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Sorority Recruitment Recruitment event and bid day ideas, membership retention, publicity, recruitment policies, etc.

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  #1  
Old 09-12-2014, 11:06 PM
Anonymous Student
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Hello! I'm a non traditional, 21-year-old freshman at my university this year. I moved the weekend before school started because I was still working a job back home and missed formal recruitment. I'm sure if I had gone to college straight out of high school (back in 2011) I would have never given sororities a second glance but, now that I'm older I really see the benefits of joining. My Grandma was a Kappa Alpha Theta (so I guess that makes me a legacy), however, Pi Beta Phi is colonizing this year at my campus and plan to hold their recruitment this October (since they didn't participate in formal). I would have never imagined myself to be so torn up about this. For one, I've read about multiple experiences on both sides that formal and colonization have had extremely positive outcomes but, I can't help but worry if I go for Pi Phi that I'm putting all of my eggs in one basket. I act outgoing, but deep down I'm really insecure and have a hard time talking to people because I feel like no one "really" wants to talk or hang out with me. I just want to feel like I actually belong somewhere. So I wonder if Theta would be the better choice (or another sorority during formal recruitment) because they're already established and could show me the ropes unlike Pi Phi where I'd be learning the ropes with the rest of the girls. I just don't know and I don't feel like I can get enough information to convince me in making a choice. Also, if I wait 'til next fall, I'll miss out on the chance to help start a chapter from the ground up. That'd be something to talk about. I don't know. If anyone has any advice or tips, they'd be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.
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  #2  
Old 09-12-2014, 11:16 PM
thetalady thetalady is offline
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Quote:
Hello! I'm a non traditional, 21-year-old freshman at my university this year. I moved the weekend before school started because I was still working a job back home and missed formal recruitment. I'm sure if I had gone to college straight out of high school (back in 2011) I would have never given sororities a second glance but, now that I'm older I really see the benefits of joining. My Grandma was a Kappa Alpha Theta (so I guess that makes me a legacy), however, Pi Beta Phi is colonizing this year at my campus and plan to hold their recruitment this October (since they didn't participate in formal). I would have never imagined myself to be so torn up about this. For one, I've read about multiple experiences on both sides that formal and colonization have had extremely positive outcomes but, I can't help but worry if I go for Pi Phi that I'm putting all of my eggs in one basket. I act outgoing, but deep down I'm really insecure and have a hard time talking to people because I feel like no one "really" wants to talk or hang out with me. I just want to feel like I actually belong somewhere. So I wonder if Theta would be the better choice (or another sorority during formal recruitment) because they're already established and could show me the ropes unlike Pi Phi where I'd be learning the ropes with the rest of the girls. I just don't know and I don't feel like I can get enough information to convince me in making a choice. Also, if I wait 'til next fall, I'll miss out on the chance to help start a chapter from the ground up. That'd be something to talk about. I don't know. If anyone has any advice or tips, they'd be greatly appreciated!

Thank you.
Why do you feel that you have to choose between Theta and Pi Phi? Is Theta doing COB this semester? Unless I am missing something, you can interview & rush Pi Phi during colonization. If it does not work out, you can participate in formal rush in the fall and consider ALL of the sororities on campus, not just Theta. During formal rush, you do not rush with only specific sororities. You would have a lot more than just the 2 eggs in your basket
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  #3  
Old 09-12-2014, 11:18 PM
Griffins&Quills Griffins&Quills is offline
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Since you say you missed formal recruitment this year, I would at least consider looking at Pi Phi, going to some information sessions, sign up for an interview and see what happens. After all, as the old saying goes, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. With a colony, you get the ground up experience and you may have the opportunity to hold a leadership position sooner because you are older.

