Little Chapter, Big Recruitment: Spring 2009

silverpearls · #1 02-05-2009, 02:07 AM

Pref went absolutely wonderfully! It was a really stressful day getting ready, but it all came together beautifully. We invited invited 115, had 82 match and had 72 walk through the door (some dropped when they got their schedules that night). 3 were Venus legacies and 26 were only preffing Venus. While some seemed a little bummed, most were very happy and excited. We didn't have to double-rush anyone except one pair, so that was a really nice change.

I preffed Lily and she was so sweet... she actually started crying during our ceremony and told me how badly she wanted to be a Venus. As I said before Danielle, Tasha, Zoe, Elizabeth, Ashley and Jenny were there, too! Danielle and Lily were only Preffing us. All the girls seemed to be having a good time! A lot of them were also Preffing Minerva, so we'll see how things go. I'm so, so nervous for Bid Day... but beyond excited! It seems unreal that recruitment is over - it's been practically my whole life for the last month. I know our new Venuses will make it all worth it tomorrow!

So, I wanted to save the best news for last! Last year quota was 42 and we matched 25. I just found out a few minutes ago that this year quota is 40... and we matched 39!!!! I am so proud of us!! It's hard to say how many girls will accept their bids, but I'm hoping many will. I already know of quite a few who definitely will. After augmenting the class through COB I really believe we're going to have a big, wonderful class!

I'll update you as soon as I know anything tomorrow. The chapter won't know anything until Bid Night, so I'm very excited to be one of the first to know!!

KSUViolet06 · #2 02-05-2009, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverpearls

So, I wanted to save the best news for last! Last year quota was 42 and we matched 25. I just found out a few minutes ago that this year quota is 40... and we matched 39!!!!

This is very exciting news!

Here's hoping that everyone accepts.

tangelo212 · #3 02-05-2009, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverpearls

I just found out a few minutes ago that this year quota is 40... and we matched 39!!!!

That's great news and I'm so excited for you (and them!)!
Sounds like your hard work and dedication really paid off. Fingers crossed that Lily, twins, and others are in there somewhere!

aephi alum · #4 02-05-2009, 11:55 PM

Congratulations on a successful recruitment!

Did any of the PNMs you were "less than thrilled" about become new members?

SWTXBelle · #5 02-05-2009, 11:57 PM

The only correct answer would be "No - we love ALL of our new members!".

silverpearls · #6 02-06-2009, 01:36 AM

What a night!! I just got back! Our New Members are amazing - all 26 of them! (I was incorrect before about there being 27) Bid Night went really well and I think both the sisters and the NMs had a lot of fun. We will be starting COB next week, so don't worry... the story isn't over yet!

I took a lot of pictures at Bid Night but I'm not comfortable posting them or sharing my affiliation quite yet. I may after COB is over.

So, in terms of the PNMs... here's where everybody ended up.

Kelly is a Minerva
Lily is a Venus
Danielle is a Venus
Ashley is a Minerva
Elizabeth is a Minerva
Sasha is in a top chapter
Tasha is a Minerva
Zoe is a Venus
Jenny is a Venus
Vicky dropped out of Recruitment

I really wasn't lying when I said Minerva is our biggest competition! They got a lot of girls we wanted... but we got a few they wanted, so it's kind of fair! Here's a few things that happened that made me really angry, though...

Firstly, there is a strict Panhel limit of $1500 on all Recruitment expenses except shirts. Panhel was suspicious because of some really lavish deorations Minerva had and after doing some digging, it came to light that they had spent over $3000 - double what is allowed.

Additionally, today a girl we loved accepted a bid from us. She left the room but came back 15 minutes later with a Minerva sister who was crying and obviously upset (keep in mind we are in Strict Silence at this point). The Minerva proceeded to scream at the Greek Life director and tell him something went wrong and the PNM should have gone to Minerva, which wasn't true... and because of it, the girl changed her mind and declined her bid from Venus. Basically, Minerva stole one of our PNMs completely illegally even though they can't even give her a bid for a whole year. Obviously it's a huge infraction and they will be punished, but it cost us a New Member and it really, really makes me mad.

So, not to be completely un-Panhellenic... but I'm very unhappy with Minerva right now. Not because they got some girls we wanted, but because of the dirty rushing. All I can hope is that they'll be paying for it... our Greek Life director is livid.

Well, other than all that we're really happy with the girls we got and how things turned out. I'll update more soon!

Coming Up: Part II - COB!

LucyAnne17 · #7 02-06-2009, 02:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverpearls

Firstly, there is a strict Panhel limit of $1500 on all Recruitment expenses except shirts. Panhel was suspicious because of some really lavish deorations Minerva had and after doing some digging, it came to light that they had spent over $3000 - double what is allowed.

Additionally, today a girl we loved accepted a bid from us. She left the room but came back 15 minutes later with a Minerva sister who was crying and obviously upset (keep in mind we are in Strict Silence at this point). The Minerva proceeded to scream at the Greek Life director and tell him something went wrong and the PNM should have gone to Minerva, which wasn't true... and because of it, the girl changed her mind and declined her bid from Venus. Basically, Minerva stole one of our PNMs completely illegally even though they can't even give her a bid for a whole year. Obviously it's a huge infraction and they will be punished, but it cost us a New Member and it really, really makes me mad.

