when is a good time to begin collecting recs for large texas universities for formal rush in 2011?

It's never too early to locate rec writers, but ideally, recs would be turned in before spring '11 is over.

Who mails the Recs? The alum?

Yes, but you must provide her with the addresses for each chapter. In fact, if you could provide her with pre-addressed, stamped envelopes, that would probably be the polite thing to do.

And I have been reading on there that in some schools it looks good to have multiple recs for one chapter. How do you do that?

Ask more than one person who is a member of that sorority. :)

Can I have multiple alum recs as well?

Um yes....I guess I should have stated "alumnae member." You shouldn't be asking current members (i.e. college students) for recs. Some groups permit collegians to write recs if it is for someone rushing at a different school, but NOT all of them.

gotcha. thank you!!

Even though she provided a stamped addressed envelope, DD's math teacher handed the rec back to her because she wanted her to read it. It was so sweet it almost made us cry. Our neighbor who has a DD a year younger who grew up with my DD also handed a wonderful rec back unsealed. (Thank you to a sweet Phi Mu and Tri-Delta!) You may get them handed back to you if they want you to see them and I guess it lets them know you know it will be mailed. So, if you get one back, be gracious, write your thank you note and mail it. And, yes, get multiples if you can. Grandma's 80 year old best friend or cousin's 25 year old best friend will forget even if you send them a thank you note.

Thanks!

Will just a regular white envelope do?

Yes, it is fine. Business size.

What about Valdosta State?
None of my family has participated in Greek Life, so I do not know any alums. What should I do about Rec Letters

Rush at Valdosta is getting increasingly competitive so yes, get them! Go to npcwomen.org and email or call the chapter closest to you.

I cannot speak for every GLO, but the only place where you're going to get the correct address for a rec for Alpha Delta Pi is through The Adelphean, our magazine. While The Adelphean isn't double secret or anything, it would be rare for a non-legacy PNM to know this.

So, should you be looking for a rec for ADPi, you might want to ask the alumna for the address, or not be surprised if she offers to mail it.

I haven't read this entire thread, but I'm fairly certain that someone has already mentioned that two pictures, head shot and full shot, and natural, not a glamour shot.