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We have Beta Buddies, ie temporary big sisters, for the first 3-4 weeks, the first of which the pledges get on Bid Day. There are usually two beta buddies each week for the pledges, which is good in case you have one girl who really isn't a very active beta bud, and it gives the pledge a chance to get to know at least two actives well each week. After this time, the pledges give the pledge educator a list of girls whom they would like as their big sis, and the actives who are taking a little sister do likewise. The pledge educator matches up pairs, and then Big Sis Week begins. This is a week of giving gifts (and hints!) to the pledge about who there big sis is. Then at the end of the week we have big sis night, where the seniors write silly poems about each pair and the big sister is revealled to each little sis. The big sister usually gives the little traditional gifts like a picture frame, and "family" gifts that have been passed down from big to little (this would be a GREAT tradition to start now as a new chapter!). I think that it is nice to do the big sister matching a little later so the pledge ends up with a big sister whom she knows and has something in common with, but also a couple of weeks prior to initiation, so they get a chance to know each other better. I think this makes initiation a whole lot more meaningful for both. I have been out of college for 6 years and my big and I are still best friends!
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