Tips for a new Rush chair
 

I am the new rush chair for my fraternity. I go to a rather large school however my fraternity has rather low numbers. The fraternities around here have about 25-40 members total. We have 15, my pledge class had only four people when ten is about average. We want bigger numbers but spring rush is always rough, the reason I got selected is because as a freshman I am living in the target audience. We want eight to rush for spring this would be a high number for any fraternity around here. Any ideas?

And a side note...we have no house...Alumni will not foot the bill until we get bigger numbers.

sending you a PM

Search the recruitment threads! There is an excessive amount of threads with advice for struggling chapters.

Also, I understand that you’re a freshmen, and that you’ll be living among the target audience, but the one piece of advice that I always hear is, “Don’t make your best recruiter the Recruitment Chairperson.” The person who is in charge of recruitment, or rush, is the person who organizes the chapter, the potential new members, keeps track of potential members’ information, and plans events. While your best recruiter is doing all of this work, who’s actually recruiting? I understand you have this position now, but keep this in mind for when you’re choosing the next Rush Chair.

Some main things to remember:

1.) Make friends. People won’t join your organization if you’re not their friend first.

2.) Use methods to bring names into your organization. And don't limit yourself to 8! Meet as many people as possible. Set up a free raffle and talk to people while they fill out their contact information on tickets.

3.) Get involved. Have your chapter members join other organizations on campus. Start up an intramural team and invite other guys to participate with you. Work with another organization on a service project.

4.) Don’t waste a lot of time and money on advertising and large events. Posters are nice, and wearing letters means a lot to you, but neither one of these things is going to get a lot of people to say, “I want to join your fraternity!” And large events do nothing except create more work for you. Spend more money on doing small, normal activities with a few brothers and a few potential new members at a time (dinner, movies, watching a college football game, playing a pick-up game of basketball, etc.)

5.) Gain interest from parents, faculty and administrators. Set up a small scholarship and write to parents of incoming freshmen in order to describe your values and present what you’re offering. Make nice with faculty members and they might promote your fraternity in a positive light.

I'd like to see what others post. It could be helpful.

First of all Good Luck man ive got a book you need to read "good guy" its 300 pages on fraternal recruitment. Send me an IM on AOL and i will get you some more information. My fraternity has had the highest recruitment average for two years and id be glad to give you some advice.
AIM: lildarwin

"Good Guys" is a GOOD book. Find it, along with A LOT more information about recruitment, at PhiredUp.com. Definitely a big help.