So I know it's that time of year where a lot of prospective members are scrambling trying to get everything for them to pledge XYZ Sorority/Fraternity. As I stated before, each organization has its own process/procedure when applying for membership. Most orgs will ask you for a letter of recommendation from an active and financial member. Here are a few tips I can give you regarding this matter.
1. Ask someone you KNOW! This is SO important! They need to know who they are writing a letter. Do you know them personally? More importantly, do they know YOU personally? You want them to "brag" about you, and how can they brag if they can't tell you?
2. Are they active and more importantly FINANCIAL with the organizations? I am assuming if you are asking them then you have seen them participate in chapter events such as community service events, fundraising events, etc. Why is this important? Well, several organizations require that their prospective members get a letter of recommendation from a "dues paying" member. Are you trying to ask someone who hasn't been active for a while? Chances are if they have not been active with a chapter, they are not financial. This will deem your application of being invalid.
3. Always have an A, B, AND C plan as to someone writing your LOR. (Letter of Recommendation). I say this because you want to make sure you can get in touch with the person, prepare yourself for possibly getting a "no," or you may find out that the ONLY person you relied on is not financial. When I joined what feels like many moons ago, I had ONE person in mind — my ex-boyfriend's sister. I spoke to her on the phone a couple of times, and when the time came, she wasn't able to write me a letter of recommendation. Then I met and grew close to another member at my job while we both were working as sales associates at Marshall Fields. It was funny because I ended up transferring to the school she pledged. Two years later when I asked for a LOR, I found out she was inactive. DANG! So disappointed, but THANKFULLY I had a C plan. And this Soror was more than willing to write me a letter of recommendation. I found out many years later that she NEVERS write a letter of recommendation for ANYONE, so the fact that she wrote me one tells me that I made quite an impression on her.
As for me???? I have been asked well over 25 times to write a LOR, and how many have I written? 1….YUP, JUST ONE! I am very picky about who I choose to write a letter to. I have to know you to write you a letter, and I just don't write letters all willy nilly.
3. The moment you find out you want to join XYZ organization, find out who you would like to write your letter of recommendation. This is important and will allow you figure out if they fit number 2 and if not, hopefully, you can talk to them openly about any suggestions that they may have as to who could write you a letter.
4. GIVE the recommender plenty of time to write your letter. Asking at the last min might result in delays of the chapter receiving your letter, or the person saying they don't have the time or just a point-blank NO!
These are the top FOUR I would suggest you follow when asking for a LOR.
I wish ALL the prospects for Spring 2014 all the best!