GEORGETOWN AREA

PANHELLENIC ASSOCIATION

General Information on Recruitment

The Georgetown Area Panhellenic Association (GAPA) will help provide you with general sorority information and will notify Georgetown Area Alumnae groups of your intent to participate in membership recruitment.

Please complete and submit the GAPA Recruitment Application Form by July 1, 2014.

Register on-line at www.gtownpanhellenic.org.

If you miss this deadline or fail to register with GAPA, it does NOT mean that you will not be able to participate in recruitment. It does mean that you may have difficulty finding alumnae members who are home in the summer, available to write your reference, and get it to the school in time for their deadline. The GAPA deadline is the same whether your school has Fall or Spring recruitment. The sorority members use the summer time to get organized and ready for recruitment.

REGISTERING WITH GAPA DOES NOT REGISTER YOU WITH YOUR COLLEGE CAMPUS PANHELLENIC ASSOCIATION

To participate in Recruitment 2014-2015 you must ALSO register with your college or university’s Panhellenic Association.

Contact your Dean of Students for additional information or help with locating the Office of Greek Life.

Campus Panhellenic Association When you register with your campus Panhellenic Association (this is required), they will send you information about what you can expect during the recruitment process on their campus. Campus registration dates vary, so check their website or call to find out the deadline at your university. The information you will receive usually has dress guidelines and photo examples. Wear clothes that you feel good in, along with comfortable shoes. You will be standing and walking a lot.

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Recruitment In order to go through the recruitment process, you may need a reference (a form with your personal information that is requested by each sorority chapter on your campus) written by a sponsor (an alumna member). Each sponsor will obtain the reference form for her sorority. The recruitment process typically includes three or four events. These events are intended for you and the sorority membership to meet and for you to learn more about sorority life and their sorority in particular. Since recruitment is a mutual selection process and each sorority is unique, don’t prejudge one sorority by a stereotype given to you for the whole group. The period of recruitment varies, but usually lasts for several days. If you would like to join a sorority, it is best to go through the recruitment process your first year in college, since recruitment classes are limited in size, but many colleges have established a sophomore quota. Sorority Membership All sororities were created with the desire for friendship, leadership, achievement and philanthropy, in their pursuit of higher education. Among the many benefits, they offer you a home away from home, help make the university smaller by providing an easy way to connect with others, and give you an opportunity to develop leadership skills. This also provides a lifetime of friendship through alumnae associations throughout the country and abroad where you can make new friends as you move to different locations. Alumnae groups are among the most noted organizations that support community non-profit organizations. Sorority membership offers benefits for a lifetime which are too numerous to mention. Go to the Georgetown Area Panhellenic Association website and click on “The Sorority Life” to find out more about whether the Greek life is right for you. GPA Requirement Every sorority wishes to maintain a high chapter grade point average, therefore each must consider a woman's ability to adhere to its scholastic standards. There is hope that each student pledged will place importance upon the completion of her education and that she remains involved with the sorority for the full four years. Although some universities publish a GPA requirement of 2.5 for admittance, many sororities require a 3.0 to be considered for membership. Interest in Involvement Those who are group-oriented and who enjoy working with people are more likely to contribute to sorority operations and to benefit from membership. The potential member’s list of high school activities need not be long if there is an indication that she has truly participated in some, rather than being merely a "joiner" in many activities. It’s the quality of involvement over the number of activities that counts the most.

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Financial Responsibility Membership dues finance each sorority. Women participating in the membership recruitment process should be aware of the cost of sorority membership and be willing to accept this financial obligation. Cost of Membership Expenses for sorority membership include pledge fees, initiation fees, building fees, and dues. To secure accurate information regarding the expenses for sorority membership on your campus, go to their website and search for “Greek Life.” A list of Panhellenic links begins on page 8 of this guide. Review the material on the university website or contact the Panhellenic Council on the campus you are attending to find out specific costs for sorority membership at that particular campus. Fees will vary by sorority. This information changes from year to year. The Panhellenic office at each campus has the up-to-date information regarding these costs, and will be your most reliable source for this information. It’s a Mutual Decision National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) sororities are private, social organizations. These collegiate groups have the right to invite those recruits into their membership that they consider to be the best all-around fit for their organization. The privilege of choice is mutual for both the sorority and the recruit. It is best not to make up your mind about joining any sorority until you have met its active collegiate members. Remember that you are not joining a "name" but choosing a closely-knit group in which you expect to make lasting friendships in college and alumna life. Also, remember that individual sororities differ from campus to campus and there are girls in every sorority with whom you would develop lasting friendships. Enter recruitment with an open mind. Go to all of the first round parties you are invited to attend, and give each group a chance. At preferential signing at the end of the membership recruitment events, you are encouraged to list more than one sorority in order to maximize your chances for sorority membership. Please understand that when you receive your invitation for membership, it could be that your second or third choice is the one that has offered you membership.

