A Bedlam Recruitment

[AZTheta]

Congratulations to Debbie on AOII! I am blessed to have some amazing AOIIs as friends, including one of my former graduate students; I'm having lunch with another AOII and an AXiD on Saturday. I have to say this: seriously, they have a gorgeous badge with infinite variations that I envy (just ask AOIIAngel). I was fortunate to attend an open event at their convention in Tucson in 2011 and I was IMPRESSED with all the women (alumnae and collegiate) that I met. May Debbie find lifelong connections in the sisterhood.

Your story was gripping, and not only well-written, but engaging and honest. It's going into my "GC reference library" for the future PNMs and mothers who come here.

[Katmandu]

Originally Posted by AzTheta

seriously, they have a gorgeous badge with infinite variations that I envy (just ask AOIIAngel).

True words. The AOPi Badge provides some incredible opportunities for drool-worthy bling. The vintage badges are some of the most beautiful fraternal pins around. Check out the threads here.. maybe some kind GCer can link them for you. I am not very good on the search, but wowser, they are pretty.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Thanks for sharing your story!

As you said, the rejection can hurt way more than the actual place where she ended up.

[ForeverRoses]

What a great story. Love the idea of the recruitment guides taking away cell phones (then again I'm not a Mom of one of the women going through recruitment).

[irishpipes]

I love that this mom showed that a parent can be interested and caring without being smothering. In the end, she trusted that her daughter would use the tools she had been taught by her parents to get through the week, and whatever came next. Great combination of moral support, age-appropriate parental guidance, and restraint.

[Lovethesand]

Further proof Debbie is ok: received a request for money for possible dress shopping. Oh, the resiliency of youth.

[AOII Angel]

Just goes to show you how tough it is to recruit when you don't have everything the other chapters do. Not having a physical plant when everyone else does puts you at a disadvantage. My hat is off to my sisters at OSU for pulling off such a successful recruitment anyway. Once they begin to build real relationships without the constant competition from other chapters like you have during recruitment, the misgivings and hurt feelings should melt away and leave her with a group of women she liked from the beginning.

[aab225]

I'm a big Lilly Pulitzer fan. Maybe send her a little gift from the AOII collection to remind her that she's in a very strong chapter nationally and is going to be a part of something wonderful at OSU! The AOII print is ADORABLE! Who doesn't love pandas?!

[BabyPiNK_FL]

I LOL'd near the end because in Miami it's a very fun time time to go to South Beach (for the beach anyway). AOII is an AMAZING organization. Good job mom for navigating the recruitment waters.

[ComradesTrue]

Great thread that will no doubt be one of those stories bumped year after year. Thank you for such an excellent story, and congrats to Debbie on joining AOII.

[gee_ess]

Will you let us know which chapters were which?

[AXOmom]

Lovethesand,

Like you, I knew nothing about sororities when my daughter went through recruitment. I've learned almost everything on here and through a few (very few) sorority women I knew who were all very helpful to me.

My daughter went through two recruitments (one difficult and one pretty smooth), so I related totally to your experience.

I LOVED the story and thank you so much for sharing it!

[southbymidwest]

Fabulous story. So good in fact, when I wasn't laughing at your humor, my stomach was hurting reading about your anxious moments/hours. Debbie is a lucky girl to have a mom like you. I'll bet she'll do just swimmingly at Oklahoma State.

[UT Daughter]

Thank you for sharing. I was you one year ago. My daughter had many of the same experiences as Debbie and I was definitely you. Fast forward to this week and I just moved my daughter back for her second year at UT. She couldn't be happier. I know it was a bumpy road for the first month or so but now she can't imagine being anywhere else. She has a great group of friends and is so happy. Now, Instead of crying about recruitment, she barely has time to call because she is so involved with her chapter and her friends. I know Debbie will do great. Please keep us posted. You write so well. Thank you.

[aab225]

Lovethesand I want you to know that I read your posts today and felt so moved by them that I shared them with my mother. I know that in any situation in which I am filled with self-doubt, she is having the same kinds of interior monologues you described. It made me feel so overwhelmed with love for my mom. Thanks for that. I really enjoyed your writing and sincerely hope AOII is treating your daughter well!