Ashley,
This was a long time ago (1983) so hopefully I can remember
After formal rush we were assigned a Rosebuddy to help us adjust to AOII. After a few weeks, we had a big/little week where our big sisters left us notes and clues (usually in someone else's handwriting to keep us confused) ending up with the revealing at the end of the week with presents and such.
Later on I became the CA for my collegiate chapter, and they did a few things differently. Change is good! There was dollar limit in place for each day (I think) so no one was spending a fortune. There was a big emphasis on personal, handmade gifts then (93-98 or so), like totes, tee shirts and picture frames, stuff like that. At revealing they had everyone in the chapter together in a friendship circle. The little read the parts of a poem that their big had been leaving for them during the week and then the big finished the verse. There was always someone with a camera ready to take pics of the newly revealed big and little pair!
As for suggestions, I've got a few. First, contact your adviser if you have one, if not your CA for some help. Your advisers are great resources! Your adviser can also get in touch with your chapter's Network Specialist for suggestions. I'm sure there are other chapters in your area or on similar campuses that have already got a great NM program in place that you could modify for your chapter!
Having said that, make sure that your matching process takes everyone into consideration. If a new member has her heart set on Susie Q as a big, and Susie would love to be new member's big, that's great...but what if Susie is on co-op that semester and will only be around for chapter meetings? That's not fair to either of them. Make sense? Another suggestion is to try your best to see that all older initiates who do not already have a little--and want one--get matched. Last suggestion is to have some kind of meeting or workshop for all potential bigs, before formal recruitment if possible. Let them know up front what AOII and the chapter expects of sisters taking on the responsibility of being a big. Your chapter may already do something like this but it's always a good idea so there are no questions later.
Remember, it's all about helping educate and immerse our newest AOIIs about our Fraternity and that we believe in being AOIIs for a lifetime! The bigs will make your job as VPE/NME so much easier and more fun than any of you could ever imagine.
Good luck and keep us posted. I love reading about what the collegians are doing in their chapters!
Roses,
Christin
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