[lifesaver]

Tahanks KDhoney for the compliment. I appreciate it.

Well, things are definately looking good around here, recruitment wise.

Friday Event…
It was very successful. We had about 35 PNM's show up for Poker. They were all pleased with the food and especially the prizes. It was a great bonding event as all the brothers got a chance to meet most of the PNM's. Numbers are beginning to come together as well. It looks like we have about 22 definites, and about 8 most likelys. We will probably extend about 30 bids and sign 25 or so. Which is fine with us. Like I said, right on target.

Saturdays Alumni BBQ……
It went well as well. Historically it’s the lest attended event, because by this point, EVERYONE (PNM's and brothers) are sick of recruitment. But today there were about 18 PNM's out. There were a few new faces, but we pretty much know who is going to sign with us and who isn’t. Also, one of the blue chip guys we met at move- in, but haven’t seen since came out again, so that’s a good sign. I don’t know if he will sign on Monday, but our bids are good for one year, so we can take time to work on him.

The event was nice. Tropical Storm Fay decided to move on top of us, so we had to move the BBQ indoors, and had pizza and watched the Notre Dame game. There were a descent amount of alums out, and at the end of the event the alums were recognized and said what the house had done for them. It was pretty cool. One of the alums was speaking and doesn’t really understand the new way of recruiting we do (we never call them prospects and don’t really push chapter business or info..we just hang out… We NEVER ask them if they are going to join or are rushing. BIG TABOO! Sometimes ladies or girlfriends will ask "are you rushing Lambda Chi?" and I cringe. But real fast I get to find out what their interest in the org is.). Well, Vic, one of the oldest alums asks the crowd who wanted to join (he doesn’t get to come out that often, so he wasn’t familiar with who is a brother and who is a PNM) and all of the guys raised their hands, so we know they are definitely interested.


Our guys have definitely worked their asses off on this recruitment. I am very proud of them. I tried to explain to them how hard recruitment is and how tiring it can be. Since we have had several large groups come in over the last few years, our chapter tends to be very young. For a large number of them, this is their first recruitment from "the other side." I don’t think they understood that recruitment is a war, and you cant stop or slow down for anything. They do now. I am also very please with the professionalism of the recruitment process. Everything looked good; the banners and posters, the fliers, the recruitment web-site, the water bottles, the recruitment shirts, bids, pref dinner programs, etc. It all looks very well put together, and I am hoping that makes an impression on not only the PNM's, but the rest of the school as well.

More importantly, if we do sign 25, it will prove to us that we have broken free of the yo-yo cycles we have experienced in the past. Historically, we'd experience a 4 semester cycle. A big rush of 20+ guys, then a small rush in the next spring. A small rush the next fall where morale was at its lowest, and then the next spring, we'd understand that we were in a crunch, and put all energies and efforts into recruitment. We'd still have a poor rush, but we'd begin gearing up for the fall, and start all over again with a big group of 20+ guys.

Now, if we do sign the 25 guys, it will be the third fall semester in a row that we have signed at least 25 NM's. Finally, stability in recruitment that has a historical base and can be quantified. I can say this much. Having active, involved alumni does make all the difference in the world.

On Monday, I will let you know how Pref dinner went and how STEPS went. Wish us luck.