About Recs

I am a little surprised.

Not only that, but they have a supplemental reference form as well.

There aren't that many Alpha Phi chapters in that part of the country, so I wonder how many girls will have difficulty finding recs.

Collegiate chapters or alumnae chapters?

I know there aren't too many collegiate chapters over there, but I'm wondering if it's the same for the alumnae too? I imagine they're spread out all over so getting an Alpha Phi rec won't be *too* difficult.

They have no collegiate chapters in Alabama, 2 newer chapters (1990s) at smaller schools in neighboring Florida, and none in any other bordering states. I don't know about alumnae chapters, but I would think with so few collegiate chapters nearby there may be fewer alumnae around. Could be hard for the PNMs.

I thought that it was an NPC agreement that if a group required a reference that they needed to seek it out, not make the PNM seek it out. I know that at certain schools PNMs need to get their own recs, but I thought that was something that was just "known" as campus culture rather than posted on a website as a "you must have." I could be confusing this with something else.

There aren't a ton of alumnae chapters in the southeast, and only Birmingham/Tuscaloosa in Alabama, but it could be done if the PNM wanted to find one.

http://alphaphi.org/alumnae_info/alu...2.html#ALABAMA

True, and they are not only colonizing this fall at Bama, but I believe at Georgia Tech as well, and I doubt they would take either on without a decent alumnae presence in the area.

I was surprised to see that too. It's worth pointing out that Alpha Phi stated in their original presentation that they would bring in many alumnae and actives from other campuses to help with the colonization/recruitment process. Perhaps PNMs can look to these women who they get to know for Recs? Is Alpha Phi one of the GLOs that allows active members to write Recs for other campuses?

Yeah, my surprise was merely that because Alpha Phi does not have many collegiate or alumnae chapters in the South (and because the South does not have as much mobility as other areas of the country), fewer PNMs will know Alpha Phi alumnae personally. It seems silly to require a rec if a good majority of those recs will be info-only recs from APH Alpha Phis. As in, the APH Alpha Phis and the ELCs/colonization team could ask the same information.

From their Web site: "Alpha Phi will require each potential new member to furnish an alumnae recommendation for consideration of membership."

I know - and have only met - 1 Alpha Phi. She lives in my city, and she was an "ELC" back in the 1950s, so she's now in her 70s.
I'm surprised, too. Although the latest trend is to ask alumnae to write recs for you, it really is normally the chapter's job to find a rec. I'd think that would especially apply when you're colonizing in a state where your only alum group has just a handful of members.:confused:

I love the blog made by the ELCs! How cute are they!!

While I do understand the purpose of asking for the recs, it does seem like it would be tough to seek them out from Alpha Phis specifically.
Personally (this is my opinion, and NOT any sort of statement made by Alpha Phi or the colony at Alabama so don't get confused), I think that any sort of reference/recommendation letter would be acceptable (whether from an Alpha Phi or not, or a Greek or non-Greek). That would be helpful and would eliminate some of the potential/hypothetical difficulty of finding Alphi Phi recs specifically.

On the recommendation form there is a place where there are two checkboxes: "Completed by: Collegian...........Alumna." So yes, collegiate members can submit recommendations.

And for the record, I am an Alpha Phi AND born and raised in the South (ETA: although I went to school far from home...). They are not mutually exclusive ;) Unfortunately I'm out of the country until Dec but I really REALLY wish I were back home right now or I would have SO loved to travel to Tuscaloosa to help with the colony!

There are active alumnae chapters in Atlanta, Birmingham, Orlando, Jacksonville, Shreveport... and the list goes on. While a rec is required before a bid is extended, I don't think girls need to agonize over the process. There will be assistance, I'm sure.