1. Do I have to be a specific denomination in order to join?
No, Sigma Alpha Omega is a non-denominational/inter-denominational organization. As long as you are in alignment with our profession of faith, you are eligible to join.

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2. Is Sigma Alpha Omega Pan-Hellenic?
No. The sorority is officially recognized as an independent national non-profit social club organization; therefore, we follow a different schedule for information sessions and recruitment.

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3. Do I have to be part of a church in order to join?
We highly recommend potential candidates be part of a fellowship or church body before participating in recruitment. We believe being part of a Christian fellowship on-campus or in your local church is crucial to the spiritual maturity that we seek in our members. We want SAO to be a unifying place for women already plugged-in to faith communities! 

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4. What's different about Sigma Alpha Omega than any other sorority and why is it different from any other religious club on-campus?
Sigma Alpha Omega sisters plan and participate in socials, fundraising, service, retreat, and Bible studies rooted in Jesus Christ. We are also encouraged to plan joint events with other Sigma Alpha Omega Chapters' sisters across the U.S. The sorority consists of and is led directly by UWG students, which helps foster leadership and communication skills in all sisters. Sisters meet and connect with other active and alumnae sisters at the Sigma Alpha Omega National Convention every year. We are joyful to have formed bonds with sisters from different fellowships who have come together in the sorority who we otherwise would not have known!

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5. Does Sigma Alpha Omega have any alcohol/hazing policies?
Yes. We must follow the federal, state, provincial, college/university regulations on alcohol consumption and hazing according to national sorority policies. Any violation of these regulations is subject to review by Sigma Alpha Omega's National Board and the appropriate law enforcement authorities. There is to be no consumption of alcohol at sorority functions and/or while wearing the letters of Sigma Alpha Omega. We also recommend sisters of age exercise discernment when deciding to drink alcohol to set examples for our members and maintain the reputation of Sigma Alpha Omega and as Christians. Additionally, our sorority does not tolerate any hint of hazing (subtle, harassment, and violent) in alignment with Jesus’ commandment to “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31). Please visit our national organization website at the "National Sorority Website" tab for more information and to view Sigma Alpha Omega's official alcohol and hazing policies. 

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6. What does it mean to be a Revival Class?
Revival of a chapter means that a chapter is significantly small in membership and thus in danger of losing its legacy at its respective campus. Due to COVID and recent graduates, our Revival Class is aimed to specifically empower leadership in the chapter to ensure its longevity. The Revival Class will meet weekly under the Candidate Mentor, who leads our New Member Education program.

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7. Does Sigma Alpha Omega have an official sorority house?
Our National Organization prohibits a sorority house due to liability reasons and the goal to remain "among" the campuses where we are called to serve. This does not mean that sisters may not live with one another.

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8. Why is your recruitment period called 'recruitment' and not 'rush,' and why are your potential new members called 'candidates?'
Per chapter and national bylaws and due to our status as a Christian sorority, we do not refer to our recruitment period as 'rush' because we want all perspective members to feel welcomed and not pressured to join our organization. We also call our newest bid class 'membership candidates' or 'new member candidates,' as they do not become official members of the sorority until they have completed candidate classes that teach the history, procedures, requirements, and opportunities of our organization. Upon completion of such candidate classes, sisters will be voted upon to affirm completion of all candidate class requirements, be initiated, and officially invited to represent the Greek letters of Sigma Alpha Omega. 

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9. What are dues for Sigma Alpha Omega and what do they include? 
Our goal is to make our sisterhood as affordable as possible for all sisters. In their first semester, candidates for membership dues cover chapter budget and expenses, national fees, liability insurance, select apparel, materials for their ceremonial induction, and class budget for events and activities. Active sisters pay dues per semester to cover chapter budget and expenses, national fees, chapter insurance, and select apparel as well. In other words, most events and activities will already be covered by member dues according to the chapter budget. Sisters with other statuses pay lesser fees determined at a later time. For current dues figures, please contact our National Mentor, dm@sigmaalphaomega.org (she doesn't bite!).

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10. What is recruitment like?
The recruitment period is designed to give potential new member candidates the opportunity to meet our sisters and learn more about the sorority through fun activities and information sessions. Traditionally, the first night kicks off with an information session where potential new member candidates will learn briefly about the sorority, its members, and our philanthropy. The remaining nights of the week include Get-To-Know-You Night, Game Night, Bible Study and Interviews. Potential new member candidates going through recruitment will be invited to sign up for an interview slot at the end of the week. During interviews, potential new member candidates will answer questions from current sisters about why they want to become sisters, what they hope to gain and contribute, and several other fun questions! Upon a vote of approval by the active sisters of SAO, potential new member candidates will receive a bid to join the Sigma Alpha Omega Christian Sorority Pi Chapter. If potential new member candidates accept their bid, they will attend the official Bid Ceremony and will receive their "big sisters" through a mentoring program. Weekly Candidate Classes, which consist of new member education, begin after the bid ceremony.

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11. What is the new member candidate process like?
New member candidates will attend seven candidate classes over approximately seven weeks under the Candidate Mentor. These classes will teach the Greek alphabet, sorority history and facts, and information about how to be an active sister in good standing. Incoming membership candidates as a "class" will plan their own fundraiser, service project, a retreat, and design their class's traditional paddle. During this time, they will also participate in sisterhood events designed to help connect with the existing sisters. Upon a vote of the active sisterhood affirming a successful completion of the candidate process, each membership candidate will be initiated into the sorority as official sisters of Sigma Alpha Omega both nationally and as Pi Chapter members! 

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12. What are leadership opportunities within the chapter?
There are multiple leadership positions available for sisters to fill each semester! Sisters may volunteer to chair committees, run for office on 1-year terms, as well as serve as desired on various committees such as social,  candidate, public relations, service, alumnae relations, and more! In addition to this, national opportunities for leadership are provided year-round in the form of trainings, inter-chapter roundtables, and even a national convention where chapters can vote on national items and receive ideas and inspiration for the coming school year.