The final event of sorority recruitment, known as the preference party, is a special event for both sorority members and for potential new members. During preference parties, sorority women share with potential new members what they cherish about their sisterhood, what is special and unique about their chapter, and hope to explain to women going through the recruitment how their organization has impacted their lives and created many friendships and memories.
Preference parties are often a formal invitational sorority recruitment event, with chapter members often inviting alumnae members to attend the event. Chapters may also have special ceremonies to explain various aspects of sorority and fraternity life to prospective sorority members, have older chapter members recount their experiences in the chapter, or read letters to potential new members. This is the last chance for both chapter members and women going through recruitment to make a positive impression on one another, so prospective sorority members need to make sure they have all of the information they need to make a decision regarding membership before leaving the party.
Conversation Topics for Sorority Recruitment Preference Parties
Preference parties are often highly structured events, sometimes planned down to the minute to make sure that everything goes exactly as planned. Unfortunately, this may leave little time for sorority women and potential new members to talk, so women going through sorority recruitment should know in advance if they have any last minute conversations.
Additionally, sorority women often share their treasured experiences as members of their chapter and try to explain just what their sisterhood means to them. Every sorority and women's fraternity has a long history of traditions and contributions made by their members, so it is possible that sororities will invite alumnae members to come back for the preference party to also share their experiences and talk to prospective members. While it may be a little intimidating talking to members a woman has never met at this final event, it is important that they, too, once went through recruitment and are hoping for prospective sorority women to find a home in a chapter they feel comfortable with.
Prospective sorority members should also be prepared to open up as to why they wish to join a sorority and to share in the conversations with sorority members. If there are any questions a potential new member wants to ask, be sure to ask them. There is often a silence period following the end of each preference party, and during the silence period chapter members are not allowed to communicate with prospective new members in any way, including via text messaging and social media. The preference party is the last chance to have any questions or concerns addressed by sorority women until bids are distributed.
What to Expect During Sorority Recruitment Preference Parties
Preference parties are often the most structured event of all events during sorority recruitment. Dress codes are often formal attire, and chapters may have special ceremonies specifically for preference events that are used by every chapter of that women's fraternity or sorority. Preference parties can also be emotional times for sorority women, especially for older chapter members who have been asked to share memories, experiences, and the value of their sisterhood to them with those attending the party.
Prospective sorority women, however, should not feel that being at a formal preference party means that they have to be stiff and unnatural. By this time, prospective sorority women should begin to feel comfortable revisiting the chapter whose events they are attending, but it is important to remain true to their personalities and continue to be themselves. There are big decisions that are made following preference parties and both sorority chapters and potential new members need to be prepared to make honest, fair, and accurate decisions regarding sorority membership.
Above all, women going through sorority recruitment should have fun at preference party events. Even if she decides not to join a particular chapter, it is possible that other prospective sorority women she meets at these events could become her sorority sisters in a short amount of time.
Sorority recruitment preference parties are the last big event before bids are distributed on bid day. Before all of the bid day festivities, however, it is important that prospective sorority women ask any final questions they may have about sorority membership and take the opportunity to share the experiences of past and current chapter members, because these experiences may also belong to them someday soon.
Ashley Anderson - Ashley is an Ohio-based writer and editor with specializations in higher education, writing, and social activism.
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