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

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Getting back to the OP's question...

My first instinct is to differentiate between the daughters of active alumnae and daughters of those that haven't been involved since college. I don't really know how you'd determine this, though, and it would be an administrative nightmare.

My mom, for example, was an active member for four years, graduated in good standing, and that was the end of it. Did I deserve the same consideration as Suzie Rushee whose mom is president of the local alumnae chapter?

Also, Chi Omega's policy of not including grandmothers is interesting, because your mom was a legacy, and she either continued the tradition or didn't. If sh did, you are a legacy through your mom, and if she didn't, then maybe Chi Omega isn't that important to your family.

What groups include more than daughters, sisters, and grand-daughters?

We never had a problem with too many legs in my chapter, but that's not surprising, because Phi Mu is not that prominent in the Midwest.

[AOIIalum]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

What groups include more than daughters, sisters, and grand-daughters?

We do.

[UGAalum94]

I like the level of detail and explanation in that policy. It explains exactly what can be expected.

[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.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by AOIIalum

We do.

Actually, I include everything listed to be a sister, daughter, or granddaughter. I should have been clearer, but in my own life, I don't differentiate between blood and legal relations, and I don't think our groups should either.

I am more surprised by nieces, cousins, that sort of thing.

(and good catch, Erin, on the great-granddaughters...there just can't be all that many of those)

[ErinIsBadNews]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

(and good catch, Erin, on the great-granddaughters...there just can't be all that many of those)

Most people probably don't realize we count them as legacies. Shoot. I'm a Phi Mu and didn't know we considered great-granddaughters legacies.

[ZTA72]

My daughters were legacies to ZTA, Sigma Kappa, PiPhi, and had recs to Phi MU, Kappa Gamma, and Tri Delta....at a large southern school, and they chose a totally different way...
Would I like to have them go Zeta...of course, but they have to do what is important to them. They couldn't be happier.
ZTA72

[Drolefille]

Sigma Kappa includes neices as well as specifically including step-____s

[ΣΣΣMagan]

Originally Posted by ZTA72

My daughters were legacies to ZTA, Sigma Kappa, PiPhi, and had recs to Phi MU, Kappa Gamma, and Tri Delta....at a large southern school, and they chose a totally different way...
Would I like to have them go Zeta...of course, but they have to do what is important to them. They couldn't be happier.
ZTA72

So which way did your daughters go?