Where are all the Potential PNMs?

[FSUZeta]

welcome, perfectinpurple.

[baci]

Everyone here brings super comments/advice based on countless years of experience and I enjoy reading everything. What I would like to share is something that I know from my experience.

The pnms that standout, are heavily recuited by top chapters, and wanted by numerous groups will have people on the inside getting that rec for them no matter how hard they have to work. If it is required by the org to have that rec for that pnm, they will find it! They will not do this for every pnm coming through as they don't want every pnm and it is too much work, but the pnm's they want -- they will do it!

I do agree in part with AnchorAlumna. If the sponsorship chair and her group are doing their jobs properly they have the alum connections and they will find that rec. They are not going to let that pnm they want slip by because of it. I have seen it happen and they work like crazy to secure one. That is their job. When you are competing with other houses to get that pnm, you will get that rec. It is almost like having bragging rights in the end. I have seen it time and time again. They will not lose the chance to pledge her to "XYZ" over her not securing a rec.

Competition is fierce at some top schools to pledge certain girls and that is what the org works hard for over the entire year. Looking back, it is serious business and a lot of hussle. You won't do this for 1500 prospects, but you will hussle for those amazing 50 you want. I have seen it happen and it is worth that final outcome in the end. You just feel so amazing on bid day when you see your work pay off.

I am getting excited thinking about it. LOL

[33girl]

Originally Posted by baci

The pnms that standout, are heavily recuited by top chapters, and wanted by numerous groups will have people on the inside getting that rec for them no matter how hard they have to work. If it is required by the org to have that rec for that pnm, they will find it! They will not do this for every pnm coming through as they don't want every pnm and it is too much work, but the pnm's they want -- they will do it!

Yeah, that's a no brainer. If Scarlett Johansson crossed with Einstein crossed with Maria Callas comes through rush, you're going to be on the phone 24/7 till you get someone to write a rec for her. But I don't think most PNMs are like that - or that any group, no matter how top of the tiers they are has a whole pledge class like that. I mean, someone has to be average. It's that "average" girl who gets really screwed if she doesn't have her recs in order - it's not that the chapter DOESN'T want her, but if someone else has already done that work, they'll be more likely to take them. If you see 2 houses for the same price, one immaculate and one a fixer-upper, which one will you buy?

[UGAalum94]

Or even an outstanding girl who they just don't know yet may not get the attention she might deserve.

And I'll be honest, not all our chapters are at the competitive level that Baci is rightly mentioning. (I think what she's saying is 100% correct for really strong chapters) There's another big group in the middle who will be a making decisions on a significant part of their pledge class based on girls they meet during recruitment or learn of solely because of recruitment because of recs. These chapters and girls need the recs, even at the info. only level, so they can spot some of the great girls who aren't already on the radar of the one's Baci is describing.

It's possible that these chapters are also going to be the ones without the super-effective alumnae committees because the there's probably a relationship between the overall strength of your chapter and your strength in recruitment and alumnae support. Super chapters have it all. Medium chapters have it some. Struggling chapters may struggle.

I'd like to think that at the alumnae level, all chapters would get the same assistance, but I'm not sure they do because I think most of us are most emotionally invested with our own chapters of initiation, even 20 years later.