Guest Blogger: Astrid Beltran, Western Illinois – EO 2006; Coordinator of Greek Life, Baylor University
Are you ready to enrich your Delta Zeta experience? As a fraternity/sorority advisor, I believe one of the best opportunities a collegiate sorority member can have is to attend a national/regional conference or convention. There truly is so much you can gain from attending conferences and conventions, such as enhanced leadership skills, chapter development ideas, networking opportunities, and new friendships with Delta Zeta sisters. While attending conferences and conventions is fun and exciting, it can be a little nerve-racking if you do not know what to expect. This blog post will provide you with some tips that will help you gain the most from your Delta Zeta or other fraternal conference experience.
As you begin packing your bags with your pink and green, also pack your brain with some ideas. Have an open mind toward the experience you are about to have. Collect some questions you might have to enhance your Delta Zeta experience, and make sure your mind is rested so it is ready to absorb plenty of knowledge. Once you arrive to the conference, get excited because you are about to meet sisters as well as other fraternity/sorority members from all over the country! Students often return from conferences and share that this was when they realized that Delta Zeta is much more than the chapter on their campus and that fraternity/sorority life is much larger than just their organization. You will meet and connect with young women from all walks of life, but what will bring you all together are your shared Delta Zeta values. You will also meet Delta Zeta alumnae of all ages who are giving back to the organization by volunteering their time to help enrich your experience. If you take the time to sit and talk with your newfound sister, you will be amazed by how much they have to teach you.
Throughout the conference sessions and events, you will have dialogues about best practices at other institutions, current issues within fraternity/sorority life and Delta Zeta, and how to live out our common fraternal values every day. Each conversation and conference session will provide a unique perspective, giving you more to think about and discuss with your chapter members. You will be surprised and amazed by how much information you will learn, and how many relationships you will build that can help you in your current leadership position. Be sure to take advantage of the opportunities presented. Attend all sessions. Make connections over lunch or dinner.
At the end of your conference/convention experience, you will feel renewed and enriched. It is important to remember that once you return to your chapter, your sisters will not have this same feeling since they did not share this experience with you. Consider creating an action plan which outlines how you will create buy in within your chapter and implement your new ideas. Do not get discouraged when members do not immediately jump on board. Reflect back on your conference/convention experience for strength and wisdom. You may even contact a sister you met at the conference/convention for support and to continue sharing experiences.
What I at least hope each student will gain from attending her sorority convention or other fraternity/sorority conference are some wonderful new ideas to take back to her institution, a greater understanding of her organization’s purpose and values, a sense of renewal and most importantly a fond remembrance of why she chose her sorority. Whether you are apprehensive or very excited to attend, rest assured that your experience will be unique, educational and rewarding.
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