Monday, December 03, 2012
Not what you think: Sororities
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When I say the word “sorority” what comes to mind? Most people would say something along the lines of crazy white girls drinking and partying with frats, hazing rituals or initiation ceremonies that end up with sacrificing a goat. Now how many of you know that we have sororities on our campus? Well, we do and I am a part of one called Alpha Gamma Delta - and joining it was one of the best decisions I have made in my life. I am sorry to tell you that a sorority is not like how it is depicted in TV shows and movies. I do not go to parties with the fraternities, we have strict no hazing policies and goat sacrificing does not take place. I am not here to try to persuade you to join a sorority because the truth is, a sorority is not for everyone and it is up to you to decide if it is right for you. I am here to tell you what a sorority truly is and more specifically about my experience and how it has changed my life.
The word sorority comes from the latin word ‘soror’ meaning sister. A sorority is an organization of women students at a college or university, usually designated by Greek letters. A chapter is a campus group of a national organization. My sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta, AGD for short, was founded in 1904. Each campus sorority is called a chapter, and my chapter is designated Delta Nu. The Delta Nu chapter was installed at the University of Calgary in 1983. Sororities on campus are guided by a governing body called the National Panhellenic Conference who overseas over 26 sororities nationally. The National Panhellenic Conference exists to promote values and ethics in women's fraternities and encourages all members to be active and responsible leaders in their respective communities.
I first found out about sororities from my biological sister. She was a part of AGD when she went to UofC and not only was she in a sorority but she was also on the Students Union for three years. She attributed AGD as an important group for her to learn leadership and social skills. I was interested to see what it was all about so I decided to go through recruitment. In high school I was heavily involved in all the school clubs and there would be a time where I only had one day a week at lunch where I was not at a meeting. I love to volunteer and be involved in school. The switch over from high school to university was tons of fun but also a big change. The first semester of university was a huge learning experience for me, I stopped having contact with my high school friends and I was always invested in my studies or sleeping. Going to university became a routine of going to class in the morning and staying after school till late at night and going home. I wanted more out of my university experience and I wanted to be more involved. After I met the ladies at recruitment and found out about the range of things that a sorority did, I knew that it was right for me. In December 2011 I initiated and officially became a part of chapter.
Having AGD in my life helps me to stay balanced in my school life. The main themes of AGD are scholarship, philanthropy, leadership and sisterhood. We are here for school first which is why scholarship is so important, we have a minimum GPA which all members must attain so that we can make sure that school is their number one priority. We also hold tons of philanthropy events; AGD’s main organization we donate to is the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and the Alberta Children’s Hospital. We have events such as teeter-totter for tots where we teeter totter for 24 hours to raise money for those philanthropic organizations. We also participate in other events like the campus food drive and Skate a Kid to Camp. By holding different offices in the sorority you build up your leadership skills. I am currently the website coordinator and the public relations coordinators for AGD and I have learned how important it is to maintain a good public image. Not only am I communicating to my chapter but I am communicating internationally. Since AGD is international there is a lot of paperwork that gets done and all of the meetings are held like professional business meetings which gets you prepared for the workplace environment after university.
There are many notable leaders that were formally in sororities. Carrie Chapman Catt was a women’s suffrage leader who helped campaign the passage of the 19th Amendment which gave women the right to vote. She founded the League of Women Voters and the International Alliance of women and served as president for the National American Woman Suffrage Association. She graduated from Iowa State College and was a member of Pi Beta Phi. Ann Moore was the Chairman and CEO of Time Inc. She was the company's first female CEO and was a member of Pi Beta Phi. These are only a few women who have made a difference and are part of a sorority.
Often times many people think sororities just party and drink all the time. But in fact my sorority is a dry sorority which means we do not associate drinking with the sorority. We are never to wear our badge or letter attire doing activities that may be deemed irresponsible. This is because the media has associated sororities with drinking and partying and that is not what a sorority is about. My sorority also has a strict no hazing policy. If a new member is seen with a chapter member drinking alcohol then that is considered hazing. None of the events are mandatory and it is up to the new member if they decide a sorority is right for them. Most people also depict members of sororities as white, blond and extremely rich girls. Well, I just so happen to be Asian and I am a poor university student. The sororities on campus do not discriminate based on race or religion. We are open to anyone who wants to join. This weekend my sorority initiated 11 new girls into chapter and they are all a wonderful addition to the group. The vision of Alpha Gamma Delta is “To live with purpose”. All of the ladies in my sorority have the same ideals and I want to share with you the purpose of Alpha Gamma Delta.
To gain understanding that wisdom may be vouchsafed to me.
To develop and prize health and vigor of body.
To cultivate acquaintance with many whom I meet.
To cherish friendships with but a chosen few and to study the perfecting of those friendships.
To welcome the opportunity of contributing to the world's work in the community where I am placed because of the joy of service thereby bestowed and the talent of leadership multiplied.
To honor my home, my country, my religious faith.
To hold truth inviolable, sincerity essential, kindness invaluable.
To covet beauty in environment, manner, word and thought.
To possess high ideals and to attain somewhat unto them.
This shall be my purpose that those who know me may esteem Alpha Gamma Delta for her attainments, revere her for her purposes and love her for her Womanhood.
The purpose is very special to me and it binds my sisters and I together. The best part of being in a sorority is the sisterly bond. These girls are not my friends they are my sisters and even though I may not be close to all of them I know I can always depend on them to be there for me. At the Epsilon Nu chapter at Central Oklahoma University a new member was diagnosed with metastatic melanoma which is a form of skin cancer. Even though her sisters only knew her for a few weeks the chapter made efforts to help by collecting donations and fundraising events and they have raised thousands to help her family pay the medical bills. The sisterhood bond in undeniable and unites us all together.
A sorority is like all the clubs combined into one. We focus on scholarship, philanthropy, leadership and of course sisterhood. Being in a sorority is a great experience and has made me well-rounded and balanced in student life. So next time you hear the word “sorority” I hope now you understand what it truly means. Thank you.
Useful Resources:
National Panhellenic Conference
Alpha Gamma Delta
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