Do You Feel a Sense of Belonging?

Belonging … Do you feel it?

It’s something inside, that controls everything we do.  It asks questions such as “Will it benefit me?” “Do I need it?” “Will I participate?” “Will I commit?”

In Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs the sense of belonging is one of the key needs motivating human behavior. The sense of belonging leads us to become the best that we can be. We belong, we feel good and we succeed as individuals, as AOII’s and as a Fraternity. For AOII, a Sense of Belonging is so important, it is one of our Global Ends.

Why did you join AOII? Were you looking for a place to belong? We made commitments to each other and AOII at our initiations. Do you remember that excited feeling, as you walked in the door- the joy, warmth, lightness, and the relief you were home. You are ours and we are yours, to share, grow, lift up and to lean on. We are here to be part of each other’s lives,’ today and tomorrow.

Is your sense of belonging a little dull, like brass, does it need a little polish? May is the month of so many changes, the breath of summer is upon us, gardens are beginning to sprout, roses are blooming, graduation has finally arrived. How can you polish that sense of belonging?

Graduating Seniors, you can update your personal information on Alpha Link? Have you attended your chapter’s last Ritual before graduation?  It will help to “charge” you up!  You have probably had a celebration with your chapter of all the things that you have done and will be leaving with them.  But what will you take with you? Take your feeling of belonging, the excitement, the joy, and the warmth with you to your new alumnae chapter. Join the chapter and respond if they contact you, even if it is to say, “I am sorry, I can’t make it.”  First Year on Us is designed for you!  Belong, be authentic, bring all of you to your new alumnae chapter.

Alumnae Chapters, have you shared the Senior to Alumnae Status Ritual with your local graduating seniors? What can you do to connect with them? Touching base with personal notes, emails, or a coffee date can create a sense of belonging. Don’t be discouraged if they are busy, contact them again. They need you and you need them. Create that sense of belonging.

Stella George Stern Perry wrote in her letter to the 1939 Ohio Valley Convention, “We wanted a fraternity that should carry on the delightful fellowships and cooperations of college days into the workaday years ahead and do so magnanimously, both in school and afterwards.” Our Founders knew what it took to belong, they created our Ritual and a dream. AOII is in your heart, You do belong!

You may contact the Rituals, Traditions, and Jewelry Committee (RT&J) about anything Ritual-related at RTandJ@alphaomicronpi.org.