1. Samantha Souza
10/8/2015
Profile
CMJ 256-01
509 words
Winnie Leads Sigma Kappa to Successful Recruitment
ALLENDALE- Screams radiated from the Grand Valley State University Fieldhouse on
the evening of September 28th. It was sorority bid night, and all of the sororities on campus were
welcoming their newest members to their chapter.
The women of Grand Valley’s Kappa Beta Chapter of Sigma Kappa Sorority (SK)
watched as their newest members jumped off the stage into the sorority they would now call
home.
Excitement filled the eyes of every woman in the room, including SK’s Vice President of
New Membership (VPNM), Taylor Winnie. She watched through tired eyes as each new
member leaped off the stage with happiness on their face, knowing that her hard work had made
it all possible.
Winnie worked for months to bring home the best possible members for SK. Beginning
her planning in April, she filed report after report to SK National Headquarters, made endless
phone calls to suppliers, stayed up multiple nights to prepare the house, and put in hours of
organization in order to make SK’s recruitment successful.
The purpose of Winnie’s position as VPNM is to recruit women who will uphold SK’s
values and ensure that the future of the sorority will be in good hands.
Winnie says that the position “demands collaboration to work with other members of the
sorority, precise organization, open-mindedness, an ability to take criticism, leadership, and
positivity in order to lead the chapter into a successful recruitment.”
However, Jewel Haji, President of SK, says that the most important quality VPNM must
have is “a passion and priority for the well-being of the sorority, which Taylor has displayed
from day one.”

2. Souza
Profile
Page 2
Winnie began her planning process in the early spring, right after the sorority elected her
to VPNM. She started the process by writing her first report to SK National Headquarters by the
end of April. Winnie had “a plan of activities for each round, decorations, clothing designs, a list
of all suppliers, and a detailed budget” already prepared by the first report.
Winnie continued her work through the summer, tweaking prior plans and planning
summer retreat, where all chapter members participate in a weekend-long, recruitment “boot
camp.”
Once classes started, Winnie had nearly everything planned and the only work left to do
took place during the two weeks of recruitment.
Along with her own planning, Winnie had to meet with Panhellenic Council, the
governing body for all sororities on campus. During Panhellenic meetings, Winnie had to go
over the rules of recruitment, as well as collaborate with the VPNMs from all sororities in order
to insure a fair recruitment.
Overall, Winnie says that the only regret she has about recruitment was allowing the
stress and lack of sleep affect her positive attitude. “I wish I would have taken a deep breath and
told myself to lighten up toward sisters,” says Winnie. However, Haji says, “This truly was the
best recruitment I have seen while being a Sigma Kappa.”
In the end, Winnie’s hard work and dedication brought SK 45 new members who will
become the leaders for the chapter that will continue SK’s legacy.
Taylor Winnie
winniet@mail.gvsu.edu
Jewel Haji
hajije@mail.gvsu.edu