A Wicked Recruitment: Fall '08 - Page 4

KappaKittyCat · #1 01-17-2009, 01:22 AM

Folks, I don't think this story is live...

Smile_Awhile · #2 01-17-2009, 01:47 AM

Nope, we are NOT live. All of the following events occurred in the Fall of 08.

Gusteau · #3 01-17-2009, 09:23 AM

Wow my bad...and I tried so hard to avoid "newbie" mistakes...

Smile_Awhile · #4 01-17-2009, 12:20 PM

It's still good advice to anyone. So it's fine.

Smile_Awhile · #5 01-18-2009, 04:08 AM

Those first few weeks, I attended everything I could. I knew there was now way I could figure out if this was right for me if I didn’t try it.

The first meeting was awkward- I didn’t like that we “had” to wear letters on Monday and nice clothes on Thursday. This was a display of pride, which I hadn’t quite gotten yet. But I did- I figured it was important.

I figured out that three of my pledge class sisters were in one of my classes, and another initiated sister was in another class. I also met a few more during the callbacks for the theatre shows. As I got to know these girls, I realized that they were really great. I particularly loved the initiated girl I knew- we shared the same sense of humor.

It was great to find signs outside my door right before going to my first day of classes, and in the weeks afterward from initiated sisters. It made me smile so much. One sister invited me to another sister’s birthday party, and I got to know her better- she was really terrific.

At some point, I met this insane girl who was the same major as me. She was nuts (in a good way!), but I really clicked with her. This was a girl that I could call my sister, and I knew that. We grew to be great friends.

The final straw was the chapter retreat. I had started getting a bit homesick about a month into school (I don’t get to go home very often), and I was kind of mopey the day of our chapter retreat. I was talking to one of the girls I met during recruitment, and she was saying it happened to everyone and just really comforting me. That’s when it hit me- I was staying.

The insane girl became my big sister, and the initiated girl in my classes became my twin. Now, I couldn’t be more excited about my sorority. I’m SO glad that I stuck around. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have the amazing sisters that I do have.

Our chapter is currently struggling- my recruitment was an example of that. However, we elected our new officers a month ago, and we (yes, I’m an officer now!) have a great president and executive board who will take our chapter up and above. I’m confident that we will turn it around during my time in my house.

There are days when I see Betty and Amanda (I rarely see Darcy these days) and I wish I could call them my sisters. And their group overall is wonderful. I do have my “What ifs” fairly often. But I’m confident in one thing- it worked out like it was supposed to.

Basically, I want any PNM who reads this to know this:

Even if you get your second choice, it is NOT the end of the world. Stick it out for a few weeks- if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. But you won’t know until you try.

I’m hesitant to reveal all the chapters on my campus, since there’s a small number. If you’d really like to know, PM me.

But I will reveal my affiliation (and the origin of my username!):

“Smile awhile, and as the years go by,

stronger grows our love for Alpha Chi!”

AXOrushadvisor · #6 07-08-2009, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smile_Awhile

Those first few weeks, I attended everything I could. I knew there was now way I could figure out if this was right for me if I didn’t try it.

The first meeting was awkward- I didn’t like that we “had” to wear letters on Monday and nice clothes on Thursday. This was a display of pride, which I hadn’t quite gotten yet. But I did- I figured it was important.

I figured out that three of my pledge class sisters were in one of my classes, and another initiated sister was in another class. I also met a few more during the callbacks for the theatre shows. As I got to know these girls, I realized that they were really great. I particularly loved the initiated girl I knew- we shared the same sense of humor.

It was great to find signs outside my door right before going to my first day of classes, and in the weeks afterward from initiated sisters. It made me smile so much. One sister invited me to another sister’s birthday party, and I got to know her better- she was really terrific.

At some point, I met this insane girl who was the same major as me. She was nuts (in a good way!), but I really clicked with her. This was a girl that I could call my sister, and I knew that. We grew to be great friends.

The final straw was the chapter retreat. I had started getting a bit homesick about a month into school (I don’t get to go home very often), and I was kind of mopey the day of our chapter retreat. I was talking to one of the girls I met during recruitment, and she was saying it happened to everyone and just really comforting me. That’s when it hit me- I was staying.

The insane girl became my big sister, and the initiated girl in my classes became my twin. Now, I couldn’t be more excited about my sorority. I’m SO glad that I stuck around. If I didn’t, I wouldn’t have the amazing sisters that I do have.

Our chapter is currently struggling- my recruitment was an example of that. However, we elected our new officers a month ago, and we (yes, I’m an officer now!) have a great president and executive board who will take our chapter up and above. I’m confident that we will turn it around during my time in my house.

There are days when I see Betty and Amanda (I rarely see Darcy these days) and I wish I could call them my sisters. And their group overall is wonderful. I do have my “What ifs” fairly often. But I’m confident in one thing- it worked out like it was supposed to.

Basically, I want any PNM who reads this to know this:

Even if you get your second choice, it is NOT the end of the world. Stick it out for a few weeks- if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. But you won’t know until you try.

I’m hesitant to reveal all the chapters on my campus, since there’s a small number. If you’d really like to know, PM me.

But I will reveal my affiliation (and the origin of my username!):

“Smile awhile, and as the years go by,

stronger grows our love for Alpha Chi!”

Great story

You'd be surprised how fast you can turn a Chapter around by making some not so big and big changes if your group is willing to make changes

Jill1228 · #7 01-18-2009, 04:43 AM

Congrats to you and Alpha Chi Omega

FSUZeta · #8 01-18-2009, 11:10 AM

i loved your story. thank you for sharing it with us!

lovespink88 · #9 01-18-2009, 12:02 PM

great story!!! thanks for sharing!

#10 01-18-2009, 01:17 PM

YAY! Your story is something that I think everyone rushing should take into consideration.

axoalum · #11 01-18-2009, 01:29 PM

Red carnations to you, my dear. I am so proud to call you my sister!

honeychile · #12 01-18-2009, 02:36 PM

So thrilled you stuck it out - great story!

AOII Angel · #13 01-18-2009, 06:48 PM

Loved your story, and obviously missed the "retro" part! I'm so glad that you stuck it out and realized that Alpha Chi Omega was a wonderful organization to join! Nothing worth while ever comes easy!

true_blue · #14 01-21-2009, 09:24 AM

Great story! I'm glad that you came to realize that Alpha Chi was your home.

Smile_Awhile · #15 02-01-2009, 03:34 PM

A quick update: My group is below chapter total by about 15 members. So, we decided to do a more formal COR this year. We had three parties, complete with a preference style party.

Our average spring intake for the past few years was about three girls. We were hoping to double that. My wish was to take 10 new girls. While slightly unrealistic, I thought that we had all invited a lot of girls.

Well, we have three BEAUTIFUL new members. I love each of them dearly, and while we were mildly successful, I was hoping for wildly successful. But I still can't wait to see everything "from the other side".

I'm already looking forward to fall recruitment. The other groups on our campus are really over total (we're talking by 30 girls!). My thinking is that we will reach chapter total during fall. We're only graduating about five girls, and while I'm not sure of the exact number of girls graduating from other houses, it's much larger than ours. I feel that this could really play to our advantage, and fulfill our wish of making it to total!