Rush at UCSC - Page 23

mmcat · #1 01-10-2002, 08:46 PM

you have come so far...
just calmly be yourself and professional and positive.
you will knock them dead.
you've already shown that to all of us.
mmcat

dzsaigirl · #2 01-11-2002, 12:28 AM

How did today's meeting go? We are anxious to know.

wishinhopin · #3 01-11-2002, 01:42 AM

Today's meeting was.....interesting. It was sort of a downer becase Mary basically told us all kinds of things about how we have so much work to do before nationals will want us. I mean, it was good advice, but I just feel sortof pessimistic now. She didn't sound like she thought we would have much appeal. She was really supportive though, and she had lots of good tips...so it was good. I got kinda discouraged because apparently the local sorority on campus (Alpha Psi) has been around for ten years, and they're trying to affiliate with Alpha Phi, and it's a long and laborous process for them. I could have just joined their sorority! I wish I would have known about this sooner. I guess I was excited about being the newest national sorority someday....I'm just feeling a little discouraged. She also told us that we aren't allowed to fundraise on campus at all, which severally limits what we can do. She did, however, say that she would write us a "glowing letter of recommendation" to NPC. Any thoughts on any of this?

greeklawgirl · #4 01-11-2002, 02:24 AM

Corina,

Take what Mary says with a grain of salt. This is not to say that she is lying, but something doesn't add up here. Wouldn't your Greek Affairs office have let you know if another local was attempting to affiliate with an NPC? If I remember correctly, even if a local petitions one NPC directly, that sorority is still required to pass along the local sorority's information to the extension committee at NPC.

Even assuming what she says is true, times and circumstances change. You and the other founders have taken enormous initiative. I feel strongly that NPC will stand up and take notice. Don't be discouraged! This is not your first setback, and there will be many more to come until you reach your goals. The key is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep on going!

You have all our support and good wishes behind you!

(PS: Our circle of sisters is always growing in Alpha Gamma Delta. I'd be thrilled if you took a closer look at us.

)

navane · #5 01-11-2002, 11:49 AM

I agree with greeklawgirl, why didn't anyone tell you that Alpha Psi was trying to affiliate with a national? I know from experience that administrators would mention those things up front (they'd want you to have the best chance possible - that means suggesting that you join forces with another group).

Furthermore, what's with this, "they've been around for ten years"? Does that mean that Alpha Psi has been trying to affiliate for ten years?? Or is it that they've been around that long, but are "just now" trying to affiliate. You gotta be careful on that one. Since "Alpha Psi" sounds a lot like "Alpha Phi," I can guess that they intended to affiliate with APhi from the get go. Sooo...if they haven't done that in the last 10 years, then my logic tells me that there's a reason why APhi has not or is not moving forward with that. I'm not trying to imply that they're a "bad" group - but rather that APhi maybe doesn't think the local's values or goals match the national's values and goals or whatever.

I think I'm confused though, who is Mary? Is she a member of GPhiB? I wasn't at the meeting [obviously] so I wouldn't know if she was being shady. Perhaps she just wants to make sure that you ladies aren't going into this with incorrect expectation about the work involved?

As far as the "glowing letter of recommendation" goes - I think I've beaten her to the punch on that one.

