Schools where you absolutely positively need recs

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Hang on, I am confused by the language here, "letters of support"? I'm wondering if that is something other than a rec. Like, maybe PNM's are having non-affiliated women (high school teachers, for example) send in letters. I remember my chapter getting those back in the day, and I was certainly not at a school like Bama.

[ComradesTrue]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Hang on, I am confused by the language here, "letters of support"? I'm wondering if that is something other than a rec. Like, maybe PNM's are having non-affiliated women (high school teachers, for example) send in letters. I remember my chapter getting those back in the day, and I was certainly not at a school like Bama.

No, in this instance a "letter of support" is an actual letter, not the rec form, that sorority alumnae write and send to the chapters. It is a common practice in Texas, and may be elsewhere too.

[AnchorAlumna]

My opinion, for what it's worth, which isn't much:
**If you're from Texas and she gets 80leven letters of support OR recs, the sororities at Alabama will know what the deal is. Don't sweat it.
**Don't NEVER turn down no letters of support, recs, or whatever you call 'em (Southern colloquialisms deliberately used here). It's not nice. Smile and say thank you!

[shirley1929]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I would DEFINITELY wait until some of these posters weigh in on what the real scoop is, shirley, before you decide what to do.

The way that is written on the Alabama Panhel website really really REALLY seems to be stepping over the bounds of individual chapters' membership selection practices, IMO. Plus, what if the alum doesn't even mention it to the rushee and just goes ahead and sends a letter? I'm sure some alumnae do/will.

http://www.uapanhellenic.com/index.p...d=15&Itemid=32

I agree with both your points here...I'm wanting to hear from a Bama advisor (apologies that I don't know which normal posters are the advisors...have I heard from one yet?)

And yes, it seems rather presumptuous of Panhellenic to blur the Membership Selection boundaries!? Unless it is something that the chapters asked/voted on for them to mention.

Originally Posted by Titchou

Can the poster clarify: are you concerned about excess letters of support or recs? At Bama, 2 recs for each group are really needed. More than 3 or 4 are overkill. My group doesn't do "letters of support" as we consider such letters as recs, or sponsor forms as we call them. In other words, the rec doesn't have to be on the form - it can be a letter for us.

And when someone from XYZ agrees to do one for you, you should ask her if she knows anyone in the remaining groups which you still need.

Yes, I'm concerned by excess rec/letters. Where I'm from, since the rec is a standard form...one "head" XYZ fills out the form and the other XYZ ladies send the "head" person letters supporting her recommendation. It all goes in one packet to the chapter house. There may be some stray letters that get sent separately, but the "in the know" folks get it organized so it's all put together.

Yes, of course, we're pulling together recs for all the houses. Even the ones where we don't know a member of ABC...we are definitely "working the connections".

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Hang on, I am confused by the language here, "letters of support"? I'm wondering if that is something other than a rec. Like, maybe PNM's are having non-affiliated women (high school teachers, for example) send in letters. I remember my chapter getting those back in the day, and I was certainly not at a school like Bama.

DBB - Not exactly. Letters are sent (from my area anyway) by additional members of XYZ. It is basically to say "hey, these 5 ladies (as opposed to one) really believe that Rhonda Rushee would make a fabulous XYZ" Let me know if you need more clarification.

Originally Posted by Blondie93

No, in this instance a "letter of support" is an actual letter, not the rec form, that sorority alumnae write and send to the chapters. It is a common practice in Texas, and may be elsewhere too.

^^Exactly.

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

My opinion, for what it's worth, which isn't much:
**If you're from Texas and she gets 80leven letters of support OR recs, the sororities at Alabama will know what the deal is. Don't sweat it.
**Don't NEVER turn down no letters of support, recs, or whatever you call 'em (Southern colloquialisms deliberately used here). It's not nice. Smile and say thank you!

This is exactly what we're thinking...I would hate my niece to 1) be the ONE person from our area who doesn't "play the game" and have it look weird. and 2) It seems SO against everything we're taught to turn down a kind offer from someone looking to help her have a successful rush.

Oh, and yes...I'm not going back and fixing everywhere I said "rush" "rushee" or anything like that. If it dates me, so be it...

Thanks for the input everyone! If anyone else has more, I'll listen!

[VandalSquirrel]

Originally Posted by DeltaBetaBaby

Hang on, I am confused by the language here, "letters of support"? I'm wondering if that is something other than a rec. Like, maybe PNM's are having non-affiliated women (high school teachers, for example) send in letters. I remember my chapter getting those back in the day, and I was certainly not at a school like Bama.

I just checked the Idaho Greek FAQ and once I stopped being verklempt over the phrase "alumni sorority members" I read that people who are not "alumni sorority members" can write letters of reference to the Dean of Students office that are passed on to the chapters. They also say these things (recs, letters etc.) do not provide an advantage, but they do not hurt. We don't have an organized Alumnae Panhellenic but I wish we had one locally with satellite members in places we draw students so we could do this as an organized group and PNMs could submit things or be referred to someone in their local area. We draw so many in state students that a lot of it is handled through collegiate members knowing someone from back home.

Originally Posted by Blondie93

No, in this instance a "letter of support" is an actual letter, not the rec form, that sorority alumnae write and send to the chapters. It is a common practice in Texas, and may be elsewhere too.

I've written letters with our official forms for any PNM and for legacies, but I attach it to a form. Usually it is to explain some extenuating circumstance, especially academic and the grades or activities aren't stellar or are borderline for some reason. I also have done it for a legacy to explain why the member didn't send one on her legacy, which has always been a result of said member having entered Chapter Grand. I also have done a couple for women who aren't official legacies but have relatives who are members, to make that relationship known.