colonization question
 

a new sorority will be colonizing at my school in spring 2014. i'm interested in joining but at that point in time, i will be a second semester senior. has anyone heard of a similar situation before? should i email the sorority or should i just wait until they start having interest meetings/information sessions and directly talk to a sorority representative?

You've already answered your own question - ask the people doing it as they are the ONLY ones who will know the answer.

There was a colony member here recently asking about dropping out of her colony. You're not alone.

They will be interested in women of all years, seniors included. Keep in mind you may be paying a hefty dues for only a semester of collegiate membership. Some people don't want to pay that considering they are about to graduate. However if you plan on staying local after graduation, the powers that be will want a strong, willing, and available alumnae base for the actives to rely on. Lots to consider.

Yes, you will pay for one semester BUT your membership last a lifetime. Networking is one of the perks of being Greek. It is also nice to have a group that will welcome you with open arms if you end up in another state or town from where you grew up or went to school.

I would definitely check it out. You have nothing to loose by going through the process.

Is this just because all the fixed costs hit at once? I think that we spread the parlor fees and such things over the first couple semesters, so I guess I never thought about what would happen to someone who was only active for one.

If you're wanting to stay on after the fact and be an adviser, it's definitely something to look into. They may be interested in recruiting you for that precise reason.

My colony does not have any seniors, and not too many juniors, even though we had I think around 5 seniors go through recruitment. That doesn't necessarily mean that it will be the same at your school and with whichever organization is colonizing there.

greekxgal, are you a member of a NPC sorority?

She posted in another thread that she's a member of an AOII colony.

thanks everyone for all your input!

I am a graduating senior who just joined my sorority this year in October... I did have a bit more time to be involved, but the colony took around 10 seniors (110 total). I would email them now and ask because showing interest never hurts! And as someone mentioned already, it's not 4 years it's for life so it's never too late.

hi again everyone, just wanted to give an update and resurrect this thread to see if I can reach any more GC'ers who went through colony recruitment as a graduating senior (especially a second semester senior).

the colonizing sorority had a small informational meeting a few weeks ago and i got a chance to speak with one of the sorority representatives, who told me that a member of the expansion team was actually a senior colony member last year! I've decided that I'm going to take a plunge and go through the colony recruitment process in February, so I'd love any advice! I've previously been through formal recruitment, but I know that colony recruitment is very different.

Be yourself. They probably will want a few seniors who will serve as a balancing force against all the drama of the 18 and 19 year olds. Your maturity and level head will probably be strong selling points. And if your plan is to stay local after you graduate, even better. Good luck!

I'm so glad you've decided to look into membership! I joined my organization this fall in a re-colonization (as a Junior) and it's been the most incredible experience. I also witnessed another sorority re-colonize on my campus.

The process is much different from formal recruitment, but each organization also will recruit a little differently. There will likely be some form of individual consultation with interested members to learn more about their interest. For example, in my consultation, I mentioned my interest in leadership (which is especially vital in starting a brand new chapter!) and how I wanted to gain a close community of sisters. You may also have the opportunity to socialize with other women going through the recruitment process. Most likely, the recruitment team hosting these events will be from the National office or include alumnae who live nearby.

My best advice is to let your enthusiasm for the organization shine through and communicate what value you can bring to the chapter as a senior! We took in 7 seniors out of about 107 members and they have been active leaders, one even made Homecoming court, and were well-connected on campus which helped us to have great social events, get the word out on philanthropy, and they were a mature face to look up to.

I wish you the best!

thank you for the advice!! fingers crossed that I will have good news to share in a few months!

are the outfit guidelines for colony recruitment events essentially the same as those for formal recruitment? there will be a kick-off event, personal interviews, philanthropy night, pref night, and bid day

Depending on your school, probably nowhere near the same. Consult the information you got from the colony team and if still in doubt, ask them.

I just wanted to thank everyone for all the advice and kind words. I'm incredibly excited to share that I am now a charter member of
GAMMA PHI BETA!!!

Congratulations and welcome to the sisterhood! So are you at Duke or Ohio State? (Both colony bid days are today!)

Duke :)

Congratulations!!!! What happy news :-)

Fantastic news!!! Welcome to Gamma Phi Beta!!

Hooray!!!! Congratulations!!

Congrats! Very exciting. Enjoy these next few months, and then a lifetime of opportunities as an alumna.

YAY!!!! Congratulations and WELCOME! I was so hoping to see this post, as I knew where you were from your comment about the member of the extension team who was a senior colony member. It looks like an amazing group of women who you will be with this semester! Your SC-NC is a good friend of mine, so I know you are in great hands.

Enjoy this experience, congrats again!!!

Welcome, Sister!

Congrats to you and your colony on a happy Bid Day!!

Congratulations and welcome to Gamma Phi Beta!!

Congratulations!

thanks so much everyone :)

Welcome to you and all your colony sisters!

Congratulations.

I've heard wonderful things about Duke Greek life!