Sneaky Recruitment Strategies
 

Question…

Have any of you ever used some undercover, sneak-a-fied tactics in order to attract potential new members during COB? Someone mentioned this to me, and I have asked a couple of people about it already, and some have said that it’s kind of mean and an “ambush” of sorts, and others say “go for it.”

For example: You are looking to have your roommate join your sorority. You talk about it, but she just doesn’t know if it’s right for her, and it’s next to impossible to get her to attend a sorority event just to see what it’s all about. She always has an excuse as to why she can’t go. So… you invite her to see the movie playing on campus, and she comes along. When you get there, you “bump into” a couple of your sisters. Obviously you’ve planned ahead of time to meet there, but you don’t tell your roommate this, otherwise, you know that she probably wouldn’t have come.

Have you ever done something like this in order to have a PNM meet some of your members, or do you think this would be a horrible thing to do?

I think that you have to be careful. Around the wrong PNM, it might offend them to the point of scaring them off. I'd prefer to be a bit more forthcoming with the COBing.

That's kind of what I was thinking. But the person that suggested it to me said that they've had a lot of people join by using this method. I mean, we're not a campus where people are running at the chance to be Greek. Trying to convince people to attend events (and in some cases dragging them there) has been the norm in getting students to join Greek organizations. Most of our active members and alumnae (including myself) will tell you that it basically took people, that we knew already, begging us to come to events in order for us to go.

Not that I'm necessarily condoning the use of this method. I was just curious as to what other people thought about it.

A chapter at my school always held their first COB events as sneaky events. They would have "grab a friend" events at a bar or bowling or ice skating or something. So if you were asked to go, you would never know it was a COB event until you were invited to a second round event. Oh, and not all the grab a friends WERE COB events.

But then again, informal recruitment was looked down upon so most chapters didn't publicize that they were doing it. It was always invite only so this was a great way for that chapter to target who they wanted before letting it out that they were doing COB.

Not only that, what if the PNM does join, and then the next semester you're using this strategy again, and she realizes she was tricked? Some people might look at it as a big practical joke and not be any the worse for wear, but some might be upset enough to quit.

Plan to go to a movie with some sisters, and invite your roomie along. If she's anti-joining to the point that she won't even sit in a theater w/ them for two hours, drop it. You don't want to turn your sorority into the next [insert pyramid scheme here] that the minute you mention it people run the other way.

One of my favorite sisters came to a COB event just for the food and got sucked in!

If you can convince them to come and just have fun with it (not rush, but eat food, watch a movie, go bowling), I think that's best; otherwise, it might be irritating.

I come from a chapter where COB was a way of life. The actual events worked, but sometimes, you need people to realize that your sisters are totally awesome. You know the people who never thought they would be greek until they met some phenomenal sorority women. (myself included!)

How we approached it was... we spent time with our sisters. We often invited other non-greek friends to hang out when we were hanging out. Then after people got to know each other and friendships were formed, it was easy to get them to an event, (whether it be for free food or games or studying or whatever.) And thus teach them more about your sorority.

Also, if your sisters LOVE your letters... sorority stuff just pops up, and those non-greeks may start to gain interest into what you do, or want to share in your fun times and stories. (Be careful not to be cliquey or over the top... just yourselves!)

On a campus where greek life is not the end all be all, it is important for the greeks to spend time with non greeks. If you end up 'converting them' GREAT :) but if not, all you lost was NOTHING... and gained some positive PR (That woman might tell a friend considering it how nice and welcoming your chapter is, etc.)


I would just suggest going about it in an honest and open way.... calling it "undercover" or sneak a fied... makes it sounds like you are up to no good.

Sounds like your chapter worked COB like "I heart recruitment" recommends. This is a great book that could really help your chapter, ASTalum06. The entire book focuses on how to cultivate friendships with women you are interested in pledging and "popping" the big questions about joining.

That's exactly what I was thinking. It's one thing to tell someone to "stop by the house for ice cream" when in reality you're having a COB event, but no harm (and not necessarily any motive in bidding someone) if you ask a friend to go to Coldstone with you and a sister meets you there. Face it, recruitment, whether formal recruitment or COB events is a series of artificial situations. Going somewhere with one friend and having another meet you there happens all the time in real life. IMO, it's a great way to introduce people to your chapter by introducing them to the individuals within it rather than "come to a COB event"!

*shrug*

The scenario the OP described is pretty much what recruitment is like at W&L. Most of the important recruiting is done in the fall, before formal recruitment, and looks very much like... let's go to lunch... oh snap... there's half my chapter.

So such things are definitely not verboten at all schools.

Just my .02.

I knew a girl once who registered for recruitment but decided at the last minute not to go through. She got a call from a sorority and was invited to a party. It ended up being a bid day party! She didn't pledge and was very uncomfortable with what happened.

The next year she did formally rush, and when I got to know her she told me what happened. I asked her, were you in XYZ's bid day pics? She was! This type of thing went on with this certain sorority for quite some time and did not helpt their campus reputation.

I agree....that is totally inappropriate! I surprised that she stayed. I take it that she didn't join that chapter during formal recruitment.

Yea, I figured this method sounded kind of ridiculous. I just know this girl told me that her chapter uses it sometimes, but I think it's kind of weird. Why you can't just tell the PNM that you're going out with friends, and ask them to come along, I don't know.

And the last thing I'd want to do is piss off a good friend or my roommate.