PRIDE ONLINE
Sisterhood Events and Activities
Sisterhood events and activities should focus on building sisterhood within a chapter, so they should be open to all members, but attendance should not be mandatory. There should be weekly standing events, such as meeting at a particular coffee place at a certain day and time, as well as special sisterhood events that are planned at least one per month.
Sisterhood events can also make great Continuous Open Recruitment events because they can be easily transformed into Bid Day celebrations. See Pride Online for a list of great sisterhood event/Bid Day party ideas, as well as a list of successful and popular sisterhood activities.
There are two different types of sisterhood activities: standing and special. Chapters should provide some of each to their members. Standing events are times when chapter members may come together for an activity that needs no planning. They may include watching a certain TV show together, meeting for coffee, taking an exercise class, or hanging out in a special place on campus in between classes. They are always at the same time/day/place. Special events take some planning. These are the bigger activities such as ice skating, hayrides, picnics, or crafts (just to name a few). A good rule of them is to have one sisterhood event for every social activity that the chapter has.
Prides
One of the most meaningful aspects of sorority membership is the warm feeling of sisterhood. Each member is unique and offers special qualities to the sisterhood experience. In order to enhance the chapter sisterhood experience, the concept of Prides has been developed.
If the chapter is currently using Prides, the chapter is encouraged to continue. Prides do not require intense programming and should be utilized to enhance chapter activities. Prides can replace the use of other committees.
FUNCTION OF PRIDES
Prides are designed to enable chapter members to get to know each other on a personal basis, provide an academic and social support system, and discourage cliques. Organizing the chapter into Prides will effectively welcome new Alpha members into the chapter surrounded by a group of sisters other than her Diamond Sister.
Prides may also be utilized to enhance chapter operations and organize attendance at events. Prides may not be used for set up of initiation– the most recently initiated group of members should set up initiation. An effective pride and pride leader makes a concerted effort to ensure that each member of the pride is participating and enjoying Alpha Delta Pi membership.
ORGANIZATION OF PRIDES
Prides are assigned by the VP of Membership Experience and Membership Experience Team.
Prides are to be re-assigned at least once a year. Chapters, especially large ones, are encouraged to reorganize Prides each semester/quarter. (Pride Leaders rotate anytime Prides are re- assigned.)
Generally, a Pride should have 10 to 12 members. It is important to ensure that a group experience would still be possible if only two-thirds of the Pride members attended an activity. Smaller chapters may want to have 4 to 6 members in a group.
Prides can be assigned on the basis of differences and similarities in:
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PRIDE LEADERS
- The Pride Leaders can be chosen by the VP of Membership Experience and the Membership Experience Team, and approved by the ME Advisor. They are assigned anytime Prides are utilized.
- If a chapter has trouble finding Pride Leaders, you may also create the Pride and let the Pride members decide by appointment or elections among its own members.
- Members interested in serving as Pride Leaders will complete a Pride Leader Application, except in the case stated directly above.
- Pride Leaders must maintain a 2.0 grade-point average.
- Consider using the Pride Leader Induction Ceremony found on Pride Online.
- The following duties are the responsibility of the Pride Leaders:
- Coordinate welcome activities with the Director of New Member Experience to provide a similar welcome in each Pride.
- Meet with the Vice President of Membership Experience and other Pride Leaders to coordinate activities.
- Attend Membership Experience Team Meetings as requested.
- Assist with the Chapter Retreat as requested.
- Assist with Alpha Member Education Program as requested.
PRIDE REVEAL
Prides must be revealed at or before Chapter Retreat each year. Prides should be revealed in a fun way that gets chapter members excited about their new prides.
A full list of approved Pride Reveals is found on Pride Online. A few examples include matching Items (stickers, candy), items with a theme (beach, school, sports), or puzzle pieces that come together to create a picture.
Once prides are revealed, the prides should have icebreaker activities to get to know the members of their pride.
PRIDE NAMES
Each Pride should select its own name. An appropriate theme (sorority, school, movies, etc.) may be chosen by the ME Team. Large chapters may need to select several themes to encompass all of the Prides.
Anything reasonable, acceptable and in good taste should be a guide. The chapter should be reminded that Pride names could affect the Alpha Delta Pi image on campus.
PRIDE ACTIVITIES
Pride activities provide opportunities for social interaction and fun throughout the year. These activities hold special importance while the chapter has Alpha members, since the Prides provide excellent opportunities for interaction that can create a feeling of sisterhood between Alpha and Delta members. Because the weeks following recruitment are some of the busiest of the year, careful advance planning is essential. Pride events should not be mandatory, but should incorporate existing events so as not to overburden the calendar. See Pride Online for a great list of fun Pride activities.
Retention
Retention is one of the main goals of our programming. It may look slightly different for Alphas than for Deltas. Alphas need more time to get to know each other and create new relationships. Deltas need time to build on existing relationships.
Alphas will create relationships with the sisters in their Alpha Class by spending time together. The Alpha Sleepover is a great tool for creating fun, structured activities, as well as building great memories.
The Diamond Board is another tool that Alphas have to create a memento of their time together. The purpose of Diamond Boards is to provide a space for the Alphas to share their signatures and short notes to each other. While they may be created by the Alpha’s Diamond Sister, only Alphas may sign them.
Alphas need to spend time getting to know the Deltas as well. Planned Sisterhood events in the first couple of weeks of membership can greatly reduce the number of Alphas who feel overwhelmed and unwelcome.
What follows is a list of over twenty-five amazing retention ideas for both Alphas and Deltas.
