FSU Recc Question!

[unconquered14]

Hi! I'm new to GreekChat, but I'm rushing in the Fall as a sophomore. I know there was a post like this recently, but I can't find it, so sorry for the repeat! My dad has put me into contact with some women he knew to secure some reccs, and I've exhausted all my other contacts. I've tried to contact my local Panhellenic alum association (via email) but I've never gotten a response. I'm just curious if there's any other way I can get ahold of a local Panhellenic or anything? I'm drawing a blank here. Also, what is the proper way to approach someone (via email or phone) if I do get in contact with a local group? Meaning, how do I ask a woman I don't know if she could write me a recommendation. Hope this all makes sense, thanks!

[FSUZeta]

have you spoken to the women your dad found? sometimes alumnae will volunteer to pass on your information to their friends in other sororities. if not, you might ask them if they would feel comfortable to do this, after you have spoken with them.

as to asking for a recommendation via email or phone, first, introduce yourself, then state your business-"I will be participating in recruitment at FSU in the fall and I am trying to line up recommendations for all the chapters there. Would you mind if I forwarded you my resume'? "

"I would be so grateful if you would consider writing a recommendation for me. I would be happy to meet with you in person, or speak to you on the phone, at your convenience."

Sign your name, and hope that they will be get in touch with you.

are you friends with any current collegiate sorority members-at FSU or elsewhere? you might ask them to help you find someone to write a recommendation for you. a few sororities allow their collegiate members to write a rec.

if it has been a couple of weeks since you emailed your local alumnae panhellenic, you could send a new email. unfortunately, many alumnae panhellenics do not meet during the summer, and that might be why you have not heard from anyone.

[Titchou]

What contacts have you checked with? Teachers, school counselors, employers, volunteer leaders, SS teachers, parents of friends, etc are excellent places. And also as stated before, the women you've already found. It's perfectly accepable to say" Thank you, Mrs XYz, for doing a rec Alpha Alpha Alpha. I still need recs for A, C and F. Do you have any connections with those groups?"

[unconquered14]

My dad's contacts connected me with a few alumni - one of his fraternity brother's connected me to another member in a sorority at FSU as well. I also got into contact with friends that recently graduated and are now alumni and they have offered to write me recommendations for their respective sororities. There's a few I just haven't been able to track down, lol. Any idea what sororities let current members write reccs?

[FSUZeta]

Sorry, I don't know. ZTA will allow a collegiate member to write a rec., but it must be cosigned by an alumna.

Have you asked your recently graduated friends if they can help you find recs. to the few you are still lacking? It has never bothered me when someone I was writing a rec. for asked if I knew any members of other sororities that I could introduce the pnm to, and I was always glad to do it.

Remember, the rec. can come from any alumna of the sororities that you need. It does not have to be from an FSU alum.

[Titchou]

Yes, ask those friends. You aren't networking enough. And yes again on the alum not having attended FSU.

[DubaiSis]

And not to be (ok, JUST to be) persnickety, but when talking about women, it's alumnae. It sounds like your Dad is the Greek in your life so I can understand the confusion, but it makes you look more on the ball if you use the right words. Good luck!

Oh, I just thought of something. You might try going to the sorority websites of the ones you're missing and seeing if they list any alumnae chapters in your area. At least my sorority (not represented at FSU, sorry) does list the president of each alumnae chapter and a contact email. They may be able to help. Just a thought!

And as stated above, always be polite and to the point. And send a hand written thank you after.