New Member Experience
When you join Gamma Phi Beta, you are considered a new member.
BID DAY
New members are welcomed into the chapter with a Bid Day celebration. Bid Day is the day when new members accept their invitations to join Gamma Phi Beta. Chapters celebrate Bid Day with get-to-know-you activities, welcome gifts, and snacks or a meal. Each campus sets guidelines for Bid Day that chapter’s follow. No matter how your campus celebrates, we know it will be the beginning of memories that last a lifetime.
NEW MEMBER EDUCATION
After Bid Day, you’ll begin new member education. In Gamma Phi Beta, this program is called Fidelity for New Members. This educational program is designed to cultivate sisterhood, explore Gamma Phi Beta’s history and foster a life-long connection to the Sorority. The program includes both online and in-person activities as well as a variety of small-group in person opportunities for new members to build relationships and cultivate a sense of belonging within our sisterhood. New member education lasts four weeks and prepares new members for Initiation into Gamma Phi Beta.
Week 1
- Meet other new members
- Learn about the Sorority’s history, Core Values, policies and financial obligations
- Meet the financial vice president (FVP)
- Meet with her Carnation Crew
- Participate in a sisterhood program designed to meet new friends
- Meet her Gamma Pal
Week 2
- Learn about the obligations and perks of membership as well as the Sorority’s academic requirements and resources
- Meet the education vice president (EVP) and public relations vice president (PRVP)
- Meet with her Carnation Crew
- Participate in a sisterhood program designed to meet new friends
- Meet her Phi Friend
Week 3
- Learn about philanthropy in Gamma Phi Beta, the Sorority’s conferences and events and the three entities of Gamma Phi Beta
- Meet the panhellenic affairs vice president (PAVP) and administrative vice president (AVP)
- Meet with her Carnation Crew
- Participate in a sisterhood program designed to build confidence
- Meet her Beta Buddy
Week 4
- Learn about what to expect during Gamma Phi Beta’s Initiation service
- Meet the membership vice president (MVP)
- Meet with her Carnation Crew
- Participate in a sisterhood program designed to review what she’s learned during new member education
- Participate in a sisterhood program designed to express gratitude
Gamma Pals, Phi Friends and Beta Buddies
During the first three weeks of new member education, all new members have the opportunity to connect 1:1 with initiated chapter members. These 1:1 pairs are known as Gamma Pals, Phi Friends and Beta Buddies. These casual relationships provide an opportunity for new members to build relationships with members outside their new member class and to build a meaningful, lasting support system within Gamma Phi Beta.
Carnation Crews
Each week of new member education features an in-person program. During this in-person program, new members will connect in small groups known as Carnation Crews. New members meet with the same Carnation Crew each week to build relationships and connect with other new members in smaller, more casual setting. Carnation Crews are led by Carnation Crew Leaders who guide small groups through fun get-to-know-you activities. Carnation Crew Leaders also create long-lasting relationships with new members beyond their new member class.
sisterhood activities
All in-person meetings also feature sisterhood activities. These sisterhood activities allow new members to have fun, get to know each other, share their excitements, fears and hopes about moving toward lifetime membership in the Sorority and build lasting bonds that will support them long after their collegiate years.
Big sister/little sister
A Big Sister is someone in the sorority who serves as a role model and mentor to you, her Little Sister.
Big Sisters can:
- Help Little Sisters make new friends by introducing them to initiated sisters or other members of the fraternity/sorority community.
- Talk through class notes and prepare for exams.
- Teach Little Sisters about student resources on campus.
- Encourage Little Sisters to serve in an officer position or on a committee.
- Help Little Sisters make new friends.
- Help Little Sisters decide on a major.
- Answer questions about chapter life and provide guidance on how to blend Gamma Phi Beta membership with other obligations.
- Teach Little Sisters about chapter norms, Gamma Phi Beta traditions and the importance of Gamma Phi Beta’s ritual.
- Provide feedback and advice about behaviors and actions.
CHAPTER LIFE
Outside of new member education, new members participate in all other areas of chapter life alongside initiated members. Learn more about all our collegiate membership experience has to offer.