Membership in a sorority is the beginning of a new experience with new friends and a new home-away-from-home. The first step in joining a sorority is Formal Recruitment, held in the first few weeks of school. Formal Recruitment is a very special time for active members of our chapter because new members are the future of our sorority. New members contribute to the enrichment of and help shape our sorority in new and exciting ways. There are four events designed for the sorority and potential members to get acquainted with each other. During the first semester of your pledging, all of the activities are designed to orient you with your sorority's history and goals, while working toward initiation.
Formal Recruitment:
Formal Recruitment is the main process the three National Panhellenic Conference sororities at Whitman College use to recruit new members. Formal Recruitment is conducted at the start of fall semester. The two consecutive weekends consist of four rounds of events that allow potential members the opportunity to learn about Kappa Kappa Gamma and each sorority at Whitman, as well as what it means to join a sorority. The first activity is section tours where women will get to see each sorority section in Prentiss Residence Hall. The following two days are Activity Day and Philanthropy Day where potential new members learn more about each sorority. Activity Day includes a fun activity which gives women time to get to know each other and the organization. During Philanthropy day, women are introduced to Kappa’s philanthropic organizations and service projects including Mr. Whitman, Kappa Saturdays at the Walla Walla Public Library, Dr. Seuss Day, the Reading is Fundamental organization, and the Kappa Kappa Gamma foundation. During these recruitment events, women will have the time to ask questions about sorority activities, financial obligations, new member programs, scholarship, community service, and sorority life in general.
The Closing Day of Formal Recruitment (Tea Day) is by mutual selection and is held off-campus. Each potential member can attend up to two parties on the final day. Tea Day is the most formal day of Recruitment and women are expected to dress “formally” (Walla Walla style).
The Panhellenic Advisor and recruitment counselors (Rho Chis) will explain the process in detail before and throughout Recruitment. Each potential member will be assigned to a recruitment counselor determined by their residence section. Each recruitment counselor will be available during the entire process to answer questions.
Like every Kappa Kappa Gamma chapter, Gamma Gamma values legacies. A legacy is a potential member whose sister, mother, grandmother, or great-grandmother is an initiated Kappa Kappa Gamma. Legacies bring the tradition of Kappa, heritage, and enthusiasm. Please submit legacy notification forms before September 7, 2009. Legacy notifications or recommendation letters can be sent to:
Sarah Deming
Kappa Kappa Gamma - Membership
Whitman College
280 Boyer Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362
Recruitment Schedule 2009:
Sorority Orientation Meeting
September 6, 2009
2-3pm in Olin 130
Come find out more about Greek Life at Whitman and the sorority recruitment process!
Sign-Ups
September 7-11, 2009
11:30am-1:00pm in Reid Campus Center There will be a sign-up table in Reid Campus center foyer to register for recruitment. This includes completing a recruitment information form and paying the $5 registration fee.
Sorority Section Tours
Friday, September 11, 2009
4:00-5:00 pm
Activity Day
September 12, 2009
9:00am-2:00pm
On the first day of sorority recruitment each potential member will visit all three of the sororities. The functions will be held at various locations around campus. It can be very warm at this time of year so wear comfortable shoes and dress casually.
Philanthropy Day
September 19, 2009
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
The second day of membership recruitment is Philanthropy Day. You will be attending three sorority functions to learn more about the philanthropic organizations and service projects that the groups support both locally and nationally. Again, wear comfortable shoes and dress casually.
Closing Day
September 20, 2009
10:00am-4:00pm
Closing Day is the final and most formal event of the recruitment process. You will be attending up to two of the closing day functions. This day is very special to the sorority women and they look forward to sharing themselves and their chapters with you. The usual attire for this day is a dress, skirt, or nice pants.
Bid Night
September 22, 2009
7:30pm Bid night is the time when the individual sororities distribute invitations to membership. The sorority members meet their new members in front of Memorial Building and then escort the new members to bid night functions. These functions are focused on having the new members get acquainted with each other as well as welcoming them to their sorority!
Alternative Recruitment
September 14, 2009
7:00-8:15pm Students sometimes have a conflict with the recruitment schedule, especially if they participate in fall athletics. In order to provide an opportunity for these students to take a closer look at the sororities, we have created an alternative recruitment process. On each of these days, one of the sororities will host an evening activity. Dress is casual.