So you’re getting ready to pack up the car(s) to take your daughter off to college and sorority recruitment. All the new dresses, shoes, jewelry, last trip to the hair salon, nail salon, the rec letters, last-minute goodbyes, etc. Most likely Mom has taken care of most of these important tasks and you will be relied on for the heavy lifting. Well, I’ve got news for you. That’s just the beginning. The beginning of what was, for me and my daughter, a truly great experience.

I confess, I had heard about recruitment for many years. I even knew that it’s a big deal. What I didn’t know is just how intense it can be; at least it was for me anyway, as I didn’t realize there is the possibility of “mismatching” or not getting selected. It didn’t help matters that on our return home from Athens that Sunday morning there was a feature front-page news story in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution about…yea, you guessed it…sorority recruitment. And not just any sorority recruitment mind you, but sorority recruitment at UGA. And as many newspapers do, they put every negative spin possible in that article to make Greek Life seem like the cause of every evil in the world today. Needless to say, I got a sick feeling in my stomach to go along with all the other emotions I was experiencing.

I have good news though. Recruitment went very well for my daughter-and for me, too. I became so interested in the whole process that I researched everything. So much so that by the time bid day rolled around, I actually knew more about the philanthropies of the AOPi’s than I did about the depth chart of the UGA football team; more about the GPAs of the Zeta’s than who was going to start on the offensive line; I knew the flower of the Pi Phi’s and the Phi Mu colors but not who was leading the FedEx cup on the PGA Tour. And for an avid sports enthusiast like myself, that is saying a lot.

My point to all this is . . . Dads, you have a very important role in recruitment. Be there at the end of the day for encouraging words. Even though your daughter can’t tell you much, you should be able to get a general feel for how things are going. Just show the love and support. And most importantly encourage her to keep an open mind and to not get her heart set on any one sorority because the truth is, all of the sororities are great and do great things. It’s all about finding the right fit for her. My daughter did, and two years later I can honestly tell you that it has been an incredible experience for her in many ways that I look forward to sharing. Hope this helps and best wishes to your PNM. Yea, Dads . . . you’re about to find out what that means-haha!

OK, I am never asked, but when I hear parents and their high school daughters talking about college sororities, I insinuate myself into the conversation and get pushy about making sure that the daughters plan to go through recruitment.

Why?

Because sorority membership sets up a support system for life.

The collegiate years - There is a lot of ready information about how a sorority makes these four years a happier experience, with enthusiastic assistance offered in scholarly pursuits, leadership opportunities, philanthropic traditions and social activities.  All right, side-bar:  Yes, I know that lots of people picture “Animal House” when they think of the Greek system.  Aside from being a grotesque characterization of sorority life, do you really think there are no questionable choices made in dorms or apartments?  But I digress…

The lengthy “after collegiate years” time span - This is when the benefits of sorority membership really kick in, in a manner not found in any other type of organization - this is what propels me to forcefully encourage daughters to sign up for recruitment.  Fast forward 15 years - where will our daughters be?  Transferred across the country?  Looking for a new job?  Running a campaign?  Dealing with a family issue?

NPC sororities have alum clubs, world wide, cheerfully offering:  advice - local business referrals - graduate scholarships -  employment networking - and most importantly, a guaranteed comfort zone of sincere friendship.  Having moved to five different states since I graduated from college (or as half the country says, “graduated college”), I can report that the transitions were easier, happier, and more productive because of the sorority alums in each new location.

So, back on my soapbox:  as a parent, I wouldn’t feel like I was doing my job if I didn’t set up a situation for my child that would insure this life-time of sisterly support.  That means I simply couldn’t imagine my daughter - or anybody else’s - not going through sorority recruitment.