Is it time to change who we think of as legacies?

[honeychile]

I think this issue should be discussed at the next NPC meeting following most R. NPC can't decide the policy for each and every GLO, but there needs to be a round-table discussion concerning the legacy situation.

Should Patty PNM, whose mother hasn't been involved in 20 years be given the same consideration as Pammy PNM, whose mother is Chapter Advisor? Maybe. Maybe Patty's mother was Homecoming Queen, Chapter President, joined the Peace Corps and found a cure for cancer. Maybe Pammy's mother hadn't been involved until she woke up four years before and realized, "Omigosh! Pammy's going to be going thru R in four years!" and immediately bulldozes her way into the nearest Alumnae Association. THIS is where a rec should be working.

We could probably make a list of questions which could be discussed. And that would be my suggestion.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by honeychile

I think this issue should be discussed at the next NPC meeting following most R. NPC can't decide the policy for each and every GLO, but there needs to be a round-table discussion concerning the legacy situation.

Should Patty PNM, whose mother hasn't been involved in 20 years be given the same consideration as Pammy PNM, whose mother is Chapter Advisor? Maybe. Maybe Patty's mother was Homecoming Queen, Chapter President, joined the Peace Corps and found a cure for cancer. Maybe Pammy's mother hadn't been involved until she woke up four years before and realized, "Omigosh! Pammy's going to be going thru R in four years!" and immediately bulldozes her way into the nearest Alumnae Association. THIS is where a rec should be working.

We could probably make a list of questions which could be discussed. And that would be my suggestion.

I don't know. I admire the idea, but it lends itself to being too subjective in actual execution. And creates a lot of unnecessary work.

And again, the PNM wonders-- did I just get in because of my mom's involvement or did they actually want me?

I think a chapter is going to be pressured not to drop the great-great-granddaughter of a Founder or the sorority National Treasurer's neice, but for the most part.... I don't see why legacies need to be guaranteed a free pass. They get an extra look, but if they're not a fit, it isn't doing them or the sorority any favors to admit them to a new member class.

[bejazd]

Originally Posted by honeychile

Should Patty PNM, whose mother hasn't been involved in 20 years be given the same consideration as Pammy PNM, whose mother is Chapter Advisor? .

Yes. Along with Peggy PNM, who has no relation at all. Let each PNM, and chapter, stand on their own merits, here and now, and be free to make their own choices and be supported by all.

If you want to recognize the coincidence of family relationships, do it after you pledge Patty or Pammy, when you initiate her.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by bejazd

Yes. Along with Peggy PNM, who has no relation at all. Let each PNM, and chapter, stand on their own merits, here and now, and be free to make their own choices and be supported by all.

If you want to recognize the coincidence of family relationships, do it after you pledge Patty or Pammy, when you initiate her.

So are you saying we should get rid of giving any special consideration to legacies?

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by bejazd

Yes. Along with Peggy PNM, who has no relation at all. Let each PNM, and chapter, stand on their own merits, here and now, and be free to make their own choices and be supported by all.

If you want to recognize the coincidence of family relationships, do it after you pledge Patty or Pammy, when you initiate her.

I think the organizations themselves consider it more than a "coincidence" and regard it as a unique way to bring something extra to the sisterhood.

But if the time has come that it's unsustainable even at the relaxed level of having to invite a girl to second round and if you like her enough to put her on the bid list, she has to be on the first one, maybe it's time.

[ThetaDancer]

Originally Posted by bejazd

Yes. Along with Peggy PNM, who has no relation at all. Let each PNM, and chapter, stand on their own merits, here and now, and be free to make their own choices and be supported by all.

If you want to recognize the coincidence of family relationships, do it after you pledge Patty or Pammy, when you initiate her.

For some families and for some organizations, it is more than just a "coincidence."

There was a great article called "The Legacy of Legacies" in the summer issue of the Theta magazine. It explained that "legacies are a subject near and dear to Thetas' hearts."

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by ThetaDancer

For some families and for some organizations, it is more than just a "coincidence."

There was a great article called "The Legacy of Legacies" in the summer issue of the Theta magazine. It explained that "legacies are a subject near and dear to Thetas' hearts."

And personally, I hope that for all groups they can continue to be an important part of things. But it seems like it gets harder and harder as things get bigger and bigger in terms of the number of people going through, etc.

[Buttonz]

I just thought of something that might work for schools that have a problem that have to cut legacies because there are more legacies going through then what they can take.

Just like many schools have a few "free" juniors/seniors that don't count towards quota, what about having a legacy system similar to this? Even if it was just 5, 6 girls thats still something....or is this just a horrible idea?

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by Buttonz

I just thought of something that might work for schools that have a problem that have to cut legacies because there are more legacies going through then what they can take.

Just like many schools have a few "free" juniors/seniors that don't count towards quota, what about having a legacy system similar to this? Even if it was just 5, 6 girls thats still something....or is this just a horrible idea?

I had thought the same thing. However, there is the argument that this might allow the big chapters to become bigger etc.

Now if there was a way you could guarantee each chapter would receive the same number of "free legacies" it might work.

And for what it is worth, *in general*, IFCs tend to think of legacies as "free" since there aren't quotas or total.

[ThetaDancer]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

And personally, I hope that for all groups they can continue to be an important part of things. But it seems like it gets harder and harder as things get bigger and bigger in terms of the number of people going through, etc.

I agree. I went to a school where this wasn't really a problem, so I've learned a lot from reading this thread. I think there are a lot of important questions to look into.