What was the best part of your greek experience?

[XOMichelle]

Ok, so with all of this bad press flying around, I wanted to start a thread about what you have gotten out of being in a fraternity or sorority. Why did you join? Why did you love it?

I have to say, joining a sorority was one of the best things I have ever done. I have made a lot of friends that I will have for life, and I have gotten lots of leadership and management experience while in the chapter that has helped me at work, and in other situations. I have a job because a girl from my chapter told me to check out her company. Most importantly I have a support network across the country that I can use if I ever move, or want to meet new people. Watching my mother go through her divorce and finding new friends reminds me just how important having a support network is, and I am lucky to be involved in a group that will provide that for me, wherever I am, whenever I need it.

[chideltjen]

Yesterday reinforced why i was so happy to join my sorority. We had greek week soccer on Sunday. It was POURING during the championship game. Our girls still went out and played their hearts out while the spectators huddled under umbrellas and blankets and kept the spirit alive despite the nasty weather.

We didn't win but we were all still proud of ourselves.

It was just a really good weekend.

[kellybelly31]

well i can't really say anything for myself yet because i will not be rushing until the fall, but my boyfriend is a TKE at UTSA and i have had more fun and with these guys then i ever had before. i see how much they support and really care about my bf, they got him his job where he now makes a ridiculous amount of $, he is also a DJ in his extra time, made possible by the club owners that associate with TKE, not to mention how many great people hes met. thats what made me decide that i want to go greek next semester!

[NutBrnHair]

The best part? That's hard -- there are so many things.

I guess, in a word, it is FRIENDSHIP.

As a collegian, it meant being a part of something successful -- something bigger than myself. It meant leadership opportunities for me. I was never a leader in high school, but my sisters in Chi Omega saw something in me that I didn't even see in myself. When I was given the chance -- I loved it. I soared! It was amazing. That's the reason I'm still involved today. It made a difference in my life. When I attended my first National Convention in 1982, I told the Chapter Visitor who came to my campus that I wanted to come to the next one too. I haven't missed one since. The day I pledged, I didn't care two hoots (pun intended) that I had joined a strong National organization. It was much later that I realized what a difference it makes.

[KSUViolet06]

I joined because all the girls seemed really down to earth. Having them as my sisters for life is one of the best parts of my greek experience. Being part of a growing chapter has been great so far (we were chartered in 1991 while everyone else has been here 80+ years). Being there to see us pilot a NEW philanthopy (Sigma Catch Me If You Can).

We're in a rebuilding phase right now, but seeing us start to make a comeback has been one of the greatest (we are also building a new house!).

I have an active role in the campus community, and that's the best part! I see alot of students who go to class here but don't contribute, and Sigma is my way of contributing to the school positively.

[ztabchbum]

The best part of my greek experience was having my mom at my initiation. Not only was she able to be there, she was an acutal part of my initiation because she was a previous president. It was awesome! It brought the meaning of sisterhood to a whole new level.

I'm also very greatful for the friends that I have made. I met one of my best friends before Zeta, but through Zeta our friendship flourished even more. Another one of my best friends, I would have never met had it not been for Zeta. She actually was a snap bid - she dropped out of Rush after her first choice cut her, but we still extended a bid to her - even after only meeting her once. She did a lot for Zeta while in school and it was really great to see her attitude change throughout her pledge period. I was determined to make her love Zeta the way that I do - and it wasn't hard.

It's really been about the friendships and the memories. We have a great song in Zeta called Friends and my favorite line is "A lifetime's not too long to live as friends." It's so true!

[dakareng]

I'll echo NutBrnHair-- FRIENDSHIP.

Pi Phi was what kept me in school when I got mono my soph year and struggled to complete my courses (yes, I could have taken a quarter off... but in nursing, courses are sequential so if you take a quarter off, you have to wait a year to get back into the classes and since it's competitive admission, there were no guarantees that I'd be admitted to the next class). The support of my sisters and the tutoring and note-taking assistance was invaluable.

As an alumna, I appreciate the connections and friendships even more as I relocated 1200 miles from home, knowing only the manager who hired me and a couple of Pi Phis. They welcomed me with open arms and helped me adapt to being a Texan.

And like NutBrnHair, I started going to convention as a collegiate and watched the "countdown" -- celebrating how many conventions each participant has attended. I swore then that I'd be that little old lady that they had to help stand until everyone gave HER a standing ovation! I've only missed one since then!

[astroAPhi]

The best thing I've gotten is the friendships.

I was friends with my first little sister for 2 years before she joined. We lived together for a year even, and we are so much closer now than those 2 years we were friends, and the 1 year we lived together. The bond that a sorority makes really is different.

I haven't cried because of the friends outside my sorority that I won't be seeing anymore. At our last meeting on Friday, I bawled like a baby knowing that I wouldn't see those 45 girls on a daily basis. Filling that void is going to be rough.

