Thirteen Nights of Halloween Sisterhoods

With Halloween approaching, what better time to plan a few fun and spooky sisterhood!

Just because we’re in college doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy Halloween anymore! There are plenty of ideas you can do with your sisters to bring back the Halloween spirit AND your sisterhood:

1. Scary movie night! Sorority scary movies better yet! Check out AMC’s Sorority House Horror Movies list for ideas!

2.  Trick or Treat at chapter! Draw names out of a hat and make a surprise candy bag for them. Exchange them at your chapter meeting. You can even make it more fun by dressing up!

3.  Carve pumpkins! Get a bunch of your sisters and pick out the biggest pumpkin and start a contest to see who designs the best one!

4. Get together and make Halloween costumes! You can all try to have a central theme too; such as all going as smurfs, pink ladies, or cowgirls!

5. Go to a haunted house with your sisters! It’ll be fun and scary!

6. Volunteer! Many local schools do haunted Halloween themed events, rank up your volunteer hours in a fun way! My high school did an annual “haunted halls” where they would turn the school into a haunted maze. It was always fun to volunteer at! Look into what local schools or organizations are offering near you!

7.  Bake! There are tons of adorable and fun Halloween recipes online and in magazine. Try it out!

8. Go on a Haunted Hayride with your sisters!

9. Make your own haunted house! Decorate your sorority house to be extra scary, and have some sisters dressed up. You can even charge people to enter your haunted sorority house for some extra cash for your chapter! Not only will it be a great opportunity for other people to see how fun you are, it will also bring you closer together too!

10. Throw a Halloween party! Add in extras such as bobbing for apples and a Halloween Costume Contest!

11. Make caramel apples! These are a fall favorite for everyone! They’re easy and fun to make. You can even incorporate this into another sisterhood such as watching scary movies!

12. Make Halloween themed letter shirts! Making letter shirts is easy, just buy a plan shirt and come fabric and iron on webbing. On the Halloween fabric of your choice trace your letters onto it, cut, and then simply iron! No sewing required! Afterwards puffy paint the edges to outline the letters so they won’t stray away.

13. Decorate! You can find easy and fun crafts online and in magazines. You can make any room look spooky and festive with all the crafts your sisters can make!

 

Do you have ideas or stories of Halloween sisterhoods your chapter has done before?

 

 

Sharon Tendler is a junior at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She is majoring in business marketing and minoring in graphic design. Sharon is a proud sister of Sigma Sigma Sigma. She enjoys hanging out with friends and family, scrapbooking, texting, and watching movies!

Diary of a CL Sorority Girl- The Big & Little Relationship

A sister is a forever friend.  This statement is definitely true for the bond between a “Big” and “Little.” A Big is a sister assigned to a new member within the first few weeks of their pledge period.  That new member then becomes that sister’s Little.

The Big-Little relationship creates a family lineage.  So the Big of the Big of the new member becomes the new member’s Grand-Big.  A Big can also take on two Littles, in which the Littles become each other’s twins.  Family trees can expand and continue for many generations.

The purpose of the Big during the new member period is to act as a mentor for their Little.  It is their duty to introduce their Littles to the sorority and help them adjust to Greek life. Bigs answer any questions their Littles might have regarding the chapter, the sorority, college or with life in general.

A Big is often the one who gives her Little her first set of letters along with many gifts and words of encouragement throughout the new member period.  A Little often gives her Big a decorated paddle at the end of the semester.  Although the Big may want to spoil her Little throughout the new member period, the role of the Big is not as a gift giver, but as someone to lean on.

A great way to get closer to your Big or Little is through family meals.  Get together with your Little, Big, Grand Big, etc. and get to know more about each other.  Discuss your ambitions within the sorority, college and after graduation.  Seek advice from your family if you plan on running for a position.  Your sorority family wants to help in any way they can and watch you succeed.

