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I wish I could have attended Sorority 101 before I went through recruitment. I was the first person in my family and group of high school friends to go to join a sorority. Even though I had other friends who were Greek, there were many questions I didn’t even know I should ask. 

Whether you are the first in your family to be Greek, the first at a particular university, or following in the footsteps of several Greek women in your family/friends, you can learn a lot at Sorority 101. Here are five main reasons to attend Sorority 101.

• Learn about the current recruitment process from sorority alumnae.

Sorority recruitment has changed a lot over the years, so it may be different than when your mom or even older sister or cousin joined their sorority. Alumnae who are still involved with Greek life prepares the content for Sorority 101. We will review the recruitment process from the first day to bid day. Information presented is general; however, differences among universities will be shared as well. You will also have the opportunity to ask questions during the session or submit questions anonymously prior to the talk.  

• Talk to collegiate members from YOUR university

Recruitment varies from university to university. There will be collegiate Panhellenic women from several universities in attendance (stayed tuned to our social media for updates on which schools!). This will give you the opportunity to ask questions and meet some of the women who will be managing recruitment at your university. It will be nice to see a familiar face when it’s time for Recruitment! 

• Practice conversation

Recruitment is all about talking to and sharing information about yourself with new people. Take advantage of the opportunity at Sorority 101 to introduce yourself to the collegiate Panhellenic women as well as the other attendees to practice your conversation skills. 

• Get outfit inspiration

What should you wear each day?! Some local stores will bring samples of outfits and accessories that would be excellent for wearing for Recruitment. They can help you to find ideas for outfits that would be appropriate for each round of Recruitment while staying true to your own style. Some vendors may bring coupons as well. 

• Make friends and meet potential sisters

The other attendees are in the same position as you – heading to college in the fall and interested in joining a sorority. You immediately have two things in common. Meet new people. Make new friends. Find other women who are going to the same university, and start making friends with women who could possibly become sorority sisters in the future! 

Join us at Sorority 101 on March 1st from 3:00pm-5:00pm at Samford University!

Follow us on social media, Instagram @bhamsorority101, Facebook Birmingham Panhellenic

Register for Sorority 101 at https://birminghampanhellenic.com/sorority-101-event/

By Melinda Henry Oates

Service is very important to members of Birmingham Alumnae Panhellenic. As sorority women, we are used to participating in philanthropic service. During our collegiate days each of us were encouraged and expected to give back to the progress of mankind.

Each year as an organization we participate in the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.  We encourage each of our alumnae chapters and associations to participate by donating a tax-deductible donation to the Birmingham Alumnae Panhellenic. We then go out and purchase items for little girls, as our hope is that one day the gifts that she received will make a difference in her life and she will grow up and become a Greek woman who has a heart for philanthropy herself.

When you give back, you are helping people with their future development, and you yourself will grow as a person when you are emotionally aware of all walks of life. You then see the importance of all philanthropic endeavors. It has also been proven that people who volunteer are healthier physically and mentally. There is no greater feeling of purpose then giving back and volunteering your time to contribute to make a better community and overall a better world in which to live in.

If we did not have volunteers, think of the things that would not ever get done in the middle of some of our worst disasters in this world. As we reflect and remember the height of volunteerism that we saw and experienced 18 years ago on September 11, 2001 when, for days and months after that day, you saw the impact that giving back can have.  After a year or so, when things settled back to some sense of normalcy, we saw the surge of volunteerism begin to fade. We do not need to wait until there are tragedies in our own lives or in our community or even country to volunteer – it should be something that should be part of our moral compass and not be forced upon us by the circumstances around us.

If you are looking for ways to volunteer, one suggestion is to support what you are passionate about. Everyone has things that they are passionate about, and if you are passionate then you will enjoy your experience and you will stick with your volunteerism more than if you just volunteer to be doing it just to be doing it. Make sure that it fits your interests and abilities. There is no set amount of time each month that you are required to volunteer – just making that first contact and then making a hour a month is a great start. You will start making a difference in the lives of others and you will be happier and healthier for it.

Happy International Women’s Day! Joining a sorority is an excellent way to meet and learn from many interesting and inspiring women. As a collegiate member, sorority women work together to host fundraising events benefiting their philanthropy, excel in academics, and support their universities. As a sorority woman, you learn skills that can be used throughout your life and career such as leadership and teamwork. After college, many alumna volunteer with local chapters or their national or international organization. Sorority women have gone on to become Congresswomen, astronauts, business owners/leaders, scientists, educators, etc.

Each year, the Birmingham Alumnae Panhellenic Association awards scholarships to women who are currently collegiate members of a Panhellenic sorority and in good standing with her chapter. This year, we were able to provide two scholarships. Meet the winners and read about what Greek life means to them.

Nicole Sullivan
Alpha Omicron Pi – Tau Delta / To Dragma Reporter
Birmingham-Southern College

Three years ago when I ran home on bid day, I had no idea how big of an impact both my sorority and the overall Panhellenic community would have on me. I was timid, shy, and didn’t have much confidence in myself nor in what I could accomplish. This has all changed for the better with the constant support and encouragement from my sisters. Being a sorority woman means that I have a constant support system that sticks with me through both the ups and the downs. I also get to support some of the most amazing women I know. Although I initially did not plan to go through recruitment freshman year, I can not imagine what my life would be like had I not joined the Panhellenic community.

Divya Desai
VP of Campus Activities | Panhellenic Executive Council
Birmingham Southern College

Being a sorority woman helps me live out my core values each and every day. I strive to work to be the best person I can be, and also have my sisters’ support in everything I want to accomplish. Being in a Greek organization gives you a support system that you can rely on and have when you’re needing someone to talk to. My letters do not define who I am, but they make me a better person. I strive to represent Greek Life in the most positive light so people can understand the good the Greeks do instead of always focusing on the negatives shown in the media.