What you SHOULD talk about

LeslieEMU · #1 08-09-2001, 10:04 AM

Hey Ladies, there have been alot of boards talking about what not to do and say, so lets talk about what you should talk about during recruitment. We, actives, know that asking "what's you major" gets really old, really quick.

Suggestions:
* What do you do to support your philanthrophy?
* What events do you participate in with other Greeks?
* Are you in contact with other chapters of your organization?
* How involved can I become in leadership positions as a new member?
* Tell me about your Big/Lil Sister program...
* What kind of sisterhood events do you hold?
* Will I still have time for other activities outside the sorority?
* How do you impliment scholarship and study programs?
* What is your favorite event during the year?
* What is the best part about going Greek?
* Will I be required to live in the house?
* Do your alums stay in contact after graduation?

Also, while you want to be as imformed as possible about the GLO itself, throw in some fun get-to-know-you questions, like: "what attracted you to ABC University", "what's the best vacation you've ever taken?", or "Did you catch any good movies this summer"? Most members tend to remember PNMs who asked intelligent question or who they had a memorable conversation with.

Hope this helps a little, good luck!

twinstars · #2 08-09-2001, 10:37 AM

the absolute MOST IMPRESSIVE thing a rushee can do at a rush party is to "take responsibility" for the conversation. there is a lot of pressure on the sorority member to keep it going and think of topics to talk about, and she's already had to do this with probably 20 other rushees that night. it can be stressful, and it gets boring. if you as a rushee can think of things to talk about, of you can expand on something the sister said and get to talking about something really interesting to both of you (other than what's your major) that looks VERY good.

i remember being most impressed with the rushees that i DIDN'T discuss the same old boring topics with. if you can take the conversation in another direction, that's really good.

so rushees--when you're chatting with a girl, help her out! think about what it would be like to do what she's got to do. it's not easy! try to put HER at ease! believe it or not, a member can feel threatened or uncomfortable taking to you, so make sure that YOU don't come off this way!

RxyChrldr · #3 08-10-2001, 12:39 AM

Oh, these posts were oh-so-helpful! This is the kid of stuff I need to hear about..rather than more of "what to wear..."

CRMSNTiDEGRL717 · #4 08-10-2001, 01:48 AM

These are great suggestions ladies

I'm going to print this out when(hopefully) more suggestions are added to the thread

Liz

------------------
University of Alabama--- ROLL TIDE!!!!!

orchid2 · #5 08-10-2001, 02:06 AM

I hear that, Liz!!!

I already have a folder of stuff from this site... Southern Theta's original post, PnguinTrax's Rush Forum Announcement, and a few more. You ladies are the best!

LeslieEMU · #6 08-10-2001, 11:08 AM

Chapters usually discuss their financial obligations at second party, so you might want to hold those questions til then, but here are a few:

* Is it difficult to balance work with sorority life?
* Can I get excused from events for work?
* Do you offer payment plans/incentives?
* What are the extra costs (i.e.: t-shirts, Formal)?

It's okay to ask about socials/events, just don't blatently say "so, what do you do with the fraternities?" Also, if you ask about things like participation in Homecoming events and Greek week, you can usually swing the conversation into something more general/interesting such as sports and/or hobbies.

twinstars · #7 08-10-2001, 02:15 PM

i completely agree and i was just about to say something to that effect. there's nothing wrong with paying your sorority dues yourself, or with working a part-time job during college. plenty of sorority members do these things. but i would not recommend asking the members about finances or expressing your job worries. each house should be required to make some kind of presentation or give you a slip of paper listing all the expenses associated with joining. it sounds like the second round of parties is a common time for this to happen. if that doesn't answer your questions, maybe you should take it up further with either your rho chi or with that sorority's advisor. but anyway, if you just ask some random sister that you're chatting with during a rush party about payment plans and the like, there's a really good chance she's not going to have the info you want. i mean, i have no idea whether or not my house offers payment plans and i've been a member for 2 years now. the one to ask is the chapter advisor, or the treasurer (once you've got a bid).

it's totally true, any sorority would prefer to have members for whom dues wouldn't be a problem, rather than girls who are constantly struggling. you don't want to come across as someone who's going to be a risk for de-pledging because you decide you can't hack it, financially. as a rushee, you don't present yourself in the most positive light by asking too many questions about money or by seeming like you worry a lot about having to work.

