Ok, I have an update!

… but things have been confusing.

On Friday, the Recruitment Director received the grade release form back from the Greek Advisor. She informed the RD that the chapter could not bid first semester freshmen (obviously already known) or transfer students.

WHAT?!

She said that because they don’t yet have a Penn State GPA, transfer students were considered to be like first semester freshmen, and therefore could not receive a bid until the following semester. Well… the sisters started to realize that a good number of the upperclassmen that were at the recruitment events were transfer students. So the girls were down to only a few girls that were eligible to receive bids.

Then comes bid day.

The girls were ready and in the mindset that they would be handing out only a few bids later that night. Come 12:00, the girls were all sitting down at sister lunch (which they have together every Tuesday), and the Recruitment Director joined them and told them all that Student Activities screwed up. It turns out that transfer students are eligible to receive bids as long as they have a certain amount of credits from another university (or something like that). The sisters attempted to get the necessary people together so a vote could be made that day on the PNMs, but it didn’t work out, and with 2 people missing, they didn't have everyone that they needed in order to make a decision.

The President has called a special meeting tonight in order to decide.

So… the number of new members they actually have will be a secret revealed on another day.

:)

I don't want to tread into selection details here but am curious more about chapter operations. Does AST have a membership selection board? I know some NPCs have a board that is basically comprised of only the RD, Pres and Adviser who can give bids as they see fit. Generally with formal recruitment, the chapter will have a vote in selection sessions but (especially during COB), the power to extend a bid would be at the discression of this board. This being said, could a membership selection board make a decision in the best interest of the chapter (to make an obvious decison)?

I'm pretty sure that this is selection details.

It has nothing to do with why a pnm is or isn't selected but how a chapter operates.

I'm not sure as to what exactly I should or shouldn't say, but.. I think I'm confused as to what you're asking in the first place.

Are you asking whether we have a selection board to exclusively select members, and the rest of the chapter isn't involved... or whether the chapter decides, and a selection board, which might make more rational decisions than the chapter, can essentially "override" what the sisters decide for the good of the chapter?

If you don't know how to respond, you shouldn't. It all sounds like member selection to me - and I know I wouldn't respond about whether or not my GLO or chapter does that.

Right, but how a chapter operates under membership selection could be part of private membership selection process. Whether or not there is a membership selection committee or board may be a private issue.

It really doesn't matter to me what qualities AST looks for in membership selection or how people are bid so I'm looking for an answer to the latter.

For example, does your chapter afford a responsibility to a recruitment board to make a decision for the chapter in it's best interest if you are unable to get all members together for normal opeartions (or selections) in a timely manner. When reading your story, it sounds like the chapter has already made some sort of decision regarding the selection on transfer students. Once you received the updated information that they could in fact receive bids, did you have to have a full chapter meeting/selection session or could you have a membership board that could make the decision to extend these bids (as already approved by the chapter) in the chapter's best interst without calling a special mandatory meeting?

Chill out everyone ... I just want to give AST some possible suggestions for making the process run smoother and extend the maximum amount of bids. I don't want any selection details, just want to help you expediate the process under tight time constraints. Good luck!

Then take it to PM. You are treading into their process because you keep asking for clarifications about their process. The fact that you don't know their process should tell you that they keep it to themselves.

Never mind ... I was just trying to be helpful but don't care anymore. See you all in another thread.

AST the sorority, or AST the poster?

I do think you're treading, but to be fair, the door is open more than a crack.

Ya think?

Long story short, the information given to the chapter came at the last minute and the situation called for a special meeting, because the chapter didn't want to wait until their regularly scheduled business meeting on Sunday for a decision to be made. This is only because they were hoping to start induction procedures on Monday, and while they also have another date for the same ceremony planned for the following Monday, they didn't want to separate the new member class for these first ceremonies if they didn't have to (as they pretty much know that there are no other PNMs they are questioning or need to get to know further this semester). So.. that meeting will take place tonight so that if there are more bids to distribute, they can be extended tomorrow, giving these last potential new members at least a few days to prepare for their first ritual ceremony.

