leadership opportunities in a new colony
 

i am so excited to say that a new sorority is definitely colonizing on my campus! i will be a junior next year so the prospect of a new colony is more appealing to me than joining an established chapter. i am really hoping to get involved in the colony and more importantly in the leadership aspect. i know my first priority is receiving a bid, but typically how does the colony choose leadership (like the president in particular)? at the beginning, no one really knows each other. i was assuming that the nationals recruiters probably choose, so how can i make a strong impression not only as a good colonizing member (to receive a bid), but also as someone who has the capability to lead the new chapter?

This may not apply to ALL sororities, so please take this with a grain of salt. In my experience, the recruiters from IHQ do not choose the officers for the new chapter. The officers are chosen by the new chapter members. The IHQ generally has an advisor that will stay for several months to a year to help guide the girls in running the new colony.

Having worked several colonizations with my GLO, I agree with the above. The colony members choose their officers. The timeline can vary but you would have the opportunity to get to know the other colony members before voting.

kenzzz, please step back (again) and let the process determine who "has the capability to lead the new chapter." You don't need to present yourself according to what you think they are seeking. You can relax. It is February and it will be months before the fall is here and the colony materializes. Trust me, this isn't the first rodeo (for the sorority) and you can believe they know what will make a successful colony, including selecting officers.

You don't want to get a reputation among others (especially your potential sisters, assuming you are fortunate enough to be selected for the colony) as "that girl who wants to run the show." Sororities are seeking women who know how to function in a group. Not everyone can be a star. Your first priority is to be selected, and after that, let things happen the way they are supposed to - not the way you want them to happen.

OTOH, I think it's fine that you are interested in an officer position, and it's OK to tell the recruiters that. They will be looking for potential leaders.

Just don't make it the ONLY thing you tell them.

My suggestion would to be to cultivate leadership positions now. You can then share it with colonization team, but if you are not selected, you gave posistioned yourself for great opportunities in the real world.