Culture is the way of life for a group of people. You might all be wearing matching Delta Sigma Theta shirts, but becoming a unified chapter is more than just looking fly.
Chapter culture starts with the individual actions of each member. Here are nine ways you can influence the culture within your chapter.
1. Gratitude.
You can never say, “Thank you!” too many times. Expressing gratitude to your sisters shows you value them, their time, and their work. Your example can help set the tone for being appreciative. Everyone contributes to the work of the sorority, so go out of your way to acknowledge the efforts that are put forth.
2. Welcome.
When you gather as a group, what are the first words out of the leader’s mouth? “Welcome, sisters! We are so glad you are here,” sends a different message than, “Hey! Listen up! I’m talking here!” The way each meeting and gathering begins sets the stage for the rest of the event. While not every get-together needs to be a formal affair, it should always convey respect and love for the other chapter members.
3. The Group Texts.
In this digital age, we’ve all developed personas within our group texts. Maybe you’re the one who always replies with a GIF or reacts to every message. Or maybe you’re the first to wish someone a happy birthday within the thread to not-so-subtly remind everyone else to do the same. Or maybe, you slip into being a little more negative, adversarial, or cynical.
The screen can sometimes give us license to act differently than we ever would in public. Remember that group texts are not the place to air out your grievances, no matter how tempting it may be. Keep messages in your group text positive, kind, and respectful.
4. Talking With Others.
How everyone interacts with each other each time they cross paths will build up (or tear down) the foundation of a chapter’s culture. If you want a positive chapter culture, help your fellow sorority sisters foster friendships and love. Help them build connections and relationships. Each time you see someone, show genuine enthusiasm and be interested in their lives.
5. Talk About Others.
However an individual talks about someone who isn’t present is how they talk about you behind your back. Create a culture where no one disrespects people behind their backs. Speak highly of your fellow sorority members. Remember the golden rule and speak about others how you would like others to speak about you. Drama will happen (as it does in any group), but how it is handled and discussed will either enhance or detract from the chapter culture. Live by this mantra: Your name is safe in our chapter.
6. Social Media Posts.
What your chapter shares on social media reflects what your chapter values. Those pages are the outside world’s window into your chapter. You get to choose what everyone sees. Put thought into what you are highlighting. Your own sisters learn about your chapter by watching what gets published (and what doesn’t).
7. Problem Solving.
When something negative happens (and it will), how does your chapter respond? Do you get stuck in a rut of complaints and negativity? Or do you push through to get to solutions and optimism? Focusing on the negative will make a problem feel larger than it already is.
8. Checking In.
What does your chapter do when someone is sick? How would your sisters respond if someone’s mother passed away? Who checks up on sisters who have missed a few meetings? What do you do on a sister’s birthday? The way that everyone responds and reacts to big (and little) life events will go a long way in how your chapter culture is defined.
If you want a cohesive and unified chapter, you need to remember that your sisters have lives outside of the sorority, and you need to keep up with what’s going on with them. Be there for each other through the ups and downs.
9. Laughter.
Don’t take yourself too seriously. Incorporate some laughter, fun, and lightheartedness into your agenda.
By changing the way you react, you can have a positive impact on the social patterns and interactions within your sorority. The culture within your chapter might not change overnight, but your positive efforts will be noticed. Soon everyone around will be able to tell that all of you women in the DST shirts aren’t just matching, you’re sisters.
