Circle of Sisterhood Foundation: What is it?

On Monday, October 26th, Ginny Carroll from the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation will be speaking at the all-Panhellenic event. In honor of this upcoming event, we want to share with you what Circle of Sisterhood is all about.

What is the Circle of Sisterhood Foundation?

The Circle of Sisterhood Foundation is a mechanism by which all sorority women can stand together across affiliation, age, color, and creed to make a difference in the lives of millions of girls and women around the world. Collectively, we are one of the largest communities of college-education women in the world while not even 7% of the world – men and women combined – has college degrees and 2/3 of all illiterate adults are women. Standing together as one community, we will give girls and women an equal chance for rewarding lives and livelihoods through schooling, the learning of a trade, or even a college degree.

Why is CoS important?
The Circle of Sisterhood Foundation is the official philanthropy of TCU Panhellenic. 

Why sorority women? 

Without education, girls and women all over the world are unable to reach their full potential. Sorority women are fortunate to have the one thing that will help most women out of poverty—an education. As such, we have a responsibility to those less fortunate.

Why does this matter at TCU?

In the summer of 2016, fourteen women from our community will be going on a trek to Nicaragua to build a school for women. We must raise money to support these women from our community on their service trip. 

How can I help?

At your sorority meeting, your Panhellenic delegate will discuss what we call “the pledge”. You can pledge $10 to support women from our community who will be going on this trek. With your pledge, you will receive a sticker that states “TCU Panhellenic supports Circle of Sisterhood Foundation” (see image below). This money will go towards the school build as well as the transportation and needs of our Panhellenic women. If every Panhellenic woman pledged $10, we'd have the total funds necessary to cover the cost of each woman going on the trek. Remember: that woman could be your sister sitting next to you! 

I want to go on the trip! How can I do that?

Your chapter will be holding an election process that you can participate in. Each woman will fill out an application and make a speech to her chapter. Talk to your delegate about how this process will work in your chapter. Of the three women representing each chapter, one will be chosen through an interview process with the Panhellenic executive council. 

Have other questions? Email TCU Panhellenic at tcupanhellenic@gmail.com or visit our social media pages (@TCUPanhellenic) for updates! 

2016 Panhellenic Council Elections

Elections for the 2016 Panhellenic Council are fast approaching! Below you will find the details and some advice from the current Panhellenic exec on what to expect. Please email us at tcupanhellenic@gmail.com or contact any of the current exec members with any questions! 

Advice: 

• Be yourself and don’t be nervous! 
• Be sure you have some points to talk about. Think ahead about things you want to change or ideas you want implement if you were selected. Also be sure to acknowledge things that are going well that you plan to continue.
• Study your position(s) of interest and be sure you’re able to talk about what about you as a person matches with the duties assigned to that person.
• Be able to talk about yourself… it’s your time to brag and shine! 

Logistics: 

• Be sure you get the election packet from your president, on the Panhellenic website (www.tcupanhellenic.org), or on OrgSync.
• Make sure you write down the dates and whats required of you for each event! 
• The required dates during the 2016 school year are actually required… before applying make sure you will be available for these dates!
• Be sure you’re following dress code for each specific event.
• Be sure you understand recruitment disaffiliation and everything that goes along with it!
• Make sure you’ve contacted someone on the current executive council to meet and talk about the positions! (our emails are on the packet)

Application Dates:

• Applications due: November 4th in the Panhellenic box in the Fraternity and Sorority Life office (located in the Multipurpose Building)
• Meet the Candidates: November 11th in the BLUU Ballroom
• Candidate Speeches: November 18th in the Chambers
• Based on the Meet the Candidates, two people will be slated for each position. These women will give speeches at this time.
• Results Posted: November 20th at noon on the Panhellenic Website
• 2016 Officers sworn into office: December 2nd at 5 pm in the Chambers

Things To-Do this Fall in Fort Worth

In honor of today marking the first day of Autumn, here are some activities going on in the DFW area this fall! 

