An Expansion Story

[LucyKKG]

Welllll, we haven't left for our ski trip yet. My grandma fell and is in the hospital with a broken hip and upper arm (humerus?) so we're still at home. We may go up tomorrow, or our trip might be canceled. Luckily for you, that means more of my story!

Our president did most of the communication with the NPC about arranging visits. It was complicated figuring out parking, conference rooms, etc. I also know that Gamma Phi must have had to approve of us going national, but I didn't hear how it happened. They were invited to come to the presentations, but I think their adviser and a few exec board members only came to one. I didn't hear about the inner-workings of that. Oh, our on-campus adviser also came. I'm glad he got to learn about the process with us.

Even before we met them, we were really excited about Theta. Every time our president talked to their representative, she gushed about our chapter. She was very impressed by us and so excited to meet us.

Our first presentation was from Kappa Kappa Gamma in mid-January. My sisters and I met up at our VP's dorm room really early to get ready and make sure we all looked okay. (Our outfits had been pre-approved weeks before.) We had glittery posters explaining what we were all about (as a local) and binders filled with information (some useful, most not). We walked down a hill together and had our first meeting with a group of about a dozen women. Our president introduced herself to the extension directer, Joanie, and we all loosened up and started chatting. Then we went upstairs and started the presentation. They told us all about their founding, new member period, expansion procedures, etc. Meeting the international president was amazing. We were in awe by her presence. When it was Q&A time, I think a lot of us didn't have questions because we didn't know WHAT to ask. They stayed and chatted a while after that, and we had refreshments. When it was time for them to leave, we all hugged. (Yes, we hugged international advisers and general muckety-mucks of the fraternity). Then we let out a huge sigh of relief and took our painful shoes off!