But I will tell you that for an additional meeting to be called (whether it is for membership selection for for any other reason) it has to be called by either the President or five members of the chapter. The Advisor has to be given ample notice, and it is basically required that they be able to attend. Also, notice has to be given to all of the sisters, whether they are required to be there or not, at least 24 hours in advance. So technically, there was no way that the chapter could make any kind of a decision on bid day anyway, as they just heard the news that afternoon.

In addition, membership selection has to be officially documented so that there is a written account to back up the decision. If important decisions are ever to be decided or voted on, by members of the chapter or the advisory team, they have to be made in a meeting-type setting with minutes to be recorded. Thus, this special meeting is being called tonight.

[QUOTE=Kansas City;1719745]It has nothing to do with why a pnm is or isn't

HOW is a ritualistic practice. Unless you are a member you have no idea if the members must wear a blue bunny suite to the selection process and wear a headband with ears pointed up if they want the PNM and down if they don't. You will not know if they use marbles put into a basket, or throw index cards in the air and those that stick to the ceiling become sisters, or any other practice of the house.

DaffyKD

ASTAlumna06-

Did you guys get your bid situation figured out? How many did you take?

Internet flounce!

LOL! What an idiot. :rolleyes:

So the meeting was held to decide on a couple more PNMs. While recruitment went really well this semester, because of deferred recruitment, they ended up having a lot of first semester freshmen attend events who were not eligible to receive bids. While the sisters are disappointed that they only had a handful of girls to select from this semester, they are looking forward to a large new member class in the spring.

In the meantime, they are VERY excited about their 4 new members this fall! Different from previous semesters, their new members attended numerous recruitment parties, including extra activities like the movie night and sister lunches, so all of the sisters feel that they know the new members very well already.

Over the past two weeks, the sisters have worked out a system in order to keep in touch with PNMs who attended recruitment events this semester. And after convention this summer, a re-vamped new member process, and practicing for ritual, the girls are headed in a positive direction. And I’m very excited about that.

:)

Yea for AST and her team! Let us know the number in the pledge class and best of luck to the chapter this year.

Yay! Great luck to the four new girls! Keep up the events for freshmen so that they stay interested!

Grow up. :rolleyes:

First, I thought you were leaving this thread? :rolleyes:

Hahahaha!

You're telling me to grow up? You? Who did the classic internet flounce b/c you couldn't take it when other posters told you to basically stop asking what are PRIVATE MS questions for AST's only? HAHAHAHA!

/end hijack


ASTalumna06, it's great that the 4 girls are being well received and it should be really exciting to have a large new member class in the spring when they are eligible to receive bids. Keep up updated! This is a great story. :)

I just saw this. LOL.

yall scare me.

How did you knoooow? :p

ASTAlumna, I found it really interesting to hear recruitment from your perspective. Good luck with everything; the four new members, a big spring class, etc!

ps, do you happen to know how the other groups did, I'm curious!

Good. BOO.

I'm not sure yet. Since there is COB, the other chapters might still be bidding girls. I know nothing about the ASAs, but your Theta Phis had/have at least one more recruitment party scheduled after bid day.

But I'll let you know as soon as I find out!

And thanks to everyone for your wonderful comments!

:)

Our new members with their New Member Directors sitting behind them:

http://photos-d.ak.facebook.com/phot...12475_4096.jpg

After pinning, with their first lettered shirts:

http://photos-644.ll.facebook.com/ph...54788_7707.jpg

The four new girls with one of the sisters, Olivia, in the middle. From left to right: Molly, Julie, Jennifer and Jackie :-)

http://photos-644.ll.facebook.com/ph...54792_9710.jpg


Yay for Alpha Mu, Fall 08!!!

Congrats, ASTalumna06! They're goregous girls!

