Formal Recruitment?
 

So here's the story: I got initiated into my local and quit because I felt that it was too much of a priority and not enough fun. I know that sounds selfish, but I was putting TONS of work into a chapter that will probably die out by the end of this semester. Please note: I was pretty much the only sister putting any effort into Phi Gamma Pi. Here is a link to the thread about my local. I am considerring going through formal recruitment in the fall. I think my biggest fear is the fact that I was well-known around the Greek community as a Phi Gam and I don't want to seem disloyal. Any advice/thoughts about this? It would be greatly appreciated.

You've probably met a lot of sisters in various chapters through your involvement as a Phi Gam. Work that to your advantage. Let them see that you went above and beyond the call of duty and that you can apply that same energy and devotion within their sisterhood.

Good luck! :)

Forgot something...
 

I forgot to mention another disadvantage I have, which is that I will be a junior in the fall. I know that may be a factor against me.

okay That1LoudChick:

If you are still passionate about finding a home in greek life, then by all means pursue formal recruitment.

However, if you are desperately searching for letters and social status, then don't.

Anyway, I say if you are still passionate, go for it! Please understand that as a junior who de-activated from a now defunct local, you stand a high chance of being cut pretty heavily.

The fact that people on campus know how dedicated you were to PhiGam could work to your advatage. They could realize that you have the potential to put just as much work into their sorority.

On the other hand, you could come off as a girl who wants new letters because her old chapter closed.

I say you should totally go for it! Just be aware of these things. Be honest about PhiGam and that's all you can do.

Later,
JocelynC

I cannot speak for other campuses, but on my campus, if a NM depledged a local sorority and went through recruitment again, she would definitely get a second look. That being said, if an initiated member disaffiliated and went through recruitment, I can't imagine her getting a lot of looks. I understand why you did what you did Loud, but you're going to have to put a really positive spin on the situation. Good luck!! :)

Go through FR. Do you know what the placement rate for juniors on your campus is? I would imagine if the rush is not very competitive it shouldn't be too much of a problem. How many other juniors go through on your campus? Yes, you may have to put a positive spin on it, but do remember there is a lot of work involved in (inter)national sororities as well. I don't see it as disloyal that you want to join a larger national org, but maybe that is because I am already in one. =)

Update Time
 

So here's the scoop: I went to AB house last night because a friend of mine invited me. A lot of the girls gave me weird looks and I didn't say anything about Phi Gam because I'm putting that under "don't ask, don't tell." Anyway, the girls seemed really nice and I hung out more to check out the chapter (since I know that some people graduated and such) than to be recruited.

Today JocelynC was waiting for me to finish a quiz (PS- we're best friends) and she saw one of the girls I met last night. The girl asked her what I was doing at their house last night because the whole sorority seemed confused and JocelynC explained to her what as going on so it looks like the grapevine will start rolling. I think this is a step in a good direction because now people won't be giving me weird looks so much- they'll already know what's going on and I'm hoping that it will give people more of a chance to get to know me.

So yes, kids, all in all I think I am going to give it one more shot by doing formal recruitment in the fall and if I get cut then I wasn't meant to be in a national sorority.

I know nothing about your campus, and even less about how NPCs and locals interact together (First time I heard of a local group was on GC, as long as you don't count the Baptist college across the street....).

However, I think it could be to your advantage to start talking to groups now. Of course, you don't have to go around spilling all the Phi Gam business, but if the sorority women know the story ahead of time (seems like Jocelyn can help you out with that!) then they would probably give you a second chance. However, if you show up at FR and everyone is confused about why you're there (they might think you're undercover trying to get rush secrets or something....), they could cut you in a NY minute.

I'm sure you probably know which groups on your campus would be supportive (and therefore more understanding) of Phi Gam, and those who might be, uh......not so upset that Phi Gam disappeared. Maybe you could start talking to the supportive ones just to get your foot in the door.

In any case, good luck!!!!
PsychTau

dear loud,
 

be sure to get recommendations to each npc sorority on your campus. that will give you a little clout. i don't care if recs. are a rare thing on your campus-it might obligate the npc sororities to give you a second look or a second invitation. you are taking the high road by not talking about you experience with your local sorority and that should count for something too. if you feel comfortable enough talking with the npc sisters you know(or having jocelyn as your mouthpiece) you might enlist them to sort of pave the way by explaining your situation....again not stating anything negative about your former membership. everyone will know that you are a hard worker and that should be a plus. but as someone else state, membership in an npc sorority will keep you busy-you can be a sister who volunteers for everything and participates in every activity or you can chose those activities that interest you the most-that will be up to you. joining an existing group, there will be sisters who have been there longer and their may be a hierarchy to leadership positions...bide you time and understand how your sorority works before you volunteer for things. good luck to you.

