by Lauren Filippini (Alpha Chi, Butler University), Marketing and communications manager
Amalie Ise (Gamma Chi, Stetson University) has led her chapter at all levels – and this year, she took the lessons she learned from her leadership roles to the whole campus community!
Throughout her collegiate experience, Amalie served as Panhellenic delegate, vice president new member education and chapter president, and she’s gained valuable skills from each.
“Panhellenic delegate has taught me the importance of maintaining a visible presence on campus. … Vice president new member education taught me about intentional relationship building and how to effectively plan, execute and convey information in a way that is digestible and engaging. … Presidency has taught me time management, delegation and problem-solving.”
She didn’t keep these lessons to herself, or even just to her chapter. Stetson hosts the Ignite Series, a professional development program for the fraternity/sorority community that allows collegiate members the chance to share their knowledge and best practices with their peers. Amalie knew she had something to offer.
“I figured, what better way to get Alpha Chi Omega involved on campus and in a positive light than to help other chapters!” she says. Amalie is passionate about the new member experience and requested to present before recruitment so she could support all chapters in welcoming their newest members home.
“The new member process is such a unique and exciting time! But I also know that it can be overwhelming – girls are adapting to a new lifestyle and commitments while trying to balance class and other activities as well,” she explains. “If they feel engaged and a sense of belonging in Alpha Chi Omega, they are more likely to make it to initiation, see the value of sisterhood early on and potentially be willing to take on leadership roles within the chapter.
For the Ignite Series, Amalie reflected on her leadership journey and developed a presentation like those she created for new member meetings, complete with music to set the tone and ease people into conversation. During the presentation, she asked attendees to reflect on how they felt as new members, then explored a common problem of chapters not prioritizing new member retention as much as recruitment. The presentation wrapped up with attendees practicing scenarios and Amalie sharing a “new member retention initiative chart” to help chapters create action plans for helping new members integrate into the chapter.
One of the lessons she shared with Ignite Series attendees is also something Amalie wants all Alpha Chi Omega sisters to know.
“Retention starts with belonging. A new member does not develop a connection to Alpha Chi Omega simply because she accepted a bid; that connection is built through the way she is treated and included every day. Every member of a chapter plays a role in the new member experience, not just the VP new member education or executive board. Taking the time to learn someone's name, inviting her to sit with you, explaining traditions instead of assuming she already understands them and showing genuine interest in her experience can make a lasting difference,” she explains.
As she shares her leadership experience with the Gamma Chi chapter and the Stetson University community, Amalie is building the kind of belonging she found within Alpha Chi Omega – from her future big sister, Sara Hassler, who authentically got to know Amalie during a recruitment event and encouraged her to go Greek to the laughter of her sisters that she hears each day in the halls of the chapter house.
“I have found belonging in Alpha Chi Omega because Alpha Chi Omega has found a place for me,” Amalie says. “I am forever grateful to the organization for giving me my future bridesmaids, countless stories to recount and look back on, and especially for someone to call my sister.”