[SWTXBelle]

If I contact one of my AP friends - women with whom I've worked for years in preparing recs - for information about a pnm you can take that information to the bank. All of the rec writers I know would NEVER write a negative rec unless they knew for sure there was a concrete reason why that pnm should not be bid. They might choose not to write a rec, but that is hardly meddling.
I am always surprised at the members who are unaware that a condition of bidding and/or membership is having a rec. Sometimes the active members aren't even aware of the fact that recs are required - they are handled by alumnae.
I think the solution is more education for alumnae (heck, actives, too) regarding recommendations and what they do and do not do. I don't expect the recs I write to do anything other than get really good pnms a foot in the door. I'm very proud of the Katy Alumnae Panhellenic's ability to help our pnms pledge. The vast majority of those I write don't go Gamma Phi, but the majority DO pledge.