It's baaaaaaaaaack.....

Recruitment starts up again on Thursday with our annual Kick-off Recruitment Event, where PNMs will meet with all three sororities together for a short information session, and then break off into three separate recruitment parties, with PNMs rotating and visiting each chapter. From there, COB events will follow for the next two weeks (and beyond if desired).

The schedule:
Thurs, Jan 15th - Kick-off
Tues, Jan 20th - Game Night
Thurs, Jan 22nd - Philanthropy
Mon, Jan 26th - More informational/icebreakers and games
Wed, Jan 28th - Informational
Tues, Feb 3rd - Bid Day

Dates will stay the same, but the “theme” for each night might change.

Following a presentation by Phired Up Productions in the fall, the sisters have decided to focus a lot more on making closer connections with PNMs by inviting them to do smaller activities, outside of scheduled recruitment events, that will foster more personal relationships between the sisters and PNMs.

The girls have also compiled an extensive names list that they will work with to try and communicate with more PNMs throughout the entire school year.

In talking with my sisters, and with members from one of the other chapters on campus, I already imagine there’s going to be a very large number of interested PNMs that come out for recruitment this semester, as compared to previous ones. While this would be a good problem to have, it also might create some complications later in the process. But we’ll see what happens and I’ll keep you all updated as we go along.

:)

And so it begins...

Last night was the Kick-off Recruitment event and it went exceptionally well! About 25 PNMs showed up which is close to twice as many that have showed up for this event in the past. I was happy to see Panhellenic implementing a system that restricted girls from leaving and only seeing one or two chapters, so that was a plus. The whole thing ran smoothly, and I’m hoping to see many of the PNMs come back for more!

Anyway, when I walked in to our designated room, all of my sisters were already hard at work to decorate. We had 3 looong tables full of mascots, jerseys, paddles, pillows and pictures, half of which I had never even seen before... I felt like I was rushing!

When the PNMs entered, everyone was quick to approach them, introduce themselves, and start in on the conversations. There were some familiar faces from last semester (those PNMs who were 1st semester freshmen in the fall), and a lot of new ones.

I watched as the sisters brought PNMs over to the tables and showed them some of the things that we do as a chapter. They seemed to be very interactive with everyone.

At one point, I overheard a few girls talking, and one of the PNMs said, “Ah, the green ones.. you girls seem to be everywhere I go around campus.” With only 14 active sisters, this was a good thing to hear. My girls are obviously very busy, very involved, and very visible.

The sisters had also made packets for the PNMs that had short bios for each sister, along with their pictures. It was really cute and a way for the PNMs to get to know more about them outside of the recruitment parties. While we’re trying to keep track of all of them, they can keep track of all of us.

But I think there are still some PNMs that my sisters loved, but who might already have their hearts set on another chapter. But we’ll see.

Overall, I think it went well. I was impressed with the way the sisters interacted with the PNMs, and I hope that all of the chapters do well.

I definitely see it being a very successful semester!

:)

Good luck and let us know!

Wow 25 is great! The bio packets are a great idea - that way the PNMs can skip the "what's your major" and "where are you from" conversations and go straight to actual conversations. If only you guys had similar packets on all the PNMs!

Yea, wouldn't THAT be helpful! haha

Good luck! You know I'm rooting for you :)

Thanks sis :D

Since my bf is so much younger than I am, he is still in school. I go to his fraternity house to hang out every so often, and on Friday, I met some pretty interesting people.. who might be interested in joining a sorority.

To start, I had one girl express some interest to me online a few days earlier. This is always exciting. I asked my bf if he knew her, and it turns out she's friends with him and a lot of his brothers. On Friday, we met, and we talked for a little while, just in general, and then about the sorority. I think she's somewhat interested, and I'm hoping I can get her to come to a recruitment event.

Meanwhile, staring at us while we talked was "Crazy Girl". I won't go into too many details about her now, but she has said that she's interested in joining a sorority. She recently started to become friends with all of my sisters on Facebook, all of them were confused by the friend requests, and none of them know who she is.

