what is the point of recs?

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

Why do schools mislead PNMs by deemphasizing the importance of getting recs? Oh yes, a chapter is going to hunt down a rec for hundreds of PNMs...

Well yes, we do. We have a network of alumnae. The chapter's sponsorship director takes the info that Panhellenic sends on each PNM and distributes it to the network. If Janie PNM is from Podunk, Alabama, we try to find an alum in or near Podunk who can check out Janie and recommend her.
Do we get sponsors for every PNM? No....but we come pretty darn close.
I'm guessing almost every NPC group does the same. Some groups seem to emphasize it more than others.

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Well yes, we do. We have a network of alumnae. The chapter's sponsorship director takes the info that Panhellenic sends on each PNM and distributes it to the network. If Janie PNM is from Podunk, Alabama, we try to find an alum in or near Podunk who can check out Janie and recommend her.
Do we get sponsors for every PNM? No....but we come pretty darn close.
I'm guessing almost every NPC group does the same. Some groups seem to emphasize it more than others.

Amen, Sister!

[33girl]

OMG not this again.

How is Janie PNM supposed to meet up w/ Polly Podunk Alum to be "checked out" if Janie is in the middle of rush?

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by 33girl

OMG not this again. How is Janie PNM supposed to meet up w/ Polly Podunk Alum to be "checked out" if Janie is in the middle of rush?

Ah, 33girl, we have our ways!!!
It is not necessary to personally meet Janie. Ms. Alum may already know the family, or know Janie. Ms. Alum may know Janie's teachers, or principal, or pastor. Or Ms. Alum has friends or relatives who know Janie or her family.
Caveat: some groups do require that the alum personally know Janie. Personally, I'll accept a report from a friend who knows her or her family. And if it's in the middle of rush, it's already too late!

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by 33girl

OMG not this again.

How is Janie PNM supposed to meet up w/ Polly Podunk Alum to be "checked out" if Janie is in the middle of rush?

I'm going to suggest you let the ASA alums from Louisiana explain to you how it works.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by NutBrnHair

I'm going to suggest you let the ASA alums from Louisiana explain to you how it works.

There are ASA alums from Louisiana on GC, so I'm sure if there was anything I needed to know about "how it works" they would have told me by now.

AA answered the question just fine, thank you.

[violetpretty]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

Well yes, we do. We have a network of alumnae. The chapter's sponsorship director takes the info that Panhellenic sends on each PNM and distributes it to the network. If Janie PNM is from Podunk, Alabama, we try to find an alum in or near Podunk who can check out Janie and recommend her.
Do we get sponsors for every PNM? No....but we come pretty darn close.
I'm guessing almost every NPC group does the same. Some groups seem to emphasize it more than others.

If chapters DO hunt down recs for every PNM, then what is the point of a PNM securing them herself?

[justme920]

just to be clear, im not looking for an easy way out. if i knew people who could write me a rec i would have no problem asking, i just dont know any and so that part of rush is the most intimidating to me... i wasnt just trying to not do any work... i hope that doesnt come off rude i just dont want anyone to think im a giant slacker looking to do nothing and just magically get what i want

[violetpretty]

I am assuming you're planning to go through next year, since recruitment is already underway at A&M. Are you a freshman or a HS senior (if a HS senior, are you for sure going to A&M)? Either way, almost a year to find alumnae (or collegians from other chapters in many NPCs) to write you recs. You'd be really surprised how many you might be able to find. Some people to ask:

HS teachers, coaches, staff, activity sponsors
Friends of siblings
Siblings of friends
Friends of parents
Older friends
Women from a place of worship
Co-workers
Families for whom you babysit

Often, when you find one sorority alumna, she might know of others, so do ask. Even if you find an alumna of a sorority that doesn't have a chapter at A&M, she might know of alumnae of sororities that do. Also, men in fraternities may know sorority alumnae/actives from other chapters.

I live in a small rural town of 6,000 and if a PNM talked to me, I could help her find alumnae/actives from 20 of the 26 NPCs from our town, NOT including people I know from UMD.

Do try to put the effort into finding recs. You have plenty of time, so you should be able to find a good amount.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

I am assuming you're planning to go through next year, since recruitment is already underway at A&M. Are you a freshman or a HS senior (if a HS senior, are you for sure going to A&M)? Either way, almost a year to find alumnae (or collegians from other chapters in many NPCs) to write you recs. You'd be really surprised how many you might be able to find. Some people to ask:

HS teachers, coaches, staff, activity sponsors
Friends of siblings
Siblings of friends
Friends of parents
Older friends
Women from a place of worship
Co-workers
Families for whom you babysit

Often, when you find one sorority alumna, she might know of others, so do ask. Even if you find an alumna of a sorority that doesn't have a chapter at A&M, she might know of alumnae of sororities that do. Also, men in fraternities may know sorority alumnae/actives from other chapters.

I live in a small rural town of 6,000 and if a PNM talked to me, I could help her find alumnae/actives from 20 of the 26 NPCs from our town, NOT including people I know from UMD.

Do try to put the effort into finding recs. You have plenty of time, so you should be able to find a good amount.

If I may, I would also suggest checking with male friends, family, co-workers etc. as well. Some may be in fraternities or if not, know sorority women. As such, they may be able to steer you to their sorority friends who might then be able to assist.

Bottom line is that you may be surprised at how many people know someone in a sorority. Not just the usual suspects.

[exlurker]

Since Texas A&M has been mentioned, I think it's worth adding that a young woman from anyplace in Texas who is planning on going through NPC recruitment anywhere should be aware of the recruitment info sessions put on by Area Alumnae Panhellenics all around Texas.

These sessions almost always have info about highly organized methoda of getting recommendations. Often they will help potential new members get recs. The sessions are usually held in February though early May each year, with different dates in different areas.

Personally, I don't care whether someone likes the idea of recs, does or doesn't see the point of them, or whatever: the fact is, it's obvious that
in Texas, that's the way things are done: recs are either highly encouraged or essential, and the majority of those women who are serious about recruitment will try to get them

Sure, if a girl is from a "prominent family," she'll probably have people offering to write recs. For most ordinary people, though, the Area Alumnae Panhellenic sessions, as well as the tips mentioned in this thread, are excellent resources.

Originally Posted by violetpretty

I am assuming you're planning to go through next year, since recruitment is already underway at A&M. Are you a freshman or a HS senior (if a HS senior, are you for sure going to A&M)? Either way, almost a year to find alumnae (or collegians from other chapters in many NPCs) to write you recs. You'd be really surprised how many you might be able to find. Some people to ask:

HS teachers, coaches, staff, activity sponsors
Friends of siblings
Siblings of friends
Friends of parents
Older friends
Women from a place of worship
Co-workers
Families for whom you babysit

Often, when you find one sorority alumna, she might know of others, so do ask. Even if you find an alumna of a sorority that doesn't have a chapter at A&M, she might know of alumnae of sororities that do. Also, men in fraternities may know sorority alumnae/actives from other chapters.

I live in a small rural town of 6,000 and if a PNM talked to me, I could help her find alumnae/actives from 20 of the 26 NPCs from our town, NOT including people I know from UMD.

Do try to put the effort into finding recs. You have plenty of time, so you should be able to find a good amount.

[tinydancer]

Originally Posted by violetpretty

If chapters DO hunt down recs for every PNM, then what is the point of a PNM securing them herself?

This leads in to a question I have. At a very competitive school, say Texas for instance, do the chapters really do this? With so many pnms, it seems overwhelming.