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Patricia Steffens
Alpha Delta Pi

Philanthropies, rituals, date dashes, exchanges, Greek Week and chapter meetings are what the outside world sees when they look at our organizations. They think of the social life and how we went Greek only to party. They are all wrong, for in fact, we all have a center focus on our foundation with our sisters and brothers.

The relationships we make inside of our chapters makes our individual chapters strong as well. Typically, we tend to join for certain people. We feel at home within our chapters, and we have made friends that will last a life time.

Gossip, drama and even just stress within the chapter can cause these relationships to fall apart or even to be strained. Cliques can form and misunderstandings can cause sides to happen because relationships are not as strong as they were previously thought. Taking time to build these relationships and finding fun activities can bring people together. However, if members are forced, they will not want to join in on the fun. Chapter events are a great idea in order to have a group activity where everyone can join along and enjoy themselves. They allow members to get out of their niches and into something more exciting.

Several sisterhood ideas include:

Movie night: My chapter did this as an informal event. We got together in our living room and watched a movie that was liked by all. It was such a great event; we want to do it every month. We were all together in our living room, watching a really great movie. It was quite a success.

Beauty time: Everyone gets together and brings their beauty supplies down to a common area. Home manicures, pedicures, facial masks, and healthy snacks incorporate health and beauty with sisters. It is relaxing and enjoyable and it is great for nights before big events.

Dinner: Reserve tables at a favorite restaurant and enjoy each other’s company. It gives everyone an opportunity to catch up and even have stimulating discussion.

Game night: Popcorn, pajamas and games. Have individual groups or even as a huge group together.

Speed Dating: This is great for getting to know sisters better that you have not spoken to. It makes hellos on campus friendlier and opens the door to become closer than just people in the same house.

These are typical ideas for sisterhood ideas, but turn out really great! Always choose activities that everyone would enjoy or can participate in! Creating strong relationships within chapters builds a happier, stronger and more efficient chapter. It keeps the gossip and the drama at bay, and instead allows members to talk to each other about their problems with each other.

Not only do they build and improve the relationships in your chapters, but they also help improve the well-being of the members in your chapters, too. Having close friendships helps retention rates in new members and in old members as well. It creates trust and honesty in the chapter and also allows members to be themselves. Bonds between sisters and brothers are not just for the four years we are here in college, but for a lifetime.