RFM Specialists

[Old_Row]

I think I have officially spent too much time in Greekchat! Last night I had a dream that was more like a nightmare! I was in some big hall full of PNMs then a bunch of ladies came over to me and told me I had to be the RFM Specialist. I was all Whuuuuuuuuuutttt??!! I'm not all so great at math and I'm still in school so this will not be very good for anyone! That's all I remember but I was really confused and scared I would do something wrong!

Now I am wondering how a lady goes about being an RFM specialist. Do they have a special training for it? Does the NPC put an ad out like in craigslist or something? Haha Do you have to be a sorority member to be one? Is it okay to be in a sorority that is at that school or do they want sorority members who are not represented at that school? Is it a paid thing or a volunteer thing? See I do have a lot of questions now!

[FSUZeta]

I am glad you asked, because I was also curious about the RFM specialist process:

https://www.npcwomen.org/.../RFM%20S...ion.doc‎

Just checked the link and it appears that it does not work. However, I accessed it by Googling "RFM Specialist", and it was the first hit and I opened and read all about the requirements.

[AXOrushadvisor]

I have always thought of ours like the "wizard of oz" behind the curtain and no one knows what she really does!

[FSUZeta]

And some updated RFM information for those that might be interested:

https://www.npcwomen.org/resources/pdf/RFM%20Update.pdf

[ADPiEE]

I saw that RFM started in 2003--way after my time. Does anyone know the history of how/why the switch was made? I'm assuming this was a way to get more PNMs placed in a sorority and more sororities making quota which seems to be working. Has there been a big difference in the amount of chapters closing since RFM was started?

[carnation]

Can somebody give me the current definition of a minus list?

[gatordeltapgh]

NPC member groups each sponsor their specialists. Each group has an internal vetting process so to speak. There is an effort for an even number for each group but it isn't always possible.

There is yearly training for the entire team. Each specialist is supported by a senior specialist on each campus. The RFM leadership team supports the entire process including keeping an eye on trends may necessitate changes to the process. An example would be when upperclass quota was created several years ago.

New specialist start out with "easier" campuses and a lighter load until the get their sea legs.

[AZ-AlphaXi]

Here's what the document linked above says (I've bolded the minus list)

Importance of Flex Lists
Flex lists are used only on campuses that use the priority system. A flex list is actually two lists of PNMs — a plus list and a minus list. These lists are used to help optimize the invitations issued by all sororities. Flex lists are powerful tools that enable the RFM specialist to ensure that the number of PNMs returning to each chapter’s events most closely approximate the return number being targeted for that chapter, based on the number of PNMs a chapter needs to have for a successful recruitment conclusion. The RFM specialist draws from a plus list if a chapter does not perform as well as expected. Similarly, the RFM specialist draws from the minus list if a chapter’s performance exceeds projected expectations. Chapters that receive a minus list request from the RFM specialist are required to submit a minus list.

[AZTheta]

I think AZ-Alpha Xi would make a terrific RFM specialist. She is a Real Scientist and she is also a math wizard. And she understands RFM and all things Recruitment. Plus she is very, very nice to everyone. And she doesn't roll her eyes. Ever.

Old_Row, you crack me up. That would be MY nightmare. No way I'd be able to do the RFM work. My brain freezes just contemplating what's involved.

[gatordeltapgh]

Originally Posted by carnation

Can somebody give me the current definition of a minus list?

Flex minus is the number of women the RFM specalist assigns a chapter. The women listed in order should the the women the chapter would want to release in the event that they out perform their past history that round round. Sometimes they are used, sometimes not. Flex minus lists are mandatory.

Sorry to double respond AZ-Alpha Xi. I was typing as you were replying.

[FSUZeta]

From the University of Cincinnati site:

Flex list: when chapters select the PNMs they’d like to invite to the next recruitment round, they
must also indicate, from their selected PNMs, which PNMs they would be OK releasing (flex
minus list). They may also indicate, of PNMs they did not select, which PNMs they would be OK
inviting (flex plus list). The RFM Specialist sets each chapter’s “flex minus” and “flex add”
numbers. Chapters must complete the flex minus list, but it’s optional to complete the flex plus
list.

[IndianaSigKap]

My brain is trying to wrap my head around this, but why do you need plus and minus lists if each chapter just ranks all of the PNMs top to bottom? One list would show the preferred order of the PNMs. Why make three lists? Invite list, plus and minus lists

[KSUViolet06]

^^^^Flex minus = extra peeps to drop in the event that you are OVERPERFORMING.

Think of your flex plus list as "extra padding" in the event that you are UNDERPERFORMING your past recruitment history/ Peeps you'd want to ADD in the event that you need more peeps.

Sidenote: If you've ever worked with a chapter who had never used flex plus before, it's OH LAWD JESUS IT'S A FAHR when you explain it to them because all they hear is "extra people you need to add" and interpret it as "PNMs we don't really want whom HQ is forcing us to add." Then they don't add flex plus and have the sad face when they have dismal returns or don't match Q.

This reasonably well educated post is sponsored by our lovely RFM specialist who has spent more late nights on the phone with me putting out RFM fires than I care to remember. lol.

[IndianaSigKap]

I understand how the lists work, but I still don't get why so many lists are truly needed if all of the PNMs are ranked in order.

For the sake of the example, lets say ABC has 120 PNMs left for the next round. They are told they can invite 50% back. If they order the list 1 through 120, then the invite list is 60 women. If they are doing well and can't invite that many, the computer just does not issue invitations to the last few women on the list. If they are doing not so well and can invite 60% back, then the computer would just issue invitations to PMNs 61-72. That's their flex plus list, but it's all on one list.

1-60 invite
48-60 flex minus
60-120 flex plus

It just sounds more complicated that it needs to be. If there was one ranked list, the computer can do it's thing based on the release figures for each chapter.

[DubaiSis]

Well technically, your flex plus list would probably end at 100 (or whatev) because there would be some girls who you've decided you really don't want. But other than that, I think what you're saying sounds accurate.