Any more updates?

Update
 

I have been hanging out with a friend of mine a lot more lately this semester and I'm glad. What does this have to do with me and potential sorority life? We seem to run into her sorority sisters everywhere and when we do, we end up hanging out with them. So I've gotten to know more girls from XYZ and they seem like a great bunch of girls. My friend has invited me to a COB event tomorrow night and I'm walking into it not looking at it as recruitment, but acting as if it is. I have no idea where I stand with the sisters of this chapter so I'm just going to go with the flow and let things work out the way God wants them to.

good luck hun!!! i'm sure everything will work out great:)

COR
 

So I just came back from COR and I am not sure how well-received I was. I really liked the girls of XYZ, but I'm not sure what they thought of me. The recruitment chair told me she would be in contact with me and my friend told me I should go with her to COR again in a week. So who knows? Wish me luck, everyone!

Good Luck!

Update
 

The recruitment chair has yet to contact me, but my friend told me they didn't have COR last week because it was their initiation week. My friend invited me to the COR they are having tomorrow, but I'm waiting to hear from the recruitment chair (just in case). Wish me luck!

Unfortunate
 

I refuse to name the chapter, but the recruitment chair of XYZ called me and apologized because the sisters did not choose to extend me a bid. I had a feeling that I was not going to get one and I understand that maybe this is all in God's plan for me to either go through formal or not join a sorority at all. Thanks to those who thought good sorority thoughts for me/ wished me luck- I truly appreciate it.

how many other NPC's are on your campus?

I can't promise that I will go through formal because I am running for the position of Chaplain in the Kappa Phi Club and I know that I cannot both hold that position and pledge a sorority. I believe that if I become Chaplain, then it will be God's way of telling me that sorority life is not for me.

P.S. There are 6 total NPCs on my campus.

What is Kappa Phi? :)

The Kappa Phi Club is a national Christian Womens Service group. To learn more go to www.kappaphi.org or www.ksukappaphi.com (the second link is my chapter's personl site).

Man, That1LoudChick that is one COOL looking club! :)

Oh yeah! You bet it is! :D

Still Unsure
 

I, unfortunately, did not become the Chaplain of the Kappa Phi Club. However, I was offered a spot on cabinet and am taking it. I will be taking the summer to decide whether or not I will be going through formal recriutment, but will keep everyone posted. Thanks for your well wishes!

Ok Loud,

My suggestion is go thru formal if you really feel like sorority life is for you and that you still wish to have a positive greek experience.

You will only be a junior next year, and you know, here @ Kent, it's not uncommon for alot of groups to take like 5-6 juniors that they feel can really contribute to the group.

I'm sure there's someone here on GC who left a local for whatever reason, rushed and joined a national. I believe there was a girl who left her local and became an ASA.

Be clear and honest about Phi Gam during rush. You were a well known member, so I know alot of women will recognize you and ask.

Be advised that you could be cut heavily, depending on the quality of the girls and the amount of freshman going through.

Otherwise, I don't see an issue with giving greek life one more shot. It's $20, that's all you would lose.

:)

Have a nice day :)

Interesting Twist
 

So I just checked out my status according to credits and I'm one short of being a junior so next semester I'll actually be going into fall recruitment with sophomore status. I think this will help me because I was worried about going through as a junior ex- Phi Gam and now all I have to worry about is the whole ex-Phi Gam thing.

Good Luck & Enjoy yourself!

I know transferring to Akron is probably not a choice...but I know my chapter along with others are open to taking Juniors!! When I was Recruitment Chair we extended a bid to a second semester Junior--she ended up being a great friend of mine and I wouldn;t change the decision for the world!! I believe everyone deserves a chance to be Greek...and if they decide going into their Senior Year...well then-- give them a chance! I understand bigger greek systems cannot do this because of their abundance of PNMs (mostly being freshman), but at a school like Akron we welcome everyone into our sisterhoods with open arms no matter the year in school!

I know that I have been a bit wishy washy about going through formal recruitment, but I have finally decided not to. The main reasons are that I need to seriously pull up my GPA and I do not feel like I will have enough time to be in a sorority. I am already on the executive board of the Kappa Phi Club and knowing the semester we have planned out and the part time job I wish to acquire, I realize that it will all be too much for me to handle if I join a sorority. Thank you all for your support! I appreciate it!

Sincerely,
That1LoudChick