Rush at UCSC

[mmcat]

just don't stop wishin...
set a calendar for action when you get back.
set an information meeting.
make sure the campus media know all about it, and dive right in.
you have already shown us how serious you are and it's all good.
now show the rest of the world.
you will be successful.
all the best
mmcat

[wishinhopin]

Ok so this is my plan thus far:
1. Email the girls I can get in touch with- I don't think I have all of their addresses but I can do what I can.
2. Once back at school, check with the student organization people and make sure everything is going right. In the last edition of the school newspaper they did a whole feature on greek life at my school and guess who's sorority wasn't included? I was pretty upset about that. So maybe I didn't fill out some important form or something. I dunno.
3. Reserve a room on campus to have an informational meeting.
4. Make many many fliers and post them everywhere, perhaps saying something about like hey, if you're interested in bringing a new national sorority to campus, and forming things from the ground up to make sure it's just what this campus needs, blah blah blah.
5. Go visit John asap and try to figure out what the heck is going on.

Now I have to figure out what kind of info I'm going to present at the meeting. Maybe it can be sort of like a meeting/rush? That way I can get our numbers up but also be able to have discretion about who will be involved. If there's one thing I've noticed about what people have been telling me it's that I shouldn't just accept anyone- go over quality over quantity. So I want to be careful about not just letting this be a free for all, and instead focusing on getting a good group of women together who can be valuable assets to this incredibly time consuming process. Does this sound like a good plan so far? You all are basically my only resource for figuring all of this out, so if anyone has any thoughts on what I can plan/do in this informational/rush type meeting (maybe I should have two meetings or something?) please please please let me know!!!

[bruinaphi]

Maybe at the meeting you can have sign up sheets for interview times so that you can meet the interested women one on one. Make up an little form that they can fill out ahead of time with their contact information, etc. and maybe ask them to bring a picture with them to their interview time so that you can remember who everyone is.

Some ideas for the fliers: I assume that UCSC is similar to UCLA in that you can't just post fliers on campus, they have to be approved by the student orgs office. This can be a hassle sometimes, so be prepared! Also, if you have any friends who are active in other student orgs ask them to take fliers to their meetings and to make a plug for you. It is a great way to get people who are visible on campus.

You're doing awesome!

Happy holidays!

Laura

[mmcat]

take the break to figure out your parameters so you roll back in organized knowing what direction you want to go and have an idea with whom. know what you will be asking these folks to do in terms of time commitment and what they can expect from it.
have you been officially recognized? once that happens, call the student newspaper and say "guess what." they probably didn't even know. a new organization is a terrific news peg.
you are on the right path. just keep trucking and be patient.
mmcat

[wishinhopin]

Today I got a call from John's assistant- hooray!- asking me if I had already received an extension packet from NPC, because she was looking through the paperwork and was a little confused. I had missed her call, and when I called her back she wasn't there, but at least some communication is occuring. I have indeed gotten that packet from NPC- I didn't go to John until I had all my paperwork together- so in my message I told her that and let her know that if she needed any more info from me to feel free to get in touch with me. I feel alot better. I'm still kinda overwhelmed by this whole recruitment process though. I really wanted to do some kind of philanthropic activity, both as a way for everyone to get to know eachother and also to sort of set the tone for what will be an emphasis of our sorority, but I have zero money and that makes things a little difficult. I'm sure I'll figure something out though. Any thoughts?

[wishinhopin]

I'm excited! I have a phone date tomorrow night with my friend and co-founder Wendy, we're going to plan a bunch of stuff. I don't feel nearly as overwhelmed now!!

[justamom]

FANTASTIC!!! A volunteer situation is an excellent idea! You've crossed a big hurdle and I'm sure lots of ideas will come your way from this board. MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

[canadajen]

wishinhopin,

Though I haven't posted on this thread before I, like so many other GCers, have been & continue to be inspired by your persistance, initiative, dedication, and drive (among other things!). You can be sure that we are all here cheering you on & knowing that your dream will soon become a reality - you are making it happen!!

I echo the sentiments already expressed by countless GCers in saying that any organization, sorority or otherwise, would be VERY lucky to have you as a member. Gamma Phi doesn't know what they're missing in you ... it was certainly THEIR loss!!