If Pi Phi doesn't work out for you, then you can try informal recruitment in the spring, if your campus offers it and/or formal recruitment the following fall
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  #4  
Old 09-12-2014, 11:59 PM
thetalady thetalady is offline
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^^^ What she said ;-)
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  #5  
Old 09-13-2014, 12:16 AM
AOII Angel AOII Angel is offline
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As a 21 year old, your best bet would be joining a colony as they actively look for women of all ages to approximate a normal chapter make-up. At your university, a 21 year old would have a difficult time getting a bid when the average PNM is 18-19 years old.
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  #6  
Old 09-13-2014, 01:31 AM
DubaiSis DubaiSis is offline
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^^^ This. Your chances of another opportunity as a 22 year old are pretty slim, unless you are at a primarily commuter campus that has a primarily nontraditional student population. Since you said Pi Phi is the colonizing chapter, and they are only colonizing at one place (so far) this year, you clearly are not at a commuter campus. I would absolutely put all of your eggs in this basket and hope for the best. If it should happen to not work out, then you can look into COB opportunities or trying again through formal rush next year.

/eta Sorry, my carrots were aimed at AOII Angel's post.
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  #7  
Old 09-13-2014, 03:46 AM
33girl 33girl is offline
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You have to realize that pretty much everyone you're going to be taking orders from will be younger than you. Your big sister will most likely be younger than you. If you don't have a problem with that, you need to find a way to convey it effectively in rush.
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  #8  
Old 09-13-2014, 04:01 AM
Bluebell4 Bluebell4 is offline
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As one of the posters above stated a colony tries to represent the makeup of a established chapter and will extend bids to a greater number of older women. You must remember that if you do receive a bid next year in formal recruitment you will be 3-4 years older than the greater majority of your pledge class. That being said a colony will need women who can bring experience to the table. If you have held jobs and.had real life responsibilities in the past you will probably be able to translate that quickly into positions of leadership if that is your goal. You may not be able to get a feel for the chapter at this point because it is new - this is a wonderful opportunity to work with the other founding members to make the chapter what you all want it to be. If there is a represtative of Pi Phi on campus already seek them out and have a chat with them - that's why they are there.
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  #9  
Old 09-13-2014, 06:51 AM
LAblondeGPhi LAblondeGPhi is offline
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Quote:
Does age really have an effect on whether or not you get a bid? During orientation, there was a Greek Life lecture and they said that anyone can rush, sophomores, juniors and seniors. Why do they prefer 18 or 19-year-olds?
This thread from earlier in the summer has several pages of thoughtful answers to the question about older college students going through recruitment:
http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...ighlight=older

I'll repeat one of the things I mentioned in that post:
Because of your age, chapters are going to be concerned that you'll join, not like it, and drop out. Or that you won't be a very involved member because the activities will seem too juvenile or out of sync with what you want to do. You need to convince them that you've done your research regarding activities and requirements, and that you're fully on board. This includes study hours, philanthropy events, recruitment events and mixers with 18-year-old fraternity men.

Depending on the campus (I haven't looked up what campus you're at), being a sophomore in formal recruitment will severely limit your opportunities. Chapters want members who will be around for 4 years.

You seem to be really fixated on the idea of joining Theta during formal recruitment next year, so you need to do some research about the chapter and your odds of getting a bid next year from them.

For example: have you met any women in that chapter? How do you know that you'll mesh well with the personality of the women? There are plenty of legacies every year who really want to love their legacy chapter and then find out that it's a terrible fit.

Does your campus typically bid sophomores or older pnms during recruitment? You need to figure our your chances of getting a bid next year if you go through formal recruitment (hint: search GreekChat for info on about your campus).

Does Theta typically bid more or fewer sophomores than the average chapter during formal recruitment?

I personally think that the Pi Phi colonization is your best bet, and you'd be a fool to not at least go through the process.

Also - if you are INITIATED into an organization, you can never join another org. If you accept a BID to an organization, you cannot pledge another org for a calendar year (in this situation, I believe you'd still be eligible for formal recruitment next fall - someone correct me if I'm wrong). If you go through recruitment and do not accept a bid (sign a bid card), then there is no restriction on pledging another org.
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Last edited by LAblondeGPhi; 09-13-2014 at 06:53 AM.
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  #10  
Old 09-13-2014, 08:21 AM
amanda6035 amanda6035 is offline
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I was a 22 year old college freshman who returned to school after serving in the military. When I started school there was only one sorority on campus, and I had no desire whatsoever to conform to someone else's rules and regulations after I just got out of the military. Not to say they didn't try, but I simply wasn't interested.

