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Originally Posted by Flying Tiger
Irish Lake, I agree with you that it we must live up to the profile we present. Deciding what to present our main goals as during rush will allow PNMs to decide if they want to rush us or not. Yes some PNMs are looking for parties, drinking, and girls, while other do want community service. Our campus actually does have one co ed fraternity that is puts itself out as a service fraternity and they are quite big for a house on our campus. Their pledge classes are like 30 pledges which is unheard of for other houses. Of course I can't say for certain that students rush them because they are a service fraternity, but I think its more because they are big and have lots of connections, not to mention that this co ed fraternity is nationwide with hundreds of chapters. They place a big emphasis on bonding to, not partying. That org is accused of taking pledges by all the other orgs.
The general reputation of the greek orgs at our school is not exactly negative, but more of just something that unnecessary. Students not joining because they already have their own friends. The biggest step for us is getting them to come out for the very first time. After that, it becomes much easier and they start to express their own interest. Then they will come to our events on their own.
For us, our recruitment tactics and public relations comes down to selling ourselves in that split second that we first meet them when they walk past our rush table. We need to have a solid first impression. In that few second coversation, which must present ourselves in a way that makes them feel comfortable enough to come out to the events. Unlike formal recruitment, we have to go to them as opposed to them coming to us. At the event we have to present ourselves again and if they come on info night they will see our rush video. So basically its like your right that our other rush events should be a reflection of our rush videos, and usually it is.
I agree with you too that Greek orgs on a united front would be better, but with so much rivalry, I doubt it could happen at our school.
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Do you mean Alpha Phi Omega? If so, they don't "put themselves out as a service fraternity, they ARE a service fraternity. As for them stealing pledges, people can join both APO and a social fraternity/sorority, and there is quite a contingency of people who hold dual memberships. If you are losing people to a service fraternity, ask yourselves what you guys are offering that isn't as appealing. Perhaps your campus culture is more interested in a service organization versus a social one.
As for people wanting to stay with their own friends, if you're getting them in the fall, you have prime the opportunity to MAKE FRIENDS. Encourage groups of friends to rush; if their friends are doing it, it might keep them interesting during the uncertain parts of rush.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flying Tiger
Hi Alumi Yum, yea everyone works hard to get through recruitment, espcecially fall because this is usually the best rush for all the orgs on my campus. We get the most rushees and the largest pledge class. This is when freshman know very little about the school or classes and still have lots of free time. They are finding there way around when they are approached by invididuals wearing jackets and sweaters displaying two to three unusual looking symbols. They are given a flyer and are invited to come out to an event with them that night by total strangers. Is that going to convince them to come out?
Personally I think this scenario might seem kinda intimidating so its makes rush difficult. By spring they know who we are so its more of either they are interested or not. I think fraternity recruitment is harder then sororities though it doesn't quite show that much on my campus since its seems that both only have pledge classes of about 5 to 10. The sororities talk about their community service and bond easier with their rushees making them feel more comfortable. They emphasize their sisterhood.
The fraternities emphasize their brotherhood as well but I think the rushees are more interested in girls then wanting to hang out and bond with a bunch of guys. Of course this aint true for everyone, yes some guys really are looking for brotherhood and connections for after graduation. But yea, we have to go out to them, though on rare ocasions some guys have walked up to our booth being interested in joining our fraternity. I wish more people would come to us, but I doubt it will happen.
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That might be true for the parties, but generally, people will want to join groups because of the people in the group. You have to make the personal connections.
PS. I almost cried when I saw the word "aint". Do people who have graduated college really use this word???