sorority life:
To the average freshman, a sorority girl has many stereotypes. I knew nothing about Greek life besides what I’d seen in teen comedies. As a business of music major, I’d never really felt more accepted than in a giant crowd of people singing along to a band I thought nobody besides me really listened to & loved.
However, I’ve found that same form of acceptance in the Pi Phi house. The sisters don’t try to make me fit a certain mold, and I think that’s what makes Pi Phi so unique - it’s a beautiful blend of lovely young women who are free to be themselves instead of forced into a set of ideals. This photo really captures my essence: concert festivals [Bamboozle 2012, my fifth one!], Syracuse gear, and aiming my Pi Phi arrow high. PPLAM <3
submitted by www.who-gives-a-flux.tumblr.com
GREEK LIFE!
summerbarefootbluejeannight:
The big group picture <3
One of the best retreats I’ve ever been blessed enough to go on. Everyone was such sweethearts and I got close to a few of them. I look forward to working with them in the future (:
♡ become a FAN of sorority sugar on facebook & get MORE sugar ~ MORE fashions ~ MORE links to sales & promos!!!
fun stuff on the site right now ♡ xoxo ;)))
Hi! First of all, I just started following your blog today and I'm already loving it :) i just have a question. I'm going to an international university in the Netherlands (it's a small liberal arts one), and I've joined my absolutely wonderful sorority. Unfortunately, we've just existed for about 2 years now and I'm wondering if you have any tips to get some nice traditions in the sorority or whatever? :) I've always looked up to the Greek system, so I hope you can give me some amazing tips! xo
Asked by
mycodenameissofie
what an interesting situation! and how exciting to be at the origins of a group which will hopefully last for a very long time. one day your sorority may be celebrating 161 years like ADPi is today.
- my first suggestion would be to make EVERY occasion special. Whatever your sorority does, it should be marked with traditions. There should be a unique procedure for rushing, pledging, awards, meetings, initiation, engagements, big/little reveals, graduation ~ you name it ~ there should be a custom for it that includes symbolic flowers, meaningful readings, mementoes etc.
- make a chart! start by listing ALL the events that occur in your sorority and then under each special occasion ~ i would brainstorm and list the exact traditions that will be followed every year. for example ~ when girls pledge your sorority there should be an established “ceremony” that might include the reading of your creed, a special poem, a presentation of the sorority flower, singing of a special pledge song, a one-of-a-kind pledge class photo, presentation of a pledge pin, a symbolic candle lighting ceremony ~ the possibilities are many. pick & choose what works for your group. plan out these types of rituals for all your chapter events. repetition every year establishes them as traditions.
- include a check list for each event: songs, readings, symbolic gestures, gifts, jewelry, printed cards or certificates, flowers, candles & the like. make a guidebook if needed.
- keep these traditions private! your special sisterhood rituals should be secret and for the sisters only. of course some are more secret than others, but most of your special occasions should be unique to your organization and held in high regard. that’s why i can’t give you lots of specific ideas, because i only know my own, and i don’t know specifics of other sororities off hand!
source for more ideas: browse the sorority web sites and pick up more ideas from the sisterhood events you see there. looking at photos and reading about what the chapters do, will give you more ideas for your own group. be creative and have fun! xoxo ;)
Hey OK so I have just a few questions. So I'm still a junior in high school but I'm pretty sure that I want to join a sorority in the future, possibly at a Big 10 school. None of the women in my family have been in a sorority so I'm not really sure what to look for or expect. I was just wondering what to look for when rushing and what houses look for in recruits. Sorry this is so long and thanks for your help!
Asked by
thenerdosaurusrex
i’m so glad you wrote in! you are the perfect age to start thinking about what you want to do in college. greek life can be very rewarding, but it’s also challenging. please search my blog for other posts on recruitment by going to: http://www.sororitysugar.tumblr.com/tagged/sorority-101. there you will be able to read many helpful posts on rush. here are some tips to get you started……
preparing for rush WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL (what sororities are looking for in you):
- be active! join clubs, run for office, play sports, paint pictures, whatever you like, do it to the fullest. sororities like girls who are engaged in life.
