A Year in Review: Life as an LC

Although I left my sorority's international headquarters on May 10, my last duty as a Leadership Consultant for Alpha Delta Pi just ended in Dallas this weekend, as the other consultants and I worked at the biannual Grand Convention.

This year was a whirlwind to say the least. For anyone who isn't Greek—or even those of you who are Greek but never experienced a consultant visit—this job probably sounds ridiculous. Some of us affectionately call ourselves "professional sorority girls," but really we serve many purposes: event planners, conversation experts, recruitment gurus, confidants, handywomen, and—of course—leadership consultants. No matter the specific purpose of our visit, we always met with the collegiate sorority officers to provide suggestions, analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the chapter, and develop detailed reports and chapter goals to help the organization continue to improve.

I already shared several of the things I learned during my first semester of this position, and now I'd like to share a few more:

A Semester in Review: Life as an LC

And that's only the beginning—only the most quantifiable things I could think of at this moment. I took this job because I knew it would offer me opportunities I wouldn't be able to find in any other line of work, at any other time in my life. I took this job even though I had been fortunate to find an internship at a great magazine: an open door into the career I had been preparing for since becoming my high school's newspaper editor in 2005. I took this job even though many people (friends and family included) didn't understand why I wanted to work for a sorority. But that story is for another day—maybe next summer when I'm searching for journalism jobs and wondering why I did leave the industry for a year.

For now, however, I wanted to share with you some of things I've learned on the road this semester as an Alpha Delta Pi Leadership Consultant:

I've got the whole world ...

... in my bag!

If you've been following my blog for a while, you might remember when I posted about how I fit my entire life into 96 pounds worth of luggage at the beginning of this journey. Somehow, a lot of those items have migrated to a permanent place in my purse. You never know what you might need! On any given day, my purse serves as ...

... an actual purse. Of course I have the necessities: Wallet, passport, business cards (in multiple holders; I have quite a collection now), receipt pouch, assorted ticket stubs that haven't been thrown away and my Alpha Delta Pi badge.

... a drugstore. Some chapter members have called my purse the "Mary Poppins bag" because I can seem to find everything in there. A chapter member smeared her eye make-up during a meeting? Good thing I have some Neutrogena cleansing wipes! Someone has a headache? I'm handing out the pain relievers! Got a stain? I have TWO Tide-to-Go pens for that. Other items in this category include gum, mints, Tums, cough drops, assorted pieces of candy, a water bottle, Kleenex, a nail file, a compact mirror, various lip balms, sunglasses, hair ties, bobby pins, hand sanitizer and—of course—a small flashlight.

(#beprepared)

... Best Buy. Of course I need my basic technology: My iPad, various cords, a USB drive, my phone (and my work phone, which I used to take these pictures) and my iPod.

... a (post) office. I have this thing for stationery, so I always have a few cards on hand. I also carry a small photo album I've been using to collect postcards from each school, a pencil pouch with assorted pens and highlighters to color-code my planner, said planner, return address labels, an unfinished crossword, post-its and two notebooks (one big and one small; you never know what the occasion will call for!).

Other items that can often be found in my purse depending on the day include a TSA-approved bag of liquid toiletries, a bag of almonds (or other snacks), my padfolio, my Kindle and/or chargers for my various electronics.

So tell me: What's in your bag?

P.S. — I did a similar post back in May, but my life was significantly less interesting then.

Traveling Consultant Essentials

Wow; I can't believe I've already been on the road for two months! In some ways, it seems like way more than two months ago that I boarded my flight to my first chapter visit at Washington State University. In other ways, I feel like I just started! Now that it has officially been two months, I wanted to share some of the lessons I've learned this year. Today, I wanted to share with you the items I packed that have proven to be the most helpful on the road:

Travel Needs by mcszr3

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7

1. I keep three different sizes of Ziploc bags rolled up in my suitcase and secured with a hair tie. You never know when you might need one!
2. I felt silly buying a black silk robe at first, but it has been so convenient. I thought the robe was a little sultry for my purposes, but it was a $50 robe on sale for $8 at Kohl's, so I could not pass it up.
3. Did you know that I love scarves? My infinity scarves even double as blankets on plane rides!
4. Did you also know that I love stationery? I have about three boxes in my suitcase. Priorities.
5. This is absolutely the number-one smartest item I packed this year: a compact multi-outlet extension cord. It perfectly fits my personal phone, PiPhone and PiPad chargers, so I can always keep my most important electronics fully juiced. I have no idea how I would find enough outlets to do this without this handy little cord. It was actually one of the last things I packed, too—purely on impulse.
6. These nude flats from Payless have been my lifesaver. They match just about everything and are so practical. I found them in leopard the other day and am thinking I need to expand my collection!
7. Finally, a traveler can never have enough dryer sheets. I put them in my shoes and between my clothes to keep my suitcases smelling fresh, and they are great for helping to de-static my hair in the morning. Oh yeah, and I do laundry with them sometimes.