Then there's "I Need Attention" girl. The way she presents herself when she's sober: fine. When drinking: not so fine. I have heard from the brothers that she is constantly asking annoying questions during parties, and bothering everyone with her petty problems. From what I've heard, she'll only consider joining a sorority if her one friend tries to join.

It's always great to have a large number of girls interested in joining... and this being new for me, I find it entertaining that there is such a wide spectrum of personalities that show through during this time of year. I know that it happens at other schools, but it's never really happened to me here.

We'll just have to see who shows up tomorrow night.

:)

On Tuesday, the sisters had game night. I arrived at 7:30 and a lot of the sisters were there setting up. There were decorations and displays of sorority items on a table, along with some candy and amazing taco dip to eat... yum!

Two sisters were sent to a central location to wait for the PNMs. The girls were hoping for a large number of them to come. They were definitely ready after the large turnout on Thursday.

The sisters walked in, and behind them were PNMs. There were.......... 3 of them. I think everyone’s heart sank a little when they realized that the 25 girls from the other night had turned into 3 just a few days later. But... one of the girls who came was the nice girl that I met on Friday. I thought she might not show up (she seemed really nervous about it on Friday) so when I saw her, it felt good to know that I had made a good impression.

I knew one of the other PNMs, also. She had stuck pretty close to me at the kick-off event, but I was glad to see her branching off and talking to the other sisters while playing games.

The girls immediately started playing Cranium, Taboo, cards... everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, and the sisters did everything they could to make the few PNMs feel welcome.

When the party ended, nice girl from Friday asked me if she could do anything to help clean up. I said not to worry about it, and I invited her to the next event. She said she'd definitely be there.

......

For tonight, there was confusion concerning the booking of a room for the recruitment event, so a few days ago, the sisters decided to change it. Instead of having a typical recruitment event, they decided they would go to a date auction put on by one of the other sororities, and they invited PNMs to go with them. I wasn’t able to attend the event tonight, but from what I hear, there were about 7 PNMs that showed up, a few of which none of the sisters had met before. The sisters I’ve talked to sounded really excited about it.

The next event is on Monday

:)

I found out that after the date auction on Thursday, a few sisters went back to their apartment and brought some of the newer PNMs with them to watch Grey’s Anatomy. And on Saturday, some of the sisters went to the mall and invited some PNMs to go with them, as well. I’m so proud of my girls... working so hard on doing smaller activities in order to get to know these potential members.

Tonight was philanthropy night and the girls made some cards for a local children’s hospital. Everyone seemed to be diligently working on their crafts, and the conversations flowed really well. One of the sisters was making her way around the room and saw that a few PNMs didn’t really have anyone to talk to. She grabbed another sister and said, “You’re coming with me,” and made it a point to go and talk to them. I was really happy to see them making a huge effort to make everyone feel welcome.

And the reason that every so often there were PNMs that were without someone to talk to one-on-one... there were 17 PNMs there! I understand that it’s never good to leave a PNM alone.. but without being assigned to specific PNMs, and without these infamous “bumping” systems, it makes it difficult to attend to every PNM (especially when a couple sisters were missing due to unforeseen circumstances). Still, I think everyone had a good time, and they tried to rotate and talk to as many people as possible.

And did I mention there were 17 of them?! :D

And another good note: One of the new members from last semester, for some personal reasons, was not willing and able to go through initiation. But some things have changed for her, and she will be initiated on Thursday! So that gives us one more sister!

While the girls are excited because of the possibility of doubling the chapter, they are also coming up with ways to handle a potentially large new member class. They are already 10 steps ahead of the game, and I’m confident that they’ll pull through... if it comes to that.

Only one week until bid day!

:)

Yay! I'm excited for your girls!

Wow, congratulation to your hard working girls, and good luck with the rest of recruitment!!!