Welcome!2013 Hidalgo County Panhellenic Council

Sorority Recruitment Forum

Introductions & Handouts

What is Panhellenic?

The National Panhellenic Council is the umbrella organization for 26 inter/national sororities

providing support and guidance.

Founded in 1902, NPC is one of the oldest and largest women’s membership organizations

representing more than 4 million women at 655 college/university campuses and 4,500 local alumnae chapters in the U.S. and Canada.

Everything you wanted to know about College Sororities

and the Recruitment process…

But were afraid to

ask!!

Why Join?Motivation to Excel

Wide Range of ActivitiesSafe & Fun Social Experience

A Home away from HomeCommunity Involvement

How does Sorority membership develop

leadership?Encouraging loyaltyProviding training

Teaching managementEmphasizing scholarship

Promoting standardsPracticing citizenship

Showing concern for others

How do Sororities choose new members?

Recruitment is how sororities choose their new members. It used to be known as RUSH!

Recruitment is typically held in the Fall before school begins or during the first few days.

Some schools delay recruitment to the Spring semester.

What are Sororities looking for?• Scholastic Ability

• Compatibility

• Interest in Involvement

• Financial Responsibility

Is it for me?Do you enjoy volunteering?

Are your academics important to you?

Do you enjoy meeting new people?

Do you want to grow as a person?

Do you enjoy athletics?

Do you like to organize and run events?

But… I’m shy!!!!

Recruitment can be intimidating… but remember that the sororities are just as anxious to find wonderful, new

sisters as you are to find a group to call home!

Be yourself! Smile!Be interested in others and ask questions!

What if I am a Legacy?

A LEGACY is typically a daughter or sister of an initiated member of a Sorority. Often, a

granddaughter is considered a legacy. Legacies are extended special courtesy but

are not guaranteed membership.

What is Recruitment?Formal Recruitment typically occurs the week before classes begin each fall semester. You will attend events at each of the Panhellenic chapter houses. By a process of mutual selection, both chapters and potential new members will narrow their choices. While you might not get your top choice, all chapters have something to offer and potential new members are strongly encouraged to keep an open mind.

A majority of women obtain membership through this process; however qualifying chapters may also have opportunities to join outside of this time period and throughout the year in a process called Informal Recruitment

Are there rules to Recruitment?

Yes!

Recruitment rules:Governed by each college Panhellenic group

Can be found on the website of thecollege Panhellenic group

YOU are responsible for knowingand abiding by the rules!

There ARE penalties INCLUDINGbecoming INELIGIBLE FOR MEMBERSHIP!

What is Recruitment/Rush like?

Recruitment is exciting, exhausting, fun and stressful!Staying well rested and as relaxed and natural as

possible will make a big difference!

How does Recruitment start?The first event is usually a Opening Convocation of all the

potential members. You will be divided into groups to attend your first round and given a recruitment guide often called a Rho Gamma. You will be told the procedures, given

advice and often given a t-shirt to wear to the first event.

This is a time of making lots of new friends and often results in lasting friendships with women who become members of

other sororities.

Opening Convocation at the

University of Texas

What are Rho Gammas?Rho Gammas are your guide during the entire process

of recruitment and are a wealth of information! A Rho Gamma is a sorority woman who was carefully chosen for her enthusiasm for sorority life. They have been especially trained in order to be an unbiased guide for YOU- the potential new member! They can answer any questions you may have. She has been through recruitment as a potential new member and a sister, so she understands exactly what you are experiencing as you go through the process. She will lead you to your parties, give you information about each organization and be there if you need a listening ear as you make your choices throughout the week. Her goal is to make your recruitment process as fun and stress-free as possible.

What happens next?

The recruitment process includes a number of Rounds, and each round includes a number of Events. Rounds are identified by the theme of the round, i.e. philanthropy, and by the number of events for the round, i.e. six-event round. Each chapter you visit during a round is an event. After each day of recruitment, you will meet with your recruitment counselor (Rho Gamma) to decide how you liked the chapters. You will narrow down the list of chapters you are interested in at the end of each day. Each round of recruitment has fewer events, and with each round, individual events get longer. For example, at the first round, you may have 45 minutes at each chapter, and during philanthropy round, you may have an hour. The final round of recruitment is preference. This is the longest time period you have with the chapters going into your final selections.

