McNeese Panhellenic Recruitment Guidebook 2024 : Panhellenic State of Mind

Facebook: @Mcneese Panhellenic

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Welcome To

Our Mission Statement:

Individually, we are strong, intelligent, independent women with unlimited potential. But by joining a network of other strong supportive women, we strive to enhance our abilities and exceed all expectations. Together we are Panhellenic Women. Together we grow to be powerful women who work to be the best we can be, for not only ourselves but for our college community. Together our sorority experiences enlighten us to the importance of deep friendship, supporting one another, and building the full confidence of our sisters. Together we reach our full potential. Together we are Mcneese Panhellenic. Together we grow.

Welcome To

On behalf of McNeese Panhellenic Council, we would like to congratulate you on your decision to attend McNeese State University! We are excited to welcome you to our campus ans to our outstanding Greek Community. When you join a sorority, you join one of the largest student organizations - Greek Life. Although each sorority is unique, we all come together to support each other. As Greek women at McNeese, we pride ourselves on our success in balancing campus involvement, community service, sisterhood and most importantly, scholarship. For several years, sorority involvement has served to shaped well-respected, acheived women around the world. Participating in Recruitment will allow you a head start to a positive beginning here at McNeese. We invite you to take a close look at the sororities that compromise our Panhellenic Formal Recruitment, allowing you the opportunity to learn about each sorority and what it is like to be part of our Greek community. We encourage you to keep an open mind throughout the recruitment process, as all chapters have so much to offer. Membership in a Panhellenic sorority can open doors to many great opportunities and experiences as a McNeese student. Women involved in the Greek community excel in academics and hold many leadership positions on and off campus. we strongly recommend that you get involved and take advantage of these wonderful opportunities. Thank you for your interest in the Panhellenic Council of McNeese. If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to us.

COREVALUES

The four councils at McNeese strive to promote the Five Core Values of our Greek Community:

Strength & Learning Service for Others

Community & Engagement

Leadership & Personal Development

Respect & Dignity for One Another

T h e v a l u e s o f

PANHELLENIC

Scholarship

Greek organizations were founded on the principle of exceptional scholarship. Our council and chapters provide academic mentoring, tutoring services, and information on free campus resources to members

Service

Sorority members recognize the need for service in their communities. All of our organizations provide assistance to their individual philanthropic organizations, as well as Panhellenic's official philanthropy, Circle of Sisterhood.

Leadership

Greek Life is a direct springboard into campus engagement. Panhellenic membership provides multiple leadership development opportunities to help members grow as leaders during and after the collegiate experience.

Sisterhood

Joining a Panhellenic organization means having over 3,000 women on your team. Sororities offer new friends, livelong bonds, and individual experiences that will last long after your collegiate years are over.

EXECUTIVE BOARD

MCNEESE PANHELLENIC

PRESIDENT

Hannah Buxton

VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION

VICE PRESIDENT OF RECRUITMENT

DIRECTOR OF RECRUITMENT COUNSELORS

Gracie Myers

Mia Billiot

DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS

Jade Bel

PUBLIC RELATIONS

ASSISTANT

Peyton Sittig

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

DIRECTOR OF EVENTS

Jaidyn Poole

Hannah Duhon

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

Hi beautiful! My name is Hannah Buxton and I am this year’s Panhellenic President My job is to ensure that you have the best time during recruitment and end up in the house you get to call your forever home This time is never easy, emotions will run high and you’ll feel torn at times. My advice to you is to go into each house with an open mind and heart and let the process take you exactly where you need to be. These three beautiful sororities are full of girls with all kinds of personalities, so I am sure that you will feel comfortable no matter where you end up. Trust in this process and allow it to guide you to the house that makes you feel like a queen each and every time you walk through its doors. Recruitment is for you, and I promise the girls rushing you are just as nervous as you are So make sure to just relax, take a breath, and go into each house eager to learn its rich history and the girls within it The next four years are some of the best times of college, whether it's studying for finals, going to weekly chapter meetings, attending formals and semis, or participating in amazing philanthropy events, you’ll always have something going on with your sisters so embrace that! As someone who graduates at the end of the year, I wish I could go back and do it all over again Meeting your forever friends, your big, and your little is a feeling that can’t be replaced, and I know this process will help you achieve those things If you’re lost, fresh out of high school and don’t know anyone here at McNeese, this is the place for you.

