Time Commitment
We are so excited to be back in person this upcoming school year. Please ask each chapter during recruitment to get a greater understanding on mandatory meetings & events. Below are some information for what a typical year would look like in terms of time commitment.
Joining a sorority is an overall commitment; not just of time. Being students, time is often in short supply. We want to help inform you of the mandatory events that all sorority members attend so you can ensure sorority membership will fit with your student/life balance.
The UBC Learning Commons has excellent resources on time management. Each sorority values scholarship and service. If you are concerned with the amount of time you need to study or volunteer, these will both fit perfectly into the sorority woman’s schedule! We especially like the "Where does the time go?" sheet and the Blank Weekly Timetable. If you are concerned that sorority membership might be too much for you to handle, try the resources we’ve provided and visit the Learning Commons Website for more tips and resources! Additionally, you can contact us or speak to your Recruitment Counsellor about your concerns. |
Weekly Mandatory Events
During your new member period, you will attend an extra meeting for about 1-2 hours each week, generally on Wednesday nights. This new member meeting is where you will be taught in-depth information about the sorority’s values, history and programs. It’s also a great way to bond with your new member class.
All chapters hold weekly chapter meetings on Wednesday nights. Mandatory attendance at these meetings ranges from weekly to twice a month. These meetings are to conduct sorority business (budgeting, elections, planning) and to deliver sorority programming (character development, fun activities, etc.). Expect to spend about 1-2 hours at each chapter meeting.
Some chapters have weekly mandatory study hours and programs to help members meet the minimum membership grade requirement. You’d be studying anyway but some chapters have programs where a certain number of hours must be completed with a study buddy or include a study session check-in. At the bare minimum, a typical week may look something like this:
All chapters hold weekly chapter meetings on Wednesday nights. Mandatory attendance at these meetings ranges from weekly to twice a month. These meetings are to conduct sorority business (budgeting, elections, planning) and to deliver sorority programming (character development, fun activities, etc.). Expect to spend about 1-2 hours at each chapter meeting.
Some chapters have weekly mandatory study hours and programs to help members meet the minimum membership grade requirement. You’d be studying anyway but some chapters have programs where a certain number of hours must be completed with a study buddy or include a study session check-in. At the bare minimum, a typical week may look something like this:
In order to show support for other sorority and fraternity chapters on campus, and to get involved with the community, many chapters will circulate sign up lists for service, sports and social events. It won’t be mandatory that you attend them all but you will be expected to sign up and participate for what the chapter executive sets as each member’s “fair share.” Each chapter has different expectations of the amount of time they require members to commit to these other activities. It’s important to ask them during recruitment! For members who wish to get involved in all aspects of sorority life, a typical week may look something like this:
No chapter meetings take place during any school recess (i.e. exam periods, winter/summer break and reading week).
Annual Mandatory Events
- Chapter Retreats (1-2 days each, 2-3 times/year)
- Formal Recruitment (5 days, 1 time/year)
- Your chapter philanthropy (4-6 hours each, 2 times/year)
- * Send Off Seniors (2-3 hours, 1 time/year)
- * Pride Of Panhellenic (2-3 hours, 1 time/year)
- * Founders Day (2-3 hours, 1 time/year)
- * Alumnae Events (2-3 hours, 1 time/year)
* These events are mandatory depending on the chapter.