New Member Period

[LPIDelta]

I was in the first new member class of a local sorority, and we definitely had enough to do to fill several weeks. Now, this was back in the day before risk management was such a big deal, but here were some of the requirements of the class.

Learn history and Greek alphabet
Meet one on one with each active to get to know one another
Plan a community service project to do with the actives
Conduct a fundraiser
Plan and host a new member/active party
Plan a mixer with another group
Play a practical joke on the actives* probably wouldn't fly under current hazing doctrine
Participate in daily study hours* as required by college
Meet with big sister once a week

Since your group is so young and you have only a few members, I would suggest you plan your program so that it isn't "us" and "them" but make it a point to have team builder activities that involve everyone, current and new members alike. At this stage, you should be trying to build a cohesive membership through your new member programming.

You might also consider focusing on your founding values--one each week. So if sisterhood is a value, that week you will spend time with one another, visit another sorority chapter at another school, learn about Robert's Rules of Order together etc. If your values are philanthropy, then that week have a speaker from an appropriate organization do a session about the cause, hold a fundraiser etc.

Good luck!

[REE1993]

I think as the Alpha pledge class, you might also want to encourage them to help you grow the organization and shape its development. From step two, there are so many directions that you can go into as a group, and the early classes are just as, if not more, influential on the direction your sisterhood takes, than the founders.

Remember how important Alpha class is in terms of how you represent yourselves to the campus and community. It can be the best or worst marketing that money can't buy.

Good luck, and with an open heart and strong intentions, your sisterhood will thrive.

[LatinaAlumna]

I'm really shocked with how open some of you are about your membership process.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

I'm really shocked with how open some of you are about your membership process.

I'm assuming you're a member of a Latina sorority. Your orgs are more secretive about their new member process. NPCs and locals who model themselves after NPCs are different. Most of our new member activities (with the eaxception of ritual and revealings in some chapters) are not secretive.

[LatinaAlumna]

Well, chalk it up to differences.

When I come across posts like some found on this thread, I feel like I've read something I wasn't supposed to.

[ssuchidelt]

Here are some ideas:

The greek alphabet
Your constitution and bylaws
Songs, mottos, creed, etc.
Why you were founded, etc.
Mini interviews with the active members, so eveyrone gets to know eachother
Bonding time for the pledge class
Making class T-shirts
Learn about what each officer does and requirements


I hope those helped.

[GC2theEC]

Obviously you want to make sure that your new members are educated on their organization before they are initiated but don't worry about trying to fill every moment with information. It's easy to have a couple of cram sessions and then run out of things to teach. Instead you can make the remaining time focus on building the bonds of sisterhood and showing them what it's like to be a functioning part of the sorority.

My organization has a fairly long pledging process (one semester) and during that time pledges create a mock executive board, do fundraising and other things around campus. This way they have a good idea of what jobs they're suited for.

Another idea which is popular across our campus is to hold a scavenger hunt with clues about members of the sorority. It makes pledges work together and it's a fun way to let them know more about their potential sisters.