New Theta Chapter---woo!

[scuthetagirl]

I've known about this for a while (helps having an ELC around 24/7) but they posted it on the website so I thought I'd put an announcement on here for those who haven't heard---we have a new Theta chapter at Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, IL. That's about fifteen minutes from where I grew up, so I'm pretty stoked, though I don't live anywhere near now, nor do I know anyone who goes there. Oh well. Yay for new Thetas! Sorry if this has already been posted.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Another chapter!!!!!!!!!! Yay!

I'm so excited. I love watching Theta grow

[hkdkat]

There's also a new chapter at Occidental College in Southern California. I would have loved to have gone to some of their colonization stuff but I was either busy or it was too $$. I did get to go to San Diego when there's happened though!

[hoover815]

Hello, Thetas!

I am a recent alumna initiate from your newest chapter at Lake Forest College. Thank you for your congratlutions!

I was a member of the local sorority at Lake Forest that had the good sense to choose Theta, and alumnae were given the opportunity to be initiated. My mother was a Theta (Gamma, Butler), and she was thrilled beyond words. She was there for initiation -- it was really beautiful. After practically growing up at the Theta house at Butler while she was a chapter advisor, it's so special to actually be a Theta and share that with her.

Not ever having the chance to be a collegiate member, I know I missed out on a lot of the learning part of it all. I would love to learn the songs. My mother wrote out lots of words for me, but she can't carry a tune in a bucket so I'm out of luck on the music! Is there anywhere I can hear a tape?

Thank you!

Loyally,

A.

[Janerz222]

Hoover815- hooray! Congratulations and welcome to the Theta family. Alumnae initiation is so special, especially for legacies like you who didn' t have the chance to be intiated as collegians. (I sponsored an AI in a similar situation, and it was one of the best experiences of my Theta-life so far.)

If you are living close to Lake Forest (or any other Theta chapter, for that matter), ask to attend some chapter meetings to learn some songs and to get a feel for what college chapter life is like. Also, helping with recruitment is a great time to learn songs.

And, HQ has two different audio tapes available - one for ritual and one for general songs. If you haven't already, register on the Theta website (you'll need your member number to register). Once you register, you'll have access to the Thetas Only section of the site: go to the Form Zone, Order Forms, Publication Order Form to order the tapes.

again, welcome!
Jane

[hoover815]

Thank you, Jane! I will definitley log into the website. I'm in the DC area, and the only Theata chapter is at U of Maryland. I'll find out when they are doing recruitment. What sort of things can alumnae do to help then?

Initiation was so beautiful. Being 10 years into life after college ... it was very moving. My best friends in the world are still my sorority sisters from college. Two of them were able to be initiated with me (we signed the charter!) and seveal others are going to be intitiated in the spring at HN/LFC. I'll be there then, too!

Thanks again for the warm welcome!

[Janerz222]

I do think that our initiation service bears many repeats throughout one's life! The older I get (I'm mid-30s now), the more it rings true.

As far as recruitment help goes, some chapters like to practice their skits, singing, and conversation skills with alumnae during a "mock" recruitment. Some chapters need help with set-up, food, etc. There are many ways to help, depending on your availability and interest.

Have you contacted the D.C./Suburban Maryland Alumnae Chapter yet? Another great way to experience Theta for a lifetime.

[thetalady]

Originally posted by hoover815
I am a recent alumna initiate from your newest chapter at Lake Forest College. Thank you for your congratlutions!
... My mother was a Theta (Gamma, Butler), and she was thrilled beyond words. She was there for initiation -- it was really beautiful.

Hoover815-

Congratulations! I did not realize that when a local sorority chooses to join Theta, that the alumnae are also initiated. How special it must have been for you to have your Mother there! Welcome to our sisterhood.

Now to shop for just a FEW pansies and kites!

[ThetaPrincess24]

I'm so happy to have you as a part of our awesome sisterhood!!!!!!!!!


I encourage you to join the closest alumnae chapter to you and get involved right away!!!!


While the alumnae experience is different than the collegiate, it is no less special and still adds great value and new friendships and insights into your life.

Congrats again and stop in the forum anytime!!!!!!!

[scuthetagirl]

Something that I didn't know, which I gleaned from other similar threads in the General forums, is that Alpha Phi, DG, and Tri-Delt have also colonized at LF. That's a lot of new chapters at the same time, although very exciting for the campus and for the locals that affiliated with these fabulous organizations. I wonder if such a mass national colonization of a campus is unprecedented. Cheers!

[OrigamiTulip]

Originally posted by scuthetagirl
I wonder if such a mass national colonization of a campus is unprecedented. Cheers!

It seems to happen every few years. Recent schools that have had their locals go national en masse are Valpariso, john Carroll, and Pepperdine.

[hoover815]

Thanks again for all your good wishes. There is a big box under my Christmas tree from my mother wrapped in pansy paper -- gee, I wonder what it could be?!? I will definitely be checking in with the local alumnae group. Do they usually do something for Founders' Day?

As for Lake Forest College, it had a huge Greek presence decades ago that was abolished by the college administration in one swoop back in the 70s. Some groups went underground (like Kappa Sig), but most vanished entirely. By the early 80s GLOs came back as secret societies, and then as officially recognized campus groups by the late 80s. Kappa Sig fought the administration strenously to be allowed to re-establish their Lake Forest chapter (then called AX as they were the AX chapter of Kappa Sig) and won. It took a change in college administration, but someone finally figured out that national organizations had much tougher standards and expectations than the current locals had. So as of Fall 2005, no local GLOs will have official campus recognition, hence the mass colonization. All but one local chose to colonize, and several started from scratch, including Alpha Phi. It may take a couple of years, but I'm sure the Greek system there will be thriving once again.

[enigma_AKA]

Greek Life here is doing great, in fact! All the sororities and fraternities (except for one that is the oldest recognized fraternity on campus) are national and we are doing a lot of different things this year, mostly focusing on changing some of the perceived culture of Greek Life (which was one of the biggest problems here, IMO, before, because Greek Life to LFC Administration = Acting Crazy!), and doing more for the Lake Forest College community.

I am really excited about the Theta's presence this year! A few of my friends who were in the local that integrated into Theta are doing a lot with Panhell and their own Executive Board, bringing a lot to the table with setting things in place for future Greek Life Members.


Oh, and...Go Foresters!!!

enigma_AKA

[hoover815]

FROM JANE: And, HQ has two different audio tapes available - one for ritual and one for general songs. If you haven't already, register on the Theta website (you'll need your member number to register). Once you register, you'll have access to the Thetas Only section of the site: go to the Form Zone, Order Forms, Publication Order Form to order the tapes.

If Jane or anyone else is still reading this, I've logged onto the Theta website, but can't seem to get the forms downloaded. They are in PDF and MSWord format, and neither seems to work. hmm ... is it just my computer or is it the website?

[Janerz222]

Hmmm... it's working for me today. I clicked on the PDF button, and the file opened in my PDF viewer. My guess would be maybe it's your web browser. Did you double check that a pdf file (or Word file) didn't download somewhere on your desktop?