Should I try to participate in colonization?
 

I went through formal NPC rush last semester and didn't match...but I recently heard that my school's Panhel voted to expand, and a new colony will be formed this fall. Will I be too old to try to be part of it, if my school's chapters generally don't recruit upperclassmen?

Colonies strive to have an even balance of members. Juniors and Seniors who are proven leaders will have a very good chance of being invited to join.

Colonies will take a "cross section" of what a typical chapter would be composed of to give it balance. If they filled the colony with nothing but freshmen, think about it, the chapter would stay a similar size for a few years, they'd have few new members subsequent semesters (openings only for early graduating, transferring, leaving school, and withdrawing), and then when that class graduates, CRASH!

You have nothing to lose by attending the meetings for the colonization and getting more information about the sorority nationally and the goals for the chapter at your campus.

I was actually a founding sister of my chapter, and I was a first semester Senior. It was an amazing experience, and I would urge you to attend the meetings, if you are interested!
Many NPC sororities look for a mix of girls to start a colony. I would say mine was about 30% -40% juniors and seniors. If you have any further questions about the colony process, please don't hesitate to send me a private message.

Yes you should check out the colony. A colony wants a mix of girls so your status may not be as big of a deal to them. Best of luck to you!

yes-check the colony out.

Absolutely check it out. Colonies seek out a cross section of women on campus. They WANT women who are juniors and even seniors to provide leadership, diversity, balance and to prevent all of the women from graduating the same year. Having upperclass women also insures some alums from that chapter in the near future who will provide support.

Someone I know from my alumnae chapter was a founding member of her chapter and said it was an incredible experience. She was not a freshman .....

Good luck!

^^^ What they all said. Check it out and keep an open mind. When my chapter recolonized, they took a good number of Juniors and a few Seniors

Thanks for the age reassurance! Do you think going through rush and not matching would look bad? I'm not entirely sure how colonization works...would it be local alumnae or active sisters from another chapter choosing the new members?

Each chapter is different. You will be invited to more than one party and you will have both alum and collegians from another chapter present. Always put on your best face regardless of who you are speaking with, just like they were all actives. Chances are high that they don't know anything of what on during recruitment with you other than that you participated and didn't receive a bid. They don't know if you dropped out or cut by all during the first round.

Do a little research on the chapter ahead of time so that you are knowledgable enough to ask questions about their philanthropy and presence in local areas. This will help you to jump in whenever there is dead silence in a conversation.

This was very true in my colonization experience and it is great advice!!!!

Do it. At my college they started a colony last year and it was a big success. They took in over 100 new members including 2 seniors. Don't mention your prior rush. They probably will not even ask. Just go in there and knock them dead.

Yeah, I'll agree with everyone else. Check it out! We had 2 seniors and 2 juniors when we were colonized, and I wish we had more now! I guess it's evening out now, but I totally agree with what was said about the balance between classes.

colonization
 

I was in the first pledge class after a colonization, and colonies can be a great experience. You have the opportunity to meet a really diverse group of women, and to set traditions for your chapter. I really think you should take advantage of this opportunity.

Definitely go for it. I'm a member of my colonizing class, and from what I can recall, we had 3 seniors (this was the spring semester) about 13 juniors then the rest were sophomores and freshman. Our pledge class was 65 girls. As for not be matched during formal, neither was I, but I still ended up in the right place! It can't hurt to look!

To answer your original question and ditto everyone else: YES! Definitely do it! It's such a different experience to be a charter member than to take part in a chapter that's been around for decades already.

It differs for each org, but from my experience, it would be more of an interview format. You would interview with some national representatives (regional staff, etc.), and probably the local chapter advisor and resident consultant. They will be looking for women who meet their membership criteria and will ask you questions based on that.

Feel free to PM me if you have any other questions.

I am currently going through the colonization process, It's a lot of hard work but i def learn a lot. I'm a sophmore and i have awesome positions it's a great leadership oppurtunity.

Perhaps your chapter could implement Spelling 101 into your chapter programming. :)

L. O. L.

Oh yeah, I'll second the comment about it being a lot of hard work! Charter members have to be officers at the same time as they're new members. You have to learn about the structure and rules & regulations of your organization as you're living it. Regardless, being a charter member is an amazing experience. I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Honestly, I can think of no reason for you not to give it a try. Good luck!

Don't hide the fact that you went through formal recruitment and were cut. The fact that you were a junior is probably the big reason. I wouldn't go in trumpeting that fact, but don't deny it.
You have a very good chance of being asked to join. A lot of times the people making the decision are part of an expansion team...with input and recommendations from your hometown alumnae.

Ditto that! But despite all the hard work it is such an amazing opportunity!!! I thankful everyday that I did it!

Being a part of a colony
 

Many moons ago, I was an International Rush Consultant for my organization and I worked with new colonies. It was such a wonderful and exciting time. I would encourage you to participate for all of the reasons mentioned above AND it is such a once in a lifetime opportunity to set new trends and learn about yourself and develop incredible leadership skills.

