Are recs obsolete?

[carnation]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Because when you have 3000 girls going through, there's NWIH you can remember them all.

Also, first parties at some schools are only 20-30 minutes and you go to 16-18 of those parties in 2 days. It's really hard for most girls to remember the sororities and most sororities to remember all the girls.

I hate it that many recruitment booklets tell the girls not to get recs, that the sororities will get them, because at most schools I've worked with--they won't! Not unless you're super super special! It's like the hidden secret is "but they really won't get them and if you're in the know, you know that."

[kddani]

What does the green book say about recs?

[Little E]

Originally Posted by carnation

I hate it that many recruitment booklets tell the girls not to get recs, that the sororities will get them, because at most schools I've worked with--they won't! Not unless you're super super special! It's like the hidden secret is "but they really won't get them and if you're in the know, you know that."

This might be how it's done, but perhaps that needs to be changed. The process needs to at least be manageable for all women, not just the ones who are a triple legacy. I would be livid if I saw a chapter doing this. The least we can do for the young women wanting membership is be as straight forward as we can, where we can.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Little E

This might be how it's done, but perhaps that needs to be changed. The process needs to at least be manageable for all women, not just the ones who are a triple legacy. I would be livid if I saw a chapter doing this. The least we can do for the young women wanting membership is be as straight forward as we can, where we can.

(first off, I'm not trying to assume or insinuate anything about any GLO's membership selection policies)

It may be that some sororities have in their national bylaws that all pledges must have a rec from an alumna or she cannot be pledged. If the girls all had to get them on their own at your school or mine, we would probably have zero pledges as so many of the people aren't steeped in the Greek system and don't decide at age 5 to rush. But if it's in the national bylaw, it has to be done, and so chapters at schools like this do get the recs for the girls. So they can't turn around at another chapter and say that the rushees HAVE to do it. Do you get what I'm saying?

[Little E]

Originally Posted by 33girl

(first off, I'm not trying to assume or insinuate anything about any GLO's membership selection policies)

It may be that some sororities have in their national bylaws that all pledges must have a rec from an alumna or she cannot be pledged. If the girls all had to get them on their own at your school or mine, we would probably have zero pledges as so many of the people aren't steeped in the Greek system and don't decide at age 5 to rush. But if it's in the national bylaw, it has to be done, and so chapters at schools like this do get the recs for the girls. So they can't turn around at another chapter and say that the rushees HAVE to do it. Do you get what I'm saying?

I'm not talking about private membership selection.

I'm saying that if PNMs DO need a rec because of how the chapter treats recs, then the chapter has a duty to say the PNMs that they NEED a rec before recruitment. Not, as Carnation suggested, say that PNMs do NOT need a rec, when in reality they DO (and those w/out the rec would be cut). All I advocate is a clearly articulated process that we expect PNMs to follow. I'm not against the rec, I'm against saying one thing but having a hidden meaning that only people closely associated with the school and its traditions would know.

[adpiucf]

I believe that one tactful way to deal with this is to add a blurb in Panhellenic recruitment promo materials. Something along the lines of:

Each sorority has its own policy regarding new member selection. Those sororities requiring new members to have alumnae recommendations will secure these recommendations on behalf of its new members. Prospective new members are not required to submit recommendations prior to recruitment, but they are accepted. Individual sororities will take these recommendations into consideration in assessing the prospective new member prior to recruitment. Recommendations do not guarantee a bid to membership.

It is recommended that the prospective new member take necessary steps to showcase her recruitment application with the best means at her disposal. This includes but is not limited to: GPA, extracurricular activities and community service, alumnae letters of recommendation and maintaining a ladylike profile in real life and on the internet. Please carefully consider how you portray yourself on websites such as My Space, Facebook, Live Journal, etc.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by adpiucf

I Those sororities requiring new members to have alumnae recommendations will secure these recommendations on behalf of its new members. Prospective new members are not required to submit recommendations prior to recruitment, but they are accepted.

That's nice and all if it were the truth, but people in this very thread have admitted that that statement is NOT true- that if a PNM does not have a rec, she's going to get cut, and that the sorority will not procure a rec for her.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Little E

I'm not talking about private membership selection.

I'm saying that if PNMs DO need a rec because of how the chapter treats recs, then the chapter has a duty to say the PNMs that they NEED a rec before recruitment. Not, as Carnation suggested, say that PNMs do NOT need a rec, when in reality they DO (and those w/out the rec would be cut). All I advocate is a clearly articulated process that we expect PNMs to follow. I'm not against the rec, I'm against saying one thing but having a hidden meaning that only people closely associated with the school and its traditions would know.

But not all chapters in a school's Panhellenic might have the same things in their national bylaws. And Panhel can't very well put on their site "if you want to pledge AST you need a rec, but if you want to pledge ASA you don't" etc etc.

[kddani]

Originally Posted by 33girl

But not all chapters in a school's Panhellenic might have the same things in their national bylaws. And Panhel can't very well put on their site "if you want to pledge AST you need a rec, but if you want to pledge ASA you don't" etc etc.

Why not, if that's the policy? What good does it do anyone to confuse PNM's and to give out misinformation?

[33girl]

Because it might unfairly influence the girls and make it seem like some sororities are "better" or "worse" than others because they do or don't require all pledged members to have recs.

[Little E]

Originally Posted by kddani

What good does it do anyone to confuse PNM's and to give out misinformation?

I totally concur. We have to remember that these girls are 17-18 for the most part. They are YOUNG, we have to give PNMs clear cut expectations for what they can/must/should do to maximize their consideration for membership. The double-speak needs to be eliminated.