Mason Panhellenic 2024 Recruitment Handbook

WELCOME!

We are so excited that you are interested in Panhellenic Recruitment, and would like to officially welcome you! By joining a Panhellenic Sorority you will encounter endless opportunities! Your sorority will help you meet life-long friends, become a leader, serve others, and experience limitless networking opportunities.

Throughout recruitment weekend, we want you to come into each conversation with an open mind. Each of our Panhellenic Sororities offer a community of empowering women who are ready to support your journey and welcome to your home away from home here at GMU!

We are all so excited that you have taken the first step to finding your home away from home, and can't wait to see your future with Mason ese next pages aim to help you out what to expect, the imeline, and who our chapters are.

WHAT IS PANHELLENIC?

The Panhellenic Council is the governing body for Panhellenic sorority life on campus. The council is composed of representatives from the seven sororities that are affiliated with the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC). Although our sisters wear different letters, we are united by our values.

The Panhellenic Council is committed to relationships built on trust through transparency, accountability, and mutual respect.

WHAT IS PRIMARY RECRUITMENT?

Primary recruitment is a weekend during the school year were you will meet all of our seven sororities on campus. You’ll have the opportunity to learn about their values, philanthropy, and what makes them unique as a sisterhood. In primary recruitment, you’ll be grouped with other women going through the process as well and guided by recruitment counselors. At the end of each day, you’ll rank each sorority based on how you feel about them.

RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

A LETTER FROM OUR VP OF RECRUITMENT

Dear Potential New Member,

Thank you for putting yourself out there, for being brave, and for deciding to join this amazing community. There are times in our life that change the course of who we become. This is one of those times. By joining a sorority, you are allowing yourself to grow in friendships, leadership, and academics. When you accept yourself into a sisterhood, those women become your sisters for life.

Joining a sorority means more than just being a member; it's about forming deep connections with people who share common values and goals. Trust me, I know it can be really challenging to change and grow. So here’s some advice for you: be yourself and breathe. This experience is meant to show you which sorority aligns best with you. Reject the stereotypes, past notions, and comments you may have heard and simply listen to yourself. You know you best.

This weekend can be a rollercoaster of emotions, but stick with the process. The full recruitment process will introduce you to friendships and experiences that will help you throughout your time at college. I can’t wait to see you through this weekend and where you end up calling home!

Best,

Avery Shippen

RECRUITMENT TEAM

AVERY SHIPPEN

VP of Membership Recruitment

Avery oversees the administrative side of recruitment while planning the logistics for each round of the weekend.

REGAN LEWIS

Assistant VP of Membership Recruitment

Regan oversees the recruitment counselors in recruitment and leads their training

A LETTER FROM OUR ASSISTANT VP OF RECRUITMENT

Dear Potential New Member,

Welcome to Panhellenic recruitment! I am so excited for you to start this journey and explore the wonderful sororities here. Each group offers a unique place where you can make lifelong friends, get involved in community service, and grow as a leader. During recruitment, you'll meet many amazing women, learn about their experiences, and see how you fit into our Panhellenic community. It's a chance for you to find a group where you feel at home and can truly be yourself. I can’t wait for you to find your home. As Assistant VP of Membership Recruitment I am an open book and always ready to help you with anything!

Regan Lewis

MEET THE EXECUTIVE BOARD

VP of Finance and Records

VP of Membership Recruitment

VP of Programming

Assistant VP of Membership Recruitment

KATERINA WOOD

OLIVIA KEARNEY

AVERY SHIPPEN

REGAN LEWIS

RECRUITMENT TERMS

Key words or phrases that you may hear during primary recruitment!

ACTIVE MEMBER

A sister who is fully initiated, in good standing with the chapter, and a current sister on campus.

BID

A formal invitation to join a sorority.

CHAPTER

The local collegiate branch of a national sorority.

CONTINUOUS OPEN BIDDING

The period in which a sorority below the campus total is able to recruit members outside of Primary Recruitment.

EVENT

Each day of recruitment will contain multiple events where you will go and interact with each of our sororities.

