[silverpearls]

I just got back from the first night of COR! I was pretty happy with how it went. The sisters were great - they were all very welcoming, enthusiastic and helpful. Unfortunately our Recruitment Chair tested positive for HINI/Swine Flu today and is in quarantine through the school. She's actually going home tonight - we all feel so bad for her. There are a few other sisters (all officers) who probably have it, too. Because of that, things were a little stressful, but the actual event went just fine! We did the "wave, don't shake" to avoid spreading germs, so hopefully we won't have everyone bedridden within the week. This is such bad timing for everyone to get sick - everyone who had to stay home was really frustrated to not be out there meeting the PNMs.

We had 11 PNMs come out, which wasn't a bad turnout. I was expecting a few more, to be honest - but a few more are coming on Wednesday. Last year we had 12 come out over 3 events, and we took 6.

We had lots of familiar faces, including Vicky, Greta, Robin and Kerry. Frances didn't show, which was disappointing - it turns out she wants to wait and do Formal Recruitment this spring. She's interested in Venus, but wants to check out all her options.

Anyway, the girls who were there all seemed VERY interested, which was great! In the past there have been a lot of girls who just come for the experience, or get dragged there by their friends. This year I think any of the eleven who attended would have accepted a bid! As they left they got little info sheets which talked about the semester's events as well as the time and financial commitments. Last year two girls joined without realizing how much dues actually cost and had to drop because of that. Other sisters stayed on, but have had a lot of trouble coming up the with the money. Because of that, we wanted to make things very clear before bids were extended! I hope it doesn't scare anyone off, but with the economy the way it is, girls should know up front whether or not they can afford membership. Vicky is not sure about joining because of this - she thought her financial situation would be better, but now is thinking she may need to wait until spring.

I finally got to meet Greta tonight, though it was only for a minute. She seemed to get along well with the sisters she was talking to, though she was a little quiet.

Robin had to come in late because of another meeting, but she seemed to have a good time. Tons of sisters got up to go talk to her. It seems like there's always one PNM that everybody loves - and this time, it was her!

Kerry could only come for half the event, but she met a lot more sisters and made a very good impression. One of the older members who's up for a Little really wants her!

And here are a few new ones...

Sandy was at one point a new member of what most girls consider the "top" group on campus, but never initiated. The group is known for being the "party girls" and she didn't strike me as being like that at all. It turns out she was a big legacy to that group - it must have been awkward for her family when she didn't initiate. She's a close friend of one of our members and seems really interested.

Lee is one of my favorites! She came to our unofficial event last week, but I wasn't sure if she was actually interested. It look like she is! She reminds me a LOT of one of our '08 alums, who I loved. They have the same name, same ethnicity, same personality... every time I see her I think of the "old Lee". She's very cute and bubbly.

There were a few more girls who came who I didn't get to talk to very much, but the seemed to have fun. One of them was a new transfer student, which was exciting! Of the 11 who came, I could see us bidding 7 or 8.

Our next event is on Wednesday! I'll update more then. We'll be doing voting and extending bids that night, and Bid Night will be on Thursday. I know a few PNMs from tonight can't make it on Wednesday, but some sisters said they know of a few who couldn't make it tonight and will be there on Wednesday. I can't wait to see who shows up!