Sisterhood Workshop

[BGbeauty]

The idea of having to force sister to respect and appreciate one another is ridiculous, but it happens in a lot of chapters.

For our girls, we did a sisterhood retreat that took place in a quiet room we rented in our student union. We did the "cross the line" ice breaker: girls form a circle around the room and create and invisible line on the floor with their toes. Scenerios are read aloud and if a girl has experienced it, she steps forward and crosses the line. Scenerios range from simple personality things (out of state versus in state, first person in family to go to college, only child, etc) to moderately personal things (ever failed a class, regreted something from their past, felt like dropping out of college, etc) to fairly personal (questioned sexuality, been through depression, lost a loved one due to overdoes/suicide, etc). While they can be extremely personal and may be uncomfortable for some girls, it's also a relief for others who feel like this is an easy way to share what they've been through. You get a sense of "hey, that girl has been through so much that i didn't know about--maybe that's why she's been so stressed out lately" and it gives you a little compassion and insite into girls' lives that you may otherwise never know.

We also played a form of 20 Questions (hader to do with large groups, may want to split up into groups of 20 or less). To make it personal, we sat in a circle, turned off the lights and used candlelight instead. The president (or group leader) would start by asking a question. At first they were siimple: favorite family vacation, hometown, least favorite meal on campus. They eventually got harder: person in your life you miss the most, most important person in your life, most regreted memory. The last few questions were tough, and they did get personal. But knowing that your sisters were so willing to open up and share their life with you gave you a little more respect and made people feel a little bit closer. After the president/leader would ask the question, each girl would answer it (or regretfully decline if she felt it was too personal--but once one girl really opens up, you'll be surprised at how easy others do too) until it had gone all the way around the circle. Finally, the president/leader would answer the question before moving on to the next one.

It was also made known that what was shared in the chapter at the retreat stayed within the chapter walls and was not to be shared with anyone else.

I hope maybe these ideas can help your chapter! Good luck!

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by BritniMSB

I am an alum of Gamma Phi that tries to stay actively involved with my chapter. Recently, I have noticed an incredible decrese in respect and sisterhood among the active members. I know a lot of this is due to the lack of instilled values, but they need to get back to where they were a few years back.

You are no longer a member of the chapter -- you are an alum. Let the collegians handle their own issues with their adviser. You may think there is a lack of respect-- the alum may have thought the same of you when you were a collegians. If they want the help of alumnae, they'll ask for it.

[denimeans]

one of my favorite things has been when we've brought back a much older alumnus to tell tales about the way things used to be.

[manda_sai_kz]

Originally Posted by LPIDelta

Do a values contract workshop--split the group into values teams, with a mix of ages in each group. Assign them a value that is important to your organization (ie sisterhood, friendship, loyalty etc.) and ask the groups to come up with 5-10 charges/statements. Example: Because we are Gamma Phi and we value sisterhood, we will not engage in activities which degrade out members etc. Put each team's list into one contract. Use this to get the conversation going about what is important to the group, to talk about what makes their sorority experience meaningful and then make sure everyone receives (and possibly signs) the values contract written that day.

The other thing I have used with some success is having each sister explain briefly why they are there and what they want to get out of their sorority experience. Often just realizing what the expectations or needs are helps to focus the group and help them get along better.

I think that sounds really cool. It helps 'veterans' remember, and teaches the new members something they might not have known or taken seriously. Very cool.

[SororSweeteePie]

Originally Posted by AGDee

I did an activity with one chapter that was called A Letter to My Sisters. The chapter was divided up into groups of 4 and each group had the task of writing a letter to their sisters telling them why they were appreciative of their sisters. Each group read their letter out loud. The women wrote beautifully poignant letters and the whole room was in tears (happy, sentimental type tears) when the letters were being read. It was really effective in bringing them together just before recruitment.

I think that is a wonderful idea and I think that I should present this to my sisters. Thank you for the wonderful idea of sisterhood and bonding.