• Autumn at the Dallas Arboretum (www.dallasarboretum.org)
• The Dallas Arboretum’s seasonal fest features chances to capture photos of Cinderella’s carriage and thousands of pumpkins at Pumpkin Village, sample tea and other goodies at Harvest Tea, and treat children to face painting and petting zoos on select days.

• This weekend’s Oktoberfest at Panther Pavillon (http://pantherislandpavilion.com/oktoberfest/)
• Oktoberfest, zie fest with zie best, is back in Fort Worth! Join us Thursday, September 24th through Saturday, September 26th at Panther Island Pavilion for an authentic German celebration with just the right amount of Texas thrown in to make it our own.
• You’ll find authentic German food, music, dancing, games, biergartens, dachshund races, as well as Spaten and other Fall and Oktoberfest craft beers from around the country.

• Greek Food Festival of Dallas (http://www.greekfestivalofdallas.com)
• Enjoy a fresh take on a tasty favorite as The Greek Food Festival of Dallas celebrates Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church’s centennial. Marking 100 years of faith, service and culture, festival weekend offers all the delicious food and lively entertainment you’ve come to expect — and more.

• State Fair of Texas (www.bigtex.com)
• You can’t leave Texas without going to the infamous Texas State Fair! 
• September 26 - October 18 at Fair Park Dallas

• Fort Worth Friday on the Green (www.fortworthsouth.org)
• October 9, 2015
• CELEBRATING ITS 7TH SEASON, FRIDAY ON THE GREEN is the monthly concert series presented April-October by Fort Worth South, Inc. in partnership with the Fort Worth Weekly, and Andrew’s Distributing of Fort Worth, Frank Kent Cadillac, and Rahr & Sons Brewing.

• Chili on the Green (www.fortworthsouth.org)
• November 7, 2015 
• Join us for the third annual Chili on the Green competition as up to 20 teams take to the grass at Magnolia Green Park in an effort to prove that their chili will reign supreme in the Near Southside!

• Haunted Houses
• Cutting Edge Haunted House (http://www.cuttingedgehauntedhouse.com/cutting.cfm#.VgMTgbRH3dQ)
• Hangman’s House of Horrors (http://www.hangmans.com)
• Moxley Manor Haunted House (http://moxleymanor.com)

• Pumpkin Patches in Dallas/Fort Worth
• Hall’s Pumpkin Farm and Corn Maze (http://www.hallspumpkinfarm.net)
• Mainstay Farm Pumpkin Days (http://www.mainstayfarm.com/seasonal-events/pumpkin-days/)
• Country Critters Farm (http://www.countrycrittersfarm.com/index.html)

Get Involved at TCU

You’re in a sorority. Now what? Get Involved. You won’t regret it.
A great deal of the college experience is meeting people outside of your sorority and getting involved in things you are passionate about. Part of our Panhellenic community’s greatness is that our women are some of the most involved women on campus. Below is a list of some of the things our women are involved in:

• Apply for SGA! http://sga.tcu.edu

• Did you LOVE Frog Camp? Frog Camp facilitator applications go out second semester.

• Get connected with our religious organizations on campus… StuMo, KLife, YoungLife and others!

• Join Eta Iota Sigma (HIS). HIS is a Christian sorority at TCU that seeks to establish a sisterhood among women who seek to nourish their bond with the Lord Jesus Christ. You can be a part of a Panhellenic sorority and HIS! 

• Become a tour guide! Join Student Foundations… “walking backwards since 1976”.  http://www.studentfoundation.tcu.edu

• Join a club or fraternity for your major: there’s one for Nursing, Business, Education, Spanish, Advertising and so many more!

• Love the frogs? Apply to be a TCU athletics ambassador or a TCU Ranger. 

• Support your frogs by becoming a cheerleader or a showgirl!

• There’s always a way to stay in shape…join club sports or intramural sports through your sorority.