- keep your grades up ~ there are minimum requirements in all chapters.
- volunteer ~ giving back is very important to greeks, start being charitable now.
- keep your reputation clean on tumblr & facebook. sororities, colleges and future employers do check. and after you join you could be asked to leave if there is offensive stuff on your blog.
- practice your social skills, manners and grammar. rush involves lots of small talk, and you need to be able to effectively “sell yourself”. you can’t be a total wallflower.
- you don’t need to have family in a sorority, but you will need some recommendations from alum sorority women when the time comes. so now is the time for you to explore which teachers, other parents, or family friends might be able to write letters on your behalf.
- at a big 10 school, there will be sorority competition, so experience in leadership is also important. if you can still run for office on campus, at church, or in one of your clubs - do it for senior year!
what to LOOK FOR IN A SORORITY:
- when your college is confirmed, please visit all the chapter web sites and learn about each one. preparation will make you less nervous. then after your research, keep an open mind.
- look for girls with character, sincerity, honesty, friendliness and a house where you feel the most comfortable. you will know it when you “feel” it.
- try to not be swayed by who has the fanciest dresses, most glamourous sorority house, most expensive rush decorations ~ those are all superficial. look beyond the sparkle and really assess the girls you meet. (and at the same time they are assessing you!)
- look for unity, real sisterhood and high ideals. do the girls live their creed? do they get good grades or just party all the time? when you see their “bragging” table displays and hear their “recruitment pitches” really pay attention to what they value most. each house is different!
You will be 100% fine ~ thousands of girls go through it each year! Just go with the flow, be upbeat and don’t let the inevitable “not asked back” rejections get you down. in the end every girl says yes to just one house. one invite to join is all you need to start your 4 years of college greek life. MUCH LUCK!! <3 xoxo
after months & months & months of posting sugar for college sororities, i have gotten to know each of the 26 NPC chapters pretty well. i have a favorite “little sugar” that i love for each one. here’s my list of fun favorites!
- AXO: luv the lyre ~ so classy & sophisticated
- ADPi: has to be the diamond <>
- AEPhi: lily of the valley ~ also my birth month flower
- Alpha Gam: of course the fun loving squirrel
- AOII: the letters ~ AOII is fun to type
- Alpha Phi: the pronunciation of phi after alpha
- ASA: the long list of symbols ~ so many choices
- AST: adore the anchor
- AXiD: the Xi nickname
- Chi O: the bright red & yellow color combo
- Tri Delta: the trident ~ so unique
- DG: the salute while wearing sailor caps
- DPhiE: the deepher “horn” hand sign
- DZ: the pink & green color combo naturally
- G Phi: the pink carnation
- Theta: the pansy
- KD: the intricate green crest
- KKG: the key ~ the older the better
- Phi Mu: the challenging quatrefoil hand sign
- Phi Sig: the mysterious sphinx
- Pi Phi: the distinguished diamond shaped crest
- Sig Delt: the golden tea rose
- SK: maroon & lavender color combo ~ it really grows on you
- Tri Sigma: the sailboat ~ luv nautical motifs
- Theta Phi: the compass is so historic & beautiful
- ZTA: crowns everywhere please
My chapter is desperate to meet quota so we let any girl in, this includes "oops" members that are negative and don't contribute so we are always recruiting.But the constant attempt to get girls has turned all of our events into recruitment events and it has left girls in my house with a bitter taste.Our schedules are packed because we are trying to recruit which causes more girls to drop because they feel like this sorority is taking over their life. How do we meet quota without "oops" members?