Recruitment Process

BEGIN NOW

Make a list of all of the sororities at the universities you are considering. A list of some Texas colleges and some out-of-state schools with their Panhellenic link is provided in this guide. • GAPA has Key Women from every sorority that will write your reference letter. These women have been writing references for years and have association with the universities. For each sorority on your campus, you will need a reference and one or two letters of support, if required (see page 5). After registering with GAPA, the key woman will take

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care of your references, but you can contact area women to write a letter of support. The letter of support is just another way that chapters will know a little more about you. It is your responsibility to contact friends and neighbors that have Greek affiliation for letters of support. They will mail the letter of support directly to their chapters at the universities. If you have questions, contact Robin Gilleland. Additionally, a list of Key Women can be found on the website’s “Go Greek” tab.

Social Resume

• Prepare your social resume (a suggested format is included below). Present your scholastic and extra-curricular activities and honors in a clear and concise way. Be specific. Don’t assume they know what “PALS” stands for and what you did. • List your sorority legacy information. Each sorority has its own definition of a “legacy.” It is generally defined as a daughter or sister of an initiated member. Some sororities also recognize a granddaughter, stepdaughter or stepsister. Sororities try to extend every courtesy to legacies and try to get to know them, but sororities cannot guarantee them invitations or membership. At times, there are more legacies entering recruitment than a college chapter has membership openings. Legacies must meet the same qualification standards that non-legacies meet, but if you are a legacy to any sorority, you should list them on your resume.

Pictures

• The pictures are used so that the girls will recognize you when you arrive at the party, not to judge you. You will need to submit three digital photographs (1 or 2 full body and 2 headshots) with your application. Be sure these photos look like you. Do not include anyone else in your photo (pets, stuffed animals, costumes, friends). The photos do not have to be professional, but they should be good quality. The form will not allow you to attach photos larger than 2MB. Contact Holly Stevens (mailto:holly.stevens@suddenlink.net) if you need help reducing the size of your photos because they are larger than 2MB (2048 kb). Also, some sororities require hard copies of your photos. If this is the case, a Key Woman will contact with the information on mailing the photo(s) to her.

Transcript

• A copy of your school-issued transcript is all that you need for those groups requiring a transcript. You may upload your unofficial copy (unsealed) on the GAPA Recruitment Application.

Letters of Support • Letters of support are optional and in addition to the reference written by your GAPA Key Women. • They should be written by an alumna member who knows you personally and not just your parents. She needs to say personal things about you that would not necessarily be included on your reference form. Provide your social resume so that she can describe your achievements.

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• All information is sent in together via the Recruitment Application Form: photos, social resume copies, and high school transcript. • While “thank you” notes are always appreciated, GAPA and NPC discourage gifts of any size to your sponsor.

DO NOT put your social security number on any documents. Mark it out on transcripts.

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Social Networks • During the recruitment process, no sorority member will ever contact you through Facebook or Twitter and ask to be your friend.

• Most forms of social networking (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) are accessible to others, including sorority members. You should “clean up” your accounts NOW. Be mindful of your security settings, accepting friends, and sharing personal information and private photos online. This type of information will be accessible to sorority members during the entire recruitment process!

GAPA Registration Instructions

Complete the Recruitment Registration Form on the GAPA website www.gtownpanhellenic.org). Attach the following WHERE IT SAYS UPLOAD: Resume - see sample format below. Be specific. For example, don’t assume they know what “PALS” stands for and what you did in the organizations in which you participated. Digital photos- One or two full body and two headshots are recommended, files not to exceed 2 MB in size. Pictures should look like you. They want to recognize you. Do not send pictures with animals, letter jackets, cheerleading outfits, or prom/cotillion pictures. Don’t crop yourself from a group picture. It does not have to be a professional photograph. Transcript (remove any social security information). Unofficial (unsealed) copies may be uploaded to the website. IMPORTANT: You must sign up with your college Panhellenic in order to go through recruitment. They will require similar information which will be unique to each college campus. Check your college website to find out the exact requirements and deadlines. This is a separate process from filling out the GAPA Recruitment Application Form.

