Pref Ceremony
 

hey guys its me again!
i was wondering if anyone has any awesome pref ideas. i mean ideas that really got you when you put on or went through formal rush. i beleive that to be a very important day and would really like to improve our pref night! thanks
Erica Brown
Sigma sigma sigma social chair
epsilon kappa

My chapter always did (and I believe will continue to do) a song that's really meaningful and sentimental to the sisters. We also have always had some sisters read little things they have written about what Sigma means to them (and they're usually tearjerkers). I know this is what got me, because I was really not even sure I was going to join a sorority before that night, but it was really special and I could see how close the sisters were... and I know several of the newer members felt the same way! These are probably really obvious ideas, but I think that if the PMs can see how much the sorority means to each of its members, then that will make them want to be a part of it.

P.S. Of course the girls' reactions gave us a better idea of who was really interested and who wasn't (i.e. if they showed emotion it was a good sign, if they stood stone-faced it usually wasn't) ;)

Pref Ideas
 

We always have Sisters bring a couple of Sigma items (crafts from retreat, their badge, Big/Lil' gifts, etc.) that mean a lot to them and have them talk about it. It's kind of an individual way to relate those really special Sigma memories to the girls at preference. Good luck on recruitment!

Sigma Love and Mine,

Laura
Zeta Mu Chapter

i did not go through formal rush (got an open bid) but when i went through informal rush as a member ... we did the wish pearls.

anne

cont.
 

we also stood in a circle and all the members told why sigma sigma sigma is important.... i dont know if these are done with all chapters.
but it really meant a lot to me when informal rush came around and i got to tell the rushes why i love tri sigma so much

anne:)

I just went through formal rush last semester. Of course I knew what I wanted from day one, but of the two (we are only allowed to go to two) pref parties I went to that day, Sigma's seemed to be the most meaningful, I thought it just showed the true siterhood that we share.

We had a candelight, and of course, since it was pref it was formal. Each of the girls shared what Sigma meant to them and how it has changed their lives, until we got to one of the girls and she proceeded to read an entry from her journal. I don't remember what it was about, but I all the girls were crying at the end of it. And not that fake cry, but an honest, "I take you guys forgranted" cry.

That isn't what really got me, what realy got me was the sincerity in the girls eyes. It showed me how much they loved what they were a part of and what they were thinking. :D

I would just like to give a few words of advice...

I was the "wordsmith" of the chapter, the one that was always gung-ho, Suzy Sigma. THIS IS THE WOMAN YOU WANT TO SPEAK AT PREF!! I wrote deep, thought provoking, tear invoking things and spoke so eloquently and from the heart, I had even the most hardened sisters crying EVERY PREF! I assisted any other sister with her speech by asking specific questions, getting her to remember that place in her heart that drew her to Tri Sigma...

PREF IS THE KEY COMPONENT! Our last time to convince the women we want as our sisters that they want to become our sisters...

Also, simplicity is very important...We decorated the rooms with white lights (the small Christmas tree kind), candle light, white table cloths, and our silver punch bowl and serving tray. Trophies and brag boards won't quite do it anymore. This is when you come down to the simple, no holds barred "this is who we are, we love each other, and we want to embrace you too" level. You could have sisters bring their personal photos (we always brought framed ones because there was most likely a story behind the picture). We liked to sit more one on one with the women at some point, get to know each invitee and get her to know us...

On a very personal note: Hugs ALWAYS went a long way too (but only if you were comfortable and you could sense the PNM was as well) I'm a big hugger, so I encouraged it always!!!

PREF
 

Actually, I don't think you can hug a PNM anymore, that's a Panhellenic rule. Sorority members and PNMs cannot have any physical contact, and since the Recruitment Counselors are in the room during Pref, it would be a bad idea to hug a PNM and get stuck with the fine from Panhellenic.

Other than that, these are great ideas and advice on Pref, I think I'll definitely be bringing it back to my chapter. AX chapter, we always, say something to inspirational to the PNM we pref as they leave, something like, "Anybody would be lucky to have you." Anything like that, just be careful not to sound like you're promising them a bid.

SLAM,
Courtney

Re: PREF
 

LORD, YOU CAN'T EVEN HUG?? Wow, that's actually really saddens me :( If this is a rule, then by all means stick by it. I don't want any of our chapters getting in trouble...

AND Recruitment Counselors are in the room now too?? GEEZ!

Erica - Hi this is a sister from Alpha Xi down at Whitewater! Its so funny - I'm new on this board and we could have just met last Sat. at Founders Day and not even have realized! I am not the recruitment chair, but one thing that we do every semester is after dinner we all line the halls with everything dark except each sister has a white candle lit. The officers begin leading the girls through the house and we sing a song very close to our chapters heart (Halls of Ivy) I know several girls in our chapter say that was the deciding factor for them. The pearl ceremony is also a tradition here. As far as what the other girls said about hugging and such - I don't believe this is a rule here - as long as it is during the event. Also, we don't have the RC's in the room at pref. Maybe its a local thing? If you have anymore questions or want to get in touch with our recruitment chair just let me know and I will be more than happy to forward you her info!!!

SLAM

Our pref night is our strongest night by far and usually is the reason they choose Sigma.

We always have two rooms. One set up for "preffing" where we are each assigned one girl to talk one on one with, and the Pearl Room. Both rooms are decorated beautifully with candles, white Christmas lights, tool, tinsel, scapbooks, and momentos (each sigma brings two meaningful momentos). We also serve cake and punch. All of the active members dress up in black dresses and badges. Towards the end, every girl goes around and says what Sigma means to them. We also do a "pearl ceremony" and candlelight. We usually sing three songs (through out the night), Violets, Pass it on, and Friends. It is really amazing. As they leave, we give them purple and white bracelets with the poem, Tradition of Sisterhood, attached.

I think the best part of pref night is the sence of belonging that we portray.

We always do the pearl drop..its so beautiful with the candles and everything. We hum usually "In the light" as the girls come in. Usually we also have special speakers that say things about Sigma and what it means to them. Its simple, elegant, and probably one of my favorite events...the love in that room I swear could break the walls.

And we always hug..we are a hugging-photo taking group of girls in general so its almost like breathing for us!:)