Asked by
bonkasaurus
the first thing is to change your chapter’s thinking from QUANTITY - to - QUALITY! i don’t know the rules for all chapters on all campuses, but your quota numbers are set too high, if this is happening. your sorority leadership on the local or national level needs to address this ASAP and make your numbers attainable with a reasonable amount of recruitment. the leaders need to reduce this pressure cooker situation so everyone can relax, take a breath and reevaluate their priorities.
like with fundraising, you can’t keep asking people for money all the time ~ or you wear out your welcome. membership is the same way. if you are always frantically dragging in members, there comes a point where there is diminishing returns. either girls won’t want to join your stressed out group, or the ones who do join are only half-heartedly in it. out of control recruitment hurts moral and hurts the chapter as a whole. it’s better to have a small but happy sorority, than a larger chapter that is all about the numbers and not a cohesive group.
i am not a fan of continuous/open recruitment, even though it works for some groups. the down side is, a chapter can turn into a “corporate sales team”, instead of a sorority. i think there is a time for rush, a time for fundraising, a time for sisterhood, a time for socializing, etc… BALANCE is needed in your chapter.
so… first i would tackle your mal-adjusted quota and stop the craziness. then clean house, start fresh with a calm “back to basics” plan to evaluate girls on their merits & picking only quality girls who really want to be there. maybe your chapter will always be smaller and not the mega sorority on the block - but it’s worth it to have a peaceful, unified organization. XOXO ;)
CONTEST ENDS TOMORROW! enter NOW for a chance to win <3
sorority sugar has teamed up with MY TIES to offer you a 25 pack of customized sorority hair ties/bracelets in a mix of fun, bright colors! the winner will receive a pack of ties printed with the chapter name of your choice. giveaway runs from 5/7, to monday, 5/14.
different ways to ENTER & WIN:
*Each action = an ENTRY in the contest!
visit http://www.mytieslc.com to learn more about this super fun product. ;)
Q: I need to start planning my chapter’s fall Senior Date Function and gift. Do you have any ideas for themes and gifts? ~ madimorton
A: I have a few ideas… and you can find LOTS more social themes by searching www.sororitysugar.tumblr.com/tagged/party (or social)
- When I Graduate ~ since this party is for seniors, everyone comes dressed as their future profession after graduation. host the event at a “swanky” grown up location. gift: could be an assortment of “professional” items like a custom pen, imprinted notepad, fancy office supplies - all packaged in a mini briefcase!
- Dudes & Dolls ~ dates come as famous doll couples such as barbie & ken, raggedy ann & andy, jessie & woody, etc. decorate the party space like a dollhouse. gift: could be barbie & ken dolls re-dressed in your sorority theme. find resale dolls at thrift shops, clean them up and customize them for the party. (this party could also be just barbie & ken, instead of all different dolls)
- Milk & Cookies ~ since the seniors will soon be entering adult life full time, give them a nostalgic evening of childlike fun. guests come in pajamas, eat milk & cookies, play games like twister & eat childhood favorites like mac & cheese and pp&j. gift: could be a custom childhood “storybook” that is written with your sorority/greek life theme. you can create these custom kid’s books online.
- Dead Celeb Couples ~ dates come as famous “deceased” couples. not meant to be creepy, just vintage! decorate in old hollywood - stork club - 1940’s style. gift: DVD of vintage hollywood movies starring famous couples such as bogart & bacall, taylor & burton, tracy & hepburn, etc. with catchy sorority poem attached.
- Mystery Bus Trip ~ if you want a non-costume function, everyone can just dress up and hop aboard the luxury bus for a ride to a mystery party destination. if you want to do this party with a theme - it could be the 60’s “magical mystery tour” with psychedelic hippie decor and guests in 60’s fashions. gift: theme your gift to the location (boat, beach, luxe hotel…) or theme it for the 60’s bash. focus on the mystery of life & the mysteries which lie ahead for the seniors.
HAPPY PLANNING!!
edited question from a follower who wishes to remain anon ~
Q: i need your advice!! :D after being in my sorority for one semester, i ended up transferring because of various important family reasons. when i transferred colleges, many sisters including my big, didn’t really like it. they cut off ties without even asking me why i had to make a change. at my new school, i see they have a chapter of my sorority, and i’d love to be active again. do you think it’s wrong of me to want to transfer chapters?
