Quote:
Originally posted by justamom
KappaKittyCat, it is unusual for me to disagree with you, but in this instance I would say it depends. I know that MANY chapters (maybe it's a Southern thing) want to have that very information. It is not considered tacky and in some cases it could be influential in the initial rounds. Some DO want to know what position or community activities your parents were involved with. I can only GUESS at the reasoning behind it. Perhaps they want to know if you are from a family committed to community service. Maybe they want to know if your involvement and dedication to your GLO will likely extend beyond your 3 or 4 years of active status. Maybe it's a reassurance that you can afford sorority life, because in the end, reality hits when the projected cost falls short. There are probably a myriad of reasons. If someone asks for this information, it's probably a good indication it is necessary or could be beneficial. A big blank on a rec would draw more attention than having a completed form.
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Okay, JAM, if there's a blank for it on a rec form, then I can see how you'd need to fill it in, but it still seems strange to me. Kappa's Membership Data Forms ask for no such information. I guess I can see how parents' occupation and volunteer history could be useful in a letter:
"KappaKittyCat's mother is a special education teacher, and she was raised to value education. Mrs. Cat has volunteered as a Sunday School teacher for twenty years, and KappaKitty joined her when she was fourteen. She also tutors at-risk children in a local elementary school. Mr. Cat started his own commodities brokerage house when KappaKitty was nine, and KappaKitty says that watching her father's business grow has taught her the value of hard work and dedication."
But I still think it's incredibly tacky to specifically request parents' occupational information. Maybe it's just because I'm from Wisconsin and we don't do that sort of thing up here. Maybe I'm still burning after being treated like white trash by some rich Texan sorority dames. I'm inclined to agree with WhiteDaisy when she says, "The only reason I can see someone asking this question to find out if the PNM has money or not and that is stupid. If she says that she can meet the money obligations, then take her word on that. You don't check bank accounts, do you?"
As for wanting to guarantee the PNM's continued volunteerism, I think it's more the chapter's responsibility to instill dedication to the GLO. I can see wanting to pledge women who are already dedicated to volunteerism, but can't you figure that sort of thing out in Rush conversation?
Again, maybe I'm just totally missing the point here, or maybe it's a Southern thing that I shouldn't even try to comprehend, but I truly don't understand why they have to come right out and ask what your mommy and daddy do. It seems really hypocritical, given that that is one of the five Bs that we are told and tell PNMs to avoid in conversation (Boys, Booze, Bank, Bible, Bashes). Can you clarify?