LIFELONG COMMITMENT

One of my biggest takeaways from AFLV was the renewal of lifelong commitment. In my profession, I am reminded every day of the values of my organization through conversations with students and other professionals. I know that I dedicated myself to my sorority when I took that oath during initiation. It isn't until I hear from students that say, "When I'm not an XYZ" or even from alumnae who say "When I was an ABC, that I remember that not all people see our sorority membership in this perspective.

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Some Panhellenic sororities have done a really great job of incorporating this idea into their membership experience. Alpha Delta Pi, for example, went through a rebranding of sorts to incorporate three types of members: Alphas (new members), Deltas (active members), and Pis (alumnae members). Others have adopted the slogans like "Chi Omega is forever."

At AFLV I attended a lot of sessions on NPHC organizations. I haven't talked about NPHC a lot on the blog, but I really admire them. One of the things I admire the most is the lifetime commitment NPHC instills. I have never met a single NPHC member who says "When I was a AKD." I know many of you have even seen older NPHC members wearing their jackets or bearing their insignia on their vehicle.

If we, as Panhellenic women, adopted this idea of lifetime membership could you imagine the difference it would make in our college years? I was definitely reminded of this commitment during the Affiliation Luncheon at AFLV. This is an opportunity to get to have lunch with your Brothers and Sisters from other schools. Not only are college students at the tables, but also alumnae. Nothing says lifetime commitment like seeing Sisters still dedicated to the same values you promised to live forever.