long shot
 

Hello all,

I am participating in recruitment this fall at the University of Alabama. My mother nor any family members have been in sororities, so I am relying on personal connections and my mom's friends who were Greek to help with recs. It is my goal to get a rec from every NPC sorority on campus. That being said, there is no local Panhellenic Association in my area. I was wondering if anyone could help me with networking and put me in touch with Alumnae here in Birmingham, AL.

Thanks in advance

Hi Kim,

This link from NPC's national site shows the different alumnae Panhellenics- some of the Alabama ones are listed under counties instead of the actual city. Maybe that's why Birmingham isn't listed?

http://www.npcwomen.org/alumnae/a_directory.php

Thank you for your help, but unfortunately my county nor any county close to me is listed.

Oops, sorry, NOT listed.

I would contact the county nearest to you OR the NPC Alumnae Panhellenic Advisor for Alabama and see if she can put you in touch with local alumnae.

If you aren't having any luck, you may want to contact the Alabama Panhellenic Council. They may have some ideas.

http://bama.ua.edu/~npc/PanhellenicCouncil.htm

Good luck!

Congrats on Bama, Kim! Get recs from your mom's friends and see if they have any friends in the remaining sororities you still need the recs for.

Also, send around an email to everyone you know, make phone calls, get a hold of mom's Christmas card list, etc. and let everyone know you got into Bama, you're going through recruitment and you need help with recs to the following sororities... you'd be amazed at how many women and men can connect you to sorority women! You'd also be surprised at how many of your HS teachers and admins are Greeks!!!

Definitely contact the Alumnae Panhellenic in the area closest to you-- even if it isn't in your county, they may be able to assist you by phone and email, or connect you with women in your area.

Good luck. Please keep us posted :)

I wasn't sure, Pennsylvania girl here :)

And remember, ask the MEN you know, too. They may also be able to put yo in touch with sorority women.

Birmingham, amazingly, does NOT have an alumnae Panhellenic. My suggestion would be to ask your parents' friends, and ask them to ask around.
Don't worry too much about this. The sororities usually contact their alumnae to get recommendations on girls they don't have them on already.

Is it a faux pas to contact the alumane chapter nearest her for the sororities that she still needs recs for if they are closer than the nearest Alumnae Panhellenic?

ETA: For example, suppose she can't find anyone who is an alumna of ADPi through her contacts. Is it ok to contact Greater Birmingham ADPi alumnae association to find someone to write her a rec?

Some people have different opinions on this, but I feel that if you have exhausted your personal contacts and there is no Alum Pan in your area, it is only logical to contact local alum associations. I'm sure they will be happy to help a young woman interested in sorority recruitment.

Personally, I would say yes, it would sound like you're desperate. But hey, other people might think differently. The thing about the really strong groups in the South is that some chapters only will consider recs from somebody who personally knows the girl and/or her family. Another group or two will only accept recs from the designated sponsor chairman or committee for that city. More than likely, if she and her parents ask around, she'll be able to get 95 per cent of the groups covered.