PERSPECTIVE
When One Door Closes Coming full circle with my own chapter has underscored my belief in Lifelong Commitment. Staying connected to your chapter is important, but it’s just one way to remain engaged with Pi Beta Phi. Our sisterhood invites every woman to add value and contribute in a way that makes her feel fulfilled. My hope is that every sister will understand what she’s received from Pi Phi — leadership skills, a best friend, a career — and give back, so other women can receive the benefits and opportunities she did. Pi Phi gives all members a place we can always come home to, no matter the years, the distance or the changes.
TINA RIVARD Pennsylvania Theta Villanova University
As a first-generation college student, I knew nothing about fraternity and sorority life before my freshman year at Villanova University. After I withdrew from primary recruitment, our Fraternity/Sorority Advisor told me about a unique opportunity with a chapter going through recolonization — Pi Beta Phi. I pledged, determined to work alongside my chapter sisters to make sisterhood a fulfilling experience for all of us. When my sisters gave me the privilege of leading our chapter in several roles, including Chapter President, improving our member experience was my focus all along the way. As President, I met with each of the women in our chapter to learn what they felt we were doing well and what we needed to change. I knew that if we could improve morale, we’d strengthen our sisterhood and ultimately grow our membership. Recruitment wasn’t a natural strength of our chapter, but we worked so hard at it. The year I was President, we came away feeling like we’d recruited to the absolute best of our ability. Quota that year was 32, and I found out we’d matched to 28 new members. My sisters erupted when I announced the good news — I can remember the energy and emotion of that moment like I’m still in the room. The following year, the chapter made quota and our position on campus continued to improve. During the next eight years, we were named a Pi Phi Chapter of Excellence and were recognized for Excellence in Pi Phi for Life/Senior Programming, Community Service and Philanthropic Activities and New Member Programming. After graduation, I knew I wanted to give back to Pi Phi because of everything it gave me, particularly the leadership development opportunities I’d received as a collegian. My chapter experience motivated me to apply for the Leadership Development Consultant program; I interviewed but ultimately wasn't selected for the role. All I'd dreamed of was working for Pi Phi, but I looked for another door to open — and it did. A friend I'd made during the LDC interview process passed along my name, and I was asked to serve on the Collegiate Region Four team at age 23. The recruitment challenges I’d experienced in my own chapter inspired me to step into the Collegiate Regional Membership Specialist role. The chapters struggling with recruitment were the first ones I visited, and I was able to use what I’d learned to help them. After four years, I was elected to Director Membership and found myself leading a team of Pi Phis older and more experienced than I was. Once more, I realized my own Pi Phi experience
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