate with me when I succeed and comfort me when I don't.
- I have had a special bond to share with my mother, and which I hope someday to share with one or more of my daughters, and possibly some day my grand-daughters.
- I have been able to be myself, only better.
- I have challenged myself to be a fitting representative of my sorority in particular and sorority women in general.
- I have helped empower women.
- I have made a difference.



©The Quiet Woman

*LIKE*

As a collegian:

-I feel much more connected to my campus through all of the activities and departments my sisters are in
-I have a support system that is much, much larger than it would otherwise be when times get hard
-I see many more familiar faces on my walk to class, and get greeted by sisters everywhere I go on campus
-I have learned to lead, follow, and contribute to a common bond
-I have learned to make sacrifices that will benefit my sisterhood, and hopefully generations of women who will also get to be a part of my sisterhood
-I have learned financial responsibility
-I have learned how to meet new people and connect with them in memorable ways after just a short conversation
-I am part of a national network of women that gives me access to a wealth of tangible and intangible resources for the rest of my life

Very nice!

i love it

Where's the like button when you need it?? Very nice!! Thank you for saying what we all know and so many others don't.

Gave me chills. So true!

Does your column post online somewhere? Will you provide the link when it's available? I'd love to share it on FB!

- I learned that life isn't always about what is best for me personally, but best for a collective whole
- I learned that life is what you make of it, and what you put into it is what you can expect to receive in return
- I know that upholding values is about more than words; it is actions that befit these ideals

These are awesome.

I have ideas, but I can't put them as eloquently as you do! lol

this gave me goosebumps

Bumping because I am about to submit it - last call for suggestions!

4 cents
 

I have learned that I am one among many and appreciate those around me.
I have learned to accept and respect the differences of others including my sisters as well as those in different organizations such as other sororities and fraternities.
Through others, I have learned more about myself.
It matters not so much what we believe in, but, that we have faith in ourselves and our rituals.
Life is not so much about the hair, make-up and presentation as the hard work, determination and sacrifice behind it.

Not as eloquent as you. But, I tried.

Becasue I am a sorority woman:
-I have learned when it is prudent to lead, and when it's better to follow.
-I know that my own commitment to intelligence and integrity speaks for all other sorority women.
-I have learned that, as much as I believe and admire my own Creed, I respect those of others.


(The good ones were taken - great idea, SWTXBelle!)

Don't sell yourselves short - I LOVE your responses!

I don't know how to say what I'm thinking, but it has to do with understanding selfless love. The kind of love where you give without expectation, without any need for anything in return. The "just because" kind of love.

Because I'm a sorority member...I am a part of something bigger than myself.

Because I'm a sorority member...I've learned how much more important it is to give rather than receive.

Another 4 cents
 

A smile, a wink, a nod can mean more than the biggest present wrapped with the prettiest of bows and paper.

That there are days are when my sun does not shine, all I have to do is remember and think of my sisterhood values to get me through.

I still wish that many others could experience the wonderful things that I have through my sorority.

When I hear snickers or laughs about being a member, I wish I could shout it from the mountain tops how much I love my organization. Instead, I live by example and remember not to boast, only to be dignified as I part of something so incredible.

Home is where your heart is and a big part of my heart is with my sisters.

Although, my mother and I will never share the same ritual, we have learned to share our Sorority resources and appreciate our different organizations. Our bond is no less special. We will forever be sorority members bound by the Pan Hellenic creed.

I can put on a smile no matter what the occasion.

I know every aisle of Michael's and Joann by heart.

I have become an expert at mixing paint pen colors.

I have become more creative.

I can do squats for long periods of time, thanks to the ever popular "sorority pose"

I know how to fit 25 people in the smallest of pictures.

I can make anyone feel and look beautiful with a few quick hair and make up tricks!

Again, not the format as yours, but...I suffice.

*blush*

There was one more I wanted to add, but as I was posting quickly, couldn't think how to word it. The concept was that Philanthropy became more than a selling tool or an item on a check list - it is a heartfelt feeling of satisfaction of making the world a little better, one person (or day) at a time. I'm sure you can word that much better!

I say over and over again that I have learned how to "work" a cocktail party because of my sorority membership. This skill should not be underestimated, as the wheels of business continue to be oiled at cocktail parties.

But I have to share a moment I had this week that made me think directly of my pride in what I learned from my sorority. I was introduced by the Consul General of the United States to Crown Prince Hamdan of Dubai. Yes, yikes, but have I learned how to introduce and be introduced in a formal fashion? Yes. In fact, I did it maybe 1500 times a year during college.

And SWTX, would you mind me reprinting for use to explain sorority membership to graduating girls here?

Pride in my Alma Mater and Philanthropy
 

Because I'm a sorority member, I will never be alone and I'll always have a friend.

Please let me explain this one. For my internship, I have been working with families of all different backgrounds. I started working with this young mother who never finished high school and never attended college. She makes little money and she doesn't work. In a sense, she is isolated because she has so many children. As she tried explaining to me that she would never cheat on her significant other, aside from loving him, she stated, "I don't really have any girlfriends. In fact, I don't really have ANY friends." As soon as she said it, I realized how lucky I am to have the support system of sisters worldwide and that, even outside from my sorority in the NPC.

I want to mirror Honeychile's feelings that philanthropy is important to note.

Because I'm a sorority member, I've learned to give back to my community through philanthropy both in and out of college.

Because I'm a sorority member, I set goals and I achieve them.

Because I'm a sorority member, I find myself giving more back to the community than I would have, had I not taken philanthropy so seriously.

Because I'm a sorority member, I reminisce about the good days of being a collegiate, which has given me much more pride in my Alma Mater.

Because I'm a sorority member, I will thank my Alma Mater for the incredible time I had as a collegiate by donating money. ---> Not sure how to word this.

That is long but, I hope some of those help. Once again, I am also not very eloquent with the way I have said those things but, maybe you could still use something of value.

I would LOVE for you to share it - the copyright is a mere formality; as long as you aren't charging for it you and anyone who wants to use it is welcome to it!

SWTXBelle, when it is published, please post a link and as for sharing, I'll be doing so and attributing it to you, of course.

Like
Snaps
or whatever it takes!

SWTX would you mind if I crashed with a suggestion?

Vito - I've asked for input, so of course I would love to hear your suggestion. It's not crashing!

I've learned that sometimes the small things mean the most.

Some small things are remembered and bring a smile many years later.

I truly know what time management is all about

I know I can make a lifelong positive impact on future generations of young women even though I have no daughters of my own.

I have learned that the whole is greater than just the sum of it's parts.

please def do. id love to share it with sisters and those thinking of joining

I don't like what the editor did to it, but here's the link:

http://parispi.net/articles/2011/02/...0345539692.txt

The link will work until next week - then they archive it and you'll have to pay to get it.

Thanks! and, fwiw, you are so pretty!

Well-done, SWTXBelle!

*like*

Feeling dense - I didn't realize that Badge Day was not only inspired by an ASA, but an older chapter sister that I've had the pleasure of meeting several times and am Facebook friends with: http://internationalbadgeday.com/AliciaWelcher.html

Belle-

Wanted to let you know that your article is going viral in the Theta-world of twitter and facebook. I have seen it posted multiple times in each venue by both individuals and chapter accounts.

I wouldn't be surprised if other organizations are also sending it viral through their social media.

Thank you for a well written article that expresses what so many of us realized but perhaps were never eloquent enough to put into words.

WOW - thanks, y'all. So glad my little column touched so many of the wonderful women I am proud to call my NPC cousins!

Just a little something tweeted by @NPCWomen today. :)

http://parispi.net/articles/2011/02/...0345539692.txt