Alabama Recruitment Prediction (Fall 2008)

[peaches321]

There may be a bit of a missed perception as to why/when recs are necessary. While requesting recs is a part of preparing to go through formal recruitment on most campuses, a requirement for a rec prior to extending a bit is a part of most nationals. So, in a case where the national requires a rec, if a house is interested in a girl for whom they do not have a rec it is the house's job to track one down. During formal recruitment, girls can certainly progress in the early rounds without a rec, but if a rec is required they certainly cannot pref without one. I can't imagine the task it would be for Alpha Phi to have to search for recs for their entire pledge class. Far better to ask that each young woman being considered to shoulder that responsibility, as most of the girls going through formal recruitment did. I think it is a very sensible way for Alpha Phi to do this.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by peaches321

So, in a case where the national requires a rec, if a house is interested in a girl for whom they do not have a rec it is the house's job to track one down.

Exactly!!

Originally Posted by peaches321

I can't imagine the task it would be for Alpha Phi to have to search for recs for their entire pledge class.

Why not? We did it when we colonized at Auburn a few years ago. If you have a network of alumnae set up across the state, it's not that difficult. No, you won't find an alum to sponsor every PNM, but it's certainly possible to get to 85 or 90%.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Why not? We did it when we colonized at Auburn a few years ago. If you have a network of alumnae set up across the state, it's not that difficult.

Holy passive aggressive, Batman.

[peaches321]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Exactly!!

Why not? We did it when we colonized at Auburn a few years ago. If you have a network of alumnae set up across the state, it's not that difficult. No, you won't find an alum to sponsor every PNM, but it's certainly possible to get to 85 or 90%.

Congrats on having that system in place. Alpha Phi probably does, too. That said, the recs the girls can provide from alums who know them are still the most accurate. It certainly doesn't mean that a third-party rec wouldn't suffice, but asking the girls to seek a rec from someone they do know sounds to me like an excellent first step. Then, networking (to get the rest of them)like y'all did would absolutely be the next step. Does that make sense?

[aopirose]

Originally Posted by peaches321

Congrats on having that system in place. Alpha Phi probably does, too. That said, the recs the girls can provide from alums who know them are still the most accurate. It certainly doesn't mean that a third-party rec wouldn't suffice, but asking the girls to seek a rec from someone they do know sounds to me like an excellent first step. Then, networking (to get the rest of them)like y'all did would absolutely be the next step. Does that make sense?

Yes. That's usually how it works.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by peaches321

Congrats on having that system in place. Alpha Phi probably does, too. That said, the recs the girls can provide from alums who know them are still the most accurate. It certainly doesn't mean that a third-party rec wouldn't suffice, but asking the girls to seek a rec from someone they do know sounds to me like an excellent first step. Then, networking (to get the rest of them)like y'all did would absolutely be the next step. Does that make sense?

Yes, of course it makes sense. I just wonder how the PNMs...the Alabama ones, at least...are going to find an Alpha Phi in the state when the only chapter in the state shut down 40 years ago. Their youngest alumnae from that chapter would be in their very late 50s now...and in their era, big chapters meant 85 to 100 members. And Alpha Phi at that point did not have a big chapter. And there are very few chapters in the region.
I'm sure Alpha Phi will have a way to do this, but it seems like a huge burden to place on the PNMs.
I do wish Alpha Phi every success, though! They have a beautiful Web site and seem to be doing a wonderful job preparing the way.

[Jen]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Yes, of course it makes sense. I just wonder how the PNMs...the Alabama ones, at least...are going to find an Alpha Phi in the state when the only chapter in the state shut down 40 years ago. Their youngest alumnae from that chapter would be in their very late 50s now...and in their era, big chapters meant 85 to 100 members. And Alpha Phi at that point did not have a big chapter. And there are very few chapters in the region.
I'm sure Alpha Phi will have a way to do this, but it seems like a huge burden to place on the PNMs.
I do wish Alpha Phi every success, though! They have a beautiful Web site and seem to be doing a wonderful job preparing the way.

Maybe you can leave it up to the A-Phis to deal with the issues of expansion at Bama, and you can be concerned with what the DG chapter at Bama does.

[VandalSquirrel]

I think putting out there that recs are required has quite a bit of genius.

The names given to the colonization team will have been vetted by members, no need to waste time interviewing women who may not be what they are looking for. There are many students at Bama who are from other states where APhis may have more alumnae as well. There may be a woman from Kamloops who was uninterested or unaware of the Greek system at Bama and didn't go through, and therefore she may receive a rec from Viper Tongue who used to babysit her and become an amazing founding sister.

[Tippiechick]

I find it absolutely fabulous that it asks girls to supply their own recs.

Why NOT ask girls to do a little leg work? You assume that women are too stupid to find their own recs. Just because you had to spoon feed your colony their recs doesn't mean every group of girls needs that same assistance. Perhaps APhi's standards are just higher than some.

And, kudos to the girls that take the initiative to supply themselves with the tools to succeed. Those are the kind of women I would want. The ones who sit back and feel sorry for themselves and don't try -- to hell with them.

[peaches321]

Originally Posted by Jen

Maybe you can leave it up to the A-Phis to deal with the issues of expansion at Bama, and you can be concerned with what the DG chapter at Bama does.

1. The alphaphialabama.com and alphaphialabama.blogspot.com sites are amazing. Alpha Phi is doing a great job of getting the word out.

2. I think we're all trying to help, even though we may approach that "helping" from different directions. Here's the deal... if every one of us who have connections to the system could tap into Alpha Phi alums we could all contribute to the success of this re-colonization! I emailed two Alpha Phis I know today asking if they are willing to write recs for girls from our local area, and have already gotten a Yes from one of them. I'm not an Alpha Phi, but I am an AGD with daughters in two different sororities, and I want to do what I can.

3. In 2010, I am on board to grow up a DG chapter too! Many hands make light work, and together there is no limit to what we will accomplish.

[Jill1228]

Originally Posted by Jen

Maybe you can leave it up to the A-Phis to deal with the issues of expansion at Bama, and you can be concerned with what the DG chapter at Bama does.

Originally Posted by Tippiechick

I find it absolutely fabulous that it asks girls to supply their own recs.

Why NOT ask girls to do a little leg work? You assume that women are too stupid to find their own recs. Just because you had to spoon feed your colony their recs doesn't mean every group of girls needs that same assistance. Perhaps APhi's standards are just higher than some.

And, kudos to the girls that take the initiative to supply themselves with the tools to succeed. Those are the kind of women I would want. The ones who sit back and feel sorry for themselves and don't try -- to hell with them.

To both of you...can I say "I freaking love you"?

Originally Posted by peaches321

1. The alphaphialabama.com and alphaphialabama.blogspot.com sites are amazing. Alpha Phi is doing a great job of getting the word out.

2. I think we're all trying to help, even though we may approach that "helping" from different directions. Here's the deal... if every one of us who have connections to the system could tap into Alpha Phi alums we could all contribute to the success of this re-colonization! I emailed two Alpha Phis I know today asking if they are willing to write recs for girls from our local area, and have already gotten a Yes from one of them. I'm not an Alpha Phi, but I am AGD mother of a Kappa and a DG, and I want to do what I can.

3. In 2010, I am on board to grow up a DG chapter too! Many hands make light work, and together there is no limit to what we will accomplish.

I think it is awesome that you reached out and did this. I wish more people would have Panhellenic spirit