MEMBERSHIP RECRUITMENT

ACCEPTANCE BINDING AGREEMENT (MRABA)

A document that each Potential New Member completes immediately following the preference round of parties stating her membership preferences. This is a binding agreement stating that the PNM is willing to accept a bid from any sorority she lists.

NEW MEMBER

A person who has officially joined a sorority by accepting a bid, but has not yet been initiated.

NATIONAL PANHELLENIC COUNCIL (NPC)

The umbrella organization of all of the existing Panhellenic sororities that oversees our governing rules

PHILANTHROPY

A national and/or local charity that a sorority supports, donating time and money through service

POTENTIAL NEW MEMBER

A college person who is participating in the primary recruitment process

RECRUITMENT COUNSELOR

A sorority member who goes through the recruitment process on the Panhellenic side, guiding potential new members and helping them with their process.

ROUND

Each day of recruitment is considered a round Our rounds are Open House, Philanthropy, and Preference

SORORITY

A women’s student organization dedicated to sisterhood and core values

VALUES-BASED RECRUITMENT

This is a recruitment style that focuses on meaningful conversations between collegiate members and potential new members with the goal of recruiting women who will have a positive impact on chapters and the College Panhellenic community. Nonessential features such as skits, elaborate decorations and costumes are removed from the process, and the focus is on the values, benefits and obligations of membership for each organization.

SOME ADVICE WHEN GOING THROUGH RECRUITMENT...

Be yourself and stay true to your personal values! Everyone has different experiences with recruitment, but keep in mind what you want out of joining a sorority. 1 Ask questions! Don’t be afraid to get to know our members and who they are like. 2. Have an open mind. This is your process so go into each round unbiased and focused on your values. 3.

RECRUITMENT REGISTRATION CHECKLIST

1. Pay the $35 registration fee. This fee allows us to provide you with a free dinner and recruitment shirt. Unsure if you’ve made your payment? Please email VP of Recruitment Avery Shippen (gmupanhellenicvprecruitment@gmail.com)

Register for Fall 2024 Panhellenic Sorority Recruitment. Register online through the link located in our Instagram, yard signs, and below. Register Here: https://enroll.icsrecruiter.com/pan/gomaun

2. Check out each of our sororities Instagrams and learn more about them. We are also offering a free Panhellenic Recruitment 101 where you can learn more about what joining a sorority is like Access it here: https://www 3. Discuss the family and f 4. Check out o 5. Panhellenic We

RECRUITMENT SCHEDULE

Learn more about each of the days of recruitment in more detail such as what to expect and wear in the next couple of pages.

Orientation: Thursday, September 12 - 7:30 pm

Open House: Friday, September 13 - 3:00 pm

Philanthropy: Saturday, September 14 - 12:00 pm

Preference: Sunday, September 15 - 12:00 pm

Bid Day: Monday, September 16 - 5:00 pm

ABOUT RECRUITMENT DRESS CODE:

There is a dress code for each round of recruitment. However, we want to emphasize that you should wear what makes you feel more comfortable! There is no need to spend money buying a new wardrobe for recruitment, we want you to wear what makes you feel like yourself!

ORIENTATION

Orientation will prepare you with all necessary information and a breakdown of primary recruitment! You will meet your Recruitment Counselor and get your Recruitment T-shirt.

What

to

Wear:

There is no formal dress code for Orientation, wear whatever makes you most comfortable.

ROUND 1: OPEN HOUSE

Types of conversations to expect: You will be having "getting to know me" conversations. This could be anything like: hobbies, interests, what you did over the summer, and much more!

During Round 1, you will meet with all 7 chapters. Each chapter will give you a taste of what sisterhood means to them. You will travel in your recruitment counselor groups the whole night. Dinner will be provided!

What to Wear: Wear the Day 1 Recruitment Shirt and any bottoms of your choice. Wear comfortable shoes!

ROUND 2: PHILANTHROPY

Types of conversations to expect: You should expect to talk about any community service you have participated in/causes you are passionate about. Chapters will discuss their philanthropy, academics, and financial and time commitments.

On Philanthropy night, you will learn about each chapter's philanthropy, and different service events that they plan. Because there is more variety in schedules, there will be time gaps and different timing for each of you.