- Instagram & Facebook posts: Chapter members post on each Alpha member’s Facebook via Facebook wall or Facebook message at least once over the course of the holiday break/ summer/ semester. The Chapter posts kind messages about their Alphas, Deltas and Seniors on their Chapter Instagram and Facebook pages (Ex. “We love our Alpha Sara because…” or “We love our Senior Sister Mary because…”, “Jane is an amazing Sister and we love her because…”, etc.)
- Optional Sleepover: Who doesn’t love an old-fashioned slumber party? Be sure to get CPD and Advisor approval for your plan.
- Snail Mail: Sisters send some sort of snail mail to Alphas or each other. People love getting something in the actual mail!
- Shopping: Go shopping together.
- Web Chats: Sisters who do not live in the same area as the Alphas can stay connected through Skype/FaceTime, etc.
- RMH Visits: Sisters who live near or around a Ronald McDonald House can set up a visit.
- Initiation Count Down: Put a countdown to Initiation on your chapter’s Facebook and Instagram pages.
- Violet Notes: “Random” notes on nice paper sent to Delta and Alpha Members. Target negative members or members who are easily discouraged. Make sure the notes are sincere and specific. Add small gift cards if the chapter can afford it.
- SIS-SOS (Something I Say- Something Others Say): At a member only event, everyone gets a sheet of paper and puts their name at the top of each side. Each member writes down five qualities about herself that she likes. (Ex. Organized, Kind, etc.) At designated times, pass the paper one person to the left. That person writes down one thing they admire about that person (no names). Depending on chapter size, continue until entire chapter is finished or for a specified amount of time.
- “PR” gifts to Alpha and Delta Members: At Chapter Meeting, hand out small “PR” gifts (bumper stickers, pencils, buttons) to members seen around campus doing positive things that make your chapter look good. (Ex. Yesterday, I saw Stephanie hold the door open for the people behind her going into the Science building…thanks for making us look good!).
- Member of the Week: If the chapter uses the GIN system or has a Facebook page, highlight a Delta Member of the Week and an Alpha Member of the Week. Interview the member and tell what clubs they are in, Dean’s list, other achievements, jobs, etc. (Ex. Under a picture of Lindsey, it might say, “Congratulations to Lindsey on her internship with the Mayor…way to go! Lindsey was also on the Dean’s list last semester.) Add a Pi Member of the Week to show how ADPi’s are successful and lifetime members.
- Lion Letters: Delta Members write encouraging letters to Alpha Members throughout their Alpha Member period. They can be revealed at or after initiation with a little celebration.
- Event Posters: Create posters about the chapter’s favorite events to show the Alphas what a great time you have together and to remind members what a great time they have had in the chapter. Posters do not have to be huge, but should be colorful and include appropriate pictures. Put them up around the chapter house or common areas.
- Thank You Notes: Send thank you notes to Alphas, Deltas, Pi’s, community members, and businesses who help you or are in a position to help the chapter. (Ex. Mrs. Johnson, we saw you on the news last night describing the success of your Fun Run. Thank you for being such a great Alpha Delta Pi role model for us!) (Ex. Debbie, yesterday in History class, you volunteered to lead the study group for the final. Thank you for being a great ADPi. I am so proud to be your sister!)
- Communicate Successes: Send weekly emails to chapter members and alumnae about your successes, big or little. (Ex. Sisters, we have been released for initiation 2 days in advance of the deadline. Way to go!)
- Identify and Recognize Long-Term Members: At Chapter Meeting, announce initiation anniversaries of present advisors and seniors. (Ex. Congratulations on 10 years of ADPi membership!)(Ex. Congratulations on 4 years of ADPi membership!)
- Positive Points: Utilize a point system for an end of the year ice cream party, room preferences, attendance at formal, etc.
- Recognize Member’s Contributions: Publicly thank members for what they contribute to the chapter. (Ex. I would like to thank the Sunshine Committee, Betsy, Elizabeth, Lynne, and Kathy, for sending us birthday cards this year. They make us feel loved!)
- Create traditions and recognize those who uphold the traditions: Create appropriate and positive traditions. Put non-officers in charge of making sure these traditions are upheld and continued year after year.
- Value Your Members…Out Loud: Specifically tell members they are valued. Treat members with respect by being on time and polite…it shows them you value them.
- Encourage Input from Members: Utilize electronic surveys to ask your members’ opinions and then use them.
- Involve Your Members: Every member of your chapter should be a part of a committee. It gives them buy-in and makes them feel important. Ask juniors and seniors to facilitate DME programming.
- Prides: Use Prides to create smaller groups of sisters within the chapter. Have them elect their own leaders or apply for leadership positions. Have them create names, perhaps around a theme. Either give them a purpose (attendance, studying, etc.) or let them determine what they want to do with their Prides. Assign them mandatory events or let them make their own goals and meet with the Pride Leaders to determine if they need help achieving those goals.
- Chapter Retreat: Use Chapter Retreat as a time for sisterhood bonding and fun, as well as learning. Ropes Courses are a great idea for Chapter Retreat. It can count as team building and Sisterhood. Use your time together for philanthropy. One of your team building breaks can include making something for the Ronald McDonald House.
- Clear Expectations: From the very beginning, make it clear that the expectation is that every member will stay active, and by active, we mean involved, for all four years. Provide opportunities for the Alpha Members to see seniors in action. Instead of, “Do you want to sign up for a committee?” say, “Which committee are you signing up for?”
- Senior Program: The Director of Alumnae Engagement should be proactive to keep the seniors interested. The Senior Program is a great way to meet the needs of the seniors and get them involved in alumnae associations.
- Vision Statement: Create a chapter vision statement and post it around for everyone to see. Review it and your goals at Chapter meeting and allow all the members to see the chapter reach its goals.
- Social Media: Use Twitter/Instagram/Facebook/Snapchat, etc. to recognize each other’s big and small accomplishments.