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Sample Social Resume Your Full Name Home Address

Home and Cell Phone Email Address

EDUCATION: Admitted to University of _____________ College of _______________ (Fall 2014) Attended _______________ High School, ______________, Texas (graduated May 2014) GPA: _______________ Highest Composite SAT (or ACT) Score: _________ Math: _____ Reading: _____ Writing: _____ HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITIES: For example, yearbook, school newspaper, clubs, sports, performing arts, choir. Be sure to list leadership positions and years involved. AWARDS AND HONORS: School awards, community awards (i.e. President’s Volunteer Service Award). COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES: Church and similar youth groups, mission trips, NCL and other community organizations, summer camps, etc. EMPLOYMENT: Names of employer(s), dates of employment, description of duties. HOBBIES & OTHER INTERESTS: PERSONAL INFORMATION: Parents: Names and occupation(s) Family Greek Affiliations: (if applicable) Mother: Sorority and school Sister(s): Name, sorority and school You may also list grandmothers, aunts, cousins, although those may not constitute legacy relationships.

IMPORTANT! Do NOT include your Social Security number on your resume.

Be sure to mark through your Social Security number on your transcript.

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Recruitment Tips

BE YOURSELF – This is not a cliché. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not to fit into a sorority. You want to be in a sorority that feels like home and that likes you for who you are. KEEP AN OPEN MIND – Do not have a preconceived idea of which groups you are interested in. Make decisions based on the members you will be meeting during the week, and fully consider all of your options throughout the process. MAKE YOUR OWN CHOICES – Base your decisions on your experiences, not on what you hear from friends or family. Choose groups with whom you feel most comfortable. YOU ARE A GUEST – Remember that you are a guest in each of the chapter houses and be polite and courteous to all of the active members you meet. HOW TO DRESS – Each school is different as to what to wear to each party, and your College Panhellenic will give you guidelines. Each day’s attire gets slightly more dressy. If you are wearing a dress, make sure you can comfortably sit on the floor in it. You may want to wear flip-flops for walking between the houses. Many colleges give you a gallon Ziploc in which to carry your personal items, so check with your college before you plan your wardrobe. Some girls find it helpful to carry oil blotting sheets for perspiration (recruitment in August will be very warm!). CARRY MINTS INSTEAD OF CHEWING GUM CONVERSATION – Think of some questions to ask, such as a member’s favorite activities, that sorority’s philanthropy, are there people in the chapter in your major or sport, etc. HAVE FUN- The recruitment process can be stressful, but is also a lot of fun.

REMEMBER – You must register with your College Panhellenic in order to go through Recruitment

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National Panhellenic Conference Sororities The National Panhellenic Conference and many of its NPC member sororities have their own websites.

National Panhellenic Conference www.npcwomen.org

National Panhellenic Conference Sororities Alpha Chi Omega http://www.alphachiomega.org Alpha Delta Pi http://www.alphadeltapi.org Alpha Epsilon Phi http://www.aephi.org Alpha Gamma Delta http://www.alphagammadelta.org Alpha Omicron Pi http://www.alphaomicronpi.org Alpha Phi http://www.alphaphi.org Alpha Sigma Alpha http://www.alphasigmaalpha.org Alpha Sigma Tau http://www.alphasigmatau.org Alpha Xi Delta http://www.alphaxidelta.org Chi Omega http://www.chiomega.com Delta Delta Delta http://www.tridelta.org Delta Gamma http://www.deltagamma.org Delta Phi Epsilon http://www.dphie.org Delta Zeta http://www.deltazeta.org Gamma Phi Beta http://www.gammaphibeta.org Kappa Alpha Theta http://www.kappaalphatheta.org Kappa Delta http://www.kappadelta.org Kappa Kappa Gamma http://www.kappa.org Phi Mu http://www.phimu.org Phi Sigma Sigma http://www.phisigmasigma.org Pi Beta Phi http://www.pibetaphi.org Sigma Delta Tau http://www.sigmadeltatau.com Sigma Kappa http://www.sigmakappa.org Sigma Sigma Sigma http:// www.sigmasigmasigma.org Theta Phi Alpha http://www.thetaphialpha.org Zeta Tau Alpha http://www.zetataualpha.org

National Panhellenic Conference Creed “We, as Fraternity Women, stand for service through the development

of individual fraternity and Panhellenic life. The opportunity for wide and human service, through mutual respect and helpfulness, is the

tenet by which we strive to live.”

