Getting it all together!

[sigmapsi]

Hey!
So I am a member of a local sorority on a very small campus in Oklahoma. We've been around for about two years and I still feel like we haven't really come together as a sorority, in general. We have no rituals or regulations or anything that I personally associated with a sorority before I joined this one. We have no structure. I want to make this sorority the best it can be and I'm drawing a blank. I've researched and I've found just about nothing. I just need ideas on how to make this sorority a group girls will want to join and be a part of and not just for the boys and parties. We have our purpose and all the details (color, animal, flower, ect.) and I feel like we have a strong basis we just don't have all those little sorority perks! I may not be making any sense but I can't find the words to describe how much I want this sorority to be around this campus for a loooong time after I graduate.

Thanks,
Kayla

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by sigmapsi

Hey!
So I am a member of a local sorority on a very small campus in Oklahoma. We've been around for about two years and I still feel like we haven't really come together as a sorority, in general. We have no rituals or regulations or anything that I personally associated with a sorority before I joined this one. We have no structure. I want to make this sorority the best it can be and I'm drawing a blank. I've researched and I've found just about nothing. I just need ideas on how to make this sorority a group girls will want to join and be a part of and not just for the boys and parties. We have our purpose and all the details (color, animal, flower, ect.) and I feel like we have a strong basis we just don't have all those little sorority perks! I may not be making any sense but I can't find the words to describe how much I want this sorority to be around this campus for a loooong time after I graduate.

Thanks,
Kayla

I recommend meeting with them to discuss this and planning how you will research this issue together (or have your officers research this issue). What have you all been doing this past 2 years? I am not sure what you want outsiders to tell you.

Many national and local sororities and fraternities didn't have everysinglething figured out in their early years. However, three things that distinguish those that will last from those that will eventually disappear are the three things that you all currently lacking: having a structure; having ideals and a firm belief in them; and a sense of direction (ritual-based or otherwise) that will guide everything else. Do you all do service and have a philanthropy?

You will not last long as a local sorority if you only have a group of people sitting around with colors, animal, and a flower. You can be a social club, though.

Good luck.

[33girl]

As far as ritual...it's the same as when someone said that to pray, you don't have to spout Bible verses or use fancy language, just say what's in your heart.

Don't get intimidated and think you need to have a 6 hour ceremony completely done in Latin. It should just say what this group means to you beyond the parties, boys etc.

Have a retreat over a weekend and flesh out a ritual. It might not stay exactly the same but you'll have a start.

As for the regulations, just try googling "sorority bylaws" and see what you come up with.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

If you are committed this, you're going to need to think about it more as a business for a moment. Put on your serious hat and go look online for non-for-profit bylaws templates. You will need them, both to govern your organization and if you wish to achieve NFP status at some point. It will take time, because you'll find templates online that have a lot of things you need to think about. What officers will you have? How much will dues be? What are your membership policies?

It is trudgery, but it is really, really important.

[PhoenixAzul]

I'm an alumna of a local, albeit an old local, and I'm in Oklahoma (although I'm at that big school parked here in Norman ;-) and I'm staff, not a student).

Tau Delta has very short (and awesome!) rituals, but each of our rituals echo the ideals of our sorority and incorporate the significance of our symbols (with hidden meanings). Use those things you have already (colors, motto, mascot, etc). How do those fit your sisterhood. Think about sisterhood in general. How will you impress on your members the importance of your values. What do you want to be the thing they keep in their hearts for years to come...heck, look at the signatures of some of GC's members...To thine own self be true, seek the noblest, one heart one way...etc.

You could even look at Delta Upsilon, who has open rituals. They have a lot of ritual information online (again because it isn't secret). It might be worth it to look at it and even see how they structure things and use that as a jumping off point for discussion. Keep everyone involved though, this should be a joint decision.

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by sigmapsi

Hey!
So I am a member of a local sorority on a very small campus in Oklahoma. We've been around for about two years and I still feel like we haven't really come together as a sorority, in general. We have no rituals or regulations or anything that I personally associated with a sorority before I joined this one. We have no structure. I want to make this sorority the best it can be and I'm drawing a blank. I've researched and I've found just about nothing. I just need ideas on how to make this sorority a group girls will want to join and be a part of and not just for the boys and parties. We have our purpose and all the details (color, animal, flower, ect.) and I feel like we have a strong basis we just don't have all those little sorority perks! I may not be making any sense but I can't find the words to describe how much I want this sorority to be around this campus for a loooong time after I graduate.

Thanks,
Kayla

It sounds like you have the people and the tangibles, but not a lot of underlying structure.

There are two separate issues here.

1. You say you don't have any rituals, but you do have letters and symbols. What do your letters mean? What do your symbols mean? (Do not answer those questions here. The meanings should be secret and shared only within your sisterhood.) Get your sisters together, brainstorm, and create your ritual from there. You will most likely want to create at least two rituals - a pledging ceremony to welcome your new members and give them a glimpse into what being a Sigma Psi means, and an initiation ceremony where all secrets are revealed.

2. You also say you have no regulations. I take that to mean that you have no constitution or bylaws. This, you need. What offices do you have and what are the duties of each officer? What are the consequences for a sister if she doesn't pay her dues, or gets falling-down-drunk while wearing letters? What are your procedures and criteria for membership selection? (Again, this last should be secret - both your MS process and the reasons why any particular woman is invited / extended a bid / told to take a hike.)

It's not going to be easy to be the driving force behind this. But it's worth it if you are this devoted to your sorority.

Best of luck.