Shower
 

I've mentioned this idea to several of the local alumnae, but I thought I'd run this past y'all:

Alpha Iota has just done super in the past couple years! They've more than doubled their size twice now, and inherited some much needed new furniture when the Ohio State chapter closed.

Pitt has suites, one sorority for each floor (two small kitchens, a formal living room, an informal living room, a chapter room, and room-sized halls). ADPi has the Penthouse Suite, with wonderful 20' tall ceilings and other nice architectural lines. As recent as 10 years ago, the Housing Corporation provided all the dishes, cooking utensils, towels and such, but there's no longer room in the budget.

We were thinking about holding a Suite Shower for the chapter, probably right after they move in, but just prior to Recruitment. This would be mostly stuff needed in the Suite (such as toasters, microwaves, dish towels & rags, everyday dishes & such), but could also include items needed for Recruitment. Obviously, we'd need a Wish List, and we'd encourage those who couldn't come to consider a donation towards some of the more major applicances needed.

Do y'all think I'm crazy to take this on? I see it as a wonderful way of showing the actives that Alpha Delta Pi is a life long commitment, and I think that it would also boost their spirits by having it just before Recruitment. Of course, we'd take dozens of pictures to add to the scrapbook!

And, if y'all think it's a good idea: when I got married (the wrong time!), I was given the gift of a consultation with a decorator, who showed me how to best bring out my taste, and to prioritize a list for the future. Do you think that would be taken in the right way, or that it would insult some of the sisters? One example is that I had wallpapered a wall in my living room, but it didn't look right. The decorator explained that I had used bedroom paper, and that's what didn't click.

So - what do y'all think? Should I get moving on this idea or not? Should I find a reasonable decorator, or keep my mouth shut that way?

Suggestions, PLEASE!!!!

Suite shower YES!!!!, decorator consultation no. People don't always take that concept well, plus if the decorator isn't Greek and doesn't understand the whole thing they might make suggestions that just plain won't work.

I say yes go for the Shower idea...I think that is just great...I know my chapter could use it...especially in the new furniture department...But anyways...as for the decorator...what you might want to see is if any alumna in the area are interior designers, or if any of the active members of the chapter are. I know with my chapter we have been slowly getting some help from an alumna daughter who isnt an adpi, but is greek and was more than willing to help. Our's is taking a lot of time, but I think eventually we will have our chapter room the way we want it (our campus setup sounds a lot like Alpha Iota's)...Hope these ideas may help some...but I do have to agree with 33girl, that just any decorator might be considered rude or just not have the right idea in mind for a sorority chapter room.

I guess it's my conditioning - we always had a decorator when I was in school. He was perfectly mah-velous, darling, but everyone thought that the ADPi Suite was by far the nicest. The theory was that, if a decorator was used, no one could say that So & So's taste was bad or that So & So messed up the Chapter Room.

But, there's no sense in hiring one even for an hour if no one would appreciate it. So! It's time to come up with a Wish List!

I actually vote for the decorator. I think it would be a fabulous exercise for the chapter to work with a "vendor" of this type, it would be a great experience for them. I know one of the best learning experiences for me in ADPi was dealing with all the vendors as Rush Chair, it really helped me out when I started working. The chapter doesn't have to follow his or her advice to the letter if they don't want to, but getting an outside opinion is always helpful I think. Also, decorators can really save you money in the long run, I can't imagine any woman in the chapter having the level of expertise about fabrics and carpets and such. And a chapter suite is a tough decorating job, it gets tons of use, must be multi-purpose, but attractive and welcoming.
As far as a "shower" I think it's a wonderful idea! It'd be way more fun as an alumnae to go on-line and choose something from their "registry" rather than simply write a check. (I bet would donate a bit more because I'd "fall in love" with set of dishes that I would want them to have.)
Great idea honeychile, those Alpha Iota sisters are lucky women.
violets

I think the wish list, or registry would be a great idea. I've heard of chapters completing a "wedding" registry at Target, for example and Alumnae or members of other chapters, parents, grandparents, bio-sibs, etc are all able to contribute from across the country.

I think that Violets is right that people would be more excited about buying a gift, rather than writing a check. It just more fun!


Good luck!

Thank you!! This is what we were thinking! There could be an alum who owns, say, a Best Buy franchise. She might not want to give $1,000, but could donate something as some sort of write off.

Plus, that way, the chapter will receive gifts in the right colors, sizes, etc. I think it would be fun!

**crashing the board**
honeychile,

When we had to redecorate our suite, we did something similar. We sent out a letter to all of our alum with a wish list. Although our involved how much it would cost for x amount of carpet. It worked well, even though we are always renovating. So I would definitely go with the decorator!!!

At this stage, my co-horts in crime & I are trying to find a time to set up a meeting to set this in motion. I'm hoping that we can decide the decorator issue at that time. I think people think it cost much more than it really does! Also, a decorator isn't a dictator. What we would be looking for is one who will run with what we have, rearranging to the Suite's best advantage, and prioritizing what we need.

We've had Wish Lists in the past, but I don't think we organized them to the degree that a Registry would. I have a very informal message board that I'm thinking of turning into a Registry for the non-bridal type stuff. All of this has to be discussed, though.

Every time I think of the DPhiE carpet, I think of the fire, and how quickly the carpeting burned! It burnt so fast, the varnish was still on the floors underneath!