Confused?

Round OneThis is when EVERY prospective member attends EVERY sorority for an Open House. For example: If there are 12 sororities you will attend 12 EVENTS. Dress is typically very casual – often a t-shirt that is given to you and cute shorts.

Round TwoYou will have narrowed down your choices to the sororities that you preferred AND who

also preferred you. This round is often a Philanthropy Round

where you will get to know the philanthropy the sorority

supports and the activities they are involved in.

Round ThreeRound Three: Often called Skit Night, this is a fun, entertaining event where you get to really get to know the personalities of the members. You will have narrowed your list down again as will the sororities.

Round FourRound Four:

Usually called Preference Night. Typically no more

than two events, very formal and very heartfelt. At the end of this evening

you will put these sororities in order of

preference.

Bid Day!Bid Day is the final day of the recruitment process! There are several scenarios that can take place on Bid Day: 1. You receive a bid from your top choice chapter

2. You receive a bid from your second (or third) choice.

3. You do not receive a bid.

4. You receive a phone call offering you a snap bid.

How do I get started?

You ALREADY have!! Coming to our forum today lets us know you are interested!

What are the steps?1. Register with your local Panhellenic chapter (us!) - in this

way we can ensure you have the best rush possible. We will send recommendation letters and let our individual sororities know of your merits.

2. Register with the Panhellenic Chapter at your school – This is how you sign up for recruitment at that campus. There is a strict deadline and a fee.

3. Show up for Recruitment! You will find the exact dates, schedule and details on the Panhellenic website of your school. This will include suggestions on what to wear!

How do I register withHidalgo County

Panhellenic?1. Complete the questionnaire in the handout – neatly! Make a copy for each sorority

at your college that has a representative listed in the handout on page 17.

2. Include a photograph or two (preferably), one close up and one full body shot. Put your name and the school you are attending on the back and put them in a zip lock baggie stapled to each questionnaire.

3. Obtain certified copies of your high school transcript for each packet. Do NOT wait for graduation!

4. Complete a resume or list of activities, honors, awards and leadership roles.

5. Place the questionnaire, photos, transcripts and resume in a large manila envelope.

6. Mail or deliver to each sorority representative NO LATER THAN MAY 15TH!

What is a Rec? Reference and recommendation letters are written by sorority alumnae to introduce a potential new member to the chapter and provide information about the potential new member's activities and interests. You may choose to have reference or recommendation letters sent on your behalf to each sorority chapter. We highly encourage all potential new members to participate in this process.

How do I get a Rec?You may seek out and request that a sorority alumna write letters on your behalf – This option is completely acceptable and in some cases may allow you more control over the process. Many potential new members have been successful using their network in their town or city and while you may not have alumnae for every chapter in your area, do your best and realize that any information the chapter might gather about you in advance will help you stand out. You should initiate the request, however, the alumna writing the reference is solely responsible for obtaining the appropriate form from her national organization, completing the form and mailing it to the correct destination. You should not be involved in that process. Giving your reference a copy of your resume, questionnaire and photos will help them in writing their letter.

How do I register with the Panhellenic at my

college?• Go online to the Panhellenic Council at the

college you plan to attend. Registration is usually done online via their website.

• On the website you will find a wealth of information including the deadlines, fee, application, what to wear, what to expect and MUCH, MUCH MORE!!

How do I find the Panhellenic information

at my college?

Look it up at TheSororityLife.comThere is a chapter locator under the College Prep tab with the

Panhellenic website AND each sorority’s national website! EASY!!

How do I find out more about a particular

sorority?All Panhellenic Sororities

have websites with a wealth of information.

College chapters often have their own websites as well. Search using the complete Greek name of the sorority

and/or access them through the Panhellenic website for the college.

Where can I get more information?

• TheSororityLife.com

• SororityEverAfter.com

• CollegeFashion.net

• SororityRGV.org

I can’t remember all this!!!

Relax!You don’t have to.

It’s all in the handout and website.SororityRGV.org