BARBIE themed recruitment???
 

any ideas?! thanks!

I'll be the Debbie Downer on this one. I don't like the idea. I think it plays into the stereotypes of sororities by non-Greeks and I think it's immature/childish as a theme for recruitment. They're not really "retro" toys and they're not really one of those things that is coming back to be cool again like I don't know Strawberry Shortcake or something (and I wouldn't recommend a SS theme either.)

Are you wanting to have a Barbie themed overall recruitment or just a party for your chapter?

Agree x 10

Was there any particular reason why this theme was chosen? I can definitely think of ideas, but like the two posters above, I feel that exemplifies the "fake, image-obsessed" sorority stereotype.

If it is something that Panhel has already stuck you with, and you can't do anything about it now, how about something like "All XYZ friends and accessories included" (playing off the commercials where they have Barbie & Co in some fabulous setup, and they tell you at the end of the commercial that it's all sold separately).

I think if you are committed this is a good (ish) idea. It also matters whether this is Panhel's theme for recruitment in general, your theme for the entire recruitment or your theme for one night.

You could also focus on all of Barbie's jobs and how you have people in all sorts of majors and alumnae in all sorts of jobs.

However, I still think it's a BAD idea. I can think of several themes, including Wizard of Oz that I've seen PNMs react negatively to. You don't want to be that group. If you're absolutely committed you need to make it spectacular, and you need to get your chapter behind you in it.

Ditto. I can finally breathe again.

OK, please explain why Barbie is teh devil but Sex and the City is OK? They're just giant Barbie dolls, and they're slutty Barbies at that.

Or why is Victoria's Secret OK and Barbie is not? VS doesn't exactly give out an "empowering women" theme - it's all about looking sexy for men.

As far as it being "childish" this is the generation running around with all things Hello Kitty (past age 7) so I don't think that argument holds water.

I don't think it's the most fantastic theme either, I just don't understand the vitriol for it when similar things are apparently OK fine.

For the record, I'm not a fan of the VS or SatC themes either.

This bearer of a Y chromosome feels the need to ask: Why have themes to begin with?

outsider's opinion/

Barbie = SATC = VS = not good themes

But, as Drolefile stated, you can pick things from these categories and make a theme out of them. I just wouldn't call it Barbie, SATC, or VS. Seeing those titles would make me cringe as a nonmember, not like what would make me cringe matters. :) On a Delta note, some chapter advisers and alumnae chapters would trip if a collegiate chapter used any of those themes for a program, etc but they would be more understanding if the theme was to take a FUN women's liberation approach to Barbie, SATC, or VS. That's something that has previously been done by researchers and so forth.

/outsider's opinion

That should answer your question. LOL.

In all seriousness, it's used to sort of "break the ice" and get conversations going. It used to be connected with the skit but that isn't true for all campi anymore as many of them have eradicated skits.

Well, I don't see the point of themes, either, but having a theme is the theme of the thread. ;)

Why do we match our handtowels to our shower curtains and send "Thinking of You" cards to our friends? It's a girl thing, just play along.

LOL. I know, I know. I almost typed "It's a rhetorical question."

I am not meant to understand, just like my wife doesn't understand how I can find a Home Depot wherever I am.

Because we want a coordinated bathroom, just like the men who do it. :)

Because you all don't have your friends' phone numbers? :confused:

Geesh, my own manhood is becoming more and more apparent everyday.

Our only truly themed night was the first night (Oh yes, Sigmas in the City). Philanthropy and skit nights didn't seem to need that. In fact one group carried that Wizard of Oz theme through the whole week and it was, based on the no-longer-PNMs I talked to, poorly received.

Honestly I think it's an easy way to decorate. You have to pick colors anyway, you're going to be picking a theme for the decor so you might as well pick something people will recognize. That said, Our SitC theme just meant we wore black and pink, our decor was black silver and pink and we had faux skyline decorations in the student center room we used for the first night. (And I suspect having a theme is all the more useful in situations like ours where we're in a big ballroom/conference room and not a house.)

Maroon and lavender?

[Ducking. Covering. Running.]

See, NOW you're missing the point. You're asking women to use the same colors all week? Ha! :p

But no really, it can be hard to get our colors to match, and pretty much impossible to wear them both without looking funny.

And the Gamma Phis on our campus would probably have objected too.

Disagree X1000. It's all about the right shades. Maroon and lavender can go together. I see it in stores all the time.

And as for Gamma Phi, brown is cool right now. Maybe not 10-15 years ago, but brown, especially with pink, is very in.

Back to the original topic, I saw a SK retro Barbie themed bid day shirt. It said "Every girl's dream house" on it or something. Cute.

I love this hahaha.
It's seriously just how it is. Don't ask, just go with it. :p

Oh no, our colors are lovely together, but try decorating a room in it and finding all the same colors in balloons, clothing and other decor. Not totally impossible, but difficult. And for a whole week! Oh man. (Also I think I was envisioning maroon pants and lavender shirts, not a shirt with the colors together and black pants or something.)

And I was referring to the fact that although commonly used, pink is not an official Gamma Phi color and if every chatper just used their official colors, we wouldn't all be thrilled :p

I think you can get away with the T-shirts. We had a Curious George Bid Day shirt and a Madeline Crush Party shirt. They were cute. I just don't think it works for a theme.

