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In my sorority, we do a thing called Fourteen Days. Everyday for the first two weeks of our pledgeship we did something together at the house or had a pool party, kind of like mini sisterhood events. It REALLY helped us feel welcome and we got to know a lot of the active members a lot faster than we would have otherwise. This year they changed it a little and it was only the new pledge class, which I don't think is quite as cool, but it still worked really well.
Also, as actives, we were assigned one girl per week to get to know (take her out to lunch, invite her over to watch movies, just hang out and have fun!) The first week we had an Owl Pal, the next week we had a Straw Sis, and the next we had a Cardinal Buddy...each was a new girl. Then the next week they got their big. It not only helped you get to know the new members, it provided a mentor for them. I can't tell you how many calls I got each week asking when something was, etc. and it was awesome.
My pledge semester we had a huge sleepover with everyone from my pledge class. We played games, watched movies, made food. Ha ha, it sounds kind of middle school, but it was great! We also had a retreat where we did high ropes and low ropes, etc.
Little things help too. I Facebook the new members and try to keep up with what's going on in their life (ha ha, not in a creepy way) so you have something to talk to them about if it's in the awkward getting to know you stage. If I'm going to do something like lay out by the river I'll call one of them up and see if they want to come. It's really all about getting them involved and making them feel welcome.
Good luck, hope this helped!!
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