The bond between a Big and her Little is unique. The Big often becomes the Little’s first friend in the sorority, and her closest.  There is a large amount of mutual trust and respect in the relationship.  They rely on each other for advice and support.  As a Big, one tries to be a classy role model to her Little, in and out of the sorority.  The Little will turn to the Big for advice and encouragement.  Although the sorority as a whole works as a support system, it is your Big and Little who shine through the most.  The relationship consists of guidance, advice, laughter and support.

For me, and for many others, my Big is my closest friend in my sorority.  She has given me endless amount of support and has consistently been someone I can rely on.  I never knew what it meant to have a sister until I met her.  She will reach out to me when she knows that I am stressed or something is wrong, and I try to do the same.  My Big has helped smooth out my transition into Greek Life in a fun and meaningful way.  She is one person that I know that I can always count on and that I can trust.  I am proud to be her Little and I hope eventually my Little will feel the same way about me.

What does your Big/Little relationship mean to you?

What some other sorority ladies have to say about their Bigs and Littles:

“Big/lil is really being there for someone – on both ends – a big needs the encouragement for a job interview and a lil needs encouragement with the first big paper of her college career!” Shelly Marie Redmond, Alpha Sigma Tau, CL Editor & Chief & CEO

“I think the big/little relationship is the most important relationship a sister can have in a sorority. A big sister will always be there for you in good times and in bad. She is a shoulder to cry on or a person to laugh with. She is someone who you can always count on to be there throughout your life. Being a big sister is one of the best feelings about being in a sorority. I loved guiding my littles through the new member conference and spoiling them. When they became active members I loved seeing them succeed in the chapter. They are my closest friends in my sorority along with my big and the ones who I hope to keep as friends for the rest of my life,” Courtney Finnegan, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Zeta Chi Chapter, Marist College.

“My big was the reason I fell in love with Alpha Chi. She showed me what it meant to truly care about another person, to truly become invested in someone’s life and to look out for friends like family. She was a never-ending source of support, love and encouragement and was always there when I needed someone to talk to. She convinced me that being in a sorority was all about finding out more about yourself- not about trying to fit in.” Meaghan O’Connor, Alpha Chi Omega, University of Michigan.

“Being big & little means, to me, having someone I can look up to and aspire to be like. My big is a person I can vent to when something is bothering me – especially a problem involving my closest friends or a relationship. She can vent to me all she wants to, as well. It is a lifelong relationship and always wonderful to have one-on-one big/little time together. Even when your big has graduated, she is only a phone call or text away and will always be there to encourage and support.” Lauren Townsend, Phi Mu, Beta Nu Chapter, Bethany College.

“Big/little to me means making a friendship that, if properly cared for, can last a lifetime. I am obsessed with my little and love getting to know her. I feel like she looks to me as a mentor, and I love when she comes to me for advice. But having a big/little relationship also means having fun getting to know each other and someone that always has your back.” Megan Stein, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Gamma Theta Chapter, Drake University

“I feel like when you’re a big you’re supposed to pay attention, care for, and give respect to your little. It really shouldn’t matter what you get her or how much money you spent on her, but what kind of relationship you have.” Alex Kundrat, Pi Phi Ny Eta NYU.

“My Big relationship is the big sister I never had.  Whether I’m freaking out over a test and need to be calmed down, upset over something and need to vent to someone, need to borrow clothes, or just want a friend to go to lunch with- my big is there.” Kelly Wall, Kappa Kappa Gamma, Zeta Chi Chapter, Marist College.

Nicole is a CL intern who goes to Marist College.  She is a Communications major with a concentration in Journalism and PR.  Nicole is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Marist Ambassadors, and Communication Arts Society.  She enjoys running and hanging out with her sorority sisters and friends.

Ask the Intern: Sorority Relationships with Former Members

Last week, our sorority writers were posed with the following question from one of our readers.  Our sorority writers gave each their point of view on the situation, and we are encouraging our readers to do the same.