[AGDee]

Since I am celebrating 20 years of being an initiated member of Alpha Gamma Delta this month, I have to say that each year has brought a different and new meaning to my membership. From the sisterhood experienced as a collegian to the full blown realization of how expansive this sisterhood is at my first Convention. From watching a chapter almost drive themselves into the ground with "risky" behavior to helping them pull together and pull themselves back to the top. Seeing a new officer grow throughout their year in office and to see THEM first experience the true sisterhood you experience at Convention. It hasn't ever stopped being a wonderful experience. There have been challenges (having chapters close to due numbers) and there have been highs (seeing a successful re-colonization). There have been challenges that turned into highs! (Getting stranded in St. Louis with a fantastic group of other volunteers who had gathered there for training).

And then, somehow, the "old ladies" who are International Officers are no longer "old ladies", but the women you've been working so closely with for the past decade, and you see what a bright future the Fraternity has.

Ultimately, what I got from Alpha Gamma Delta was Our Purpose, a standard to strive for, that has become a part of who I am, that has gained so much more meaning over the years as I really began to think about what it meant to me, and a sisterhood, which is more than friendship, it's deeper and stronger and THAT is what women who never join a GLO (or who stop being involved) never get to experience.

Dee

[AlethiaSi]

ok.. i'm going to ignore your comment...

i absolutely love my org. My sisters mean so much to me- i had been really upset when i depledge another organization and waited a year before joining nu sig... there were only 10 sisters when i joined- the satisfaction of earning my letters and becoming friends with everyone- and then being rush chair- and holding different positions... has only strengthened my resolve. Since coming to Europe and having to be so far away from my sisters just about broke my heart. I was so homesick and they were there for me every step of the way- calming me down when i would call them at odd hours b/c of the time difference, sending me cards and pictures, emailing me like crazy and keeping me up to date with everything that was going on. being so far away made me understand that our bond will never break- and that i will always have them in my life- and if any of us ever lost touch- she knwos that she will always have someplace to go.... i just can't say enough about them- and it was the best decision i ever made.

being able to participate in school activities- community service- and the social life and the support system are just some of the perks... its all great (even when we argue- its still great) lol

[PM_Mama00]

Last night we had our alumni ceremony. The whole time I kept thinking that "OMG I can't believe that's going to be me up there next year".

This sorority has brought me so much. I thought about how when I graduate, I'll be leaving everything I've known for 5 years. Basically that is Phi Mu and the very few friends I've met outside the Greek system. They've changed and shaped my life and allowed me to experience so many fun times. But I was also allowed to grow and mature, and see how people change with age, which I was never really used to before.

Another thing that made me realize I'd made the best decision in my life, was the first time I heard our national president, Kathy Williams, speak. She was our national Panhel person at the time, and it was at our State Day. The next year I went to conference, and she was president. I met so many Phi Mus from all ove our region. It was a great feeling to know that there are hundreds of thousands of girls who have gone through the same beautiful ritual that I have. We may have different traditions, but together we are all the same.

Would I change my decision to join a sorority? If I had known back then what I was getting myself into, there's no way in the world that I'd change it.

[honeychile]

Ultimately, the best part of anyone's greek experience is the sum of what you put into it!

Yes, friendship is a wonderful, and the most important aspect of what Alpha Delta Pi means to me. Knowing that there are sisters worldwide is such an awesome experience! When I was an active, I stayed at a few ADPi houses, and other ADPis stayed at our suite - and each time, it was great!

It's amazing to realize that, through our many Foundations, I will have a "safety net" for the rest of my life!

Alpha Delta Pi has been wonderful training for so many aspects of "real life". Sisters who are good at recruitment are good hostesses, good leaders, good groundbreakers, good at anything in life where one must take the reins and bring a group together! Service to Ronald McDonald House & other charities teaches a responsibility to our fellow man. TME has taught ADPis how to manage our time to the best of our abilities, among other things. Our Creed emphasizes humility while leading, high educational standards, high moral standards, and more. I am aware that, each and every time I go somewhere with my letters, I am not just representing myself, but I'm representing 153 years of sisters - and plan my actions accordingly. As each year goes by, I realize that I have wisdom to hand down to newer sisters, and they have ideas to keep me young. I am blessed!

[PhiPsiRuss]

What seperates social GLOs from all other student organizations, and activities, is the holistic nature of it. I think of the word "social" as refering to a small society, rather than social events. Because of this all encompasing nature, I can't reduce my fraternity experience to one thing, so I'll have to say that it was the uniquely holistic nature of my undergraduate membership.

[LXAAlum]

I would have to say it was the Ritual of Initiation. Never had I been so moved, so inspired, in my life up to that point (though watching my children being born, and getting married are the only two events that I could put in front of it).

I was so blown away. Nothing in my experience could have prepared me. I was expecting what you see in the movies, or read in the news - it was so completely different AND hit home.

The Ritual keeps me energized...it has led to the friendships, not only from my chapter brothers, but to close friendships with brothers from chapters all over.

Not to stereotype too broadly, but what I noticed is how much emphasis the chapter put on Ritual, NOT "Hell Week" or what the other orgs called their weeks (some truly were and are still HELL)...but the emphasis is on the ritual itself...and that was what I was looking for anyways when I rushed.

[MysticCat]

One word: Brotherhood.

From the beginning, brotherhood was and remains the best part of my Greek experience. In all its various forms and manifestations, the bond with my brothers, even those I just met (or haven't met yet), is what sets my fraternity experience apart from my other experiences.