If you have a ton of friends at McNeese and want to grow as a woman in leadership, this is the place for you If you have never stepped out of your comfort zone, this is the place for you So, I encourage you to make the most of your recruitment week Go into the houses ready to show off your personality and who you truly are at heart, I promise it will pay off in the end. If you need anything at all during recruitment week whether it be a shoulder to cry on or a smiling face to cheer you on, I am here for you, I support you and I hope to make this week a memorable one for you Hope you’re ready to run home lovely, we can’t wait to meet you!

Hannah Buxton

RECRUITMENT COUNSELORS

MCNEESE PANHELLENIC

B A I L E Y S H A F E R &

Eligibility

a. A woman is eligible to participate in recruitment if she is enrolled as a full-time (12+ credit hours) student at McNeese State University.

b. A woman is ineligible for membership recruitment if she has signed a MRABA since the last Primary Recruitment Perioded ended (COB MRABA) or has previously been initiated into a NPC sorority.

c. Interested woman must register for recruitment and pay the applicable recruitment fee prior to the registration deadline. If a PNM has issues with the recruitment fee, she can contact the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life for Information.

i. No refunds for the registration will be given after July 1st.

PNM Responsibility

a. Letters of recommendations are not required to participate in Primary Panhellenic Recruitment.

i. Letters of recommendation are not a requirement for participation in sorority recruitment. Each NPC member organization has its own policies regarding recommendations.

1. Requiring PNMs to have references constitutes undue pressure. It further implies obtaining references not only is the PNM’s responsibility, but also her participation in membership recruitment depends on her ability to obtain references.

2. It is encouraged that should a PNM seek a recommendation; it comes from someone who is well acquainted with her and her strengths.

Alumnae Panhellenic Associations can offer to support and help educate PNMs to first contact those Panhellenic alumnae to whom she is related or knows personally, such as close family friends and neighbors. These are the best sources for positive recommendations.

a. Should a PNM be in need of a point of contact for a recommendation, NPC provides contact information for each of the 26 member organizations on The Sorority Life website (thesororitylife.com/Recruitment-101/recommendations.aspx).

ii. The responsibility for providing letters of recommendation for potential new members rests with the members of NPC sororities, and recruitment information distributed through College and Alumnae Panhellenic Association’s shall contain nothing that infers that letters of recommendation must be secured by the potential new member.

1. Individual NPC member organizations will clarify this responsibility with their membership.

2. Remuneration from the potential new member or her family for any such letter is inappropriate.

b. A PNM must contact either her Recruitment Counselor, the Director of Recruitment Counselors, Panhellenic President, or the CPH Advisor if she desires to withdraw from recruitment. She will be asked to complete an exit survey.

c. A PNM shall complete her online orientation, attend Orientation and all recruitment events to which she has received invitations. In the event of illness, she should notify CPH or her recruitment counselor if she cannot attend. If a woman cannot attend recruitment events because of class, work, or other excuse, it is up to individual chapters to determine whether or not to invite her back.

i. CPH will make every effort to schedule a PNMs recruitment parties around her schedule conflicts.

d. PNMs must wear the provided name tag throughout the duration of each recruitment round.

e. PNMs shall not have conversation or contact (verbal, written, typed, or printed) with sororities (including active, new, and alumnae members) outside of recruitment rounds.

i. Strict silence is enforced from the end of the last Primary Panhellenic Recruitment event, preference round unless it is known the PNM is unable to attend preference round, until bid distribution. (See Primary Panhellenic Recruitment Rule 18. Contact with PNMs Item c. Strict Silence Period for explanation of Strict Silence).

f. A woman shall provide her own transportation or use transportation provided by Panhellenic to and from membership recruitment events.

g. If a PNM is found to be not following Panhellenic Code of Ethics, especially bad mouthing any house, she will be removed from Panhellenic Recruitment. Gamma Chis are responsible for following the chain of command when reporting such.

PNM Selection Process

a. CPH promotes a mutual selection process by which PNMs indicate their preferred chapters and chapters indicate their preferred PNMs.

b. PNMs indicate their preferred chapters at the end of each recruitment round.

i. It is possible that a PNM is scheduled to attend a chapter she regretted.

ii. PNMs must attend all parties she is invited back to. If a PNM decided to not attend all invited parties, she will be withdrawn from recruitment.

c. Attendance at each subsequent round is based on how PNMs and chapters "mutually selected" each other. If a PNM is not scheduled to return to a chapter she has preferred, it is because that chapter did not list her for the next round

Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement MRABA

a. McNeese State University Panhellenic Association will uphold and use the National Panhellenic Conference MRABA for each PNM interested in joining a women’s sorority during Primary Panhellenic Recruitment.

i. All NPC chapters agree to all policies and steps pertaining to the MRABA.