What are your travel necessities?

What's wrong with being a sorority girl?

My first few months of traveling as a Leadership Consultant for Alpha Delta Pi have been primarily filled with recruitment visits. In preparation for the recruitment period, many chapters talk about what their sorority means to them and what they are looking for in their new members. A common theme I have found among the schools I've visited is that the women do not think of themselves as "sorority girls." In fact, they pride themselves on not being "sorority girls." To this, I have two reactions:

1. Most obviously: A) You are a woman. B) You are in a sorority. Therefore, you are a "sorority girl" (or, as I prefer to say, sorority woman).

2. More importantly: When people say they're not a "sorority girl," what are they really saying? They're probably saying they are not Elle Woods, right? (Although, Elle did graduate with honors from Harvard Law, so I'm not sure what's so wrong with being her....)

Source: justanothersouthernbelle.tumblr.com via Alice on Pinterest

I understand why people think of sorority girls as blonde bimbos; that's how we are portrayed in the media. However, I always like to remind the women in the chapters I visit to look at our creed, and then tell me why they don't want to be "sorority girls."

What is wrong with wanting to serve mankind selflessly?

     What is wrong with being a courageous and confident leader?

          What is wrong with focusing on scholarship and relationships?

               What is wrong with striving to do your best in everything you undertake?

If being in a sorority were about clothes and make-up, I never would have joined. Luckily, that is not what being in a sorority is about ... at all. It's about forming lasting friendships with women who share the same values I do. It's about developing my own personality and character into a strong, independent woman. It's about philanthropy and community service and learning to value the needs of others. It's about realizing my own true potential and finding the motivation and support to live up to that potential. I firmly believe that if sorority women everywhere realize this is what sorority life is about—not all the superficial stuff that is shown on television—that understanding will lead them to achieve rich and useful lives.

Image via the Alpha Delta Pi Pinterest account

Edited to add: I'm linking up this old post for the "Greek is Greek" link-up (hosted Wednesday, August 7, 2013). Click the button below to meet fellow Greek bloggers and read about their sorority experiences! And if you haven't yet, be sure to check out Being Greek: A Sisterhood of Bloggers.

Real Housewives of Macon.

During our Leadership Consultant training, we got to spend one day in Macon, Georgia, exploring the history of Alpha Delta Pi. I also got to see all these wonderful places last year when I was an intern, so you can read specifics about our history in Macon in that post. Today I just wanted to share some Instagram photos from our adventure!

Consultants at Eugenia's grave.

Slightly blurry photo in the Cannonball House.

Being gangster or something outside the Cannonball House....

The Adelphean and Philomathean rooms in the Cannonball House.

Cooling off in the fountain at Wesleyan.

Which college campuses hold special meaning for you? Besides the college(s) you attended, of course. :)

My life in 96 pounds.

I did it! I managed to fit my entire life (for the next four months, anyway) into one suitcase and one carry-on. And a very large purse, of course. (I knew I could do it!) Before I left for my Leadership Consultant training, I took lots of pictures while I was packing so I could write a blog post about it. Unfortunately, I couldn't find my camera cord so I couldn't upload any of the photos. Boo! Luckily, I left for my first chapter visit on Wednesday, so I had to pack everything up again!

I already took a few items home when I went to a wedding in California earlier this month, including a pencil skirt and a pair of casual shorts, but I'll probably have to send more home soon because of all the gifts and goodies we got in Atlanta. It was way harder to pack all that new stuff than I thought it would be! So, here's the updated list of what I'm carrying with me now:

I didn't even know I owned eight pairs of shoes until I packed for this job. (I also packed a pair of brown riding boots, not pictured here.)

I basically packed a whole drugstore. You never know what you'll need....

bath products | dental care | hair care & accessories | skin care | make-up & remover | deodorant | razors | sunscreen | Tide-to-Go & wrinkle release | Q-tips, Band-Aids & other random necessities | medicine | vitamins | travel-sized toiletries for emergencies

The rose of Pi Kappa Phi.