A: how could it be wrong to be active again?!! assuming you haven’t broken any sorority membership rules, and you are still able to transfer chapters ~ i say go for it! it would be the best thing possible for getting over the sting of loss from your original chapter. and please know that the new girls may be quite different from your other sisters - in a good way. i think rekindling your sorority fire would help you adjust, help you make new friends, reinforce your decision to transfer… ALL GOOD. i would only say “no” if the new chapter is completely filled with undesirable members, but i can’t imagine that’s the case.
*a word about changes… your sisters did not act with good manners when you had to transfer. I’m sure that hurt your feelings. some people are not comfortable with goodbyes, or they may have felt betrayed in a weird way. instead of sucking it up and being nice to you, they chose to just ignore the situation. sadly, this happens, and you will find that every time you leave a job for a new one, or move to a new city ~ the old friends tend to fade away. this shouldn’t be the case with sisters, but it does sometimes.
sooooo…. NEW SISTERS are just what you need! please look into it, and let me know how & when you can get re-greeked!! xoxo ;)
today a follower wrote in about a problem with her big not being involved with her. an all to common issue in sorority life. she wishes to remain anonymous, so i am not going to post her particular situation - but in general she is hurt and frustrated about having a big who ignores her. i am posting my edited answer, in case someone else in the same situation can use a few tips……
***********************
A: i am sorry to hear about this happening to you. we are talking about smothering bigs on the blog today, and you have the opposite problem. believe me, your situation is much more common! i don’t know why girls volunteer to be bigs and then bail out? no one holds a gun to their head and makes them do it. i’m afraid some bigs care more about “image” than their big/little relationship. here are some of my thoughts ~
- don’t take it personally. i know it’s hard, but each girl comes into the sorority with their own baggage and shortcomings. some girls are just not nice, have a rocky family life, are self-centered, etc… you just drew the short straw. (i’ve been there too btw)
- know that you are not the only one in this situation. i hear about this dilema all the time. bigs can be selfish and even emotionally cruel to their littles. very tough when there are such high expectations. LOWER those expectations ASAP. a tiger is a tiger and you can’t expect it to act like a kitty cat. your big is what she is, period.
- just like you wouldn’t keep banging your head on a wall when it comes to a non-responsive “potential-or-ex” boyfriend, don’t keep texting, tagging or calling this sister. just be cool, let it go and move on to greener pastures. you tried to make it work and now you are politely done with that! no drama - just stop.
- the good news? there are 30 or 50 or 100 OTHER sisters in your chapter!!! that’s why we belong to a group and not a two person club. look at the amazing women around you and how much they can offer in terms of friendship, loyalty and love. no one is limited by the “official” relationships in sororities!!! reach out to your pledge sisters, older girls, younger girls and actively work towards getting your OWN little, so you can do it right. we all have 2 chances with our “family” - the big we receive and the big we are. when the time comes, be the best big on the planet.
- for now, open your eyes to all the other blessings surrounding you, and let this one negative person quietly and gently leave your life. run for office, tackle a philanthropy project, lead an activity - all ways to connect with other sisters. i know that you will bond closely with other members in your chapter and they will fill your life with joy! <3 xoxo
![sorority life:
To the average freshman, a sorority girl has many stereotypes. I knew nothing about Greek life besides what I’d seen in teen comedies. As a business of music major, I’d never really felt more accepted than in a giant crowd of people singing along to a band I thought nobody besides me really listened to & loved.
However, I’ve found that same form of acceptance in the Pi Phi house. The sisters don’t try to make me fit a certain mold, and I think that’s what makes Pi Phi so unique - it’s a beautiful blend of lovely young women who are free to be themselves instead of forced into a set of ideals. This photo really captures my essence: concert festivals [Bamboozle 2012, my fifth one!], Syracuse gear, and aiming my Pi Phi arrow high. PPLAM <3
submitted by www.who-gives-a-flux.tumblr.com](http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4oyaa9m351qkik3go1_1280.png)