b. PNMs must sign a MRABA at the conclusion of preference round in order to join a sorority through the Primary Panhellenic Recruitment process.

i. PNMs may choose not to complete a MRABA.

ii. PNMs that withdraw from Primary Panhellenic Recruitment or do not sign a MRABA are eligible for snap bidding and recruitment through COB.

c. PNMs who indicate an intentional single preference and do not receive a bid are eligible for snap bidding and COB, but they are not eligible for quota additions.

d. By signing a MRABA, a PNM is bound to the bid she receives and is considered ineligible to accept a bid from any other NPC sorority on the same campus until the next primary recruitment period.

i. A PNM may be re-pledged by the same NPC sorority at any time within that calendar year.

The PNM Bill of Rights states, PNMs have the right to:

a. Be treated as an individual.

b. Be fully informed about the recruitment process.

c. Be treated with respect.

d. Be treated as a capable and mature person without being patronized.

e. Be fully informed about the binding agreements implicit in the membership acceptance signing.

f. Ask questions and receive true and objective answers from recruitment counselors and members.

g. Ask how and why and receive straight answers.

h. Have and express opinions to recruitment counselors.

i. Have inviolable confidentiality when sharing information with recruitment counselors.

j. Have a positive, safe, and enriching recruitment and new member experience.

k. Make informed choices without undue pressure from others.

l. Make one’s own choice and decision and accept full responsibility for the results of that decision

MRABA stands for Membership Recruitment Acceptance Binding Agreement. It's the document you sign to make your final selections during recruitment. The MRABA is broken into six sections, all of which someone will go over with you before you submit your final selections or preferences.

I am willing to accept an invitation to membership from any sorority or women’s fraternity that I list on this agreement.

Only list the chapter that our are willing to join or accept a bid for membership from.

I may limit my choices to just one OR list any sorority or women's fraternity whose preference-round (last) event I attend and which I am willing to accept membership. I realize that by not listing the max number of events I attend, I may be limited to my potential to join any other NPC group during formal recruitment should I be placed with my choice(s).

You can rank those chapters whose events you attend (if you went to A & B, C is not an option). You don't have to rank all the chapters you attend, but we encourage you to maximize or list all the options available to you, as it gives you a better chance of being matched to a group.

Once I submit this agreement to McNeese Panhellenic Association, I cannot change the order of my preference or add or delete a preference. Know what you want! After submitting preferences, you can't go back!

If I do not receive an invitation to membership from a group that I have listed, I am eligible for continuous open biding.

If you don't get a bid from a group that you list, you can join a chapter through continuous open biding (COB), or informal recruitment. This is only available to groups that have open spots in their chapter. Also know that not every chapter does COB.

I have the option of not submitting an agreement at this time.

You don't have to sign and submit a MRABA card right now. If you go through the final round of recruitment and decide a sorority isn't for you, at least you know for sure.

Once I submit this agreement, I am bound by the National Panhellenic Conference one-calendar year rule. This states that if I receive an invitation to membership from a group that I have listed then don't accept it, I am not eligible to be pledged to any other NPC member sorority on McNeese's campus for one calendar year from the time of signing.

If you receive a bid from a group you have listed and later decide not to pledge or choose to break your pledge, you cant join another NPC group on your campus for one year.

M c N e e s e P a n h e l l e n i c

MEET THE CHAPTERS

Alpha Delta Pi

Chi Omega

Phi Mu

Foun 1851

Chapter Name: Delta Eta

Symbol: Diamond

Flower: Woodland Violet

Colors: Azure Blue & White

Philanthropy: Ronald McDonald House

Founded: April 5, 1895

Chapter Name: Phi Zeta

Symbol: Skull and Crossbones

Flower: White Carnation

Colors: Cardinal and Straw

Philanthropy: Make-A-Wish Foundation

Founded: March 4, 1852

Chapter Name: Alpha Upsilon

Symbol: Quatrefoil

Flower: Rose Carnation

Colors: Rose and White

Philanthropy: Children’s Miracle Network Hospital

Recruitment Recruitment Registration Registration

May 1 Registration opens

June 30 Early Registration closes

August 20 Registration closes

Tips & Advice

Have an updated resume, transcript, and test scores ready to plug into our online registration. Save a high-quality photo of yourself. Aim for the photo to be of highquality so the chapters can clearly see you! Don't be humble. This is the time to brag about yourself and the wonderful things you have done!

Most Importantly

The chapters are excited to get to know YOU for YOU. Don't be nervous to talk about your values and what makes you passionate. BE CONFIDENT!

