Rush at UCSC

[wishinhopin]

I feel moderately better. I'm still super worried about money, because if I'm not able to cancel the shirt order then I'm going to go waaaay into debt (washington mutual charges me 20 bucks for every bounced check, things could get ugly). But, if that happens, it happens, it's just money right? We had a meeting, and I expressed some of my concerns about being left out of the process and not having as much say as I wanted to. I think I conveyed to the other girls just how much work I've put into this and just how much I care about it. It really is my baby, so to speak. Our plan is this: the five of us (we have a core group of five now, woo hoo!) are going to work on getting out recruitment fliers this quarter. We're going to make a webpage and put that on the fliers, and basically advertise that we are a brand new sorority looking for members who can join us to affiliate. So we aren't rushing new members, rather, we're just going to get to know interested women on a case by case basis. So they can check out the webpage, email or call us, and we can set up little phone interviews or in person interviews with them. And, hopefully, by spring quarter we will have gotten all of our stuff together enough to have a formal rush. We're still working to affiliate, but we're also going to plan lots of local stuff for this quarter so we have something to show for ourselves. I just wanted to mention right now how completely amazed I am at the help that people have been offering me. People I have never met, except for talking to on greekchat, have offered me money, letters of recommendation, ideas, support, and just general caring. This is to me what a true sisterhood is, and I am so glad that I didn't get into Gamma Phi, or else I might not have had the chance to appreciate all of the amazing women here. More updates later!
love, Corina

[amycat412]

Corina,

That sounds like a GREAT plan!!!!! Good luck!


Amy

[mmcat]

you are on a good path now.
get ready to wear those shirts with pride.
mmcat

[PenguinTrax]

Corina,

Sounds like a great plan.

Just an FYI, ZTA used to have a chapter at your school:

Theta Upsilon * 05-12-79 University of Santa Clara, Santa Clara, CA

I found that when I was responding to another post about colonization of chapters.

Another way to raise funds is to ask your parents to donate some money towards your efforts or work with a smaller fraternity on campus to have a fundraiser in the near future. With Valentine's day coming up, you could sell carnations on campus. Work with a local florist to either donate the flowers or sell them at cost. Donate a portion of the funds raised to charity and keep the rest for chapter for expenses.

[volgirl2376]

wishinhopin:

if you need any help with your website let me know - i do it for a living & would be happy to donate some time for your org

[prospectiverushee]

Corina,

This is my forst time posting to your thread,but I've been following your story since day 1. I just have to repeat what everyone has said here..... You are doing an AMAZING job. I think you have done more in 2 months then most people have done in a lifetime. No matter what happens, you should feel extremly proud of what you have accomplished in such a short amount of time. I think that I can speak for everyone here at GC when I say that we are all proud of you.

If I had moved to Cali instead of Dallas, I would have definately would have loved to help you out

[amycat412]

Penguin Trax-
Corina gors to UC Santa Cruz, not Santa Clara University.
All the Santas in California confusing, I know!

Amy

[wishinhopin]

Crap crap crap. The shirts are done and thus I must pay for them with a whole lot of money I don't have. This is unfortunate. Other than that, things are going great. I really don't know what to do. The lady that makes the shirts told me I should talk to alumni of other sororities in this area, but I don't know who I would talk to or what I would do. I'm freaking out a little bit. It's just money right? Everything will be ok?

[shadokat]

Have you visited your Student Activities office to find out if any monies are available for student organizations? You may get some cash there, and then not have to pay AS MUCH. Get your sisters to help you too Everything will work out

[Dejajeva]

OKay, wow.

I haven't really been up to date much lately on Greekchat, but I feel as though I have to say something- because you are simply one of the most inspiring women I have ever met.

I've been sitting here for an hour...reading these threads-and I'm absolutely -enchanted- by your drive and passion for this project. I wish I had the stamina you do~ torwards anything...sorority, schoolwork..lol...anything.

You are doing great. With every blow you -jump right back up and keep moving forward I've never ONCE seen you give up.

You're my hero.
heh

Love,
Jessica

[Peaches-n-Cream]

It's only money, but it is important. You will be reimbursed in a few weeks when you have new dues paying members. It's important not to spend too much now especially when you don't have it. Fundraising and financial management are really important parts of any organization. As was suggested earlier, make certain that your group is officially recognized by your college because it might entitle you to funding or allow you to host fundraising events on campus. You should clarify that with John. A Valentine's Day flower sale in an excellent idea, a great way to raise money and get you sorority's name out there which will help with recruitment. In my sorority, we hosted at least one fundraiser a month in order to help defray expenses. Don't get discouraged! You should share these concerns that you have with the other members, and I'm certain that you could come up with ways to raise money.

When I was pledging, money was a bit tight for me so I got a part time job. It definitely helped. I'm sure that there are jobs on campus if you are interested and have the time.

[bruinaphi]

Does anyone know if there is an area panhellenic group in the Santa Cruz area? Corina, maybe you can contact them to see if any of them want to be mentors or advisors to you.

[AZ-AlphaXi]

Originally posted by lauradav
Does anyone know if there is an area panhellenic group in the Santa Cruz area? Corina, maybe you can contact them to see if any of them want to be mentors or advisors to you.

Well the NPC web site has a listing of the NPC area alumnae and collegiate advisors, but no contact information. I bet if you email NPC HQ they could give you contact information for either the alumnae panhellenic in the area or the area advisor. Its atleast worth a try.

[wishinhopin]

Hi everyone. I'm still feeling frustrated. I went to the student organization office today, to turn in any extra paperwork I had and to figure out why we weren't listed as an organization. Turns out, I was supposed to turn in a paper I never got. Then, to make things even better, the due date for this paper was 12-6-01. Thus, we cannot be registered as a student organization for this year. We can still act as an org, but we can't get any funding from the school. Sometimes I feel as if every single thing that could go wrong with this sorority has and will occur. But I'm not giving up yet, just slightly....freaking out. I still don't know how to handle the money thing, but I just went in for a job interview today, so hopefully that will help. No matter what, though, I won't be able to have any money for at least two weeks, and the t shirt woman wants her money now. So I don't know what to do except go in debt, which I would really like to avoid. Oh well. More later if anything changes.

[wishinhopin]

I just spoke with Kelly from John's office, she said she sent an email to the director of extension at NPC, plus she got some info from me for paperwork that needed to be filled in. I told her to call me if she said anymore questions, and I told her I would be calling her in a week just to check up and see how things are going. So I feel a little more in control than I did before. Still worried and frustrated, but doing a little better. One of the founder's has a parent (I think her dad) who works in the flower industry, so maybe he could help us get some cheap flowers for a Valentine's day fundraiser. My wheels are starting to turn again...