Today we’d like to introduce you to Camila Gil
Hi Camila, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When I began my college journey at California State University, Long Beach in the fall of 2021, I was starting a new chapter of my life. As a seventeen year old freshman moving to a new city and school alone, I felt an immense pressure to find a community that would provide me with happiness and new opportunities. The pressure grew as our campus was still in a hybrid model due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With COVID-19 restrictions still being in place, the lack of interactive campus events, and online classes led to an isolated first few weeks of my college experience. I began looking into clubs and organizations on campus to help me combat that isolated feeling. Being fully transparent, I had no intention of going through Panhellenic recruitment due to the stereotypes and negative connotations associated with sororities. As a first generation Latina student, I did not think I would “fit in” within a Panhellenic sorority and I did not want to change who I was in order to join one. I would soon find out that the negative stereotypes I had previously heard about sororities would be proven false. With the encouragement of my parents and friends, I went through online recruitment. I was ecstatic to open the envelope with my bid to Sigma Kappa, as I knew it was the right fit for me.
At the first Sigma Kappa event, I was nervous going into it as I was unsure about what this experience would entail for me. However, my time as a new member made me know right away that Sigma Kappa was everything I could have hoped for and more. I fully immersed myself in all the events that were thrown my way and I knew I had to break out of my shell in order to have the best experience. This led me to picking up my first little, Carissa, the following semester. Sororities provide each new member with a “Big Sister” that helps ease them into their sorority, and I felt ready to give as much guidance and love I received as a new member to my new little. My little helped me stay consistent with going to events and devoting time and energy to Sigma Kappa. She encouraged me to take on my first position and pick up another little in the Fall of 2022.
My first position in Sigma Kappa was as our Diversity and Inclusion Chair on our Junior Executive Council. Sigma Kappa’s diversity and acceptance of all people was one of the several things that piqued my interest about the sorority. I wanted to help continue creating the safe space that Sigma Kappa has provided for all of its’ members, so when I received the call that I was chosen for the position I was thrilled. After I finished my term as Diversity and Inclusion Chair, I was then voted to be on our Executive Council as the Vice President of New Member Education for the 2023 year. I was anxious about taking this position as our last two Vice Presidents of New Member Education were Juniors when they began and I was only a Sophomore, but I knew I had the support of my chapter behind me. With my sorority sisters constantly showing up and helping me when I needed it the most, this position was one of the best experiences I could have ever asked for.
Being Vice President of New Member Education had several responsibilities that required me to dedicate extra time to Sigma Kappa. The first semester I had this position was a stepping stone for the fall semester as I went from managing eight new members, to forty-three new members. It was a big jump, but I loved every task I was given. Watching these women develop life-long friendships through the Big Sister program and being able to be a part of creating those pairings is one of the most fulfilling experiences I have had. While it took some time to adjust to the position while also working and maintaining a 3.5 GPA as a STEM major, it provided me with skills I was lacking prior to taking the position. It taught me time-management; how to work with outside companies; how sponsorships work; hosting large events; communicating with and managing 95 members; how to properly file documents and paperwork; and everything in between. Not only did it help with skills I can use in my professional life, but it helped me find my voice and build my confidence. My Sigma Kappa sisters spoke so highly of the way I was handling my position and always had such faith in me as a person, that I started to believe in myself and my skill-set. As my term was coming to an end and elections were coming up, I had to start deciding what I would apply for. I was unsure about whether or not I would want to take on the position as our chapter’s President. With the entire chapter once again being my support system and encouraging me to believe in myself to guide them for the upcoming year I decided to apply. I was then elected as President for the 2024 year and I am still incredibly honored and grateful that my chapter entrusted me to be their President.