I guess my question would be what is causing you to be hesitant? Is it because it is different? You may want to list your specific concerns , if you are comfortable. or PM me.

Best wishes~ !! :)
Merry

Well, I wasn't sure if I was too old, since I thought my age might have been a factor in me not matching during formal recruitment. I'm also nervous because not matching during formal recruitment was pretty upsetting for me -- I started crying and called my mom after I got the call from my Rho Chi, as lame as that sounds -- so I'm a little reluctant to make myself vulnerable to rejection again, if that makes any sense?

You've got to put yourself out there - rejection is tough, but when you apply for a job, go on a first date, or any one of a hundred other worthwhile ventures, you have to risk it. Colonization could be an incredible experience for you - the WORST that could happen is they say no - and as you know, life goes on after "no". On the other hand, they could say YES - and you could be part of an amazing sisterhood. I say, go for it! As I look back on my life, there are only a few things I regret doing, but LOTS of opportunities I wish I had not let slip by. "Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined ".- Thoreau

As SWTXBelle said, the worst case scenario is that you are exactly where you are today. Best case, you will be in a new sorority with all kinds of leadership opportunities! Go For It!

*golf clap*
I always liked that quote, it got me through a lot of anxiety about moving abroad.

I'd say go for it, If you never go, you'll never get in. If you go, you still might get rejected, but you've given yourself the opportunity to succeed. Good luck, knock 'em dead!

Well, there's a kick in the butt :) I want to thank you all for the advice and help you've given me...and now I have some more questions, LOL. I read in the school newspaper that organizations have been chosen to present, but I don't know any alumnae of the sororities that will be presenting, so I'm kind of worried about how I'll get a rec when Panhel does decide.

I honestly knew NOTHING about recruitment before I rushed last fall, so I have no idea about rec etiquette. But I'd like to talk to a member just to learn a little more about the sorority than the tangibles; I know I'd have the opportunity to ask questions during the interviews with national reps, but I feel like I should go into the interview with at least some sense of the organization. I guess it's that the interview process seems kind of serious to me, almost analogous to one of the days of rush AFTER the first day, when you go in with no clue what the chapter is about, besides what you've heard, so I should be entering an interview with more preparation than I did the first day of rush. Does that make sense? And even if it does, am I totally off base?

Are recs even common for colonies? National officers and alumnae are the ones doing the interviewing. If they like you that's a million times more important than if Ally Alumna rights a rec.

Good point. I just really want this to work out, so I guess I'm going kind of overboard making sure I do everything I can! On that note...the organizations are presenting this week and PNMs are invited to attend (which I guess would make me no longer a maybepnm, haha) and speak with the committees after presentations. Could I just wear what I wore to class (as in jeans and sweater, not, like, pajamas) or should I dress up a little more, like closer to business casual? When I was doing formal rush, they told us to dress like we would for class for the first day, a girl in my rush group showed up in Birkenstocks and ripped jeans, and she was cut hard. I know correlation doesn't equal causation, but am I being overly careful in leaving my own Birks at home? I want to make an effort, but I don't want to go too crazy.

I can't remember where it was, but I think someone on here that was at a DG colony said a lot of the girls had recs. I would definitely try to secure them.

Actually, in this case I wouldn't worry about getting recs. The sorority will do that, if it's a high priority with them. They would NOT expect you to have recs. If you or your parents know somebody who is a member of the group coming on, then certainly ask if they would write you a rec, which they can send to the group's international headquarters. PM if you like!
As far as dress...it couldn't hurt to dress up a little...like you said, business casual. Neat...well groomed...put yourself in the best light possible!

I went to the presentations and they were SO MUCH FUN. But I have to admit there is one sorority I kind of hope Panhel chooses above the others -- I've volunteered for their philanthropy, so I immediately got excited when that particular presentation discussed philanthropy (not to be presumptuous). I'm so nervous already...going to the presentations reminded me how much I'd love to be in a sorority and I really hope everything works out this time!

i hope that things workout in your favor too. i am glad that you got to attend the presentations-they are neat, aren't they? just keep your eyes and ears open so that when the sorority is chosen, you get your name on the sign up sheet for an interview. then put your best foot forward, dress nicely and conservatively(after all, the interviewers will most likely be that sororities national officers, former nat'l officers and/or alumnae) and let yourself shine!

please keep us posted.

Bumping my thread up because recruitment is going to start soon, and if you all have any last-minute advice, I would love to hear it -- I am so nervous!!! :eek:

good luck to you and keep us updated! :D

Dear Maybe,
Do your homework about the sorority - know their philanthropy and mission statement. (should be on their web site). Ask questions about leadership opportunities and personal development. Share with them previous leadership positions you have held. Show genuine interest in each person you meet. Present yourself in the best possible light (dress well, be well groomed, etc.).

I wish you success as you put yourself out there for this opportunity! Good luck!