This is gonna seem dumb... but...
 

Alright, my house is kinda in trouble. We're at low numbers and the member who are left really aren't that enthusiastic to change that. But, I won't get into the drama/chaos of that all. Long story short, we have a few guys who are willing to get the 'job' done, but I'm afraid they don't know what to do. Better yet: WE really don't know what to do.

Here's the thing: we have a short, informal 'list' of names that we have put together of guys who might be interested. We've had various forms of contact with each guy: email for scholarship, meeting them at a student panel of sorts, through friends, etc. HERE'S MY QUESTION: what is the best way to contact them next? Facebook, email, phone, etc.? Incoming freshmen are usually hesitant to come out to campus during the summer, so having an event out here is kinda out of the question to have something to invite them to, therefore having a reason to call. To me, it just seems horrifically awkward, but at this point, I'm willing to try anything.

Any advice is gonna help out here... even if it's just a kick in the ass in the right direction. Thanks in advance everyone!

A phone call would probably be best as that is the most personal of the choices.

http://http://phiredup.com/

Try the website Phired Up. They know what their doing and, from your description of your chapter, it sounds like a lot of your issues would be addressed.

If you have just a few brothers interested, I'd look geographically where the potential names are most concentrated, then select a place for a gathering. Try to put it around some event or schedule a cocktail/mixer.
Then use a caravan approach of the interested brothers and go road trip to each place (if more than one).

Excellent.

And, make sure the people invite their friends from the area.

there are never any dumb questions, just dumb answers. have you gone to administration to get a list of names of incoming possible new freshman? Do you have a web site that is linked to your school and national so they can get an idea of what your fraternity is all about? sometimes just the name will be of help getting some interested. have you contacted your hq for help in recruitment? You seem to be from a big school and I am sure your hq should really care in helping you.
if you can find a core group/s from larger areas it could help. if some fellow members are not interested let you hq aware of it and the help you need. if not, you can plan on closing down for lack of members. sorry but that is the way it is. hard questions and answers have to be made very soon. good luck.

I say give them a call especially if they're incoming freshman. Give them some general info see if they're interested. Who knows, you may even be able to have an event over the summer if you get enough people interested.

I would say one of your biggest challenges this year is going to be keeping your select few brothers motivated during recruitment.

Even if you only have one highly motivated, well-trained, and effectively positioned brother, he can take your chapter to where it needs to be.

(Most national Fraternities do expansions using only two staff members and some manage to pull in 50-60 people in a semester, there's no reason your chapter can't do the same)

This is probably one of the best websites on motivation on the internet. It looks a little cheesey, but it has some great content.

Keys to Effective Motivation

If I had written the list, the one I would have added would be to create a "motivating atmosphere"

- Put up some posters in the house with your recruitment goals. Every morning when your brothers wake up, they will be reminded what time of year it is. It seems like one of those things they would already know, but it should be something they are conscious of whenever they are in the house.

- Put up some stake signs on campus, not only to advertise your Fraternity, but to, once again, remind your brothers walking around campus that you guys are in "recruitment season"

- Every time someone from your list registers for recruitment, send out a chapter email telling everyone and congratulating the brother that recruited him. By this point, recruitment should feel like it is hovering around their heads at all times

- Have a recruitment training session where you practice conversation skills and teach everyone some of the hard facts that PNMs will want to know about your chapter. Not only will this help prepare everyone, but it will get them thinking about conversations with PNMs before they even happen. You want people to be thinking about recruitment as much as possible.

Remember that motivation isn't like filling a parking meter. You don't just do it once and then come back when you think it's time to motivate again, it is something you have to be constantly doing. It is a habit you need to form.

I think making sure the current members are motivated absolutely is important.

Does your campus have a summer orientation program for incoming students? We have kids here all the time and I think they get information on Greek Life. Can you somehow get in on that? Are there specific dorms that are more "Greek" oriented? I know some of our frats help students move in to some of the dorms where they think they're more likely to get members from--it really helps get their names out. Also, do you have friends in sororities that can help? Freshmen are always trying to meet each other, and I know when I was a freshman before I pledged, knowing frat guys was the coolest thing to me. :) (Okay, I was young and stupid!). But getting female friends to get the word out can help too. Why not update your website and facebook page and do all you can to get your name out. Can't hurt!