Becoming President has been an incredible experience. I value every opportunity this position has given me and I am constantly working towards improving as much as I possibly can for this chapter. Sigma Kappa has been the best experience and I strive to give those same joyful memories to each and every member. While I am only halfway through my term, it has made me an even stronger woman so far and I cannot wait for the fall semester. I owe much of my positive experience as President to the rest of our Executive Council. With their hard work and dedication, I am able to focus on my responsibilities and bring new ideas to the table because I can trust that they are handling their individual duties. My second and third little have also provided me with an immense amount of support and help that even though the position may not always be the easiest, I know I can accomplish any task with their help.
As the President of Sigma Kappa, there are difficult decisions that come with the role. At the end of the day I know that what I decide affects the chapter and each member. With every paper I sign, event I commit to, and every action I make, I have my Sigma Kappa sisters in the back of my mind. These women have made me a better friend, a stronger worker, and have overall made my life happier, that I owe it to them to continue to be a dedicated member and leader for Sigma Kappa.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Being President definitely comes with its own set of challenges. Having to be available 24/7 to help other officers and members can be hard to balance as I have a job and I am a full-time student. Finding that balance between the position and my life outside of Sigma Kappa took some time, but I have learned how to handle it. Every decision I make is with the chapters best interest in mind, and our members understand that. When I have to remind our members about certain guidelines, solve any conflict, or any situation that may arise, they know that it comes with the responsibility of being President. I am blessed to have such a supportive chapter that there are not many obstacles that I face with them. Most of the challenges come from outside factors, rather than conflicts or challenges within Sigma Kappa itself. It does get hard at times when I have had a long day of work and school and have to then lead a meeting or event, because even though I hold a position I am just like every other woman in the chapter. I have bad days just like everyone else, but I have to put a smile and lead with positivity. While it can be mentally tiring at times, it has taught me to separate my emotions from the decisions I make and has taught me overall how to handle myself in a professional setting.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am the President of Sigma Kappa for the Gamma Theta chapter at California State University, Long Beach. There are several things I am proud of when it comes to Sigma Kappa. If I can only list a few, I would start with our involvement in philanthropic work. Our chapter supports five different philanthropies that spell out Sigma. S for the Sigma Kappa Foundation, I for Inherit the Earth, G for Gerontology, M for Maine Seacoast Mission, and A for the Alzheimer’s Association. With our amazing Vice Presidents of Philanthropic Services, support from chapter members, and our community through the past few years, our chapter has raised over $20,000 since I joined Sigma Kappa in the Fall of 2021. Our dedication towards helping our community has been incredibly strong and continues to grow as we continue to host philanthropy events, participate in outside service projects, and work with Alumnae to partner together for service projects. Second, our focus on sisterhood has been a constant focus in our chapter. For the past two years, our chapter has been awarded “Best Sisterhood” from our Fraternity and Sorority Life department on campus. Our sisterhood chairs over the past few years have organized meaningful sisterhood events that have made our chapter feel like a safe space and like a family for all of our members. While it is hard to pick just one more aspect of Sigma Kappa that I am proud of, I would have to say our diversity. Our members come from a variety of backgrounds and I strongly believe that is what makes us such a close chapter. By recruiting based off of values, the diversity within our chapter that comes from that exemplifies how our women all came into Sigma Kappa looking for sisterhood and having our four core values. Our values are loyalty, personal growth, friendship, and service. These are what connect us as sisters to start off, and the friendship grows from there.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
The most important lesson I have learned so far is to trust myself and the decisions I make. I often have a hard time making decisions because I put a lot of pressure on myself to not make the wrong one. Especially as Sigma Kappa’s President, each decision I make affects the entire chapter. However, I was elected into this position for a reason. My chapter believes in me and trusts me to make the right choices for our sorority because of the work I have done for the positions prior to being President. I have proven to be a trustworthy, smart, and reliable woman, that I need to trust in myself if others are able to. I still take time and assess all factors prior to making a decision, however I make the final call with confidence rather than being apprehensive. I can confidently say that I put my all into this chapter and I have to believe in myself to use my best judgment.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://csulb.sigmakappa.org/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sigmakappacsulb
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@csulbsigkap
Image Credits
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