Gabriela Silveira

All about sorority life It is very easy to judge the book by its cover and it is not very different when the subject is fraternity and sorority life. That is why I decided to do my ethnography on my sorority, Chi Omega. A sorority is made up of girls. Girls with different heights, hair, eyes, race and most important, girls with different life experiences that come together for a mutual interest and goal. Being part of a sorority is more than being part of a club or a sports team, the membership and relationship with one another is for a life time. REQUIREMENTS I do not speak for all sororities but for Chi Omega. There are requirements that need to be met to be considered a potential member of the community. All members prior to joining Chi Omega must go to recruitment week. However, that can only happen if the person has a 2.5 or higher gpa. After getting registered for recruitment week the next step is making through all nights without getting dropped or taken out of their potential new member list. If you end up being invited back to every night during recruitment week it is very likely that you will be offered a bid on bid day. Things take a 360 after the bid acceptance. The requirements for a new member are stricter and rules must be followed. Girls will not be part of the community until a semester after bid day. The reason why is because all fall grades must be turned in before initiation (when new members become active members). Throughout this whole process new members must keep a gpa higher than a 2.0 in order to be initiated plus follow all the new member rules such as library hours and putting scholarship before social obligations. The long wait for initiation includes many steps along the way and it is a very long process.

Commented [g1]: This is a good title

Commented [g2]: I like how you told that all the girls are different in a sorority because that is so true.

Commented [g3]: GPA

Commented [g4]: I like how you explain the whole recruitment process

Gabriela Silveira

GOALS Chi Omega has several goals, some of them including scholarship, community service, friendship and philanthropy. Whenever someone is given a bid it means that they fit in with the group or that they could potentially be a great asset to the community. Chi Omega looks out for girls with the same interest and goals and girls who will be able to contribute to the sisterhood through friendship, service and scholarship. Philanthropy is very big for Chi Omega. Chi Omega Fraternity is linked with Make-A-Wish. Sisters and new members work to raise money to grant wishes and the whole process is achieved through group work and community service. Many events such as wish week and the golf tournament help Chi Omega raise money for Make-A-Wish and achieve our main goal which is to grant as many wishes as possible. COMMUNICATION It is very important to any organization to have a great way to communicate within the community. For Chi Omega it is essential that all members have full access to the sorority and full access to any questions or comments that might want to be brought up. For example, there is a Facebook group for the fall 2013 pledge class. The Facebook group is the main way of communication for new members and specific older member of the sorority, It is very effective to keep the community organized and working how it is supposed to be. The Facebook group allows all of us to be on top of important dates, reminders and rules that should be followed. I believe the Facebook group also implies an idea of a hierarchy because it is mainly used by older sisters to communicate with the new members, not everyone posts on the group which means if something is posted its because its important. Even though it might be a very informal way of communicating, the Facebook group is very efficient and it is taken very serious.
Commented [g7]: We have this too! Commented [g6]: Explain what yall do for these weeks Commented [g5]: ?

Gabriela Silveira

NOVICES AND EXPERTS There is a major different being a novice and an expert in Chi Omega. I can only speak for being a novice and the few experiences Ive had so far with Chi Omega. Novices dont get to do the same things as experts. Experts have more privileges such as being able to live in the Chi Omega house, being able to wear letter and crest shirts, being able to use certain terminologies, and have access to Chi Omegas traditions, rituals and secrets. Novices are required to attend new member meetings which later on turn out to be called Chapter. Novices are also required to do six library hours a week and keep up a designated gpas. As I mentioned before, novices are not allowed to wear letter and crest shirts until initiation. Another thing that novices must do is learn Chi Omegas history, goals, philanthropy and become familiar with everything about the sorority and the sisterhood. INTERVIEW 1- How has being part of chi omega influenced you and shaped you as a person? Being part of Chi Omega taught be that I am no longer only representing myself. I represent a honorable society and my actions influence others as well. 2- What are the most important values of Chi Omega? I would definitely have to say that the most important values of chi omega are scholarship, friendship, community service and sisterhood. 3- What makes chi omega different and unique than other organizations? Chi omega is different than other communities because there are no stereotypes. The community accepts you for who you are and allows you to really show your personality.
Commented [g8]: Tell a little bit about the history and things you need to know & do you need to take a test?

Gabriela Silveira

4- If you were able to change anything about your community what would it be and why? If I could change anything it would be the way new members are treated. I would give them more of a say and more respect. 5- What are some responsibilities that come along as being part of chi omega? Some of the responsibilities include attention meetings, social events, community service and most important to represent your community in the best way possible.
Commented [g9]: Work these answers into your paper Formatted: Font color: Auto

I feel like there can be one or two more sections where you can talk about Chi Omega and what yall do that is unique to yall or even to just sorority life. I think if you add a few more sections and a conclusion it will be long enough. The piece is short enough but wouldnt hurt if it was longer. The title is on point. The paragraphs are full of meaning. The sentences are good

MLA HEADING Student nae Professor name Eng1101 xx

Gabriela Silveira

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