What to Wear: Casual skirt/dress, blouse and dress pants, dressy sandals, casual heels, dress sneakers

ROUND 3: PREFERENCE

Types of conversations to expect: During this round, you will be talking about what means the most to you. This can range from family and friends to other important aspects of your life. On this day, you should also be having deeper onversations about ow you could see ourself in each ganization and how ou could contribute to eir sisterhood.

Preference Day is the final day of recruitment.

Preference is where you will learn some of the deeper, more sacred aspects and values of each chapter. You will learn why each member calls their chapter home.

What to Wear: Semi-formal attire (dress or dress pants), comfortable dress shoes.

BID DAY!

Congratulations you’ve made it! This is where you receive a bid and get to run home to your sorority. Bid Day starts at 5:00 pm, but ends at different times for each sorority. This is a celebration of you!!

What to Wear: Bid day T-Shirt (provided), shorts, jeans, comfy shoes!

FINANCIAL TRANSPARENCY

When joining a sorority, finances are an important matter to consider. The financial requirements of joining a sorority varies from chapter to chapter. The main costs associated with becoming a member consist of membership fees, onetime new member fees, and other fees specific to the sorority. A breakdown of these fees will be available on round 2 of recruitment as well as on the following page.

Our sororities offer multiple payment plans which allow for membership fees to be paid in multiple amounts over time. The Panhellenic Council and individual sororities offer scholarships as well. It is important to consider financial bli ti i t d ith j i i it W

MEET OUR SORORITIES AT GEORGE MASON

ALPHA OMICRON PI

Values: Character, Dignity, Scholarship and College Loyalty

Philanthropy: The Arthritis Foundation

Colors: Cardinal Red

Flower: Jacqueminot

Rose

Motto: “Inspire Ambition”

ALPHA PHI

Values: Sisterhood, Generosity, Innovation, and Character

Philanthropy: The Alpha Phi Foundation, supports women’s heart health

Colors: Silver and Bordeaux

Flower: Lily of the Valley

Motto: “Union hand in

ALPHA XI DELTA

Values: Sisterhood, Leadership, Knowledge, and Service

Philanthropy: Kindly

Hearts Initiative

Colors: Light Blue, Dark Blue, and Gold

Flower: Pink Rose

Motto: “The pen is mightier than the sword”

CHI OMEGA

Values: Friendship, Personal Integrity, Service to Others, Academic Excellence, Community and Campus Involvement, and Personal and Career Development

Philanthropy: Make-A-Wish

Colors: Cardinal and Straw

Flower: White Carnation

Motto: “Sisters on Purpose”

GAMMA PHI BETA

Values: Love, Labor,

Learning, and Loyalty

Philanthropy: Building

Strong Girls

Colors: Brown and Mode

Flower: Pink Carnation

Motto: “Founded Upon a Rock”

KAPPA DELTA

Values: Friendship, Loyalty, Personal Integrity, Lifelong

Learning, and Selfless Service

Philanthropy: Prevent Child Abuse America and Girl Scouts of the USA

Colors: Olive Green and Pearl White

Flower: White Rose

Motto: “Let us strive for that which is honorable, beautiful, and highest”

ZETA TAU ALPHA

Values: Learning, Leadership, Responsibility,

Being Rather than Seeming, Service and Philanthropy, Seeking Understanding that We Might Gain True Wisdom, Humility, Loyalty and Commitment, and Love

Philanthropy: Breast Cancer Education and Awareness

Colors: Blue and Steel Grey

Flower: White Violet

Motto: “Seek the Noblest”

FINALLY...

I would just like to say how excited and proud I am for you. This community is so special and dedicated to you becoming the best version of yourself. You will grow in ways you never thought were possible and find friendships that will last a lifetime. You are good enough to do this and we will love you no matter where you end up calling home. All of these sororities are so excited to get to know the real you and learn about your interests. We’ve all been in this position before, so please ask as many questions as you need. I’m so excited to help you on this journey!

Sincerely,

Avery Shippen VP of Membership Recruitment gmupanhellenicvprecruitment@gmail.com