GreekChat.com Forums - Why am I in the backroom?

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- - Why am I in the backroom? (https://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=126644)

We had a sister who became very religious over the summer, and that was all she could talk about with PNMs the first round. I remember some serious behind-the-scenes discussions about finding a way to move her off the floor without offending her.

My sister was recruitment chair of her chapter last year, and she had to pull a decent recruiter and stick her in the back room because this girl could NOT ever remember the name of our philanthropy. Little sister said every time she walked past this recruiter, she was telling a PNM a different completely wrong philanthropy name (my favorite was the "Red Cross Organization of America").

So if you're dumb, that might be another back room reason.

Quote:

Originally Posted by LAblondeGPhi (Post 2146775)

Ahh... 'tis the eternal question, isn't it? Why did I get passed up for that promotion when I was sooo qualified? Why didn't that guy call me back? Why is that chick mad dogging me, or.. wait, is she mad dogging me or am I imagining it?

The questions you've asked can be summed up generally as the "why didn't I get something I thought I was qualified for" question, which will pretty much always be a combination of factors: others were maybe more qualified for that role; some decision-maker just didn't want you there for any number of reasons; sometimes it's just dumb luck; you couldn't fulfill the total time commitment; etc.

The more specific issue is that young women aren't very good at directly telling each other any kind of criticism. If you're not getting a straight answer, then the reason is likely that other people were going to be better at recruiting that you are perceived to be. It doesn't necessarily mean that you're bad at it, because as someone else mentioned, even in super-star chapters there going to be the women who just aren't as at ease at recruitment.

The other sorority-specific issue is that there are so many more roles to recruitment than the girls on the recruitment floor. You should feel lucky that your chapter has the membership to fill those roles! Some chapters aren't really good about describing and pumping up the need for all of those decorators, water bearers and helpers, while some chapters are great at recruiting their own members into assignments that they'll enjoy.

Bottom line, all you can do at this point is prove that you're a team player and that you're going to kick butt in whatever role is assigned to you. If you're DYING to be on the floor next year, then tell the recruitment chair about your interest and ask how you can best prepare for such a role.

Best answer to this question and one OP should bookmark for answer to other questions that will pop up in her life later on....:)

Answers:

A) You don't represent the sorority well in your appearance.
B) You are awkward or give off a bad first impression.
C) The head of recruitment for your chapter doesn't like you or there is some sort of drama.
D) All of the above.

No house really needs someone baking cookies all day. No house really needs someone upstairs on "bathroom duty". No house really needs someone in the back room "on call" for "whatever might unexpectedly come up". Those are lies to cover for the four possibilities above.

Quote:

Originally Posted by superfan99 (Post 2152159)

The OP hasn't been back since the day she posted/responded to comments here, so she probably got her answer. And generally, fraternity gentlemen stay away from sorority threads (and vice versa) because there are plenty of qualified people here that can answer an OPs question that have actually experienced what they're talking about.

My older daughter was "in the backroom" during rush. She loved it. Said it was so much more relaxing and she got to watch all the action but still felt involved. Enjoy your time in the backroom and make some kindred spirits with the other girls!

Quote:

Originally Posted by justgo_withit (Post 2152167)

...And generally, fraternity gentlemen stay away from sorority threads (and vice versa) because there are plenty of qualified people here that can answer an OPs question that have actually experienced what they're talking about.

But then there are the fraternity men who are NOT gentlemen...

Quote:

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna (Post 2167148)

But then there are the fraternity men who are NOT gentlemen...

That is the truest of statements.

I think the back room is where the REAL action is at. I rarely let anyone in there unless we absolutely trusted them.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jen (Post 2146652)

I preferred being behind the scenes too - yummy food, snark, not having to keep my heels on all day and in general hanging out with people I liked rather than strangers. An introvert's dreams lol.

Yes to the introvert's dream assignment!

My favorite rushes were the ones I was a phase chair (directing things and not having to rush) and president (one of the chief floaters and on rush committee).

The other benefit is being a LOT less tired at the end of the day. :)

My first time working in the backroom happened as an adviser. It was SO MUCH FUN!!! I loved being out on the floor as a collegian, but working in the backroom was simply awesome, fun, and made for some great memories.

I think collegians who are placed in the backroom are assigned for purely political or arbitrary reasons. Or no reason at all. But the job is still important and you have the 4-1-1 on how your chapter is doing in recruitment whereas the rest of your friends are going to be clueless, not to mention worn out and hoarse from asking, "So what's your major?" all day long.

Have fun with it! It's an essential role and it's also really important for you to do it well because your chapter's numbers depend on it if there is a mistake! So embrace your part-- it may develop into a leadership role during a future recruitment because of the new skills you have learned.

4 years in college and I only had to rush for 1 round. I HATED rushing when I was in college. My sophomore year I got to drive one of our consultants to the airport over an hour away. It was such a relief to not have to be on the floor. And I was in the skit so I didn't have to rush that day either. Junior year I was a camp counselor and missed rush week. And senior year I was the assistant rush secretary so I got to spend pre-recruitment and recruitment running errands to places like copy place, opening and filing endless rec letter, and dealing with all kinds of data. And during parties I got to spend the day taking and reporting attendance to Panhellenic. The worst part was that the chapter room was in the basement and the office was upstairs on the THIRD FLOOR! It was 50 steps down and 50 steps back up. No elevator. But I did get to sit down during parties and the a/c was so cold! Such a relief in Alabama in August! I've been back several times as an Alumna volunteer and that is so much fun too. I love helping out the moms in the kitchen. Setting up ice water and snacks for PNMs and/or Sisters. A successful recruitment is truly a team effort. EVERY job is important!