Legacies

[Zillini]

As with every difficult situation it's almost impossible to comment without knowing the specifics. Instead I'll say I investigate every No Rec received.

Is it a major issue or a minor one? Is it a rumor or fact? I call that alum and find out exactly what is going on. I see if we have any actives that are from the PNMs hometown/area and see what they know. I try to find other alums in the hometown/area that might be able to shed more light on the situation. If I don't know the alum that wrote the No Rec, I see if I can find someone who does in order to get a better take on that alum's character judgement. If applicable, who wrote her rec(s)? I call them too. I talk to the actives that have been recruiting the PNM and really like her.

It's time consuming and difficult because I have to protect the confidentiality of the alum and the reputation of the PNM. So my questions are usually general such as "Polly PNM is from your hometown and she is going through Recruitment. Do you know her? How well do you know her? How long have you known her? What can you tell me about her? Do you think she would make a good sister?" If there is a problem with a PNM, most folks will say something without me having to ask point blank or having to say where I heard it from first.

After all that, I have a meeting with my other Advisors and my Province Director. As a group we discuss the findings and make a final decision. Just as no single active is able to issue a bid, I believe no single alum should be allowed to deny one without a thorough review. Fortunately we don't get too many.