• We love our ROTC girls… Air Force or Army!

• Be philanthropic: Dance Marathon, Up Til Dawn, volunteer at the Net. There are so many options! There’s also a fraternity for that… Alpha Phi Omega Service Fraternity

• Write for the Skiff. Or the Odyssey. Or TCU 360. 

• Intern on campus. The different colleges and departments are always looking for help. Check out Frog Jobs for these internships or for other great work opportunities!

• Tutor others in your area of expertise. Become a TA for a class you loved and excelled in!

• Look into being a Resident Assistant for next year. 

As you can see, there’s lots to do in many areas of interest on campus. Not only is it fun, but you will meet lots of awesome people.

Your best resource for events at TCU: http://what2do.tcu.edu. There’s always so much happening that it’s hard to keep track. This website has information on all the happenings all over campus.  

#TCURecruitment2015 Pointers

Recruitment is just around the corner and will be here before we know it! As you are packing and moving to Fort Worth, here are some pointers from our Rho Gammas (Recruitment Guides) for Do's and Don'ts of recruitment...

DO:

• COME IN WITH AN OPEN MIND (no matter your background)...ALL sororities are wonderful!
• HAVE FUN!
• BE POSITIVE!
• Sleep!
• Look at who is going in to the chapters with you… they could give you an idea of who your future new member class could be.
• Keep your schedule private. You don't want to compare your schedule to others or make others feel bad. 
• Wash your shirt between day 1 and day 2.
• Go with the chapter you feel like you can be you in and feel most comfortable.
• Stay hydrated!!
• It's okay to be emotional and ask questions.
• You will find friends no matter what house you're in! Ignore your preconceived notions. 
• Make a decision that's best for you - not what's best for anyone else!
• Sorority women are just as nervous as you are!
• Bring flip flops to walk from house to house!
• Wear something you can be in the heat for 12 hours.
• Ignore the gossip.
• Make friends with girls in your group!!
• Be nice to active members.
• Trust in the system and in the process.
• Be yourself (everyone else is already taken)!! 
• Think about what you're most excited to see on your card every morning when making a decision.
• Our Greek community is close. Be nice to everyone cause you never know what you say will get around to whom. 
• You will find a place somewhere on campus where you feel like you belong, whether that is Greek or not! 
• Go in ready to make friends and enjoy the experience!

DON'T:

• Don't be afraid to talk to your Rho Gammas: they won’t spill secrets! Everyone is here to help make this process the best it can be for you.
• Don’t have the assumption that any house is a given 
• Don't stress about clothing 
• Don't be afraid of sweat (everyone will)
• Your sorority doesn't define who you are/ you can be friends with people not in your sorority
• Don't take it too seriously by sweating the small stuff. It's supposed to be fun. 
• Don't come in with a made up mind already
• Don’t listen to the opinions/gossip of other PNMS. 
• Don't be worried about upsetting your legacy family!

Recruitment FAQs

Recruitment FAQs

Below you will find some of the most common questions we get asked about recruitment. Clear up your questions before #TCURecruitment2015

General

Which NPC organizations are represented at TCU? Alpha Chi Omega, Alpha Delta Pi, Alpha Omicron 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

What are the rumors of recruitment? Many of the statements you hear about how chapters recruit or evaluate you are false. Ask your Rho Gamma before assuming! 

Registration Questions

Does my transcript need to be official or unofficial? Either works!

If I’m a sophomore or transfer student, do I still have to provide my high school transcript? Yes, we will need a copy of both your high school and college transcript.

Can I go to Frog Camp Challenge B and still participate in recruitment? Yes! The buses will be back to campus from Frog Camp Challenge B around 6 pm on August 15th just in time for orientation at 9 p.m.! 

