Collegiate Advisory Board | Lillie Adamson, Alpha Phi-British Columbia

Serving on Delta Gamma’s Collegiate Advisory Board (CAB) has been one of the most enriching experiences of my undergraduate years. CAB has encouraged me to take a step beyond the rhythms of my own chapter and into a conversation that stretches across North America. In our meetings, I’m reminded that Delta Gamma is a living and evolving network of women who think carefully about leadership, sisterhood and service. CAB keeps me meaningfully engaged with the organization as a whole. It invites me to consider what our shared future requires.   

There is one moment in particular that I find myself returning to. During one of our first meetings, someone offhandedly referenced the more than 250,000 Delta Gamma members across North America. Of course, this is familiar to all of us. But, in that moment, I found myself pondering what exactly this number represents. Two hundred and fifty thousand women — each with her own friendships, traditions, challenges and triumphs. Each with her own understanding of what it means to say “I am a Delta Gamma.” I am grateful to be able to say that this reflection gave new meaning to our work. The policies we discuss and the feedback we share do not exist in the abstract. They ebb and flow; they move into real chapter rooms, real campus communities and real relationships. Every month when I open my laptop and see the smiling faces of women from across the continent on my screen, I am reminded how rare and remarkable it is to be in dialogue with sisters whose experiences look so different from my own, yet are bound by the same values. 

That sense of connection felt tangible within seconds of our first meeting. As the screen filled with new faces, I spotted someone I recognized from my session at the Lewis Institute. When we shared a moment to verbalize our connection, I was immediately grounded. It was a swift but symbolic reminder that Delta Gamma is built on continuity. It is built on shared leadership experiences that carry us forward into new spaces. Since then, I have come to cherish the intellectual generosity of the board. Each member brings a distinct perspective that is shaped by her campus culture, regional context and personal passions. When someone shares feedback about a challenge her chapter is navigating or an initiative that has transformed her members’ experience, it expands my understanding of what Delta Gamma exists as and has the potential to be. 

We do not all care about or approach the same issues in the same way — that diversity of focus is precisely what makes the work so dynamic. Some members are incredibly passionate about member education while others bring insight into recruitment, accessibility, alumnae engagement or philanthropy. Every month I learn something new that inspires me to think more critically, to ask better questions and to approach leadership with greater nuance. Serving on CAB has reminded me that Delta Gamma’s strength lies in its history, but also in its capacity to gather thoughtful women into meaningful conversations. If you are looking for a way to stay connected to the broader sisterhood, to challenge yourself intellectually and to see firsthand the scale and spirit of our fraternity, the Collegiate Advisory Board is the place for you. 

Do you want the chance to make a difference in Delta Gamma? Applications are now open to serve on the Collegiate Advisory Board (CAB). CAB represents the voice of collegiate members and helps give perspective on issues, programs, and more. Learn more and apply by April 1.