club week 265 new kind of family The student center was packed with new members who were excited about the prospect of getting into a club while frantically trying to get signatures. However as the week went on, stresses began to build for both new and old members as countless hours were put into club week activities. In light of this, many clubs assigned big brothers and big sisters to new members to help alleviate as much of the stress as possible. “I’m glad we have big brothers,” freshman and new TNT member Mitchell Carter said. “One of my big brothers bought me Chick-fil-A one afternoon and made me eat it because I didn’t eat much all week.” Senior OEGE president Vanessa Borsheim said she really enjoyed having a little sister during club week. Borsheim described a big sister as being a support system throughout club week. “It was important to us that our girls knew if there was anything they needed throughout the week that they had someone they could [turn] to,” Borsheim said. “It was also good because the new [members] learned how to communicate with the rest of the club.” Graduate student Jake Blair, president of men’s social club Gamma Sigma Phi, said his club dedicated about 15 minutes each night for big brother and little brother time. He said the new members were allowed to ask questions about the week, and then they prayed together. Blair said his club also shook things up by trying something they had never done before. While eating dinner, the big and little brother groups were to witness to people they encountered at the restaurants. “We broke up into big brother groups, and each of the older members took their little brother to a fast food place and bought them dinner,” Blair said. “The goal was to practice raw, spreading of the Gospel by trying to talk to someone about Jesus. I think it turned out really well.” Junior Rachel Geddie, a member of women’s club Pi Theta Phi, said that each of the old members was assigned one or two new members as little sisters. Geddie said big sisters would buy gifts throughout the week to help brighten spirits and encourage their little sisters. “One of the best parts about being a big sister is you get the chance to become really close with your little sister,” Geddie said. “It creates a strong bond and makes you automatic friends.” Chi Omega Pi member junior Mallory Thompson said the new and old members in her club received a clue on a piece of paper linking the little and big sister together. Thompson said she and her little sister formed an instant connection, and they made plans to hang out after club week even before it was over. “My big sister was so encouraging to me; she would always make sure I was doing OK, and it was so uplifting,” Thompson said. “Now I look forward every year to being a big sister so I can give back to someone else what she gave to me.” While club week was tough at times, the efforts made by older members to encourage the new members made a great impact. Many felt that the friendships formed through being a big brother or a big sister were friendships that would last a lifetime. Zach Welch big sisters, big brothers and inductees
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