......Kelly

wishinhopin · #6 01-11-2002, 06:20 PM

Hello all,

I'm confused too. I don't understand what the deal is with Alpha Psi, or what their actual relationship is to Alpha Phi, and I don't really know of any way to find out. But Mary made it sound like they had been trying for quite some time (at least a year) to affiliate with Alpha Phi, and it hadn't happened yet. If they've been established for ten years, wouldn't they presumably have it together enough to at least be making some progress? But Mary did say that people from nationals are going to deal with interviewing us, and keeping an eye on us, etc, because they don't just give their name and rituals to anyone. I'm really hoping that this whole process doesn't take a whole year, that's a long time. To clear up any confusion: Mary is a member of GPhiB, but she's also the Greek life intern at my schooll. So, since we don't have a Panhellenic to approve our desire to go national, NPC asked her for her thoughts on us doing this. Obviously I won't know for sure what she said, but I can't imagine that she would say anything mean. I know she takes her job seriously. I think right now our main concern is money and number of members. Money is going to be more of an issue than we originally thought, in large because of a new rule that Mary told us about. Since we aren't a registered student organization (which, once again, was not my fault!), we can't fundraise on campus. So, anything we do will have to be in the city, which severally limits our options. The other problem is not having enough members. I don't think NPC is going to be particularly impressed with the five girls we have now. But, we do have about four prospects right now, and we're just now getting the word out. We're printing up our recruitment flyers this weekend (we're using the slogan suggested by y'all (wanna be part of something nu?- isnt that just too cute?!) and from there I'm hoping we'll get some interested women together. We're also working on the website, with extensive help from yet another greekchat friend I've made, and that will be handy to have. I'm thinking that I'm going to have all the sisters (myself included) make announcements in each of their classes. It's pretty liberal and casual up here, so that's a somewhat standard procedure. It's a scary thought, though, considering how little many people think of Greek life here. But, when I was telling my mom about all this, her advice was exactly this: F-ck em! My mom is a pretty cool woman. So, that's where things stand right now. Do you think I should have my friend in DG (she's an officer but I don't remember her position right now) write us a letter of recommendation to DG? And maybe Gail's mom (from AOPi) could write something to them? Or do you think that's too much? As always, advice and thoughts are much appreciated!
love, Corina

p.s. I really love all of you so much for helping me with this.

PKTKKG · #7 01-11-2002, 07:31 PM

Corina,

Keep your chin up! I have been reading the posts - GPhiB doesn't have a clue what an awesome member they missed out on!!! NPC won't steer you wrong. I am so impressed! Keep up the great work and hang in there, membership in an NPC group is worth the effort and the wait. Take Care, Martha (Kappa Kappa Gamma).

NewBee · #8 01-12-2002, 01:50 AM

Hey Corina!

I've been following your story from day one and I just want to say that you have inspired me to follow in your footsteps and form a local sorrority although I dont plan to affilitate. I am really impressed by your determination to go after what you want. I have been talking about you to my friends, I feel like I know you even though we have never chatted, and they all think you are just the bomb! Well as far as money issues, don't worry, you found a way to be greek the way you wanted and you will find the money. As far as the shirts issue, what if your sisters, isn't that cool you have sisters!, but what if they paid you for just thier shirts alone. Wouldn't it be like 10 dollars a piece, I know they can afford that if they can't help out with the whole 250. Also have you all started collecting dues yet? Even between the 5 of you I am sure that if you all start saving your pennies now it will add up so that in the future things like para won't be such a problem. Another advantage of wearing para now or when you recieve the order is that it will further get the word out about your brand nu sorrority, love that! And also about collecting dues now, you can set the protocol for how much future rushee's will pay for dues and you have a big advantage against GphiB because pledging is expensive as heck and if you are only collecting like 50 dollars a year per person instead of 1000 or however much it is then you have an important tool against rushing against a national org. Another advantage is that NPC doesn't regulate everything you do yet so you can do things that other groups couldn't do like bond with interest before rush. ( I might be wrong on that particular exampe, somebody help me out here, but the point is that you dont have NPC breating down your neck so there is a breathing room that most orgs having enjoyed since the craze haze.) Not that NBO would haze or anything. But I have another question. Have you and your sisters thought of any iniation process that the rushees would go through once accepted into the sorrority? Have you and your sisters bonded and took a break from this hectic time to just get to know each other on a sisterly level? If not I suggest that you take some time out and go some where, cheap preferebly, and just have fun. I mean sisterhood is what its all about not whether or not your school recognizes you as a RSO. It will happen but while you wait, take this time to bond with your sisters and when its time to rush interest and get interviewed by NPC sorrorities, they will see that NBO represents what being sisters is all about. You have so much just waiting to happen. Well sorry about the long post and all but I just had to say something to the person who has encourage me to be my own "trailblazer" Thanks. And I would say good luch but, guess what? You don't need it because you have so much potential. And your sisters in NBO and in the Greek CHat Chapter help out alot too,lol.