I am in a sorority and our chapter is experiencing a problem. We had a girl quit last year but she is still hanging around everyone and reaping all the benefits of being a sorority member without being a member. She even lives with someone who is still a part of the sorority. Recently she has been creating problems within the sorority by talking about members and it’s creating problems. How can we get this girl to back off without being rude or how can we get our members to see that they need to be careful who they hang out with?

That’s an extremely tough position to be in. As a member of your sorority, you want to embrace other women in your community with a sense of love and care, but you also need to look out for your sisters and the health of your organization as a whole. In this situation, the best solution may be to confront her in a casual, private setting. Try asking her out for coffee to explain the situation and how she is affecting the other members of the sorority. Calmly explain that because she withdrew her membership, she opted out of several activities that are reserved for active members. While you don’t want to shut her out of your life completely, it is okay to let her know that things have to change for the benefit of everyone involved.

In my opinion, it would be best to just be honest with this girl. She needs to know that by dropping out of the sorority it means no longer being there constantly. Although it would be fine to still talk to her occasionally, or even get dinner she is no longer a member of your organization and the longer you let her think we can do what she is doing the worse the problem is going to get. If she is creating drama that is even worse and needs to be dealt with immediately. The best way to begin to deal with this would be addressing it in chapter when most of the girls will be there and the most people will hear your complaints about it.

That’s a very rough situation.  You can’t be controlling though and tell people who and who not to hang out with.  At your next meeting create a time to talk about this situation, it is important to address the chapter as a whole so you’re not singling one person out.  Tell them that though they should act sisterly and kind to a former member, they should remember to keep sorority business to themselves and put their active sisters before them.  Make sure they know that it is a sister’s responsibility to squash any rumors about another.  Good luck with this!

We had a similar problem with our chapter. Usually in the spring we have cook outs with different fraternities or plan day trips to the pittsburgh zoo and she would still want to come along so we had the girl she was closest with and tell her that she can still hang out with us but meet us after an event.  As far as the gossiping, my best advice would be to talk to her one on one and tell her that she was once in the sorority and knows how much gossiping can hurt the chapter and that if she still wants to maintain good ties with the chapter and hangout with us the gossiping should cease.

Last year we had a girl quit our sorority, and she also lived with one of the active members. She still attended all of our events and was over at the house frequently. She did this for about three months, however after the semester ended she backed off. If this girl continues to intrude on your sorority I would explain to her that even though she quit, she is a sister for life. And as a part of that role, that means you have to respect all of your sisters and respect your ritual- meaning it is perfectly fine to continue friendships within the sorority, however she is creating issues that is none of her business which is not acceptable, and definitely not living out her ritual. My suggestion is to remind her of the ritual that she used to hold so close to her heart, and hopefully you will see a turn around.

What is your answer?

Squash those Sorority Stereotypes!

Ask not what your sorority can do for you, but ask what you can do for your sorority.  An adapted version of John F. Kennedy’s famous saying.  Your sorority is a united group of women with a common mission and similar values in life.  They are strong, independent individuals that work together towards a shared goal.

People who are not members of Greek system tend to not see the beauty of sorority life.  To the non- Greek public, sorority girls are considered cruel and vindictive, while the fraternity men are dumb and incompetent.  But we sorority ladies know the truth, and we try to convey our classiness through philanthropy and kindness.  We expect this stigma from the public, and we hope to squash it.  Yet what happens when inside the system, we have our own stereotypes?

The blonde sorority, the partying sorority, the geeky sorority, the snobby sorority and the socially awkward ones.  Many of us have heard these labels, among many others, discussed throughout campus.  Each label has a negative connotation to it; it becomes something the girls are not proud of.  So you ask, what can I do for my sorority to rid us of these negative ideas?

Allow diversity into your chapter.  During recruitment, keep in mind ladies with original ideas and unique qualities.  Accept a co-ed based on her personality and interests, not just her looks. Your events and meetings become more fun when you allow room for creative ideas and different traits!

