What am I Supposed to Do?
 

I went to my first rush event yesterday (a barbecue at a fraternity's house), and have what seems to be a stupid question: what should I actually do to get a bid card? I don't mean "how do I get people to like me". Rather, what am I supposed to be doing at these events when we are socializing? I have a good friend in the fraternity, and he has said he wants me to join. When I went to the barbecue last night I was there for an hour and a half or so. I was with my friend the whole time, and he introduced me to a lot of people. I don't remember most of them and I doubt most remember me (though the rush chair did actually call me by name). After the first half hour or so we started talking to one of his closer friends whom he roomed with last year. I hadn't met him before, but we went go to a smoke cigarette every so often and we got along well. Is making a good impression on a small number of people what I'm supposed to do or was I being antisocial? Should I try to get to know one more person each week? Or should I ask my friend to take me around to a lot of people and just make small talk?

Also, one more question: how hard is it to get a bid card from a fraternity? Will a lot of people who want to join a particular fraternity like me be left without one at the end of the summer? Also, how many events will I go to before they ask me if I want to join (assuming they eventually will)?

(I am rushing other fraternities as well. I just had a question that pertained to one in particular.)

Ask him. :)

I can only speak from my own experiences with rush, but when the time comes to give out bids and the brothers are looking at a powerpoint with pictures of potential pledges, it is important that the majority of the brotherhood at least knows your name.

You dont have to go out of your way to get to know every single brother individually, but when you are talking to one, make sure to make yourself memorable. Tell a funny story or something interesting about yourself so it's not easy to forget who you are.

As for how hard it is to actually get a bid, it really depends on how popular the fraternity is locally. Not really much you can do about that, just try to present yourself as best you can.

None of us can know how hard it is to get a bid from the Fraternity in question unless we were members ourselves.

It typically depends on the school. (ex: If your school is relatively small with relatively small Greek Life then your chances are pretty good.) Keep in mind that regardless of the school size or the competitiveness of the Greek system YOU ARE NEVER GUARANTEED A BID!

Always act like membership to this organization is something special to you. My number one tip for the process is to BE NICE! I can tell you the only times I have ever voted for someone who I didn't know very well was when other brothers of the chapter commented on what a gentleman he was. I think it is really important. Stockholmjoy gave some really good advice. Do what you can to form a real relationship with these people.

Don't try and brag about yourself or seem like you are self-centered. Be friendly and be genuinely interested in the organization/brothers.

Thanks for the replies, everyone!