August 18th, 2024

Stokes Auditorium 11:30 AM

At this time, you will receive the detailed schedule for the upcoming week and your t-shirt for Round One. Orientation will provide an opportunity to learn even more about the recruitment process. You will also meet your Gamma Chis, who will be your guide throughout the recruitment process.

*You will not visit the chapters this day, so come casual*

We are so excited to finally meet you!!

August 20th, 2024 & August 21st, 2024

Lake Charles Event Center 4:00 PM

Values Round is your opportunity to attend each sorority and find out what they value most (i.e. sisterhood, academics, service, etc.). Each chapter will also provide you with financial information sheet.

*On this day you will wear the shirt given to you at orientation We suggest pairing it with casual bottoms and comfortable sandals/shoes*

August 22nd, 2024

3:00 PM

Lake Charles Event Center

During Philanthropy night, each sorority showcases their philanthropy. Each chapter will have an activity/slideshow/guest speaker that relates to their philanthropy.

*We suggest wearing a nice sundress, nice top with a skirt or nice shorts, and comfortable sandals/low heels*

August 23th

Lake Charles Event Center 1:00 PM

Prefrence is the most formal of all the events, You will visit a maximum of two sororities. This day serves as an opportunity to seriously consider which chapter you want to join

*We suggest wearing a nice dress, subtle jewelry, and comfortable sandals or wedges*

August 24th, 2024

McNeese New Ranch 2:30 PM

Bid Day is the day invitations to join a chapter are distributed. After receiving bids, new members will run through the quad to their new home, and spend the rest of the day with their new sisters!

*We suggest wearing comfortable shorts, tennis shoes, and a tank top/t-shirt. You will receive a bid day shirt from your sorority*

FALL BID DAY

FALL BID DAY 2023 2023

Active Member: An undergraduate sorority/fraternity member who has been initiated by their chapter and is in good standing with McNeese and their organization

Alumna/Alumni: A sorority/fraternity member who is no longer of a college chapter, but remains a member of the organization

Bid: A formal written invitation to join a sorority or fraternity. Women are only able to receive one bid while going through recruitment.

Continuous Open Biding (COB): COB bids may be extended and accepted at any time during the school year other than Formal Recruitment. COB is also referred to as Informal Recruitment.

Formal Recruitment: A designated membership recruitment period compromised of a series of events hosted by each sorority/fraternity, governed by the Panhellenic Association.

Greeks: Sorority and fraternity members

. Initiation: Formal Ceremony in which new members receive life long privileges and become and active member.

Legacy: A woman whose mother, sister, or grandmother is an alumnae or active member of a Nation Panhellenic Council sorority.

National Panhellenic Council: Governing body composed of 26 international women's fraternities and sororities

New Member: Woman who has accepted a bid from a sorority but has not yet initiated.

Philanthropy: A service project undertaken by Greek Organizations. Most national organizations have designated a cause they serve.

Potential New Member (PNM): Any women interested in becoming a sorority member who is eligible to join according to Panhellenic Association requirements.

Recruitment Team: Disassociated Greek women carefully selected and trained to guide potential new members through the formal recruitment process. Also referred to as Recruitment Counselors or Gamma Chis.

What is recruitment?

Recruitment will give you the chance to meet and evaluate each sorority as well as the Greek community as a whole. One of the most important things to remember is the Formal Recruitment is a mutual process. Just as you will narrow down your choices of which chapters you would like to revisitm the sororities will also be required to narrow down the PNMs they can invite back.

Is there a grade requirement to participate in recruitment, or join a sorority?

At this time, there is NOT a set GPA requirement. However, each sorority on McNeese's campus has GPA requirements for PNMs as well as their active members.

How many women will actually get invited to join a sorority?

Most women participating in recruitment are invited to join a chapter, however, there is NO guarantee that you will receive a bid.

What if I am a Legacy?

It is important to know that being a Legacy does not guarantee an invitation to membership in a sorority, nor does it obligate women to join. It is up to the discretion of each individual chapter to decide whether they are interested in extending membership to a legacy. Likewise, no PNM has to chose the sorority in which she is a legacy to. Each PNM should consider their compatibility with each chapter.

Can I be excused from recruitment events because of prior commitments or classes?

Only academic classes, official university events, illness, or an emergency are considered excused absences. "University Events" would include university athletic team practices, marching band, cheerleading, dance team, or any of the university's mandatory programming. All recruitment events that you are scheduled for are mandatory. Failure to attend an event without prior approval of excused absence can result in being released from the entire recruitment process. In the end, each recruitment event will benefit you by being able to see what each chapter has to offer.