MoxieGrrl · #9 01-12-2002, 03:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by NewBee
Another advantage is that NPC doesn't regulate everything you do yet so you can do things that other groups couldn't do like bond with interest before rush. ( I might be wrong on that particular exampe, somebody help me out here, but the point is that you dont have NPC breating down your neck so there is a breathing room that most orgs having enjoyed since the craze haze.)

I might be wrong too, but I think that in order for local GLOs to be formed on a campus with a Panhellenic, you have to agree to follow the NPC guidelines.....

Optimist Prime · #10 01-12-2002, 03:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by MoxieGrrl

I might be wrong too, but I think that in order for local GLOs to be formed on a campus with a Panhellenic, you have to agree to follow the NPC guidelines.....

How could they tell a group that they couldn't exist??

bruinaphi · #11 01-12-2002, 03:42 AM

Whether or not you have to comply with NPC's unanimous agreements depends upon whether you want to be a member of the Panhellenic Council at your school. If you join Panhellenic then you have to comply with the UA's. Some schools have Independent Greek Councils or other organizations for multi-cultural or service organizations. They have different bylaws.

Just FYI: NPC doesn't regulate sorority life on different campuses. That is the job of your college panhellenic. If your college panhellenic has NPC chapters, then you have to follow the UA's, and NPC recommends that you follow its other recommendations.

aephi alum · #12 01-12-2002, 01:56 PM

But there isn't a college Panhellenic there - there's only one NPC sorority.

That said, Corina, while you wouldn't have to obey every little rule that NPC lays down (because you're not part of an NPC sorority yet), you shouldn't be doing anything blatantly against them or the spirit in which those rules were created. For instance, badmouthing the other sororities on campus (not that you'd do that - it's just an example).

And, of course, once you do affiliate with a national sorority, you will have to adopt the NPC UAs and form a college Panhellenic.

The point is that right now, you have some leeway that you may not have once you affiliate.

wishinhopin · #13 01-12-2002, 02:42 PM

Hi everyone,

In response to what everyone is saying....I think our general plan right now is to be very careful to respect all standard rules and regulations for sororities, except that we may fundraise for ourselves. We need the money desperately, so it might be a necessity. Sidenote- this is what my horoscope says today:
"Team efforts are blessed, so assemble your friends, and get to work"
It's just something for me to keep in mind. (Scorpio, in case anyone was wondering if this applied to them

Anyway, one of my sisters got our macot all drawn out- two dolphins sort of intertwined in front of a moon. It's really cute, and we have some symbolism behind it that I think we'll be incorporating into our rituals. More later, I just woke up and need food!
love, Corina

Bri3D · #14 01-12-2002, 04:56 PM

Good choice for the mascot, that's TriDelt's also........the things you are essential steps to becoming a recognized org., keep it up!!!!! I'm also a beleiver in astrology and horoscopes, I think they're very inspirational.....

DeltaBetaBaby · #15 01-13-2002, 01:13 AM

Corina,
I know that some of you already have some feelings about which inter/national organization would be the best match for NBO. I gather that most of it is from individuals that you know in each org. However, I would recommend that you take a special look at organizations that have previously been on your campus. I don't know how a GLO would feel about recolonizing somewhere where it didn't work out the first time, but I imagine it would depend on the circumstances causing the chapter to fold. For example, if XYZ was on campus for fifty years before pulling a charter due to hazing in 1990, there would be fifty years of alum support that was ended by a few misdirected women. The older alums would be crushed that their chapter is gone, and would probably help it come back. Just something to consider...