Be the change. Change can be good within a sorority.  Hold onto your goals and values, but also make adjustments to be the best you can be.  When a girl enters college, she hopes to develop and grow as an intellectual and a human being.  Allow your sorority to do the same.  Perhaps recruit in different ways, or allow more opportunities for discussion within your chapter.  A good, informal, way to discuss change is through sisterhood events.

Stop the stereotypes from within.  Sometimes, we subconsciously thrive off the stereotypes.  We take it as a way that we are supposed to act; the way the public expects us to act.  Remember that no matter where you are and what you are doing; you are always wearing your letters.  People recognize you outside the sorority.  Act in a way that makes your sisters proud.  In my sorority, we tell people to keep it “Kappa Klassy.”

Make it a positive twist.  Hear someone saying that you and your sisters are the geeky sorority?  Stand up to them and put a positive connotation to it.  Say, “Yes, we like to study and do well in school, but we do many things outside of the classroom.  And I don’t see anything bad about being intelligent.”  Are you the partying sorority?  Try, “My sisters and I like to have fun, but we like to keep it classy.  We also boast a high cumulative GPA as an organization.”

Show the community what you are all about.  Be more active on campus to show students and faculty what your values really are and what your organization wishes to accomplish.  Do events and philanthropies that interest your chapter as a whole.  Encourage your peers to look past the label and see the sophisticated, fabulous, well-rounded group of women that you are.

Don’t listen to the labels the sororities on your campus have.  Know what values you and your sorority represent and do your best as a whole to represent them.  Be proud and confident of who you and your sorority are and show off your uniqueness in a savvy and genuine manner.  Encourage development within your sorority and be passionate about your mission and values.  What are some amazing things you have done for your sorority?

Nicole is a CL intern who goes to Marist College.  She is a Communications major with a concentration in Journalism and PR.  Nicole is a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma, Marist Ambassadors, and Communication Arts Society.  She enjoys running and hanging out with her sorority sisters and friends.

CL’s Guide to Keeping Cliques out of Your House

In a sorority, you’re bound to get along with some girls better than others. That still doesn’t mean you’re not all sisters! Cliques have been forming between girls since we were on the playground.  But, don’t let them spring up in your sorority.  There are some sure-fire ways to bring everyone together.

Go To a Sporting Event Together. Not every girl is a die-hard fan of your school’s team, but there are bound to be a few. Some may be a part of the new member class and are excited by the novelty of college sports. Others may be seasoned veterans who have attended games for the last three years.  Either way, everyone gets to know each other better, while cheering on their team!

Have a Spa Day. Who doesn’t love fabulous music, nail polish, and their sisters? Luckily, a spa day brings all of those things together. During my new member period with Alpha Gamma Delta, we held a spa day. We got to know so many girls, both those in our pledge class and already initiated sisters, while having  an amazing time. It was the perfect way to de-stress after a long week.

Spend Time In The House. By simply being around the house, you’ll learn so much more about sisters living-in. Maybe a sister you’re already close with is living with one you haven’t spent a ton of time with. Hang out in their room on the weekends! Watch TV in the basement, or just sit in the dinning room. Whatever you decide to do, there’s certainly going to be a vibrant sister to get more familiar with.

Get Ready With Different Sisters. Before a classy mixer with a fraternity or a sophisticated girls-night-out, getting ready with sisters is always fun! Maybe you always get dressed with the same girls, but try switching it up. You might have to walk a little farther to a different dorm or apartment, but you’ll have a blast swapping clothing and shoes with a new set of sisters.My sisters and I getting ready for a birthday party

Ariana Romero is sophomore at Syracuse University majoring in magazine journalism. She loves going to games with her sisters and getting ready with them!

