Little Chapter, Big Recruitment: Spring 2009 - Page 6

KSUViolet06 · #76 02-03-2009, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fantASTic

The weird thing about this story is that I'm sure there are lots of girls reading from "top chapters", never realizing that the chapter THEY bash and put down on JC could be this chapter.

We all need to remember that the struggling chapter on OUR campus could be just like this one.

Exactly.

Also, alot of girls in other chapters may think "Ugh, XYZ is so small/stupid/whatever. They should just close and then the Greek system will be stronger." I always like to point out that this is NOT the case. If XYZ closes, someone is going to become the "new XYZ." So it is to everyone's benefit to not trashtalk and to be Panhellenic, so everyone can thrive.

CougarGrad · #77 02-03-2009, 04:49 PM

I'm really rooting for you ladies! Good luck tonight!!

APhiAnna · #78 02-03-2009, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fantASTic

The weird thing about this story is that I'm sure there are lots of girls reading from "top chapters", never realizing that the chapter THEY bash and put down on JC could be this chapter.

We all need to remember that the struggling chapter on OUR campus could be just like this one.

To be fair, and I by no means want to start this thread in another tangent (if for no other reason than this is my absolute favorite recruitment thread!), I often think it is not the "top chapters" who bash on the "weak chapter"...in general, I feel like the top chapters do not perceive weaker chapters as a threat and instead go straight for the jugular for the chapters they compete with. I'm only saying this to make a point, but I am from a chapter that is regarded as relatively strong on our campus (I'm a leg, probably only way I got in haha!) and the cattier sisters talk trash about our biggest rival (recruitment and fraternity wise). In the same vein, I often feel that it is other struggling chapters who go after the chapter who is weaker than them not quite realizing that if they run them off campus then they are the new "bottom tier".

Either way it's stupid.

I am so excited for your chapter! I can't wait to see who you guys scoop up!!

KSUViolet06 · #79 02-03-2009, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by APhiAnna

In the same vein, I often feel that it is other struggling chapters who go after the chapter who is weaker than them not quite realizing that if they run them off campus then they are the new "bottom tier".

This is more of what I was TRYING to say. Thank you.

Anyway, good luck to you ladies tonight. I hope it goes well.

#80 02-03-2009, 05:37 PM

Agreed with all of these posts. I'm sick of hearing people say that certain sororities are holding panhel back when in reality once those one's are gone there will be another one to replace it.

Anyways.

Good luck with tonight! I hope everything goes that way you want it to go!!!!

srmom · #81 02-03-2009, 05:49 PM

Yes, Good luck with Pref!!

silverpearls · #82 02-03-2009, 06:19 PM

Just a quick update - we just got our numbers in and we'll be having a little over 80 PNMs at Pref. I haven't seen the list of who's coming... but I have high hopes!!

groovypq · #83 02-03-2009, 06:40 PM

good luck!!! I hope it goes super well!

PenguinTrax · #84 02-03-2009, 07:45 PM

Great returns for Pref. Talk with your Advisors, but I think you should be cutting a bit more during the week so that by the time you get to the round before pref, you are only extending 125-150 invites, max. It shows that you are as selective as the other, larger, chapters on campus. I've seen this tactic used with a couple small chapters on a campus of BIG chapters, and it really has a positive effect. Again, speak with your Advisors and National Officers, first.

Good luck!

silverpearls · #85 02-03-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PenguinTrax

Great returns for Pref. Talk with your Advisors, but I think you should be cutting a bit more during the week so that by the time you get to the round before pref, you are only extending 125-150 invites, max. It shows that you are as selective as the other, larger, chapters on campus. I've seen this tactic used with a couple small chapters on a campus of BIG chapters, and it really has a positive effect. Again, speak with your Advisors and National Officers, first.

I wish we could! Our release figures are such that we aren't allowed to release very many at all.

PenguinTrax · #86 02-03-2009, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverpearls

I wish we could! Our release figures are such that we aren't allowed to release very many at all.

check with your national Panhellenic Advisor. You can't invite more than you release figures allow, but I don't think there is a restriction on inviting less. That is YOUR choice as a chapter.

silverpearls · #87 02-03-2009, 11:39 PM

I'm not privy to what happened exactly, but I found out that we were actually not allowed to cut any PNMs after 3rd round. With the way our school's Panhellenic and release figures work, I was told it is not our chapter's decision. Trust me, all the other sisters (including our Recruitment chair) are as frustrated as I am and if there was any way to change it, we would. We fought really hard with our Greek Life director and were actually able to release 4 PNMs (instead of the 0 were were supposed to release) that the chapter consistently didn't like and who we felt would take bids if they were given them. Other than that, we invited back everybody who came to 3rd round... including girls we don't like who are only Preffing us and will take bids if they're offered. This means that it's pretty much guaranteed that they're in the chapter.

It's very frustrating and disappointing to see things turn out this way. I really can't express how PO'd my sisters and I are that we cannot cut girls who are a truly bad fit for our chapter. Instead of helping us like they're supposed to, these release figures are hurting us by forcing us to invite back PNMs who will hurt our chapter. I could just scream.

Basically we're thinking that our Formal Recruitment pledge class is going to be very mixed. We do COB starting Monday and bids are given out Friday the 13th (eek!), so that will bring in a lot of girls to add to the class... plus we can cut whomever we want with no restrictions if a PNM is a bad fit. I just found out we do have some amazing girls coming back to Pref, so we'll focus on them... including Lily, Danielle, Tasha, Zoe, Elizabeth, Ashley, Jenny and a lot of others I've really grown to love (assuming they don't drop when they get their schedules tomorrow). Sadly Sasha and two others I loved will not be back.

Does anyone have any insight on this release figures situation? PenguinTrax, is it really true that it should be our decision who to cut? We've been told repeatedly that we can only cut a certain number and no more, so I don't know if it's just our school or what...

TriDeltaSallie · #88 02-03-2009, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverpearls

we were actually not allowed to cut any PNMs after 3rd round. With the way our school's Panhellenic and release figures work, I was told it is not our chapter's decision. Trust me, all the other sisters (including our Recruitment chair) are as frustrated as I am and if there was any way to change it, we would. We fought really hard with our Greek Life director and were actually able to release 4 PNMs (instead of the 0 were were supposed to release) that the chapter consistently didn't like and who we felt would take bids if they were given them. Other than that, we invited back everybody who came to 3rd round... including girls we don't like who are only Preffing us and will take bids if they're offered. This means that it's pretty much guaranteed that they're in the chapter.

I am no expert on this, but this simply cannot be right. There must be some way for you to appeal to a higher authority. This is just flat out wrong in so many ways it is not even funny.

I sincerely hope some of the women here on GC who are currently plugged into their national volunteer system or Panhel (which I am currently not) can get you some better advice who to contact and pronto yet tonight.

Something is seriously wrong with this situation.

AlphaXi_Husky · #89 02-04-2009, 12:00 AM

I agree - this seems really off to me. A chapter shouldn't be forced to take women who they don't think are a good fit. I don't know if you've spoken with any of your National Officers, but you should because that just seems wrong to me.

I also agree that it's best to focus on the wonderful PNMs you're excited to have back for Pref. It sounds like you still have women the chapter loves. All the best to you and your chapter for an amazing Pref and a very exciting Bid Day!

KSUViolet06 · #90 02-04-2009, 12:02 AM

I've heard of this situation happening at schools before. The release figures are set that way because Panhellenic thinks they're HELPING by allowing the smaller group to essentially invite everyone back. However, it doesn't always help because like you said, some of them are just there to be there.