Smoker ideas
 

At my campus, we have a deferred recruitment (mid october). As a result, formal rush is practically pointless because all the actual recruiting is done in the months leading up to it. Regardless, we still have to put on two smoker parties. In the past, we've just had a simple BBQ on our front lawn and dragged out all the couches and music. I really want to change that up.

Here's the slight dilemma. Our house is the last one that any PNMs will get to if they simply work their way up Frat row. As a result, by the time they get to our house they will have been offered food at 5 other houses. The other frats generally do stuff like Car Smash, Basketball, inflatable fighting rings, ect, and we obviously don't want to do anything similar.

I need ideas for something cool we can do on our front lawn that is attention grabbing, fun, and most importantly won't get in the way of conversation. It also can't cost more then around $500 total.

Any ideas?

I don't know about your campus climate, so I don't know if this would be un-"Fraternal"...

Maybe put signs up at the begining of Greek Row pointing towards your house saying "Start with the BEST, then see the rest".

As far as activities....what is your campus reputation? Are you the jocks? Scholars? "Cool" guys? I would work with that...

Depending on where you are and the temp. How about a Beach Party. Volley Ball, Horse Shoes, and or a Poker Party.

While the sign idea is good, I wonder how long they would last?

You would need to promote it through the school newpaper for instance.

I like AlphaFrog's suggestion about the sign. But as Tom noted, it may not last long unless it is secured in some way. You could also hand out and post flyers in the freshman (sophomore) dorms.

When I was an undergrad, one of the "top" chapters was further away from the freshman dorms than most (all?) of the other chapters. They would send actives to the freshmen dorm to pick up rushees. So if y'all have a list of guys that have expressed an interest or y'all are interested in them, then contact them and offer to come get them. Do it early or at the start of your party so that you can have as many members at the house when others show up.

Are sororities (women in general) allowed to help out at or attend rush events? If so, invite a different chapter a night to attend and promote it - i.e. Monday event with the ladies of ABC; Tuesday event with the ladies of DEF; Wednesday event with the ladies of GHI. Maybe something simple like "Come play Twister with the ladies of XYZ". A lawn filled with women usually trumps a car smash any day.

If you feel you need something in the front lawn, can y'all have a local band play? (check on noise ordnances) They don't have to be *that* good, just a group that gets the rushees attention. Many local groups that are starting out are willing to play for the free publicity and a small fee (i.e. beer money). The issue with this is that the music could get in the way of conversation so this might not be suited for y'all's needs.

I've seen a chapter do a Casino Night where outside of their house, there was a giant spinning "Wheel of Fortune". (Not sure what it is called.) The rushees would come up and spin the wheel and "win" play money that they then took inside the house (or y'all could do it under a tent outside if you want) to use at the "casino tables". Again, if you can have sorority women helping out, that helps add to the whole atmosphere.

And depending on the time of day, use lots of lights outside. Or better yet, make a large (giant) arrow that points to your house. Put it near the street so that the rushees can see it from the end of the row. It could say something simple like "Get In Here" or "This Way" or "Start Here". If your parties are held at night, use lights for either the words, or to outline the arrow.

Sorority girls are impossible because the sororities have their meet-n-greet events at the exact same time. Bands are a poor idea because it would greatly inhibit conversation between brothers and rushees (which would defeat the purpose).

Casino night might be fun, but thats more of an idea for the second smoker.

Instead of bands, do an open-mic event. Let people just jam out... we drew a small crowd of folks away from KDR's battle of the bands by having a jam session rush event on the other side of the student center, and had fun in the process.

Also, stage brothers at the start of the row, and invite the PNMs down to your place, past everyone else. Head the competition off at the pass. Signs are good, rush t-shirts are better, and bringing groups of friends over from the dorms is the best thing to cut the other GLOs off. Just some thoughts...

LHT