CL’s guide to classy, sober events

Sorority life has a negative stereotype of having parties that are full of three things that are no-no’s during rush week: boys, booze and bars. Kappa Kappa Gamma at Drake University has been changing Greek life, one event at a time. I know, I know. Sounds pretty lame, right? But trying out some alcohol-free events will not only make your sorority look great to the University, but it will also enhance relationships with other fraternities and sororities in a positive way. Follow CL’s guide to classy, sober events and you will be having fun in no time.

1.)  Comedy clubs: There is nothing people like to do more together than laugh. Check out the local comedy scene and you will be sure to find a good tour coming your way. Many major cities have Funny Bone Comedy Clubs, which are great for accommodating large numbers and also serves a full menu, which will keep your guests full and happy.

2.)  Local sports game: Every state may not have a major league baseball team, but many have minor leagues that

are not only cheap to watch, but also a lot of fun to cheer for. This is perfect for the fall or spring when the weather is nice enough to be outside. These are also great exchanges to schedule with fraternities because it combines two of their favorite things: sports and hanging out with sorority girls.

3.)  Haunted houses: Considering Halloween is just over the horizon, haunted houses are a great way to hang outwith friends and maybe even clutch onto that cute frat boy you’ve had your eye on this fall. Haunted houses can get pricy individually, but many will give discounts to large groups. Want to take the event up a notch? Plan it around Halloween and make everyone dress in costume. The excitement of the holiday mixed with the frightening sights of witches, chainsaws and mad doctors will ensure this event is an instant hit.

These may not seem exciting at first, but try a few out and see how much fun sober events can be. The social calendar will not only be significantly cheaper, but it will also allow everyone to have fun getting to know each other in the best way possible.

CL’s Guide To Strong Sisterhood After Summer Vacation

You’ve said goodbye to your Home Friends and long days at the beach. But now that you’re back at college, you can say hello to your all sisters again! After being separated by time and miles, it’s important to start the semester of right, by strengthening that sisterly bond we know and love.

Spend a Night In. When getting back to school you may want to go out on the town immediately. But a party won’t be the classiest setting to ask your sister about her summer internship or her vacation to the Bahamas. Instead plan a night in at either a sister’s dorm room or your sorority house! Pick out a movie, get your cutest pajamas and pop some popcorn. It’ll be just like your favorite sleepovers as a kid but with sisterly memories that will last a lifetime.

Eat Dinner Together At The House. Dorm food can get old really fast, especially after three months of your mother’s home cooking. Instead of eating another salad from your dinning hall, have a fabulous home cooked meal with your sisters! If you’re not living in the house, ask if a Welcome Back dinner is possible for sisters living elsewhere. Nothing brings people together more than sitting around a dinner table.

Go to A Popular School Eatery. Every school has somewhere you just can’t replicate back at home. All summer you’ve been waiting to take a bite of that one thing from there. For me it’s the Parmesan fries at Syracuse favorite, Sliders. If you missed a certain restaurant at school, I’m sure your sisters did too! Grab a bite together when you get back.

Have a Family Coffee Date. Maybe your Big lives on the other side of the country or your Little lives a state away. No matter how much you’ve talked over the summer nothing can be as genuine as seeing each other face-to-face. Plan a Family coffee date so everyone can catch up in an intimate setting between classes and get an energy boost!

Get To Know A Sister Better. You know every detail of some sister’s summers but haven’t spoken to others in months. Don’t let it stay that way! Before a Chapter meeting or when you first visit the house, strike up a conversation with a sister you’re not especially close with. Ask her about her summer or what classes she’s taking this semester.

Savvy co-eds know that it only takes sincere interest and effort to have great sisters—no matter long you’ve been apart!

Ariana Romero is sophomore at Syracuse University majoring in magazine journalism. She is so excited to be back with the sisters of Alpha Gamma Delta after a summer apart!

Fun and Classy Sisterhood Events for Every Sorority to Try!

What does sisterhood mean to you?  What can you do to keep the sisterhood strong in your sorority?

