JessSigKap's Retro UMD Recruitment

[violetpretty]

During philanthropy round, we learn about a chapter's philanthropy and then do an activity to support it. Or, they may be working on another project not necessarily related to their national philanthropy.

An example: Sigma Kappa's philanthropy is Alzheimer's disease research and gerontology (the study of aging). We visit nursing homes several times a semester. This past spring during recruitment, members and PNMs made Valentine's day cards for the residents of the nursing homes.

[violetpretty]

Just to point out, all six of the chapters out of the running have a foundation, so don't think that because a sister mentioned the West Side Story Foundation that it is any particular sorority.

aoiifoundation.org
tridelta.org/foundation
phisigmasigmafoundation.org
alphaphi.org/foundation
dphie.org/foundation
kappaalphatheta.org/foundation

It is my understanding that when a chapter has a philanthropy event, the money they raise goes to their foundation, and then the foundation divides all of their money to the causes they support, educational programs for the chapters, emergency disaster funds for sisters, other noteworthy causes that aren't necessarily the national philanthropy (ie. Hurricane Katrina distaster relief) etc. At least that is how Sigma Kappa's foundation works.

ETA: Although I had a really bad experience at West Side Story during recruitment, I know that not every member of the chapter is like the 2 girls that I met. I got to know one of their past presidents, who by the way, is VERY smart, worked with another West Side Story on the extension committee, and one of the girls in my buddy's group went West Side Story this spring and she is the cutest, goofiest girl ever. I now see that it was probably a result of these girls being poorly prepared for recruitment (it was their first FR on the sister side), but they just left a bad initial impression. I respect the chapter now and I have tremendous respect for West Side Story on a National/International level.

[dgdramadawg]

Your West Side Story description made me laugh out loud, jesssigkap!

I'm still rooting for Anything Goes because it's a funnier show than Millie. Just don't tell me you pledge Oklahoma or Les Mis...

[ClassicBeauty]

Originally Posted by PinkBabygirl10

Me too, especially because I had a similar experience. I remember at one chapter, these two girls were showing me their scrapbook. All they could talk about was how much they loved to party, go to bars, etc. They all asked me if I had a fake, and they said, "Oh, it doesn't matter. There are plenty of people you could find here that would let you use their ID. That's what I love about being in a sorority!!!" And then I remember there were actually a couple of pictures in the scrapbook that weren't of them partying (of course, the red cups, bottles, etc. were covered up with stickers ), and one of the girls said something like, "Umm... this is one of our philanthropy events, right?" And the other girl was like, "Um... yeah... I think... I don't know, whatever, it doesn't matter. Philanthropy's stupid," and the first girl was like, "Yeah, I know. Whatever, this isn't important. I don't even know what our philanthropy is, do you?"

Ugh. What did you say back? Hopefully I wont have to experience this.

[lindz0722]

i'm curious to see where DG ends up in this story!

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by lindz0722

i'm curious to see where DG ends up in this story!

I think it should be pretty obvious to you which one is your chapter

[violetpretty]

SKIT ROUND

We had to be at the Armory at 8am, which was rough, but I was so excited that I really didn’t care, kind of like when you wake up early on Christmas morning. I noticed that many chapters were putting us in ABC order, but had no idea why.

· I fell in love with Anything Goes again. I felt that it was a diverse chapter and that girls had similar values to mine. The skit was absolutely hilarious.

· I met some nice girls at Hairspray but I wasn’t like “WOW.” I liked their skit because it showed that they were down-to-earth and not afraid to be goofy.

· Les Miserables was awkward this time around. It was pretty obvious to me and the sisters I met that I did not belong here. The skit was so weird and scary.

· My opinion of Thoroughly Modern Millie really changed during skit round. I loved them so much during philanthropy round and before recruitment, but during skit round, I felt like they were trying to sell me their chapter instead of just talk. They seemed so much less enthusiastic than other chapters. I decided I did not want to be in a chapter with low morale. I talked to Kim who lived on my hall and just pledged as a freshman. She was acting kind of weird. Then, met April, a cute girl with strawberry blonde hair flipped out and a southern accent. She was really cool. Although I liked April, I just felt odd at Thoroughly Modern Millie during this party.

· I absolutely loved 42nd Street! I met this girl Sarah, who likes theater and punk music. We also talked about how big of dorks we were because we both just really like learning. I saw Katie and said hi to her. I talked to Liz, who introduced me to Amy. I read Amy's name tag and said "Hi Amy" while I was shaking her hand, and then she said "Hi, I'm Jess" because she was reading my name tag. It could have been awkward but it felt totally fine. Every girl I met was so different, and I began to think, hey, this bunch is like my friends from high school. Athletes, drama kids, punk kids, nerds (I use the term endearingly), yet they’re all friends. I saw Cheryl and she said hi before the skit. Their skit was hilarious too. Everyone was so full of energy and truly seemed excited to meet me.

· I felt so awkward at Oklahoma. I felt so uncomfortable with the girl I was talking to that I was picking at the fringe on the couch pillows while she was explaining that “Oklahoma didn’t try to sell themselves to her.”

· I was shocked to get invited to The Producers. This one PNM was talking about how she borrowed her friend’s pearls to wear to The Producers so she would look like she fit in. Major turn off. Once I got inside, the food was delicious! They had this spinach artichoke dip and little trout and salmon hors d’oeuvres. I didn’t really click with the girls though. Although I like Alie from last time, I don't think this is where I fit.

· I liked Wicked a lot. I met this girl Morgan, who went to high school near me. We had a lot in common as far as music goes, and she was really chill and real. We also had a common friend, who is currently going through recruitment at UPenn. I also got to talk to Erica, the other girl who lived in my room, and Teresa for a little bit. Again, I was impressed by the diversity and the genuine conversation. The skit was just ok, but the important thing was that I liked the girls I met here.

At this point, I can really see myself in Anything Goes. They are my favorite! I also like 42nd Street and Wicked a lot too.