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National Panhellenic Conference Sororities Texas Colleges and Universities

Panhellenic Links are included when available. ANGELO STATE UNIVERSITY

www.angelo.edu/org/greek_life/

Delta Zeta

Sigma Kappa

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

www.baylor.edu/studentactivities/gree

klife/

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Chi Omega

Delta Delta Delta

Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Delta

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Pi Beta Phi

Zeta Tau Alpha

HBU

www.hbu.edu/Students-

Alumni/Student-Information/Student-

Organizations/Greek

Alpha Chi Omega

Phi Mu

LAMAR UNIVERSITY

www.lamar.edu/student-life/clubs-

andorganizations.

html

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Zeta Tau Alpha

MIDWESTERN UNIVERSITY

students.mwsu.edu/development

/greeklife/

Alpha Phi

Chi Omega

Gamma Phi Beta

Sigma Kappa

SAINT MARY'S UNIVERSITY

www.stmarytx.edu/greek

Alpha Phi

Alpha Sigma Tau

Delta Zeta

Sigma Sigma Sigma

SAM HOUSTON STATE

www.shsu.edu/~org_npc/home.html

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Zeta Tau Alpha

Sigma Sigma Sigma

SMU

http://smu.edu/fsl/

Alpha Chi Omega

Chi Omega

Delta Delta Delta

Delta Gamma

Gamma Phi Beta

Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Pi Beta Phi

Sigma Lambda Gamma

SOUTHWESTERN

www.southwestern.edu/studentlife/org

s/greek.php

Alpha Delta Pi

Alpha Xi Delta

Delta Delta Delta

Zeta Tau Alpha

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN

www.sfasu.edu/studentaffairs/106.a

sp

Alpha Chi Omega

Chi Omega

Delta Delta Delta

Delta Zeta

Zeta Tau Alpha

TARLETON STATE UNIVERSITY

www.tarleton.edu/~greeklife

www.tarleton.edu/~Panhellenic

Alpha Gamma Delta

Delta Zeta

Phi Mu

TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

http://greeklife.tamu.edu

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Chi Omega

Gamma Phi Beta

Delta Delta Delta

Delta Gamma

Delta Zeta

Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Delta

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Pi Beta Phi

Zeta Tau Alpha

TEXAS A&M – COMMERCE

www.tamuc.edu/studentLife/stud

entCenter/greekLife/default.aspx

Alpha Kappa Alpha

Delta Sigma Theta

Zeta Phi Beta

TEXAS A&M - CORPUS CHRISTI

http://falcon.tamucc.edu/~studact/

greeklife/pc.htm

Alpha Gamma Delta

Delta Delta Delta

Gamma Phi Beta

TEXAS CHRISTIAN UNIVERSITY

www.greeks.tcu.edu/

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Chi Omega

Delta Delta Delta

Delta Gamma

Gamma Phi Beta

Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Pi Beta Phi

Sigma Kappa

Zeta Tau Alpha

TEXAS STATE UNIVERSITY

txstate.theginsystem.com

Alpha Delta Pi

Alpha Xi Delta

Chi Omega

Delta Gamma

Delta Zeta

Zeta Tau Alpha

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TEXAS TECH UNIVERSITY

www.orgs.ttu.edu/gogreek

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Alpha Phi

Chi Omega

Delta Delta Delta

Delta Gamma

Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Delta

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Pi Beta Phi

Zeta Tau Alpha

TEXAS WESLEYAN UNIVERSITY

txwes.edu/life/clubAndOrganization.aspx

#Greek

Alpha Xi Delta

Gamma Phi Beta

TEXAS WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY

www.twu.edu/greek-life/

Alpha Gamma Delta

Alpha Omicron Pi

Sigma Sigma Sigma

UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON

www.uh.edu/Panhellenic

Alpha Chi Omega

Chi Omega

Delta Gamma

Delta Zeta

Phi Mu

Zeta Tau Alpha

UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS

greeklife.unt.edu

Alpha Delta Pi

Alpha Phi

Chi Omega

Kappa Delta

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Pi Beta Phi

Zeta Tau Alpha

UT- AUSTIN

www.texasgreeks.com

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Alpha Epsilon Phi

Alpha Phi

Alpha Xi Delta

Chi Omega

Delta Delta Delta

Delta Gamma

Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Delta

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Pi Beta Phi

Sigma Delta Tau

Zeta Tau Alpha

UT – DALLAS

www.utdallas.edu/gogreek

Alpha Gamma Delta

Kappa Alpha Theta

Delta Delta Delta

UT – ARLINGTON

www.uta.edu/greek/

Alpha Chi Omega

Delta Delta Delta

Delta Zeta

Zeta Tau Alpha

UT - EL PASO

sa.utep.edu/greeklife/

Alpha Xi Delta

