$700? Out of curiousity, how does a chapter "prove" that it only spent $700?

I can't say for all chapters, but I was Panhel Pres and VP-Finance for our Recruitment last year, and we had a cap of $700. We didn't come close to spending that whole amount. If there's really a question if whether a house spent more than that (especially elaborate decorations, food, etc., noticed by the Rho Chis), we can go through receipts. But, our houses have been very honest--at my school, you can tell the difference between a house that spent $700 and one that spent $1000 or more, since our lounges are identical, there are only 3 decorated parties (including Pref).

well, lol Sharon said she could collect the receipts but she knew they would all be like 699.99 so she never really bothered, but I think people have certainly cut back, when I rushed....there was one chapter who had ice sculptures at their preference party.

I'll let you take a guess on that one, lol.

Cheyenne

I know how shady our campus can be, that's why i asked.

And I know as a former treasurer that we spent more than $700 bucks on rush. And there's so many ways around that. What about things donated by alums or family? Are they supposed to count? One year our rush chair's grandma made the most incredible cheesecake :)

they are supposed to estimate the alum purchases, but to be honest, you are right.....there are ways around it. Like if you do a party theme the same as last year...that's less money you have to spend on decorations, etc.

To be honest I say if you feel like you have to spend $700 dollars, which in my opinion is wayyyy too much then go for it. Besides just because that's the cap, doesn't mean you have to spend it.

In reality, women aren't going to join for decorations and food, they join for the women involved.

I think alot of the obsession with it is much like PNM's obsession with clothes - you control what you can, you can't control who comes back but you can control the food, the clothing, the decorations etc.

I remember those times!! The hot hors d'oevres, the "butlers" - it was insane!

Question (and if I'm being too nosy, please tell me!): does every other sorority still serve cheesecake for Pref?

hmm, not sure honeychile!

The reason I asked about the cheesecake is because it seems VERY overdone to me - several chapters were doing cheesecake for Pref at least 5-6 years ago.

As much as I'm a dyed in the wool traditionalist, I firmly believe that stagnation happens much too often with things like this! We had a decorator try to hang the composite somewhere other than the elevator hallway, and I thought 8 of the women were going to hypervenilate! Please! Change CAN be good!

lol, Honeychile. I totally know what you mean!

It's only 3 weeks till recruitment -anyone helping out??

I'm trying to work it into my schedule! This coming month already looks ridiculous!

I do plan to be on campus probably next Friday, and again on September 14th - but I need to confirm those dates with my trusty sidekick (!).

I wonder if they need my help with bid matching...?

LOL, Honeychile! WHen I was at Pitt, I was happy that we hung our composite in the formal living room since the other sororities all did the hallway thing. Then, when I went back at homecoming two years ago I was too lazy to actually walk up to the second floor and I took the elevator. The door opened, I stepped out and there was the DZ composite staring right at me!

You know, the whole "this MUST be there" bit really borders on fetish! I'm assuming y'all know how wonderfully high our Formal Living Room ceiling is (well, wonderfully high until you get the bill for the painting!). For some reason, the ladies INSIST on putting the Charter over the fireplace - because "everyone else does it"!! This drives me crazy, because we were always told that "Chapter Items belong in the Chapter Room" - and I'm reasonably sure that the Charter is a "Chapter Item"! I would SO love to see a nice mirror or something else on that soaring space... But then again, I've also seen the sterling silver candlebra we won in a National Award in a closet. *vapors*

KillarneyRose (and any other DZs), I once saw that wonderful picture of the Founding Members of your Chapter in your suite. I think it's one of the classiest items I've EVER seen in Amos Hall! Now, I got to meet our Founder, and she was one of the sweetest, sharpest ladies I've ever met - but... let's just say that her picture wouldn't really liven up a room.

I'm so excited! Just as I read the posts re: helping out for recruitment, I got an e-mail from Dani, seeing if any of our AA wanted to help in a workshop!! :D

Well, we don't have a fire place so our charter isn't hanging over it!! lol, it's in our "chapter room"

I can't wait until recruitment!!!

Okay, other Pitt alums - do you ever see something and think, "Wow, that would look great in the Suite!"? I was checking out a hotel (our soccer convention will be there this summer) and saw THE mirror I've been wanting for a certain spot in the Suite. Funny how that works...