Initiation - Fall 2011

On November 25th we held our Fall Initiation where we welcomed our 10 new members into full membership. The pledge class selected Shannon McKechnie to represent their new member education period experiences and reflect on initiation.

Here is what she had to say:

"Sorority. By definition, a sorority is a social organization for female university students. To many people outside of this life, this may be all they see, but in actuality, a sorority is much, much more. I have come to learn that sorority women are diverse, motivated, loyal, and selfless amongst many other wonderful things. The women I have met excel academically, as well as dedicate their time to important philanthropy. My pledge class sisters and I have just completed our first stage of life as a TriDelta sister, having been through the recruitment process, pledged our commitment and learned our history. Our initiation marks our transition into sisterhood, the heart of sorority life.

Each house I visited during recruitment had an amazing sense of sisterhood, which was very inspiring. However, by the end of this process the decision was clear for ten of us: Delta Delta Delta. The new member period has been an amazing time of discovery and growth for each of us. We learnt what it means to be a TriDelta sister, but also special qualities about ourselves that will help enrich our experience. Each of our Big Sisters, as well as the rest of the chapter has been there for us answering questions and providing guidance whenever it was needed. It is so comforting to know that healthy, confident, intelligent women are there to support you! This is such an important part of sisterhood that I will forever cherish. The first ritual ceremony we participated in was pledging. This ceremony was very special as it was our official promise to the sorority to honour the ideals of the organization. I think my pledge class sisters and I immediately bonded after this first ritual experience because it is something that was new for all of us. Being able to have each new experience with these girls has been a privilege. Our New Member Educator taught us of our history, our philanthropic dedication and how to make the most of our experiences in chapter. A very important aspect of our organization is our philanthropy: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and locally, the Hospital for Sick Children. These amazing, large scale partners help motivate us to continue to give back in any way possible. I sincerely feel that each time we met for new member classes my confidence in TriDelta was reaffirmed: Every sister in our chapter exemplifies our purpose, and this has been incredibly motivating. The history and impact of TriDelta as an organization has humbled me in so many ways. 

As my sisters and I initiated, I was thinking of the future. Initiation was our first official step into an amazing sisterhood built by the 'Delta Love' in our chapter. I look forward to sharing my university years and beyond with my sisters! TriDelta will give us a unique university experience that we will carry for the rest of our lives as we fulfill each step of TriDelta membership. To me, TriDelta means being loyal and honest to both yourself and sisters, giving selflessly, learning from your mistakes and growing as a person. If my older sisters are any indication of the kind of woman I can be through this experience, then I am confident I made the right decision in joining not only this amazing organization, but sorority life in general. I am proud to be a Delta Delta Delta!"

Shannon McKechnie

Fall 2011

 Our New Member Educator, Catherine Young, organized a retreat for the new members November 18th.