VIBRANT in...PINK!

In addition to my internship this summer, I had two great volunteer opportunities. With each experience, I felt I would enhance the skills and knowledge I have in the various fields of higher education. However, this first experience was VIBRANT and UNIQUE.

After the semester of working with the North-American Interfraternity Conference working with leadership program development, I sought out another opportunity to facilitate UIFI. Since my first placement conflicted with an educational course, I assumed that this summer I would not have the opportunity to facilitate. However, a last minute opportunity came open. When I received the call, I thought they would tell me UIFI Session 6 or later. Well, I found out it was Phi Mu UIFI Session 1.

When finding out which session I had been selected, I was ECSTATIC. The UIFI experience is one life changing experience. I credit my UIFI Session in 2008 as one of my top three life changing experiences. Phi Mu Women's Fraternity was the first organization based UIFI session. With this in mind, I was not sure how this all would work but continue to support the mantra, "Trust the Process," when I am at UIFI.

I drove to Bloomington, IN with excitement and nerve all over the circuit board. How would sorority women react to my passion about ritual and stance on living your values and not compromising who you are to accomplish your goals. I did not know what to think. What will the students be like? Who will be my counterpart for our chapter? Will we get them to the expected outcomes? All I can say is AMAZING, AMAZING, and YES!

The quality and dynamics of lead facilitators, chapter facilitators, Phi Mu staff, volunteers, and collegians made for one of my most rewarding experiences of a lifetime. As soon as I arrived at the Phi Mu House at Indiana. I felt like I was home (Yes, Phi Mu I said it.) During Day Zero, meeting the facilitators and learning today made me more excited and felt that I was in the right session and would mix well with others.

When the students arrived, I was ready to "whip my hair back and forth," which I did as an icebreaker. They were excited and nervous just like I was before arriving. In addition, I was excited to see my alma mater (Mercer University) represented at that session.

The long days and nights of learning and educating these women had my adrenaline going high and willing to push the women to the next level. I will say these sorority women exceed my expectations. They understood values, purpose, and need to enhance the fraternal movement, whether a discussion about leadership, values, or ritual-THEY GOT IT! Cassie and I worked with Chapter One and pushed our women to think beyond the norm. When they said how do we make it work, I said you make it work by you living the difference. I am proud of the women I worked with. We smiled, laughed, cried, argued, and agreed to go beyond the societal norms and live to the expectations set forth by our founders.

Through this experience, I learned that I have a passion to work with sorority women and may look into working with sorority headquarters in the future. Engaging women and enhancing their ability to lead their chapters through accountability and values makes me excited for the future of higher education and the fraternal movement.

Sometimes, we worry about the environment in which we are placed and think we will not fit. However, I believe using the mantra, "TRUST THE PROCESS" allows us, people and student affairs professionals, to look beyond the comfort zone and seize the opportunity to make a difference. I can assure you the outcome will be two fold for both you and the students involved. May you ask yourself instead will I fit but rather "ARE YOU READY?"

Are you ready to open up to students? Are you ready to trust the process as the students? Are you willing to push the students to the limits to make them see their potential and the purpose of values based living? Will you share a commitment and hold others accountable to enhance the fraternal movement? If you can say yes, then you are READY! I challenge you today to make our fraternal movement stronger than ever and it begins with YOU!