Sorority & Fraternity Life Albums

Just a few weeks ago, I was going through some boxes that had never been unpacked from my last move. At the bottom of one of those boxes was my sorority scrapbook, full of photos and mementos of some of the best times in my life. And there it was packed away in my garage with baby toys and old books. I grabbed that bright yellow album (you know, the kind with the padded fabric cover?) and curled up on my sofa to spend some time with my memories. It was then that I realized how horribly I had documented those years. Instead of paragraphs describing memorable events and treasured friendships, I had phrases cut from magazines. Instead of capturing the personalities of my sisters, I had just names. I determined right then that I would go back and begin to scrapbook what those years really meant to me. If you are or were in a sorority or fraternity, I urge you to do the same!

What to document

There are so many different things that you can include in your sorority or fraternity scrapbook, with or without photos. Start with the following items and springboard from there!

The beginning - Why did you join, how did you feel during rush or recruitment, what was your pledge period like? How did your family and friends feel about your decision

Greek Life - What was Greek Life like on your campus? How many other fraternities and sororities were there? Did you celebrate Greek Week? If so, what were the events of the week and who won?

The Organization - What are the basic facts about your organization? Motto? Colors? Symbol? Year founded? Who were your officers? Did you serve in any leadership role? Did you interact with other chapters at different schools?

Friendships - To me, the best part of sorority life was the friendships made. No matter the time of day, there was always a sister to call or with whom to do something. As a matter of fact, being without that was the one most difficult adjustment I had to make after graduation. Capture that type of feeling in your layouts, as well as any special relationships, such as a little sister or roommate.

Activities - what type of activities did your sorority or fraternity have? Which were your favorites? Which things were tradition, and which things were new because of your class?

Formal photos - Year after year, we had formal composite and formal dance photos taken. Because these were larger, they are in the back of my scrapbook, with bent corners. Consider reducing the size of these and getting them preserved on layouts.

After college - why stop with graduation? Capture reunions, homecomings, and other alumni activities. Did you continue on to be involved nationally or in an advisor capacity? Get that into your scrapbook!

Products

As you are probably aware, there is not much of a selection in sorority or fraternity scrapbooking products. K&Co has an extensive line of albums, papers and coordinating embellishments for sororities. Try some of the following solutions:

• Make your own background paper using text of your organization name or motto.
  
  
• Use papers and embellishments that are representative of your organization's mascot or flower.
  
  
• Check with your national office for electronic versions of their graphics, such as your seal or logo.
  
  
• Find a computer font for Greek letters. Using Word Art, reverse letters and cut out for your own Greek die cut letters.
  
  
• Use bumper stickers, coasters, ribbon, poker chips and any other little items made for sororities and fraternities.

Shopping Resources

www.greekcreations.com

www.greekgear.com