Recs?

S_A_I · #1 08-16-2002, 05:42 PM

So, I have been trying ALL summer to get recs. I've asked around at church, work . . . . I have found a girl who used to go to my church and who went to the same school as me was in a chapter that is no longer at my school, so she wouldn't be able to write me a rec. FINALLY, today, I asked a woman at work who said SHE was not in a sorority BUT a really good friend of hers at work was in one. She told me to give her my information and she'd talk to the woman at church. My questions are: Is it too late to get a rec letter? (Rush officially starts on Sept. 3) and What should I give the alum? Should I give her a resume and picture? And one more question

: This is for people from a smaller greek system. The school I'm rushing at has a pretty small greek system (4 nationals and 1 local). That, to me, is small since I come from UTK which has like 14 nationals.

Do I really need to worry about getting rec letters since the system is so small? I know at UTK, from what I heard, bids were rarely extended to juniors so you pretty much had to have a rec letter to not be cut 1st round. Any and all suggestions are appreciated!

Thank you in advance!!

edited to add . . .
I know that it is not the PNM's responsibility to get a rec letter; It's the chapter's, correct? But, to my knowledge, there are no alumni associations in this area. Also, I like to do everything I can do beforehand so I feel a little bit better!

DeltaBetaAGD · #2 08-16-2002, 05:45 PM

Certainly not too late to get a rec! I belive it is a plus if you can get one but that is a hard task sometimes. Do not feel like you have to have one but if you can secure one - go for it!

AOIIalum · #3 08-16-2002, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DeltaBetaAGD
Certainly not too late to get a rec! I belive it is a plus if you can get one but that is a hard task sometimes. Do not feel like you have to have one but if you can secure one - go for it!

I wholeheartedly agree with this advice. If you can get a rec, do so. Offer to drop off your resume and picture if she would like. Also, ask if there is any other information you can furnish to make things easier on her.

I can't remember if you've shared (or if you want to quite yet!) but if so, where are you rushing?

No matter what, have lots of fun and enjoy recruitment! Please keep us posted with your story

Christin

Silverblue · #4 08-16-2002, 09:24 PM

I rushed as a junior at UT and got a bid to my first choice, and I didn't have any recs, so it is possible. I didn't know anything about recs -- there was no GC in 1987!

Every chapter at UT has alumnae clubs, but there is no alumnae panhellenic group in Knoxville. You could call the Panhellenic Building and ask to be put in touch with each chapter's alumnae contacts.

Good luck. Relax and enjoy rush. Think of it as a week of parties just for you.

S_A_I · #5 08-16-2002, 09:24 PM

Thank you all for the encouragement! I will be rushing at East Tennessee State University. There are 4 nationals, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Xi Delta, Kappa Delta, and Sigma Kappa, and 1 local, Phi Sigma Beta. We have an information meeting on August 24 and rush officially starts on September 3. I will definitely go after those recs, now!

I still have a few weeks, but I'll keep you guys posted.

edited to add . . .
I went to UT for the past 2 years but will be transferring to ETSU this year. I'll still always be a Vol through-and-through, though! In fact, I'm planning on visiting next Saturday!

Silverblue · #6 08-16-2002, 09:27 PM

Jessica, I thought you were rushing at UTK. Most of my advice still stands, though. Just call ETSU's panhellenic instead. And be sure to let us follow your rush story!

violets · #7 08-17-2002, 11:52 PM

S_A_I,
Congratulations on your decision to go through recruitment...it's an exciting process! Good luck!
You can also look at the NPC website; npcwomen.org and find the Alumnae representative for your State if there's no Alumnae Panhellenic in your city. You can write her an e-mail and go from there. I believe that Recs are extremely helpful to the sororities so your instinct to gather them is a good one. As for the September 3rd deadline, don't worry about it...you still have time.
Best wishes,
violets

P.S. Let us know how it all goes for you!

xo_sue · #8 08-18-2002, 12:35 AM

Don't worry about recs- you'll be just fine!

It is totally not your job or responsibility to get a rec. At least that is how it is with us. Gosh, you have enough to worry about- moving into a dorm, first year away from home, buying books and
you think we want to also contact some 80 year old that lives two towns away from you -write her a letter, introduce yourself, and hope to god she follows thru and writes you a rec???? No way!

I will let you in on a little information- .... they (the sororities) will do the work and get your rec- trust me. I do all the recs for my state and if any girl from Connecticut goes thru rush- I take care of her like she is my own daughter (no matter what sorority she wants) and I'm sure every state has one!

You concentrate on being yourself, having fun, study, etc.... and if you feel like you need a rec- you still have tons of time - we (greekchat) are here to help you!

Silverblue · #9 08-18-2002, 03:54 PM

With the advent of the Internet and fax machines, you can get a rec in the morning and have it in the chapter's hands by the time it votes that night. So, like Violets said, don't worry about the Sept. 3 deadline. And as xo-sue said, if a chapter is really interested in you, it will do the work and get the rec.

S_A_I · #10 08-18-2002, 05:10 PM

Thank you all! I have one more question (as of now!): Three of my SAI sisters at UTK are in AZD. Is it okay for actives to write rec letters? I don't want to ask them right now about it because they are in the middle of rush . . er, recruitment, at UT. Also, I know another active in SK. We don't have a ZTA chapter at ETSU, so I can't ask my old roomie.

Is it okay for actives to write recs or does it depend on the org? Thank you all again - you've been of great help! I love the encouragement!

Silverblue · #11 08-18-2002, 05:12 PM

Only alumnae can write recs. However, do mention during rush that you have friends in that org's chapter at UTK. That will help them remember you.