Conference has been a very interesting eye opening experience to say the very least.
I truly appreciated the experience and am glad that the Active house got to experience it first hand. We definitely feel more informed and would be better prepared for next conference. Most importantly, we are more motivated to strive harder to continue reestablishing our presence on campus, and going above and beyond our goals and expectations as Eta Chapter.
Business aside, what really struck a chord in my heart during conference was just seeing how passion driven people are. As I was sitting in the conference room with my line sisters by my side, and searching for familiar faces in the room, and as my eyes scanned throught the people sitting at the front (National Board members); I thought to myself.. wow. These ladies here; some drove for many many hours, many flew from coast to coast, just to be here today to honor what our Founders has set 17 years ago. It was especially humbling to see how passion driven these ladies are. Not only are they not receiving any monetary payments of any sort, in fact, having to fork out money to be here today; being in the sorority definitely requires a lot of sacrifices but money is the least of any of our sacrifices; it is the time and effort put into embracing and living up to the title of Ladies of Alpha Phi Gamma, and striving to better our sorority all the time. We may be from different chapters, but we have a common bond; our Sisterhood solidified through our experience. Our shared passion for what our letters stand for. These ladies are paid in terms of intrinsic rewards; the satisfaction from wanting to serve and give back to something that has impacted their lives positively. This, you know is genuine. And just to know, how much of an impact APhiG has on girls across the nation, truly humbles me.
Yes, there is no doubt that every chapter has its own set of unique challenges and experiences, but to know that we have these experience as a result of one common thing; APhiG - that is what this is all about; solidarity within diversity, bracing through adversity for something that we have grown to love and care about. :) Seeing people finding passion in something, not only through the sorority, but with any other organization/ endeavour in life NEVER fails to put a smile on my face. It is the sense of belonging and the sense of purpose found through such endeavours that warms my heart :)
It was absolutely great to receive so much input and insight from experienced Sisters who have been with the Sorority for so long, and absolutely lovely to gain fresh perspectives from the newer Sisters. All that was discussed and mentioned, will definitely be remembered and used towards the betterment of our own chapter.
So the past weekend has indeed been eventful. It was lovely meeting new sisters, learning more about the sorority, and of course, the entire conference; my favorite part would have to be Battle of the Sisters and the presentation in domestic violence! What a great presentation and awesoem performances from all chapters. :) uber fun.
But above all, my most favorite part about the whole trip was being able to spend some "vacation" time with my line sisters :) These girls teach me what I know, and what I believe in APhiG. Without them, there will be no me. No vOWeL 39H. And of course, being able to spend some time with my big sis. :) I really liked that.
I came out of conference with so much in my mind, and having the need to just write them all out. It was emotionally charged and well, as you guys know, I'm not the most eloquent nor outspoken person around. But many things are better left unsaid. Many things are better described without being vocalized; they are better painted with emotions and feelings embeded in each's heart and memories :)
I guess.. what I'm trying to say is that.. I'm really proud of what the Active house has achieved and especially proud of us Lambdas. I know that Eta chapter has been struggling the past few years but together with the 2 Kappas, 7 Lambdas and our amazing Alum House; we have been able to do more than we ever had in a while.. And these claims do not go unjustified; on campus, we have definitely gained more presence through our involvement, we were close to winning APhiG All-Star award (2nd place yo!) and haha the Lambdas won first place for the Fall 2010 competition.
More importantly; the thing that I feel that we should be MOST proud of; is how much we have grown from the last semester as Actives together with the Kappas. It is so easy, too easy, to lose ourselves in the stress and be blinded from our ambitions for the chapter. It is easy to be sidetracked from what brought us together, to be lost in the journey towards our destination. I guess, it is just easy to forget that beyond all that we want to achieve; we are together first as Sisters. We started as Sisters, we are in this as Sisters and we definitely want to emerge triumphantly as ladies with stronger Sisterhood from working together and not stray apart because of work.
Differences are inevitable (that is how we grow) and you have no idea how glad and proud I am of us all - to not let our differences be our weakness as we turned it as our strength. We address each others' concern with equal gravity, we embrace our unique experiences and ideas and we respect what we each have to offer; we avoided conflict by treating each other as equals, and we teach and learn from each other for the betterment of ourselves, and for our chapter, for our sisterhood. This would not have been such a smooth semester if we did not have bear in mind the values APhiG stood for. For the Lambdas, I truly believe, we would not have transition so smoothly as Actives and continue to have such great Sisterhood, if it were not for how we were pledged. :) So thank you RC and Mummmeyyh :)
To the Kappa Kois,
Lambda rules! lol. I kid (or am I?) But really, it has been such a great semester and both your input has definitely helped us transitioned better. Thank you for treating and accepting us as equals and not just as neos (yes Kate, even though you have your "urghh-i-hate-you-neos-moments" but you cant deny that we work so great as an Active House right? ;) After all, it is not a Kappa-Lambda thing what we're doing. It's an Eta thing. :)
I cannot stress how much I am so thankful for the love that we have, and how we all truly want the best for each other and to grow as a chapter. Otherwise, like any other organizations, it would be an awfully dramatic play of politics and spite (asian drama much? lol) and I am glad we are drama-free. We are full of love! (corny!! haha)
Sorry for this emotional shpill of a ramble. haha. I just needed to write. And I only write about things of which I'm passionate about. :)
I love you all. Thank you for being my Sisters. And here's to a new semester.
Cheers,
Veneeta/Neeta/Poopeedoo.
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