[RTZTAS]

I'm so sorry not to have posted sooner. I'm the president of the alumnae chapter in this area and we are absolutely thrilled that Phi has recolonized. As someone previously mentioned it was a little touch and go last week during recruitment. Total on this campus is somewhere around 100 to 110 and there are 4 large chapters that are in the neighborhood of 150. They actually felt too big and impersonal and so the decision was made to invite a new sorority to help spread the numbers and reduce the oversized chapters. Three sororities presented, all of which had been at Duke before, but Zeta's presentation WOWed the group.

One or two TLCs were here in late January to publicize the recolonization and to start gathering names of interested unaffiliated women. February 14th there was a national team here including 4 TLCs, NP, ExtDir, ExecDir, VPAII, and Dir. of New Chapters. With total being what it is at Duke, National Council had set a goal of pledging a certain number of women to make the chapter happen. Disappointment struck on the 14th when only about 60 interested women showed up for the presentation, not close to the "magic number." The women were told that unfortunately that they would not be able to form a chapter with only 60 women. The "rushees" were so gung-ho about being Zetas that they asked what could be done. Deb Ensor told them to each bring a few unaffiliated women with them the following night. The Zetas at NC State who had come to help on the 14th offered to go back to the dorms with the "rushees" and help recruit more women. Everyone was so disappointed. It really looked like the chapter was not going to happen.

The following night the numbers had greatly increased. A few of the "rushees" were apparently great rushers themselves and were able to recruit several women. The national team conducted interviews and went forward with the rush plans. The national team was selective and so some rushees were not invited to the last party. It was clear that the national team wanted to put together a group of women that would be successful and competitive on Duke's campus, not just take all that they could to meet the numbers. They were very close to their magic number, the biggest factor was whether everyone who was extended a bid accept it?

The third night was pref. The Zetas at UNC-Chapel Hill sang "Feels like Home" acappella and Deb Ensor sang the Founders Song. It was beautiful and very touching. The entire group was offered a bid right then and there. A small few had to think about it and that pushed the pledge number just under the "magic number." But the national team did not give up. They stayed late that night, put together a game plan, made some phone calls and visits and rushed the uncertain girls and some new ones as well.

Bid night was Thursday and they had exceeded the magic number! By Saturday at formal pledging, the numbers had increased even more. And by Tuesday's first meeting of the colony, there were 5 more new members of Phi colony!

It was certainly a roller coaster ride of a week. But everyone here in the triangle is THRILLED that Phi is making its comeback. The challenge now is to keep all these women and reach 100% initiation, which is planned for April. With the numbers being so close, you can bet that National Council, TLCs and the Director of New Chapters is working very, very closely with this group and will be for some time. No one wants to see us lose Phi chapter ever again.

Katy Williams