What is the last day I can register for TCU Recruitment 2015? August 15th

Grades and Scholarship Requirements to Participate in Recruitment 

What grades are required to participate in recruitment? PNMs must have a 2.25 Cumulative GPA and be enrolled as a full time student (12 semester hours). **Scholarship is a top priority among our organizations. Please note that many chapters recruit women with higher GPA’s 

What are the advantages of participating in recruitment & joining a sorority at TCU? Joining our TCU sorority community cultivates a space for friendship, connection, leadership and service opportunities. All sororities on our campus offer a wide variety of programming and opportunities for lifelong engagement. 

Does TCU offer Open Recruitment or Spring Recruitment? TCU does not have a continuous open recruitment format. Chapters that have opportunities for membership may extend bids during Continuous Open Bidding (COB) after Formal recruitment in the Fall and again in the Spring pending on chapter membership size. Spring COB is very informal, organized by the chapters and not organized by the TCU Panhellenic Association. 

About TCU Recruitment Week

What do I wear? Suggested attire is outlined on our website and on another blog post about this topic.

What will the Recruitment Events entail? Potential New Members (PNMs) will be walking from chapter to chapter and from the main part of campus to our fraternity and sorority housing facilities. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes for walking and bringing a water bottle. Each round has a theme and women will have the opportunity to learn more about the organization’s core values of scholarship, service, leadership and sisterhood. We provide break rooms and tents for shade but it will be hot in August! For more information about each round, please visit the TCU Panhellenic website: www.tcupanhellenic.org

What is the general recruitment schedule?

August 15th: Move In Day and Recruitment Orientation 

o TCU Move In for all women participating in recruitment
o Optional Recruitment Parent Orientation, 5:30pm in the BLUU Ballroom
o Mandatory Recruitment Orientation for all women registered at 9pm in the BLUU Ballroom 

August 16th: Round One: Scholarship, Part One

August 17th: Round One: Scholarship, Part Two 

o Panhellenic Recruitment T-Shirt will be provided at Recruitment Orientation
o PNMs will visit all 12 chapters over the course of two days 

August 18th: Round Two: Service
o PNMs will receive a maximum invitation up to 9 chapters 

August 19th: Round Three: Leadership
o PNMs will receive a maximum invitation up to 6 chapters 

August 20th: Round Four: Sisterhood/Preference
o PNMs will receive a maximum invitation up to 3 chapters 

August 21st: Bid Day!
o Women will wear a white t-shirt that they can change out of and shorts. Chapters distribute their Bid Day shirts to their new members at this event and all members wear matching shirts to the Bid Day festivities 

- If PNM’s are extended a bid, they will meet their Rho Gamma and group on Bid Day and open their Bid Cards together. Bid Day is a fun filled day with activities around Fort Worth hosted by each chapter. 

What if I decide to withdraw from Recruitment or is released? Each year some women that participate in recruitment decide that sorority life might not be something they wish to pursue at this point in time. In addition, each year a very small number of women are released, or not invited to any chapters, from the recruitment process all together. We ensure that all women understand the process of withdrawing from recruitment and we encourage them to join other organizations in the Fall and consider participating in primary recruitment again in the future. TCU has a variety of resources to help your daughter get involved and engaged at TCU as well as gain extra support. Additional resources include the Counseling Center, Campus Life, and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. For more information, please visit: http://www.campuslife.tcu.edu/parents_campusresources.asp. 

I'm gluten free (or vegetarian). What do I need to do to make sure I get a meal? You will be eating in the BLUU so there will always be a gluten-free option!
smile emoticon

Expenses 

What does it cost to be in a sorority? Chapter membership dues range per chapter. They range between $650.00-$1100.00 the first semester (new member dues) and range between $440.00-$800.00 for future semesters. The first semester is typically the most costly due to one-time fees, such as initiation and badge fees. 

References and Recommendations 

Whats the difference between a letter of support and a recommendation letter? There is not a difference. Each NPC chapter names their recommendation differently. 

