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As IFC VP of Recruitment for a 30,000+ school, I have had to come up with some ideas for the 24 chapters I am in charge of and for TKE.
First off, summer orientation is key. If you are able to set up chapter and/or IFC tables I strongly recommend doing so. It will get out the word about rushing fraternities and plant the seed. 18 year old boys do NOT know the difference between TKE, Kappa Sig, PiKA, etc. So you don't want to bombard them with Greek Week trophies, composites, awards, etc. But, if you get a bunch of reps from each of the chapters out there answering questions from prospects and their parents, you are able to get the Greek idea in their head a few months before they come to school. This also gives them the impression that there is a large Greek percentage on campus, even if there is not.
Another idea for orientation is if you see a family walking around campus, offer to give them a guided tour. Tell the family where the ctudent center is, where the dorms are, the hangouts, the library, the fraternity court (if your school has one), where his classes will be. That has been a great tool for Beta-Beta.
We are doing the Triangle Acheivement Program, so we are taking a lot of stock in that. However, something you might be able to do instead of giving scholarships, is to send TKE or "Go Greek" flyers to area guidance councelors to put up of bulletin boards throughout the school. The Raleigh area schools have been very willing to participate in this. I don't know when schools gets out in MD, but you should still have time.
Picnics are a great idea to get local recruits. Even better would be an all-day round robin type softball or football tourney followed by a cookout. Invite parents....you've got to cinvince them that TKE's the chapter for their son to join.
Most importantly, remember you are not selling beer, you are selling TKE. I don't want to get preachy, but since we've gone totally dry our numbers have skyrocketed. 23 when I pledged in '98 to ~70 now. If you feel you HAVE to get them drunk to get them to pledge, you obviously need to overhaul your recruitment system
....if you want any ideas for Fall rush, I might be of assistance. IM me at: ncstatetke
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