This was pretty much me in a nutshell as an undergrad. :) I could converse with random people I met at parties, in class, etc - but when it came to rush I often downright sucked. My sorority did so much for me that when it came to putting across why I wanted other people to share it with me, it was nearly impossible to convey. It's like being in love with someone so much that you just turn into a blithering idiot.

There was a really good article in our magazine one time about being frustrated at rush - the line that resonated with me was something along the lines of "Throwing open our bonds to everyone, many of whom are often rushing only to pick you apart, is not easy."

I was NOT raised to be a good communicator - my dad was, but I guess the parents just thought we would pick it up, or that it was natural. My sorority training was very helpful, but I wish we had had a LOT more emphasis on conversation.

Not everyone is a natural at holding conversations. Some people are socially awkward and recruiting is difficult for them. Those are the women you want to pair with socially strong women so that you don't have a PNM talking to a lousy recruiter the entire time they are at your party (sure fire way of them not ranking you on top.) Sometimes you don't know who recruits well and who doesn't until after the first day. You need to watch what is going on. So how do you prepare? I always tell the girls that you treat a PNM the way you would treat a guest in your home. Welcoming, warm and inviting. Have a list of topics they can talk about for each day (and not the what is your major questions) of recruitment and the ones to stay away from. Above all make sure your promoting your Chapter and what is so great about it (not over the top). Recruiting is like a job interview. You have to ask questions to get to know these PNM's. The more you know the better you will be able to "choose" your New Members. Practice makes perfect. If you can do mock recruitment with splitting your house in 2 to have 1/2 be the PNM's and half be active members do it. If you can work with another group on campus to do the same thing- great. The important thing is to prepare your women with what they will need to be able to successfully communicate to the PNM's. It takes a lot of pre work and planning to have a successful recruitment. Good luck!

Try not to ask a question that can be answered with a yes or no. Conversations die a quick death due to lack of elaboration. As a pnm, answer questions and return the favor by directing the conversation back to the sister.