Fast forward to Spring semester, after my birthday, and Christmas break. First week back on campus, there were fliers everywhere for a new sorority colonizing. I had no idea what that meant, except that the fliers indicated that those who joined would have a big role in how it developed. I finally decided to go to an informational meeting just to see what it was all about... and long story short, I never looked back.

I'll tell you what they told me: They DO need some older members for colonies to balance out a bunch younger members. You wouldnt want a colony of ALL 18-19 year olds. Even a year or 2 makes a difference in your life experiences, leadership, and role model ability.

It was one of the best decisions I ever made. And I know for a fact that I wouldn't have had the opportunity anywhere else as a 23 year old salty sailor veteran. I wouldn't trade my experience for anything. Was it hard? Yeah. Was I envious of established chapters at larger schools who had more of the traditional sorority experience? You bet. But I still wouldn't trade it because every struggle and ever victory was worth it.
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  #11  
Old 09-13-2014, 09:21 AM
pinksequins pinksequins is offline
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This is not USC (South Carolina - no Theta chapter) but probably a reinstatement of a chapter following a suspension or like period. That said, colonies provide the best opportunity not only for older new members (regardless of class standing) but also for "learning the ropes". OP, colonies are advised by carefully selected young alumnae (typically out of college a year or two) who spend the better part of the first year with a chapter because all colony members are learning the ropes. This helps ensure the success of the colony as well as a positive experience for the colony members. If you are shy, the individual interview process for colony membership also may work better for you. Lastly, legacy status is not assurance of selection by the legacy group.

Last edited by pinksequins; 09-13-2014 at 09:36 AM.
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  #12  
Old 09-13-2014, 09:32 AM
BlueCarnation BlueCarnation is offline
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OP, my grandmother and all her sisters were Thetas, and my grandparents met at a Sigma Chi/Theta mixer in college. I KNEW I was going to be a Theta when I went to college (I knew nothing else about sororities except Theta). You know what? I was cut by Theta. Just because your grandmother was a Theta doesn't mean you're going to be a Theta.

This is nothing against Theta--I have many friends who are Thetas, it is a fantastic organization that any young woman would be lucky to be a part of, and I actually have a soft spot in my heart for it because my grandmother was in it --but my point is: Just because you're a legacy to a sorority,it does NOT mean you will automatically be selected by that sorority. I went in with that mindset and it almost cost me a chance of being in any sorority.

I agree with others that your age may work against you. I know that is hard to hear. But I suggest giving Pi Phi a chance, and if you don't like it, try formal recruitment. Good luck!

Last edited by BlueCarnation; 09-13-2014 at 09:35 AM.
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  #13  
Old 09-13-2014, 09:34 AM
FSUZeta FSUZeta is offline
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It sounds to me that you are trying to talk yourself out of being part of a colony, before colonization activities even begin. Give yourself a chance to like Pi Beta Phi. You have to go to their meetings, parties, and preference ceremony (or however they do colonizations). See what they are about, hear their plans, and meet the other interested PNMs. Most often, a colonization is the best chance for an older young woman to receive a bid-it really doesn't matter "WHY ?"...it is what it is.
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Last edited by FSUZeta; 09-13-2014 at 09:37 AM.
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  #14  
Old 09-13-2014, 09:41 AM
pinksequins pinksequins is offline
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FSUZeta is right! In addition to the special attention from the consultants, there will be a full social, philanthropic and team-building schedule that will rival those of the existing groups.
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  #15  
Old 09-13-2014, 05:45 PM
dukemama dukemama is offline
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Originally Posted by pinksequins View Post
OP, Pi Phi has a wondeful website for the new colony at your school. Take a look at it.
What she said. Also, they have a Facebook page you might want to check out as well.
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