Coming Up: Part II - COB!

I like, hate Minerva right now. What a bunch of little brats. It sucks when things like that come up after the fact because what can you do about it now? But on the bright side, girls who could choose Minerva over Venus due to decorations probably aren't the highest quality you're looking for anyway.

Also, this is TERRIBLE and SO unprofessional of this Minerva girl to freak out like that. As far as I know, when it comes to pref, nobody really has any idea who is going to be on their bid list (save for legacies). I know that I personally have voted against girls that a lot of my sisters thought everyone wanted, and that very well could have happened with this girl. What happens in a year, when she still doesn't get a bid from Minerva? Ugh. What a disastrous situation.

I am SO thrilled for you that you got so many great girls by the way, and I wish you great luck with COB. My fingers are crossed for a full quota for Venus!

BabyPiNK_FL · #8 02-06-2009, 04:43 AM

The most I've ever done is give a girl we "didn't get" a hug, a pat on her back, and encouragement to do well in her new group. This is regardless of whether or not she expresses regret over where she has ended up or whether she feels she has "hurt our feelings".

Sadly, I can not say that I have seen other groups be as gracious. We had an awful situation where another chapter was all but promising a pnm a bid, but when we got her we didn't know that. She only stood out because A) She looked mad enough to kill and B) She was furiously crying.

It was awful because all the sisters noticed the fact that she looked so angry (about to HIT somebody angry) and she made many of us uncomfortable and upset. We couldn't really comfort her b/c we were trying to figure out why she had an attitude problem! Imagine standing there for 20 min and all she does is glare and cry!

(When I tried to ask her if she was okay, she refused to talk much and only wanted to talk to her Rho Gamma. I didn't tell her just then that her Rho Gamma is OUR sister, I wanted her to be surprised when she ran to us!)

Then we noticed members from the other chapter come over and hug her and tell her how "sorry" they were and that she can "opt out", etc. That just made more sisters furious! Needless to say, we managed to get the full story out of her as she managed to trooper her way through bid day despite it all. And thankfully, she is now a very happy sister. But look what that other group put her and us through!

CougarGrad · #9 02-06-2009, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverpearls

Additionally, today a girl we loved accepted a bid from us. She left the room but came back 15 minutes later with a Minerva sister who was crying and obviously upset (keep in mind we are in Strict Silence at this point). The Minerva proceeded to scream at the Greek Life director and tell him something went wrong and the PNM should have gone to Minerva, which wasn't true... and because of it, the girl changed her mind and declined her bid from Venus. Basically, Minerva stole one of our PNMs completely illegally even though they can't even give her a bid for a whole year. Obviously it's a huge infraction and they will be punished, but it cost us a New Member and it really, really makes me mad.

My goodness, how embarrassing. I really hope that her behavior is addressed, because whether or not she ended up stealing a PNM, that was absolutely inappropriate.

All the annoying and confusing hiccups aside, silverpearls, you ladies have just done such a bang-up job and are welcoming so many new sisters to the chapter. I am so happy for, and proud of, all of you!

KSUViolet06 · #10 02-06-2009, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverpearls

Additionally, today a girl we loved accepted a bid from us. She left the room but came back 15 minutes later with a Minerva sister who was crying and obviously upset (keep in mind we are in Strict Silence at this point). The Minerva proceeded to scream at the Greek Life director and tell him something went wrong and the PNM should have gone to Minerva, which wasn't true... and because of it, the girl changed her mind and declined her bid from Venus. Basically, Minerva stole one of our PNMs completely illegally even though they can't even give her a bid for a whole year. Obviously it's a huge infraction and they will be punished, but it cost us a New Member and it really, really makes me mad.

Wow.

This is the definition of being un-Panhellenic.

Keep your head up.

If it makes you feel any better, this girl can't just run and pledge Minerva tomorrow. She accepted your bid.

micky80 · #11 02-06-2009, 08:58 PM

I totally agree about chapters having the ability to change. At the university I went to, one of the lower tier houses 25 years ago now is considered the No. 1 house. Some of the reputations of the top houses have changed considerably. All it takes is a couple of good pledge classes, and it sounds like you got one. It was very interesting hearing a story from the other side of the table. Thanks for sharing, and congrats!

silverpearls · #12 02-07-2009, 04:25 PM

Sorry I haven't posted in a few days! I've actually come down with a nasty cold, which is so frustrating - all I want to do is go hang out with our New Members! They all seem to be doing well and having fun. A few who were hesitant about joining at first (since we were not their first choice) seem to have come around. The sisters have been amazing at welcoming the new girls, taking them to do things and really making them feel at home with their new sisters.

We have a New Member event tonight, so here's hoping everybody has a good time! A few girls who weren't able to come to Bid Day will be there, so it'll be exciting to meet them! Tomorrow will be Formal Pinning and Big/Little reveal, so that's very exciting. I'm hoping to get another Little!

I'll keep you updated as to how everything goes. COB starts Monday! We're really hoping to make quota, which is only 14 more New Members... I really think we can do it! We're inviting about 50 girls to COB but it's hard to tell how many will show up. If we do make quota it will be the first time ever for our chapter...

CougarGrad · #13 02-07-2009, 11:45 PM

Aaaand the excitement continues! You be sure you get some rest between events, young lady! *stern look*