Zeta Tau Alpha

UT - PAN AMERICAN

portal.utpa.edu/utpa_main/dsa_home/dos

_home/osd_home_new/osd_get_involved/

osd_greek_life

Delta Zeta

UT - SAN ANTONIO

utsa.edu/sa/greeklife/index.html

Alpha Omicron Pi

Alpha Sigma Alpha

Gamma Phi Beta

Phi Mu

Sigma Kappa

Zeta Tau Alpha

UT - TYLER

www.uttyler.edu/greeklife

Alpha Chi Omega

Delta Gamma

Gamma Phi Beta

WEST TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY

wtpanhellenic.com/

Chi Omega

Delta Zeta

Zeta Tau Alpha

Out-of-State University Panhellenic Links

ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY http://www.asu.edu/studentaffairs/mu/greeklife/ AUBURN UNIVERSITY www.auburn.edu/greek COLORADO COLLEGE http://www.coloradocollege.edu/campusactivities/greeklife.htm COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY http://www.csugreeks.com/

DUKE UNIVERSITY http://www.studentaffairs.duke.edu/greek/programs-services/panhel LOUISIANA STATE UNIVERSITY http://appl003.lsu.edu/slas/greekaffairs2.nsf/index RHODES COLLEGE http://www.rhodes.edu/campuslife/676.asp OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY http://www.okstatePanhellenic.com/

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UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA http://bama.ua.edu/~greeklif/SororityRecruitment.html UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA http://arizonagreek.orgsync.com/ UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS http://uagreeks.uark.edu/3223.php UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA http://www.ou.edu/content/studentlife/get_involved/fssl/Panhellenic.html

UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA http://www.virginia.edu/fsl/isc.html VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY http://www.vanderbilt.edu/greek_life/sororities.html WAKE FOREST UNIVERSITY http://wakeforest.orgsync.com/org/wfugreek WASHINGTON & LEE UNIVERSITY http://Panhellenic.wlu.edu/

NPC PARENT INFORMATION

HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ON THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS?

A wealth of information is available on the National Panhellenic Conference’s website located at www.npcwomen.org. On the Sorority Parent Information page, you will find answers to the most common questions parents or guardians might have.

HOW DOES MY DAUGHTER REGISTER

FOR THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS? Georgetown Area Panhellenic Association (GAPA) requires that all registrations for participation in the recruitment process be completed ONLINE. Login to the GAPA website at http://www.gtownpanhellenic.org and register as soon as possible. Registrations should be updated if any of your daughter’s information changes. The deadline for GAPA registration is July 1, 2014. Key Women will contact you if additional hard-copy photos are required. Your daughter must ALSO register with her college or university’s Panhellenic Association. Completing the GAPA Recruitment Application DOES NOT register your daughter with her campus Panhellenic organization. She will NOT be allowed to participate in Recruitment if she is not registered with her campus organization. The University/College’s website she is attending should have a Greek Life or similar link that will explain their process for registering.

THE IMPACT OF SORORITY LIFE During college, an NPC sorority offers your daughter personal and professional support within a smaller group of friends in the larger university environment. With this support, her individual personal and leadership development is fostered through attending seminars, as well as holding officer and committee positions within the chapter. Membership in an NPC sorority enhances your daughter’s academic achievement by providing several forms of support to assist her, from study resources to quiet study areas. She also is encouraged to participate in community service through philanthropic activities, setting a pattern of lifetime service to others. After her undergraduate years are completed, she will have developed lifelong friendships, as well as continued personal and professional support through alumnae activities and networking programs.

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For more information, contact Robin Gilleland: robingilleland@gmail.com or

complete the Contact Us form on the GAPA website: www.gtownpanhellenic.org