as for whether the house will let you miss events in order to work... i doubt it would be ok if you had to work every tuesday night (or whatever night) and missed chapter meeting each and every week. if you're never gonna be there, why even join? if you had to miss an occasional service event or mixer, i doubt it would be a big problem. most houses wouldn't require every member to attend EVERYTHING they do or you'd never have time for anything non-sorority in your life. you pick and choose which of the things you want to do. but again, if you work so much that you'll hardly ever have time for ANY of the service and socials, why are you joining?

dzsaigirl · #8 08-11-2001, 12:04 AM

I have a concern, and I don't want to rock the boat here, but it's about the financial aspect of rush conversation.

At my school, most people pay their own dues, as in, their parents do not pay! My parents do support me, which I am deeply thankful for.

My concern is this: It is the responsible thing to do when a potential member inquires about finances. However, if she is overly concerned with payment plans and how much she can work, etc. and seems to be worried about it, it seems that it might be detrimental to her. For instance if it came down to two girls, the one who was scared about her finances would get cut before one whose parents are going to foot the bill. Of course there are things such as dues scholarships, new member fundraisers to help with dues, etc., but still.

Does anyone know what I am talking about here?

Please realize that I am not trying to offend anyone with this concern. I know that finances are an extremely touchy subject.

LeslieEMU · #9 08-11-2001, 12:22 AM

DZsaiGirl: I do know what you're talking about...that's why I suggest PNMs wait until financial obligations are presented on the second day (or whenever). This way, they don't come off as the girl who is freaked out about money, but rather as a PNM who is covering her butt and wants to make sure her questions are answered so she doesn't get hit with an financial suprises along the way.

Hope that clears it up a bit!

SoCalGirl · #10 08-11-2001, 02:09 AM

At my school the rush booklet has a page w/ all the $$$ info. So before the first party they'll know what's what. They can ask the rho chis if they have any questions. But if a girl has questions she should definitly ask members. My chapter always does informal so we were use to talking about finances. (No booklets for those rushees, so they'll generally just ask us.)

I think there are some better ways to ask about it though. If you have a job, ask the members if many of them have jobs too. Ask them if they find that their schedules are compatible w/ sorority life. Personally, when I worked mainly weekends, I was always taking days off to attend sorority events. (Mainly non mandatory.) When I got an on campus job I never had conflicts.

If the member seems to get uncomfortable about finance questions, or she just seems poorly informed, ask if you'll be able to speak to the treasurer. Hopefully you'll be able to asap.

No matter what the subject, if a member seems uncomfortable answering, or is trying to change the subject; then just drop it. I had one rushee that asked how many events we're allowed to miss. I gave her a vague answer and tried to quickly change the subject to sisterhoods. But she kept harping on how much she can miss! I couldn't wait till I could get away from her. ***If she had asked if we were required to attend many events, I would have been cool w/ it. But she came off like she wanted to know how little she could get away w/ attending.*** So just be careful to phrase questions positively!

LeslieEMU · #11 08-26-2001, 02:04 PM

Thought I'd knock this up since so many girls are going through Recruitment right now. New members, add your advice for current and soon-to-be rushees.

deltajas · #12 08-26-2001, 02:07 PM

Hey
I know that my sorority, as well as many I know of do have all types of different payment plans.

Wooglin4Ever · #13 08-26-2001, 08:36 PM

I'm a guy, but I think it all works the same. I have found in rushing the best way to do it is to show how much love you have for your brothers/sisters, and how much you love the fraternity. You can brag all day about awards and everything else, but when it comes down to it the reason you join is for the friendship. I think everyone would agree that they would rather be in a house that wins no awards and have great friends than to be in a house that wins every award but hate each other. When talking to a rushee just remember the best thing to do is show the love for your brothers/sisters, show passion for the house and how much it means to you, and be honest. I always tell kids how good other houses are as well and to make sure that they check them out before signing. I told a kid how good our rival fraternity was and he signed his bid right there just because our rival fraternity had bashed us when he was over there. He said that was the thing that impressed him the most that I was more worried about him joining the right house instead of my house. He said those are the kinds of brothers he wanted to have. Be classy and don't put down other houses because that just makes you look jelous.
Hope some of this helped