Are recommendations required to participate? No, they are not required by TCU! The only requirement is that your daughter registers for recruitment at TCU. If you know women that are affiliated with a Panhellenic sorority and they wish to write a recommendation or reference we encourage them to do so. Each chapter has its own policies and procedures regarding reference and/or recommendation letters. You may check the www.tcupanhellenic.org website for more information, including the contact information for each chapter. You may also check the website for the national organization as many of our organizations have moved to an electronic submission process. 

If I want to send letters of recommendation, how should I go about this? If you choose to send letters of recommendation, we suggest contacting your city's Alumnae Panhellenic Association. Typically they can gather recommendations from local women for each chapter. You can find the most updated information about recommendations as well as  addresses for each chapter on under the Recruitment section on our website (www.tcupanhellenic.org).

Have any other questions, email us at tcupanhellenic@gmail.com or send us a message on Facebook! 

What to Wear

What To Wear

You have come to the right place! Recruitment is fast approaching and will be here before we know it. For PNMs (Potential New Members), outfit choice is a major part of the recruitment process. In reality it is the conversations we will have during the recruitment process that will truly matter, but we also want to look our best. Below are some pointers for what to wear, and if you have any questions feel free to contact us on any of our social media accounts (@TCUPanhellenic). 

Round 1 (Days 1 and 2): 

You’ll receive a white Panhellenic t-shirt when you attend PNM orientation on August 16th. Pair it with some nice shorts or a cute skirt that are light (it is going to be HOT!) Try to avoid short jean shorts and tight skirts - you want to look presentable! Make sure you wear comfortable shoes that are already broken in because you and your group will be doing a lot of walking today!

Round 2 (Day 3): 

On day three, it is appropriate to wear a casual sundress, romper or a cute skirt and top combo! You will still be doing a lot of walking, so flats or sandals are suggested. Check out our Pinterest page for ideas for outfits!

Round 3 (Day 4): 

Think Sunday brunch! Many women wear sundresses this day with wedges! If you choose to wear heals or wedges, it may be smart to bring flip flops you can wear on the walk between chapters and the walk back to the BLUU!

Preference Round (Day 5): 

Preference round, round four, is the dressiest of days. A nice cocktail dress (like a homecoming dress) are the usual go-to for this round. Typically chapter members wear black or white dresses, so you may want adjust your wardrobe so you do not blend in! Avoid long prom dresses, it’s still HOT HOT HOT!

Bid Day (Day 6): 

On bid day you can wear any shorts you want! It would be a good idea to be comfortable, you never know what the bid day activity is going to be!

What Not To Wear

Watches: Out of respect for our active chapter members, we ask that you do not wear watches at any time during recruitment. This is to make sure that you aren’t unintentionally checking the time during an event. Don’t worry about keeping time - all of our recruitment staff including Rho gammas and recruitment team will make sure to keep you on schedule!

Cell Phones: Leave your cell phones in your dorm! Leaving your phone behind ensures that you will have ample time to interact and befriend other PNMs! This will also allow for you to make a decision yourself, without confiding with anyone via text. If, for some reason, an emergency arises and you need to contact your family, we will work with you based on your individual needs. 

Purses: There is no need to bring your purse to the chapters during recruitment. We provide every PNM with a clear plastic bag that will remain under the tent while you are inside the chapters. You will be able to store any make-up, hair brushes, or mints in your plastic bag!

Perfume: With so many women in one small space, a huge cloud of different perfumes can be very overwhelming. Ditch the perfume, but don’t hesitate to wear deodorant!

Need More Ideas?

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/tcupanhellenic/

Check out these local stores for some great choices: Stellas Boutique (https://www.facebook.com/stellasfortworth) or Beehive (http://lovebeehive.com).  

We are so excited you have decided to participate in recruitment and we can’t wait to see you on August 15th at PNM Orientation! If using any social media, make sure to use our hashtag #TCUPanhellenic2015 

Xoxo,

TCU Panhellenic

*Photo credit to Gaius George, http://www.gaiusgeorge.com