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February 02, 2012
New Bids= New Found Excitement
Rush is over and bids have been handed out. Now comes the fun part. The months of February and March mark a critical period during which the new members are integrated into their respective sororities and fraternities. It is also a time for older members to reflect upon the reasons why they fell in love with their organizations in the first place. Maura Webber, a sophomore in Alpha Chi Omega, recalls feeling sentimental during rush: “During skit round I realized why I love AXO so much, and I couldn’t wait to share that with the new members.” In this sense, rush services both recruitment and retention. A fresh batch of new members creates a buzz and excitement that is undeniable. Obviously everyone is trying to meet each other, which increases member participation. For the new members, parties, events and chapter meetings are new and exciting. This excitement often spreads among the entire chapter as older members begin to show the new ones the ropes. It seems as though chapter members converge on a common goal: teaching and learning. Sharing experiences, rituals and traditions and seeing the positive responses of the new members creates a newfound appreciation for the organization and rekindles the passion that some of the older members may have lost. Chapter meetings become infinitely more entertaining during this time. New faces, new ideas and a new executive board provide a refreshing change to these sometimes monotonous gatherings. There is a widespread buzz, with older members whispering, “Is that the girl who started her own non-profit?” or “Is that the girl from Dubai?” We are excited to learn more about them, as they will soon be learning more about us. Chapter meetings become the time when members converge and information is shared about where everyone is from, what activities they are involved in, and what made them stand out among other rushes. New members and older members unite on the basis of one decision: we chose them and they chose us. In addition, conversations about clothes and prospective lineages spark a wave of excitement. Girls in my sorority have already started talking about which freshman they have connected with and who they would like to have as their littles. As a result of the lineage discussions, sisters have started designing and ordering new gear for their soon-to-be littles. The creative energy is tangible and the excitement surrounding possible lineage dynamics refuels the chapter. The best part about having new members is the creation of friendships. The new members make a conscious effort to visit the chapter house as frequently as possible, and events such as the Guess Who dinner allow for interaction outside of chapter meetings and parties. The Guess Who dinner is an AXO tradition that pairs new members with older members sending them to meet up at different Philadelphia restaurants. The groups are randomly assigned, but they usually consist of members of all different ages and interests. No one knows who will be at each restaurant until they arrive. This way the attendees of each dinner party are kept secret. Many girls emerge from this dinner with new friendships that sometimes blossom into lineages. The ways that fraternities and sororities introduce the new members to the rest of the chapter are varied and unique. However, one thing remains the same: at the end of the semester the chapter is once again a united network of companionship! Alexandra is a sophomore studying communications. You may contact her at ahouli@sas.upenn.edu.
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