So if there is no way to not work with this theme...use it as a way to promote and display that Barbie has had many careers (just like your members), lots of friends all over the world (just like our orgs. do) and she's kept up with the times without going out of style (like sororities).

This would also be a great way to use Aqua as your theme music, because Scandinavian 1990s pop music doesn't get enough air time any more. "HI PNMs! HI SISTERS! Want to join a sorority? SURE WE DO! Sign up! I'm an Alpha Gam Girl, in an Alpha Gam World, life with girls, squirrels and pearls. Red, buff, and green, we're always on the scene, double roses, and a fern. COME ON ALPHA GAMS LET"S GET SQUIRRELY!"

If any chapter of Alpha Gam ever uses this theme and song, provide me with proof and I'll make a donation to Foundation in your honor.

^^^^^^^^^^^
Damn you stole my idea!!

Or you can make up your own words to "I'm a Barbie Girl"...

"I'm a Phi Mu girl, in a Phi Mu world, I'm at Drexel, I like pretzels..."

I'm slow on the uptake today...has there really been an NPC chapter that had a VICTORIA'S SECRET themed recruitment event?

Please tell me that this is theoretical.

ETA: Never mind -- I just saw the thread. I -- I may need to sit down.
________
LipsLove live

A) I love you. Someone please do this.
B) Yes I am a Phi Mu. Yes, I like pink. A LOT. Yes, I picked the nail polish I'm wearing right now because it looks like "Barbie" Pink. Yes, I may have a problem, however it is a problem I thoroughly enjoy.

This is the only Barbie themed recruitment that anyone could ever possibly need:

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...d.php?t=105968

Hahahaha...Yes, I like the Barbie theme. I mean, how many Tiffany's, VS, Sex & the City, Wizard of Oz, Candy Land and other themes do we use that could be seen as stupid or childish to one person or another? I love the theme Drexel sister and hope you do the "I'm a Phi Mu girl, in a Phi Mu world" tag line because it is cute (and pretty cheesy-funny)! Good luck with that! I really want you to post pictures of the shirts you get designed for it!

It was a joke, not a legitimate suggestion.

No, I realize that but, it would still be cute. I actually liked it.

How would you have a Barbie theme that didn't involve dolls or that wouldn't perpetuate the "sorority girls are all about looks" image?

Even if it did, I wouldn't really care. I'm sure you could do the theme, minus some Barbie dolls. Maybe they could have life-sized Barbie world type cut-outs and stuff. They could make a spin on how Barbie is very diverse (in career field, clearly not in looks) based on what jobs she has held. It would be a great opener to talk about the various majors of the girls, what they want to do when they grow up and even add in the Barbies from around the world, for girls that may be from other countries. It is just a thought. I actually like the theme and can't wait to see pictures!

So... that helps your recruitment? Why exactly wouldn't you care about perpetuating that stereotype, particularly during recruitment, a process that also gets criticized for being shallow. Calling someone a Barbie doll would be calling them pretty and dumb.

This is making the best out of a bad choice, but it's still a bad choice.

I read that a "life-sized" Barbie would have the following measurements:

6 feet tall
100 Pounds
39"/19"/33"

or

7 feet, 2 inches tall.
39-23-33.

Apparently a size 4, but no 39" boobs are going to fit into any size 4 top or dress!!

I hope no sisters ever do this, or the Medium to Big Squirrels might not appreciate my humor.

Can I see a cheeses of the world theme? That would be a recruitment I'd enjoy, as I'm an old lady.

How does it fit?
 

How does a Barbie theme fit with this:

THE CREED OF PHI MU FRATERNITY
To lend to those less fortunate a helping hand.
To think of God as a protector and guide of us all.
To keep forever sacred the memory of those we have loved and lost.
To be to others what we would they would be to us.
To keep our lives gentle, merciful and just,
Thus being true to the womanhood of love.

To walk in the way of honor, guarding the purity of our thoughts and deeds.
Being steadfast in every duty small or large.
Believing that our given word is binding.
Striving to esteem the inner man above culture, wealth or pedigree.
Being honorable, courteous, tender,
Thus being true to the womanhood of honor.

To serve in the light of truth avoiding egotism, narrowness, and scorn.
To give freely of our sympathies.
To reverence God as our Maker, striving to serve Him in all things.
To minister to the needy and unfortunate.
To practice day by day love, honor, truth.
Thus keeping true to the meaning, spirit and reality of Phi Mu.

This is an incredibly meaningful and profound creed. And you want Barbie to represent your sisterhood? :(

(Looking for rocking chair to join the oldie, out of touch crowd on porch...)

I'm sorry. When I said "life-sized" I meant like life-sized cut-outs of a Barbie house, lipstick, high heel shoe, etc. I didn't mean of a woman. I'm saying you could attempt to take the "shallow" end of it and make it into something cute and fun. I said it would be a cute idea because of the colors pink and growing up playing with Barbie dolls. I didn't say it because I think we should perpetuate stereotypes of bimbos. There have been even dumber themes, in the past. Whether people like my opinion or not, I still like the idea. I wish everyone at Drexel a successful recruitment, regardless of the theme.

I'm not sure how lipstick and shoes don't make us look shallow.

None of us wish them a bad recruitment, and you're welcome to your opinion, just as we're free to disagree. Profusely.

Look guys...it's pineapple Barbie!