I wish you nothing but the absolute very best in your quest to become a founding sister of an NPC organizaton!! Be sure to let us know how your meeting with Wendy goes tomorrow (today) ... I know that I'll be waiting to hear all about it, as I'm sure many others will be too ...

Sincerely,

Jen - alumna
Alpha Gamma Delta

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I am so happy to read that you are making progress. I hope that my last entry provided you with some ideas. In terms of volunteer or philanthropic projects you can go a few ways. You can volunteer at a hospital, nursing home, senior citizen center, or a children's afterschool or foster home program. There are always groups like these looking for enthusiastic volunteers. Another possible project is an a-thon such as a jog a thon where you can involve as much of your group and campus as possible and raise money for a worthwhile charity. You can also get some publicity as you do something good. Brainstorm with the other members of your sorority. I'm sure that you will come up with some creative and unique ideas that will set the tone for your sorority and build the bonds of sisterhood.
Good Luck! (not that you need it) Happy Holidays!

[AggieDZ]

OK, for a philanthropy event that costs 0 start-up dollars.....

Have a "style-swap". Have everyone clean out they're closets & dressers & bring all the clothes that no longer fit/they are bored with, etc. Then, lay everything out in your meeting room and let everyone go to town searching for things they like! Then, when it's over, box up whatever's left and make a trip to the local charity resale shop (salvation army, goodwill etc.)
It's SO fun! I mean, everyone changes sizes in college, so there's inevitably a lot of cute clothes that no longer fit. I can't tell you how many times people end up walking away with a virtually new wardrobe! Have some snacks on hand, maybe order a pizza and make an evening of it!

[wishinhopin]

I really like that idea! Especially because I'm home for right now and maybe I can collect some old clothes from people I know down here that don't need them anymore, plus I can have my other girls do the same. Everyone gets new clothes for Christmas right? I think this could definitely work, I'm hoping I can think of one more day and then I will totally be on track! I'm going to talk to my friend in DG and find out what some of their rush activities were, and also think about what I did for Gamma Phi (maybe going through rush twice will actually help me!). I'm going to relay a story that was sort of exciting to me, even though it's kindof dorky: I was at a party last night, not a big thing, but I met some people I didn't know before. Anyway, one of the guys was in a frat, and we were talking about that, and then he asked me if I was in a sorority. I realized that I am! For some reason it wasn't until then that I realized that I went greek. I'm such a dork. But anway, I'm super motived and feeling tons better about this than I did last week. More later!

[mmcat]

that last post is wonderful...
now make it so...
find some like-minded ladies and become real
so that when the nationals come calling you have got somethng to sell...you are still on track...
keep on going
we're all proud
mmcat

[mmcat]

continue to believe and it will happen
merry christmas and happy holidays
all my regards
mmcat

[navane]

Is it just me or is she just just rockin' 'n' rollin' or what!?

Believe me, wishinhopin, I personally know what's it like to try and start an organization from ground up! You are definitely on your way!

I knew a guy who helped start up a new IFC fraternity on campus. I thought their flyers were well done, not because they were flashy, but because they had a good angle. They were a colony of Sigma Nu and the flyer's slogan was, "Be a part of something Nu!" Clever.


Well, I'm not sure if I have any brilliant advice for you, but I guess if I was trying to gather together a founding group, I'd want to get an "info roster" together with info such as:

Name:
Year:
Major:
Age:
Hometown:
Phone Number:
Address:
E-mail:
Hobbies & Activities:
What I’m looking for in a sorority:
Previous experience with sororities:

This way you can get all the contact information, a little about the woman and why she wants to participate. Not only would it help me remember who is who, but it would also help me find some common ground to go on. (eg. "Oh! You are on a rowing team? I used to be on a rowing team too!")

At any rate, keep up the good work!

......Kelly

[IBGStacy]

Hey wishin...

i'm another one of those out there who've yet to post but have been following your story on the edge of my seat since back when you were rushing....just wanted to say that you are doing an AMAZING job and i'm so impressed with you determination and hard work, keep it up, and keep us all updated!

by the way, I'm one of the founders of a local sorority at my school, so i know what its like to get something up and off the ground...it takes a while, but once you get going, everything works out..my local started out with just me and two other friends 2 years ago, and we now have 25 wonderful active sisters(an average house size for my campus, locals and nationals alike)

so anyway, before i babble any longer, i just wanted to congratulate you on your hard work and say keep up the good work!!