My first rush on the "other" side...I am sooo nervous.
 

I'm super nervous about rush this year. I pledged in Spring 2001, but this fall will be the first rush I have ever attended. (Last year my father died 2 days before fall rush and I was LOA for spring rush).

My sorority isn't NPC, so we aren't "competing" for girls, but our rush process is very similar.

We start out with two informal "get-togethers" where the sisters all wear nice slacks or a skirt with a pre-determined OPA shirt. We serve snacks and soda and show a slide-show, talk about our service philanthropies and our benefit/formal, etc.

Then we have a service day where we all wear another matching shirt and do a service project with the pledges to see how dedicated they are to the philanthropic aspect of our sorority.

Then we have a pref type night where we dress up business-casual (very nice slacks with blouse, etc) and just spend some time getting to know the women.

Then we have our meeting and voting and blah blah and do bids.

For those of you that aren't familiar with it, I'd explain our rush process as much more formal than COB, but a step down in formality from Panhellenic Recruitment.

I'm really nervous because this is my first time doing it. I want to make sure I represent our organization well, but I also want to remember to be myself.

Any tips, suggestions, or comments?

It sounds cheesy, but just be yourself. Show your group off for what it is. Be honest, but positive. You'll be fine! Show your love for your group and that will genuinely come through. Best of luck and keep us updated :)

Thanks! That's what I figured, but I hate feeling like I represent something other than myself. Too on the spot for me.

A lot of members felt the same way. Last spring was our first formal recruitment as a national chapter and some members felt like they were being asked to be fake. It's not about being fake, though, it's about putting your best foot forward and working hard to show off your group in its best light.

I think the best way to act is as if these girls are invited guests in your home -- which they are, in a way. You'd be on your best behavior with guests at home and be unfailingly polite, but you wouldn't try to put on an act, either.

When you put it that way, it makes it sound easy!

That really put it in perspective for me, so thanks so much!