Recs for a Legacy?
 

If a PNM is a legacy, would it also be to her advantage to get recs for the sorority she is a legacy to? Or would it be redundant?

I'm thinking of the big greek schools where the number of legacies can be higher than actual quota.

In my experience, she should have a few recs along with the legacy form, especially if they are from women who know her well. It shows a long term bond and commitment to the sorority has already been established in the family (as opposed to mom/grandmother etc. who only remembers she's an XYZ when Princess' recruitment comes around.) It can look weird if not a single sister is also there to vouch for the PNM. But also be careful not to go overboard either. Not every member of the sorority who has ever met the member should be sending one in for the PNM. That also looks weird.

Yes, she needs a rec. I always wonder when a legacy doesn't have one - i.e., is she THAT bad that none of her mother's friends will sign one??????

Thank you, ladies :)

As recruitment advisor I dont think it is that at all. I think a lot of alumnae are still of the opinion that putting legacy status on a recruitment registration form or having their legacy mention they are a legacy during recruitment is enough to guarantee a bid. Usually this form of naivety comes from alumnae who have not been active with the sorority in quite a while, are unaware of changes to legacy policies & Panhellenic recruitment, and are not up on trends at different schools/different regions.

I try my best every year to get the word out to our chapter alumnae about our legacy & recommendation policies and how important it is, especially with respect to specific campuses. Every year that is met with some resistance and every year someone gets upset when their desired outcome does not happen or wonder why I cannot help them make connections & get recommendations for 8 & 12 NPC chapters together a week before their legacy's recruitment starts. I also have those that get upset that we cant go back and make changes when recommendations come the night before bids are distributed or show up a week after recruitment is over. This is my least favorite part of recruitment advising by far.

Sorry for the rant, but we are getting ready for Spring recruitment and the nuttiness is beginning again!

Hi KillarneyRose:

For at least one large NPC sorority that I know of, a rec would be needed, even when a PNM is a legacy. The sorority has two, count 'em, two, distinct forms for use: a legacy info form and a rec form. One does not replace the other, at least if I'm correct in my reading of the info available to the public on their web site. The rec form is more important; the legacy information form is, at least according to the statement on the web site, "optional."

See, for example:

http://www.pibetaphi.org/pibetaphi/c...rs.aspx?id=228

http://www.pibetaphi.org/pibetaphi/h...px?ekfrm=23092

Obviously each NPC organization has its own requirements, and practices can differ among chapters of any particular sorority.

ThetaPrincess24: I have never accepted a woman as a legacy simply because she wrote it on her registration form or told us during recruitment. And I just celebrated my 46th year of membership in my GLO. I want independent verification. And yes, I've called up moms of legacies and asked if they were going to have a rec sent for Susie....you can bet they get moving on it then.

My chapter that I advise doesnt either, but some alumnae have a hard time with grasping that concept.

I considered it my job to see that they do!

My older daughter starts college in two years and I just wanted to make sure I have my I's dotted and my T's crossed in case she goes through rush. In this day and age, there's no excuse for not understanding how rush works!

Oops, I mean RECRUITMENT!

exlurker, that form is invaluable to us! :)

And I hope that all chapters check on alum status. I've heard too many unreal stories from Auburn about girls making that up. Well, that and activities and gradepoints.

Absolutely write a rec for your DD!!! My favorite story is the mother that called to rake me over the coals because we released her DD early in recruitment. She had not sent in a rec or legacy form, nor did any of her friends. She had "stopped by the house" the spring before and met a random active and introduced herself and her daughter. She expected the active to make sure her daughter was "taken care of" during recruitment. Right - make sure you have the rec.

carnation, thanks for clarifying and emphasizing the use of Pi Phi's legacy information form and its rec form.

As far as girls making things up, that's sad. You'd think they'd realize, or would have been told, that chapters check up.

ggforever, you posted: "My favorite story is the mother that called to rake me over the coals because we released her DD early in recruitment. She had not sent in a rec or legacy form, nor did any of her friends. . . . "
Great story. That was one clueless mom with an excess of nerve!

I just love these folks!

This may sound like overkill but I verify every legacy PNM, even those we received a legacy form on. Why? Over the years I've found at least half a dozen or more "alum" sisters and mothers whose membership turned out to have been cancelled.