Rushees bail out; drives me up walls

[archangel689]

Hello fellow greeks.

I was just recently instated as Recruitment Chairman for my fraternity. Which is still yet a colony located at Duquesne U. in Pittsburgh, PA. Duquesne is a small university where the average social fraternity size is about 30-40 members.

I came into this position having many ideas and a lot of background knowledge. I've read probably around 8 or so recruitment manuals.

Being a colony, recruitment is a pain in the ass. It seems that whenever I schedule an event I get people bailing out left and right. I'll usually get several brothers saying something along the lines of, "my friend from *insert place here* said he's coming tonight."

Then when that brother goes to get the kid at the time the event is scheduled he comes back empty handed. Usually it's "Oh, he was still working on his paper" or "He went out with some friends."

I usually proceed to throw my hands up in the air, wondering why we want a guy that can't keep time commitments...BUT it seems everyone is like that.

I've talked to people in the dorms, politely asked them to come to events and they said they would. I call them an hour later only to find they've went to a study group or something similar.

This type of behavior is RAMPANT among people we try to recruit and I would like to isolate and solve this problem immediately.

[mmcat]

maybe that's a new angle...maybe a study group or a study break. or offer some guys help with school work. that's a selling point, too.

[Firehouse]

Never, NEVER expect them to show up. Tell them you'll pick them up and then send a member for them. Bring them. Anything else and you'll be disappointed.

[Optimist Prime]

Thats true. Dorm storm. Don't tell them they are rushing, tell them they are joining. And get their asses out there. Double origato Mr. Roboto.

[pinkyphimu]

plan in advance, but not too much in advance.....

the brothers should know a few weeks in advance (if possible). make a plan with on this date, we will be...and on that date, we will be..... if you think they can't remember the dates, etc, give them a calendar or send out an email listing the events for the week, etc. getting this info in advance will hopefully help them not to double book. i don't know if you have specific rules about attendance, but if not, you should get some!! and i don't know about your specific rush rules, but if you are having pnms over and john's best friend from first grade shows up from oklahoma, then why can't john bring him too?

don't invite the pnms too far in advance...if you ask a few weeks ahead of time, they are most likely going to forget! give them a few days notice. tell them what time and who will pick them up. definately have it be someone they know if at all possible. if you can advertise, too, that would also be helpful.

good luck!!

[honeychile]

Originally posted by Firehouse
Never, NEVER expect them to show up. Tell them you'll pick them up and then send a member for them. Bring them. Anything else and you'll be disappointed.

What he said.

I know one fraternity that literally took the party to the dorm - and ended up pledging all but 3 guys on the floor! It started out with one guy being slightly interested, then the fraternity showed up on a pre-announced study break with several pizzas, and invited the guys who came to their next party. The fraternity picked up the guys, some swinging by to pick up some of the brothers' girlfriends, and then to the house. Within 2 weeks, they doubled their size! AND, somehow retained every one of them!

Good luck!
honeychile

[KappaTarzan]

good work!!!!

our rushees bail too, but what we do is just like everyone else has suggested.. tell them we'll see them at 9, and go pick them up. it works out because we all arrive wherever we are going together, and we dont' wait around all night

I didn't really go to all that many rush events as a rushee. It was because I met the brothers and chilled with them that made me want to join.

that's why if and when I get rush chair next semester I'll focus on making events more of a "friends hanging out" than a "this is a fraternity trying to get you to join"

People bail all the time on events where they don't know many people, they won't bail on a friend commin' over to their place an' chillin'.

I also really like the idea about bringing the party to them.

[navane]

Originally posted by Optimist Prime
Thats true. Dorm storm. Don't tell them they are rushing, tell them they are joining. And get their asses out there. Double origato Mr. Roboto.

ehehehehehehehehehe.......Mr. Roboto....ehehe...too funny.




.....Kelly