As I've mentioned before, each fraternity and sorority has its own consultant program to support their chapters. On our first full day of training in July, the Pi Kappa Phi consultants drove down from Charlotte to meet the Alpha Delta Pi consultants and tour our Memorial Headquarters. As a former intern, I was able to lead one of the tours and learn just how much I did (and didn't) remember about the building. After the initial meeting and tours, we had cookies and lemonade and chatted about our upcoming years. Many of the Pi Kappa Phi consultant visits overlap with our Alpha Delta Pi assignments, so some of us may see these men again. Before they left, the Pi Kapps gave us a beautiful bouquet of roses and serenaded us with "The Rose of Pi Kappa Phi." Sweet, right? Who said chivalry is dead?

Also, on a completely unrelated note, the winner of my 100-follower giveaway is....

Breanna of My Beautiful, Crazy Life!
Congratulations, Breanna! Email me at semicharmedkol@gmail.com by Monday, August 13, so we can get your prizes to you ASAP. You can go ahead and attach your 200x200 button to that email so I can get it posted in my sidebar immediately. Congrats again! And thanks to everyone who participated. :)

The making of a professional sorority girl.

After meeting each other for the first time at Leadership Seminar a few weeks ago, the 2012-2013 Alpha Delta Pi Leadership Consultants were reunited in Atlanta last Tuesday. We overcame our first travel-related obstacle together by successfully fitting 11 people and 26 suitcases in our two rental cars. Whew! After unloading the cars at Executive Office, we were invited downstairs to receive our new goodies from the sorority.

Here are some of the fabulous things we got to help us get through the year:

• A new iPad, affectionately nicknamed the "PiPad" in these parts.
  
• A PiPhone (which I used to take this picture).
  
• A very official nametag.
  
• A binder designed by our Violet Sister (see below).
  
• Our very own Ritual Book!
  
• Fun folders and office supplies, including sticky pads, paper clips, highlighters, etc.
  
• A padfolio with the crest of Alpha Delta Pi.
  
• Legit business cards with a card holder.

When I first found out Brett was my Violet Sister at Leadership Seminar, she told me she had stalked my Pinterest to see what kind of stuff I liked. I can tell from this binder: It just screams Megan, don't you think? :) She also sent me a beautiful engraved bracelet at Executive Office accompanied by a turtle card. It was such a nice surprise!

Thanks, Violet! :)

After opening up all our goodies, our boss gave us the best gift of all: Our August schedules! I'm not saying where I'm going quite yet, but I will say I'll be visiting five campuses in three different states during the month of August, and I couldn't be more excited.

Stay tuned for more updates from our training here in Atlanta!

I'm back!

Hello all! I can't believe I've only written one non-SCSBC post in the past two weeks. After two weeks on the east coast, I'm finally back in California and hoping to make blogging (and blog reading) a priority this week before I jet back to Atlanta again for more job training. Here's a quick review of my stint in Atlanta at the end of June:

I flew to Atlanta on June 25 to begin job training for my new position as an Alpha Delta Pi Leadership Consultant, which included attending our biannual national leadership seminar. I was also privileged to attend this seminar as an emerging leader for my chapter two years ago, so it was neat being back at the same hotel with many of the same programs and facilitators. I wrote about my experience with the IMPACT program two years ago on the ADPi Leadership Seminar blog here if you want more details.

The 2012-2013 Leadership Consultants for Alpha Delta Pi. (I'm in the yellow dress.)

As an incoming LC this year, I went through the other program offered at Leadership Seminar: the Adelphean Compass. We also squeezed in some extra training sessions before the seminar, which you can read about in my second post for the Leadership Seminar blog. After the conference ended on Sunday, we had another day and a half of training to learn about expansion, or the process through which a sorority seeks to establish a new chapter at a university. Although I was pretty absent from my social media during the week, I did try to keep up on my Instagram:

Big news!

It's time for another edition of The Vintage Apple's "Oh, How Pinteresting Wednesday!" From now on, I'm also going to combine my Wednesday post with another link-up, "What I'm Loving Wednesday" from This Kind of Love, because I usually only pin stuff I love anyway, right? :) So here goes!

First, there is something specific that I am loving this week. Last Thursday, I found out I had been chosen as a 2012-2013 Leadership Consultant for Alpha Delta Pi sorority, and on Monday I got to tell everyone! A Leadership Consultant (or "LC," as we more often call them) is a first-year alumna of Alpha Delta Pi who travels around the country helping collegiate chapters and colonies with officer trainings, programming, recruitment, rituals and the like. I'm super excited about this job because it combines two of my favorite things—leadership development and travel—with, of course, ample opportunities for social media! I hope you'll follow along with my travels on this blog when I start the job this summer!