DEAR PNM
Hey! My name is Olivia, but you can call me Liv:) I am a rising senior at San Diego State University and have been a part of the Panhellenic community since my freshman year. At age 18, I was a bright-eyed, bushy-tailed PNM ready for my college journey to begin. Little did I know the most transformative years of my life would be filled with the best of friends, memories and to top it all off; a new understanding of who I am as a young woman. I have spent the past three years of college doing one thing: helping girls out. Finding ways to unite girls and young women worldwide has brought me so much love, learning, and gratitude, which is exactly what recruitment is about. In the spirit of Primary Recruitment season, I wanted to reflect on my time as a PNM, a recruiter, an exec board member, and all of the wonderful things going Greek has brought to my life. (buckle up, the list is very long!)
AUGUST 2021
As a PNM, my mind was open, my hair was curled, and sweatpants were permanently attached to my body (gotta love the Zoom uniform). Amidst COVID, Primary Recruitment was entirely online in 2021. This was definitely discouraging, but I was hopeful I would find my people even with a screen separating us.
The virtual recruitment format has its challenges, but do not let it make your life harder! Technical difficulties are inevitable, be prepared for glitches, lags, and more. That aspect of recruitment is out of your control. Do not waste your energy stressing over your computer, instead focus on the beautiful, smart, and interesting young women on the screen!
Sorority recruitment is so much more rewarding when you let go of the uncontrollable stressors. Lean on your Rho Gams, family, and friends! Acknowledge your anxieties and push forward because your next round probably starts in 5 minutes! Grab a snack, stay hydrated, and smile big knowing you are directing your energy towards the best parts of you!
For two weekends I sat at my desk, on my half of a shoebox-sized Chappy double, feeling all kinds of emotions. But, as the rounds and days progressed, I began to ease up, relax, and feel like I could fully be myself. It is so important to be nothing but your lovely authentic self during the entire recruitment process! Showing each chapter who you are and not what you think they want to see or hear is the best way to form genuine connections. Remember who you are and stick to it. No one is you and that is your superpower! Use it!
PREF & BID DAY
By this point in the process, I had gone on what felt like 50 first dates, my voice was gone, and my nerves were a steady blend of anticipation and excitement. After Preference round, I had a difficult time choosing between two chapters. This was a great problem to have since my connections were strong with both, but the decision was still weighing on me. After talking to my mom, Rho Gam, and best friends from home, I selected Delta Gamma as my first choice. The advice I received, combined with my intuition, made me confident that I would end up exactly where I was meant to be!
The morning of Bid Day, I felt content with how I navigated my recruitment journey. I knew that I did my best to showcase the true Olivia and that anything past Preference was out of my hands. Mid-afternoon, I got an email notification and anxiously opened my bid frommmm Delta Gamma!!! At that moment I felt so relieved to know the mystery was over! I tied up my pink high-top Converse, put on my favorite pair of jean shorts, and called my mom to share the good news! Now what? Time to meet 300 new friends! I had quite the pep in my step on my way to the house and immediately felt like this was the place for me. Bid Day is an extrovert's paradise, I had some moments of overstimulation here and there but they were quickly overpowered by dancing, laughter, and smiles all around. I woke up the next morning feeling so ready for how my life was going to change and 3 years later I am so proud of my PNM self!
I promise your hard work will pay off if you let the process unfold naturally. Do not waver from who you are and what you value! It is easy to get caught up in what other PNMs are saying between rounds, in the dorm bathrooms, etc. but this is YOUR journey, not theirs. Go with your gut, be exactly who you are, and do not be afraid to show it.
GET INVOLVED
As a new member and freshman, I was eager to get involved immediately. I took my first position, as Director of Fundraising and dove head first into Delta Gamma’s philanthropy: Service for Sight. Uniting the Panhellenic Community through philanthropy was eye-opening and fulfilling in many ways. Planning events and raising money all while growing into an active member of my chapter made me feel like I had a place in the Panhellenic Community. And you can too:)
The following year, I had the privilege of being Delta Gamma's Vice President of Member Education. This role felt like it was made for me. As an older sister, I have always been the nurturing "mom friend." So, having 146 new members to guide was a dream. Even though I was technically their mentor, I learned far more from these women than I taught them. I felt so lucky to be surrounded by such an authentic, diverse, group of college girls who watched me become the leader, big sister, and young woman I have always dreamed of.
Now, I am a senior which is so surreal! The past three years have flown by in a whirlwind of growth, self-confidence, and memories I will cherish far beyond my time at SDSU. Right now, I just want to be a sponge and soak it all in; the walk to class, every gameday, sweet treat runs, the little things!! This same advice goes to all of you too!
PANHELLENIC LOVE!
If there is one thing I’ve got, it’s Panhellenic Love! Each of the 9 chapters here at SDSU, Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Gamma Delta, Alpha Phi, Chi Omega, Delta Gamma, Gamma Phi Beta, Kappa Alpha Theta, Kappa Delta, and Pi Beta Phi, make up a community of smart, strong, kind, and genuine women. I met some of my closest friends outside of Delta Gamma at other sorority’s events, the dorms, classes, and more! Below I asked members from each chapter to reflect on their recruitment experience and come together as a joint sisterhood!!
