[aopirose]

The New Orleans Alumnae Panhellenic Association conducts an information session very similar to Atlanta. The event is held at a local library. The most difficult part is getting the names of girls. It is a little difficult due to the nature of the school system and privacy issues. First the schools are divided into public, private (secular and religious), and Catholic (Archdioceses affiliated and non-affiliated). None of the schools give out contact information. For some schools, if you bring them the ready-to-mail information, they will put the labels on and sent them out. Other schools don’t even do that because they view it as unwanted solicitation. Our best resources come from family members who have school directories and go from there. Unfortunately, this leaves the public school girls out most of the time. We had a tremendous turn out this year with over 80 PNMs showing up. Last year we had only 4!

The Northshore Alumnae Panhellenic Association is a whole other kettle of fish! I am not even sure if it is an official NPC group (i.e. pay dues to NPC). (Background: In the late 80’s early 90’s, the LSU Panhellenic Council requested assistance from local alumnae chapters to boost awareness. If the alumnae could arrange a meeting place and handle the invitations, each chapter would send no more then 5 collegians and 2 alumnae to man a table. Each chapter table could have a brag board, t-shirts, cups and so forth. Speakers would give an over view of Recruitment, philanthropy, scholarship, life as a collegiate member, life as an alumna, etc.) This group still does it this way. Everyone is encouraged to wear her badge. Unusually, it is held at a church hall, but this year it was at a VERY NICE catering facility. (AOII chaired this event and the chairwoman did a fantastic job!) The only none LSU chapter there was AOII. We have a chapter nearby at Southeastern La. University. In this parish, the school board will supply mailing labels. We have to work harder for the other schools. Although most of the 115 PNMs that came we going to LSU, about 80% of the women that I talked to, there were a decent amount going out of state or to Southeastern. It would have been nice to have other groups represented as well. Many other NPCs don’t come because it seems geared to LSU. While that maybe true, it is still good to get your name out. It would also show that even if a girl pledges AGD at Bama there ARE AGDs in her home area. I had a few issues as JAM already knows and hopefully some things may be resolved for next year