The word sisterhood is essential to any sorority’s vocabulary.  It encourages camaraderie, honesty, and trust.  It is important to have a special bond flourish.  One of the best ways to keep your sisters close is through fun and unique sister hood events!

State Parks and attractions: A great way to bond with your sisters is to explore nature and observe your surroundings.  Go to a state park and go hiking or have a picnic.  Every year my sorority walks the Walkway Bridge over the Hudson.  It is a fun way to absorb what the areas near your university offer.

T-Shirt Making: Whether it is for an event or just for fun, t-shirt making sparks creativity in all your sisters.  You get to learn everyone’s styles and who the artists really are.  Just grab a permanent marker, fabric paint, or some spray paint, and you are good to go! Remember, CL is having a Bid Day shirt contest September 15!

Frame or Bracelet Making: Along with T-shirt making, find other objects that you can create!  Arts and crafts are fun for any ages.  Frames are a good way to capture your favorite sisterhood moments.  Have a picture day around campus with all different poses in order to fill up the frames! Bracelets are also a nice way to keep a symbol of your sorority with you at all times.

CL’s Guide to Keeping Things Positive!

As much as we wish college is nothing but hanging with sisters, making crafts and lounging on a favorite couch, college is also about hitting the books . . . hard. Piling homework, work and sorority meetings and social functions can really stress a CL girl out! Even though a girl may be stressed but it’s still good to show some love to your fellow sisters, friends and family!

Designating a sister to keep things positive is a great way to keep everyone’s moods upbeat! Before or after chapter she could show something funny from YouTube to boost everyone’s moral. Every girl loves a sweet treat and candy is a good way to any girl’s heart, bringing in candy or cupcakes puts everyone in a sweet mood and ready for business.

Sometimes in our crazy hectic schedules we sometimes forget to tell people thank you for all they do or remind them how much we care. Using CL’s TSM (Text Sweet Messages) Campaign is a great way to remind every sister how much they mean to each other. TSM is all about taking an amount of time from each day and texting positive messages.

Going along with positive texts is positive emails. When sorority girls are bombarded by emails everyday from classmates, professors, and anything to do with Greek Life it tends to become a hassle. Anytime a sister sends an email, maybe put a positive message at the end to make everyone smile or try to put a positive spin on things!

Everyone has bad days and it’s good to have something to remind a girl how much her sister’s care about her. Making a simple booklet from bright paper and having fellow sisters write positive messages is a great way to keeps sisters close and keep attitudes on positive on the days when a girl gets hit with something negative.

These are just easy steps any girl can take to let her sisters know she cares and to keep everyone’s day positive! Everyone has rough days and it’s good to know you have a sister to lean on when things get tough!

CL’s Guide to Dressing CLassy for Any Sorority Event!

Being in a sorority requires you to dress for many different kinds of events. Different recruitment occasions, social events, academic banquets, and formal soirees. Worrying about the perfect outfit can cause a CL girl to toss and turn and search through her closet trying to decide what to wear.

Finding the perfect outfit for a recruitment event can cause some stress if it’s catering to a specific theme. The first step to take its scour your closet to see if you have anything compatible, if the theme is a beach type theme try a bright dress or shirt and accessorize with some fun bangles or nautical inspired jewelry! You don’t have to go to in-depth with the theme but just remember to keep it classy because you always have to dress to impress for recruitment!

Academic banquets can be hard to dress for because it could the attire could go all the way from formal attire to business casual. Try to get a feel from people who have been there before what the best way to dress is. A good tip to remember is to always dress better than what you think you should. A black dress with a cardigan and a dash of pearls will look good no matter the dress code.

Formals are the easiest to dress for because the only thing a girl has to decide is a gown or cocktail dress! Formals are meant to be fun and have a class evening with sisters and handsome dates so pick a trendy dress that compliments you but is still classy! Remember to wear heals you can dance in and wear fun headbands or clips for your hair!

Don’t be afraid to borrow clothes! That’s what sisters are for! Don’t forget confidence is always the best accessory!

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