Quote:
Originally Posted by BamaMama
(Post 1544666)
If a new group colonized AFTER formal recruitment, wouldn't that put them somewhat at a disadvantage starting out? It seems that the "prime" PNMs would have already pledged another group - leaving them with girls that didn't go through recruitment, dropped out for one reason or another, or were totally dropped by all the other groups. Group reputation is so strong at a school like Bama, and if you start out with the reputation of pledging anyone that didn't get a bid somewhere else, it's hard to shake that image, isn't it?
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it depends.
when a sorority is colonizing after formal recruitment, they usually hold a presentation during the first round of parties(they are scheduled into the rotation) and every pnm would attend the presentation. they learn a little of the sorority's history, what opportunities the new colony will provide for her members, the projected timeline, etc. panhellenic makes sure that the pnms understand that the opportunity is there for the pnms.
believe it or not, some girls will drop out of recruitment in order to have the opportunity to be a part of something new. there may be lots of legacies from other chapters in the state who would want join. girls who have heard great things about other chapters of that sorority. girls who have a strong sense of adventure and are not afraid of a challenge and hard work.
when a colony is started, the national sorority wants a broad spectrum of women for the membership. they don't want
all freshman, but they do
want freshman. they also want sophomores, juniors and some seniors. they are building a chapter from scratch, so they need girls from each class.
as to taking rejects:we all know wonderful, well qualified pnms who are bidless every year. had things gone differently, had they listed xyz in their top choices instead of abc, they would have been part of the xyz new member class. fate happens. it doesn't mean that they were rejects-which makes me think of something or someone not worthy.
we also have to remember that the majority of the membership of each sorority will have no idea where patty pnm ended up on their bid list-for all they know patty declined
their invitation. there will be members in each sorority that loved, loved, loved a particular pnm and were very disappointed when she was not invited back(or when she chose not to come back).
pnms seeking to become a colonist of a sorority have to go thru more scrutiny than the average pnm, because they are meeting local alumnae and/or national officers and former national officers. i wonder how successful many of us would have been had we been trying to become a founding sister of a colony? ;) national officers understand campus climates and know what they have to overcome for the colony to be successful. founding a colony is a major investment and the national officers and local alumnae are going to do everything to make sure that the colony is a success.
panhellenic plays an important role in the whole process. if the panhel officers are enthusiastic about a new sorority coming on campus and really talk it up, the sorority chapters will catch that feeling too. promoting the colonization as a positive(which it is) and talking it up can help dispel the "that new sorority only took everyone elses rejects" trash talk. advisors to the established campus sororities also have an obligation to make sure that the addition of a new chapter is seen in a positive light and that their chapter remains positive and supportive toward the colony. alumnae of other sororities as well as parents have a big role to play too-by stating positive things about the colonization and getting the word out about the new group.it is never easy, and on some campuses is harder, but it can be successful.granted, it may be more difficult to colonize on a tradition-rich campus such as bama. but it can be done.
sorry for the sermon, but i was an advisor to a colony and know what a huge undertaking it is, as well as an exciting opportunity.