Last year, I went through formal recruitment with a blazing heart and a confused mind. None of my parents were in Greek organizations, and I had little to no knowledge of what a sorority did or how the girls acted. I reminded myself of all of the feelings I had during the dreaded week of hard decisions, so I could make the girls I spoke with feel more comfortable and at ease.
Throughout the entire recruitment week, I was nervous, and it felt like last year all over again. I was anxious to speak to different girls and really tried my best so we could have the best pledge class our chapter has ever had. Each day that passed, conversations got longer, topics went deeper, and tensions were high. Every PNM (potential new member) seemed to be tense, and everyone wanted recruitment week to end in the best way possible: running home to your favorite house on the hill Saturday morning.
Once Friday night ended, the six months of planning for the perfect day started to turn into action. We had girls cleaning up, moving furniture, and stuffing bags that would on the arms of the new face of our sisterhood. Once we were at a stopping point for the night, it was around 11:45, and I was able to get a few hours of sleep before it was time to dig deep the next morning.
The day started with putting on my best face, glitter included, and a cup of coffee, because there is no way I could muster up enough energy at 6 A.M. without some joe. Outside, there was a huge tent for the reception, so the folding tables were being set up, chairs were being scooted underneath, and tablecloths were being draped over top. Fortunately, there were a lot of girls there early to help, and the setup took only an hour or so.
Once we got the bid list, signs were written on, and sisters chose the new member they wanted to greet once they ran to their new home. Having a girl run to you, screaming, and receiving the biggest hug was probably my favorite part during the whole experience because, in the moment, we just shared the same ecstatic feeling of finally being sisters.
There are very little words to describe Bid Day as a whole, but if I had to choose one it would be "relieving." Tensions are no longer high, everyone is so happy, and the confusion is finally cleared.
I'm so happy I was able to recruit the pledge class of 2018 because they are everything we wanted and more for our sisterhood.
