Being a Big

[CASIGKAP]

I plan on hopefully being a Big Sis to a new member this fall. I have never been a Big before and I was curious, what exactly does it entail? If anyone has any advice and/or stories, it would be greatly appreciated!

[Tom Earp]

Lead, Instruct, Protect, and most of all be a Friend!

Relations like that will last for a life time!

[azdtaxi]

lots of money

[adpiucf]

Call the new member you are sponsoring AT LEAST once a week, and make an effort to do something with her weekly.

Don't treat her like she's a five year old. College women don't need stickers featuring the Powerpuff Girls, nor coloring books. Give gifts that she'll treasure. Think quality over quantity. Anything with letters, bought or homemade, is appreciated, as are books you have enjoyed and would like to share with her.

Also, include other new members and their sponsors in your outings, to encourage the new members to mix with the older ones. Not everyone is blessed with an over-attentive initated sponsor, and your attention will be appreciated.

Ideas for Activities
- Go to lunch in the student union
- Go walking/running/work out
- Watch Must-See-TV together
- Make posters for an intramural game
- Sign up for a service project or join a campus organization together
- Have ice cream sundaes
- Help her study for her initiation exam
- Go to a movie or a campus event
- Decorate pumpkins for Halloween
- Make little "happies" for other members of the chapter and have a craft session to make them
- Scrapbooking

It doesn't have to cost a ton of money to sponsor a new member. Think about each week of pre-initation. Meaningful notes and some thoughtful homemade gifts (a bulletin board with letters, a scrapbook, an inexpensive stuffed toy that represents your animal mascot, a homemade book of inspirations, sorority stationery, etc.) go a long way, and time spent together makes for warm lifetime memories.

So my best advice is: spend time with your new sister and get to know her as a person. Include her in your life and help her meet the other sisters and adjust to being Greek.

[DolphinChicaDDD]

Originally posted by azdtaxi
lots of money

co-sign

even though we're supposed to give our littles just what comes out of the budget, everyone ends up spending more money. I know i did.

[TSteven]

Depends on your chapter and GLO what specific duties being a big might entail.

But along Tom's advice, add patience and understanding. And don't underestimate azdtaxi's advice as well. I think it is more of a sorority thing, but you may very well find yourself spending more money on you little than you think on gifts and whatnot.