Retro Recruitment.....with a different ending

[AlwaysSAI]

As I mentioned, my sister is an Alpha Gamma Delta at Western Carolina Univ. At the time, she was dating a brother of Sigma Alpha Epsilon who was also a member of the chapter's charter class. I spoke with him about what it takes to charter a group on campus. He tells me that it's a lot of work, but that he knows I'm dedicated enough to get through it.

I immediately call the director of Greek Life at UNCG and inquire about beginning the process of chartering a chapter of an organization on campus. She tells me that our campus isn't open for extension until 2010. Well, I'll already be graduated by then.

Remember how much I loved Tri Sigma during recruitment? Well, they hadn't reached quota through formal recruitment. I befriended a girl during formal recruitment that went Phi Mu, but had also preffed at Tri Sigma. She told me that they gave out 25 bids, but only got 12 girls.

Tri Sigma began advertising for interest parties the week after recruitment ended. I really, really wanted to go. But, I vowed not to say a word to anyone about it-you know, in case there was another sad ending. Of course, my very best friend in the whole entire world saw the signs and told me she thought I should go. I told her that I planned on it, but that I wasn't going to say anything to anyone.

So, I went to the first interest party and HAD A FABULOUS TIME! I loved these girls! I couldn't understand why no one wanted to be apart of their sisterhood. To me, they felt like home. On my way home I ran into my newly Phi Mu friend. I told her what a great time I had. She asked me how many girls were there and I told her ten. She said that we might all get picked up because they were trying really hard to reach quota. I hopefully agreed. No phone call that night.

There was another interest party a few days later. I went and had another awsome night! I spent the majority of the night talking to two sisters who roomed together and the three of us had a friend in common. We had such a great time that one of the girls asked me for my AIM screenname so that we could get together sometime. I WAS THRILLED! I was sure they had finally seen how dedicated I was and would give me a chance. I really felt at home with these girls. This was the group I wanted to be apart of. Nope, no phone call.

The interest parties ended and the chapter ended up picking up a lot of girls after showing up to only one party. I was disappointed. I wasn't sure why they would pass up someone who was obviously dedicated. But, they had and there was nothing I could do about it.

Back in the days of LiveJournal, I made a post a few weeks after everything ended. The post simply said that I was going to give up on Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. Someone so nicely posted "Thank God!" anonimously. It was at that moment that I realized there was no reason I should have my heart set on an organization that doesn't want me. I was a great girl that was going to make a name for herself at UNCG and if they couldn't see it, that was their loss.

Okay, so my journey for sisterhood doesn't end there......

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

Back in the days of LiveJournal, I made a post a few weeks after everything ended. The post simply said that I was going to give up on Sigma Sigma Sigma Sorority. Someone so nicely posted "Thank God!" anonimously. It was at that moment that I realized there was no reason I should have my heart set on an organization that doesn't want me. I was a great girl that was going to make a name for herself at UNCG and if they couldn't see it, that was their loss.

Okay, for the sake of not having a PNM read this and think that Sigmas are these awful people, I have to say something. That's not a nice comment at all, but if it was anonymous, you really don't know WHO posted that.

[AlwaysSAI]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Okay, for the sake of not having a PNM read this and think that Sigmas are these awful people, I have to say something. That's not a nice comment at all, but if it was anonymous, you really don't know WHO posted that.

Oh, no! You are absolutely right, I have no idea who posted it and I didn't intend for it to appear that a Sigma had. But, it was that comment that changed my entire perspective on the situation. Anyone could have posted it. Honestly, I'm thankful to whoever did.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

Oh, no! You are absolutely right, I have no idea who posted it and I didn't intend for it to appear that a Sigma had. But, it was that comment that changed my entire perspective on the situation. Anyone could have posted it. Honestly, I'm thankful to whoever did.

It could have been a Sigma, but it could have also just as esaily been one of your friends who was sick of you pining away for an organization that didn't want you.

[AlwaysSAI]

Originally Posted by JessSigKap

It could have been a Sigma, but it could have also just as esaily been one of your friends who was sick of you pining away for an organization that didn't want you.

We will never know who it was. I don't want to pin it on any particular organization, because it was anonymous. My guess, is that it was one of my friends, because who else would care enough to read my livejournal.

The only reason I included it was because it affected my view of the situation. Had it not been for that comment, I would have gone to informal events in the spring, which I was already planning to do.

Either way, I'm still thanksful to whoever it was.

[FSUZeta]

i am truly sorry for the way things turned out. you pain and disappointment are palpable. i think that we can all learn something for this.

drawing from your experience, could you suggest a way that your favorite sorority(it was tri sigma at your campus, but it just as easily could have been any of the other 25 npc sororities on any other campus) might have handled things differently? for instance, do you think that it would have been better(and easier on you) if they had not put up flyers inviting any interested women to their parties, but had extended invitations instead?

[OPhiAGinger]

AlwaysSAI, you are such a talented writer! The way you describe the situations and your feelings --- it puts each of us right there, feeling your pain. Please please PLEASE go on with your story! I'm ready for the happy ending that I know must be right around the corner.....

[AlwaysSAI]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

drawing from your experience, could you suggest a way that your favorite sorority(it was tri sigma at your campus, but it just as easily could have been any of the other 25 npc sororities on any other campus) might have handled things differently? for instance, do you think that it would have been better(and easier on you) if they had not put up flyers inviting any interested women to their parties, but had extended invitations instead?

These are things I have often considered. But, you have to understand that at this point in time this chapter was struggling. They were below quota when recruitment began and barely recieved half the women they extended bids to. I don't know of a way they could have extended invites to women....we don't have a COB list or any signing up involved in continuous recruitment.

I loved this chapter and in many ways I still do. Part of me still yearns to know the truth behind their sisterhood, but I understand that they were sustaining the life of their chapter which was a duty bestowed upon them by their nationals. I don't know of any better way for them to recruit women, than by putting up flyers. The one thing I do hate about continuous open bidding, though, is that on my campus, a PNM is never notified of a chapters feelings towards her. You either get a call or you don't. I think there could be a more efficient way of dealing with that. I would like to see my school take up a process I've seen described in other threads where the Office of Greek Life is much more involved. I would also like to see a much more structured COB process. But, I guess, if these things have or do happen, I won't know about it.

I don't think the members of that chapter did anything ill towards me. They felt that I was not a fit for their sisterhood, but that did not change my feelings for them and their national organization. Anyway they handled it, I still would have been upset. They achieved their goal in recruitment, at least with me, and that was to win over PNMs.

Just an update-this chapter is now THRIVING! Last time I checked their website they had 47 active sisters and chapter total on our campus is 55. So, they are doing GREAT!

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

i am truly sorry for the way things turned out. you pain and disappointment are palpable. i think that we can all learn something for this.

drawing from your experience, could you suggest a way that your favorite sorority(it was tri sigma at your campus, but it just as easily could have been any of the other 25 npc sororities on any other campus) might have handled things differently? for instance, do you think that it would have been better(and easier on you) if they had not put up flyers inviting any interested women to their parties, but had extended invitations instead?

If they just stick with issuing invitations, then they will have a smaller pool of PNMs to choose from. That would be an approach that a chapter that is very close to total would take, but when you only made half of quota, you need to put your name out there. It sucks though, because there is no nice way to say "you can't join my sorority".