Originally Posted by ItGetsBetter
While reading through everything here, I just wanted to share my sorority story since it is a little unique and I do think there are definitely lessons that can be learned from it.
When I entered college, I was extremely apprehensive about joining a GLO, I really did not think it was going to be my thing. Everyone around me told me how perfect I would be for a sorority, but I tend to do the opposite of what everyone says so I stuck with the whole "I don't think Greek Life is for me" standpoint.
But by the time spring semester rolled around, I began to think that maybe Greek Life was for me. I filled out a COB form and went to the COB open house and did not bond with the (few) sororities that were there. I knew they were not for me no matter how badly I wanted them to be. I sadly vowed I would wait until recruitment in the fall.
Then about a month later I got a call from the XYZs. They were very interested in me and they asked me to go to dinner with them. I was not sure I wanted to join a sorority at this point, it was the middle of the semester, but I decided I would give them a try. The dinner went well, and I was invited to the house the next day to meet more of the sisters. It went great; we all were laughing, joking, had great conversations and as I left the Recruitment Director told me she would call me later. I was SURE I was getting a bid.
And the hours and days went by and no phone call...ever. It hurt, and to this day I do wish I was notified either way instead of being left hanging because that hurts even more; especially after I had already been to the house. I understand this is how it is done with many orgs, but it just did not seem right. This made me question whether or not I would want to be involved in Greek Life at all, maybe this was the universe telling me to stay far, far away.
I elected to not sign up for formal recruitment, I just did not want to anymore and at this point I felt like I had too many preconceived notions about chapters to go in with a truly clear head and have a good recruitment. However, for the first time in some time a new org. was colonizing on campus. I went in reluctant, but after the second recruitment event was put on I found myself connecting and hoping for a bid. However, there were over four times as many girls going through recruitment for this colony as there were bids so I still felt apprehensive.
It was bid day, bids and regrets were distributed at 9am and the line of girls was insane. I quivered, went to the wrong line to pic up my card, and when I finally got it I had to leave the building before I could open it. I was supposed to wait until I got home to open it but there was no way; I found a table, ripped it open and there was my bid!
But the story gets better. When my (now chapter) was still a colony I got one of the five positions on exec board, and I later became the first person ever from my chapter to serve on Panhellenic Executive Board at my school; opportunities I may have never gotten had I become an XYZ like I thought I was supposed to be. Plus, having the opportunity to sign the top of our charter as a colony exec board member was so surreal. So if it does not work out right the first or second time don't freak, I am living proof that things get better and work out the way they are supposed to!
|