Wow. If I were the Recruitment Officer, I would tell them to return it to the sender. Beyond tacky.

They're probably so unused to using snail mail that they don't understand the concept of extra postage.

Personally, I adore sending my letters of reference electronically. My work uses a lot of electronic documents and evidence. Still, I remember reading those special handwritten letter recs, with that certain touch of the grand dames, now so many years ago, back when I was helping open and organize PNM information.

My step-daughter and her friends (40's) sent their recs for my granddaughter by snail mail. My old-fogey friend sent hers electronically.

Is the PNM the one sending in the packet, or the Rec writer?

Usually, it's the Alumna Rec Writer sending the packet using the PNMs prepared envelope with stamps on it and the Chapters address on it. A PNM should clarify with the Rec Writer if there is another address that should be on the packet in case it has to go through a Rec Board or a similar area committee.

To estimate the correct amount of postage:
1. In consultation with your Rec Writer determine the FINAL ZIP CODE of the packet.
2. Take a large manila envelope (size appropriate to PNM packet), FILL it with a model packet including any plain sheets to stand-in for your cover letter and up to a 3 page Rec
3. WEIGH this packet for each zip code and add any up-charge for large/oversize envelope. If you do this at Post Office with a clerk they will give you the right postage for every envelope.

All of the foregoing is the reason I adore electronic submission of Letters of Reference. No postage, and if I need to send it to the Recruitment Reference Board Chair for the PNM's school/city then I just have to add a link from a pull down menu and it's automatically shared. Easy Peasey!

Why would a PNM know this? HOW would a PNM know this?
Sorry, the rec WRITER - the alum - should know this info, or at least know where to get it.
I would never expect a PNM to try to find out the intricacies of recs for each and every sorority on campus....and I'd be suspicious if they knew it!

What my dd did (and what I generally recommend to PNMs who ask about assembling these packets) was weigh the completed packet at the post office, using a zip from the furthest possible point to destination address (those chapter addresses listed on the campus Panhellenic site). Then she added some extra postage to each (I would rather spend $30 extra postage -- a drop in the bucket considering -- than have even one returned to an alum or left at the PO with postage due).

She made labels for the manila envelopes that reflected the addresses provided on the campus Panhellenic site -- for those rec writers who need to submit to a local alum club or obtain another signature -- the postage should cover that postal route as it would likely be in the same city (and alum can paste a label or address over the one provided on envelope -- or as with some of these, hand-deliver via local alum club meeting).

That way dd didn't need to ask the rec-writer where the rec was headed next, and it was a little easier than having each one (of many!) weighed after assembly and prior to mailing/delivery to rec-writer.

But this was slightly before the current availability and prevalence of e-submission, so submitting recs electronically would eliminate extra papers and postage.

Currently, however, I think it is still a good idea to just include the addressed envelope with postage in all packets -- a courtesy for those who may not e-submit (and an option in the event of frustrating e-malfunction). That way the PNM doesn't have to ask each rec-writer if they plan to electronically submit or submit via snail mail. On the other hand, if rec-writers plan to e-submit, then they could mention to PNMs in advance that they need not include any addresses or postage in their packets.

Heartofsec's solution works well. 32 years ago, I asked my Rec Writers for the required zip code. They seemed to appreciate that I was trying to give them adequate postage.

Unless an Alumna is going to purchase the postage on her own, she should assist the PNM with know how far the envelope has to go. The Alumna is tasked with knowing the requirements and addresses of her GLO, not the PNM.

My DD and I went to orientation this week and we picked up a Panhellenic Recruitment Brochure. Ice Water Teas are now called Greek Day and you visit all 10 houses. Philanthropy Day is next and you can visit up to 8 houses. Skit Parties are now called Sisterhood Day and you can visit up to 5 houses. Preference is last and you can visit up to 2 houses. This is a change from what I had heard and thought everyone would like to know.

Thank you for the update! I had heard that the number of parties attended each round was probably changing but did not have independent confirmation of the change. Post #1 has been edited to include this information.

Mary Poppins, inquiring folks want to know if the mystery of the "mom rushee" was ever solved!

Does the brochure say where ADPi will be conducting its events?

I asked the former Gamma Chi (Rush Counselor) if she had any additional information she wanted to share with us and she said that the whole incident was just really simple. Gamma Chi #1 and another Gamma Chi spoke to the woman about not being a PNM, who then insisted that she was in fact a PNM, but when asked to drop out of the line the woman left. The woman didn't have the PNM ID on and wasn't on the list so insisting she was a PNM was kind of silly.

Can you imagine if you were a PNM and someone said, "Hey Caitlin, your mom just got caught trying to sneak into a party as a PNM?" Oh wow!