Quote:
Originally Posted by RCM2020
EDIT: I also want to add that we all voted to allow her to wear our recruitment t-shirt, which had our letters on it, so it kind of has already happened. The officer against the issue also complained that he never sees her wearing it so she would not appreciate the privileged. However, she is a professional employee, and wearing a recruitment t-shirt is not always stylish, and honestly our rush t-shirt this year was ugly.
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And there's your answer, though the officer you mention has it wrong. My guess is not that she doesn't appreciate the gesture. It's just that you've given her something she's not likely to wear. I'm betting you'll find the same with any lettered apparel. It's a gift that means something to the chapter, and she'll appreciate that, but it's not a gift that really takes her into consideration.
Building on the idea upthread, ask her to come to dinner and a meeting one night. When she arrives, let her find tables that look as nice as you can make them look, and every member of the chapter in coat and tie, with a sign announcing "[Advisor Name] Night." Have flowers for her -- dark red roses with some purple thrown in would be great. Give her the seat of honor, to the president's right. Begin the meal with a welcome that explains the purpose of the evening is to honor her. If saying grace is part of the chapter tradition, be sure to express thanks for her and the gifts she shares with the chapter.
After supper, have the president or someone else say some words of appreciation. Give her one or two well-chosen gifts -- perhaps a piece of jewelry or a decorative item. If you know there's something she particularly likes (good pottery would always be a winner with my wife), go with that and see if you can find something that has some connection to the fraternity -- something with a heart design or that's purple and red, perhaps.
Does SigEp have some kind of award that can be presented to non-member volunteers? If so, give her that award. If not, create one on behalf of the chapter (and have some fun with that if you want to) -- and if you want, that award can include the right to wear your letters. If you do include that, give her something with your letters that you obviously don't necessarily expect to see her wear -- a baseball cap, or LaneSig's idea of a pillow.
After that, toast her and serenade her. I guarantee you, she'll feel appreciated and will in turn appreciate all the gestures.
If a formal dinner isn't your chapter's style, you can take these ideas and incorporate them into any kind of formal or informal gathering.
If she's married or otherwise in a relationship, be sure and invite her significant other (and children if any) and clue him in to what's going on, but make sure he knows it's a surprise and that he (and kids) come separately.
This is something you can really have some fun with, and it's a great opportunity for the chapter to learn about how to show appreciation. Good luck!
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