Non-NPC Recruitment

[Taualumna]

Are there non-NPC groups that recruit the same way NPC's do, with house tours, parties, etc? Or is it an NPC and schools with both locals and NPC thing? Are there schools with just locals that have formal recruitment with the same structure? Thanks

[LatinaAlumna]

I think it depends on the school, and the organizations in that school. I can only speak for my own organization (which under NALFO), but we conduct our activities completely separate from all other organizations on campus. We host informational meetings and invite interests to participate in service activities, etc. for many months before we actually plan to have a membership process. Most ladies who become prospective members are those who have been coming to service projects, study hours, and other activities for quite some time, some for over a year.

[MsCongeniality3]

I know my chapter of Alpha Phi Omega has a 2 week rush period that starts the moment the IFC recruitment ends. At USF, it would be 2nd week of school (NPC recruits week prior, IFC recruits first week). Since we are service based, we have rush events ranging from service projects to fellowship activities. At the end of the rush, we would have the pledge ritual.

President
Tau Mu Chapter
Alpha Phi Omega

[Sahara27]

We usually have events that last two weeks directly after NPC formal recruitment (though I think this year they are going to do three, with one week overlapping the last week of FR). We do fun things like have mocktails and games/tv night in the chapter room, take them out for coffee, pizza or ice cream, have a joint event with our brothers of APO (BBQ, ultimate frisbee), or one of our service events. Our events are just like what the NPC girls do during COB. During spring semester, we do these events at the same time the other sororities are going through COB (usually about three weeks).

[sairose]

I have not heard of a non-NPC group holding rush similar to NPC Recruitment. I think this is because, unlike NPC, our groups' rush is only for us, not with another group.

Although in a very loose sense, my SAI chapter holds rush *kind of* like NPC. Rush lasts a week here, starts on a Monday (on the first day of classes in the spring; we only hold rush in the spring). The first night is a short informational session, then we usually go do something, like bowling or laser tag. Then the next few nights are just fun nights, very informal. Rush ends on a Sunday...and that Sunday is Formal Rush. It could be related to Preference, because it is dressy and focuses on what SAI means to us, and how it has enriched our lives. We hold it an an alum's house with the alumnae chapter all present so that the rushees can see that SAI is for your whole life, not just for college. It is followed by a reception, usually with punch and fancy desserts. Then Bid Day is the next day.

I really like that our rush week is pretty informal, because it helps everyone to be more comfortable. Our last informal rush event is a sleepover on Friday night, in the Fine Arts building! Believe me, it is way fun.

This is an interesting thread!

[aopirose]

Although Sewanee (University of the South) just added KD, the locals there have been holding NPC-style formal recruitment for years. Others I can think of are Trinity (Tx) and Mississippi University for Women. Both of these campuses only have local sororities unless something has changed recently.

[RedRoseSAI]

My chapter did it pretty much the same way that sairose described, with the addition of preference cards and a silent period.

The preference card was the rushees' chance to say "yes, I'm interested" or "no I'm not" to SAI. That way, we didn't show up at their dorm room with candles and gifts only for them to say "um...no thanks". It was handed to rushees at the last formal rush event (which was mandatory), and they had 24 hours to return it. During this 24 hour period, sisters were not permitted to discuss SAI with the rushees, unless they brought it up first.

Prior to setting up this system, we had problems with sisters pressuring rushees until they pledged. I don't think they meant to pressure them...they were just being friendly and encouraging, but it came across as pressure. Inevitably those girls would end up pledging and then drop out during the pledging process - that's never a good thing!

[sairose]

Originally posted by RedRoseSAI
My chapter did it pretty much the same way that sairose described, with the addition of preference cards and a silent period.

The preference card was the rushees' chance to say "yes, I'm interested" or "no I'm not" to SAI. That way, we didn't show up at their dorm room with candles and gifts only for them to say "um...no thanks". It was handed to rushees at the last formal rush event (which was mandatory), and they had 24 hours to return it. During this 24 hour period, sisters were not permitted to discuss SAI with the rushees, unless they brought it up first.

Prior to setting up this system, we had problems with sisters pressuring rushees until they pledged. I don't think they meant to pressure them...they were just being friendly and encouraging, but it came across as pressure. Inevitably those girls would end up pledging and then drop out during the pledging process - that's never a good thing!

I've never heard of this, but this is quite a good idea! We never pressure girls, but like you said, being friendly and encouraging CAN make rushees feel pressured. Typically, though, here, only the VP Membership discusses whether to join or not w/ the rushees. Here's what we started doing this year, and it REALLY limits the whole pressure thing.

Formal rush is also mandatory for my chapter. And rushees are told all during the week that formal rush is meant mostly for if you are very serious about SAI. So, by the end of the week, if any of them decide it is not for them, they just don't come.

At the end of formal rush (which is also mandatory for us), the VP Membership has all the rushees write down a phone number that they will be able to be reached between a certain time that night. Since our formal rush is always on a Sunday at 2:00, we tell the rushees we will call between about 8pm-9pm. This gives the rushees time to think about SAI and whatnot. And since it is a Sunday, we won't see the girls between formal rush and the phone call. The VP membership calls each rushee to tell them if they are being offered a bid, and if they say yes (and they all do), then the next day there's a designated time to come sign the bid cards and pay their fee.

This works well with us because we are a smaller chapter (17 actives), but a larger chapter like yours I doubt our system would work as well.

[jubilance1922]

Well, I'll throw my .22 in...

We have 2 locals on my campus, and they do recruitment along with the NPC orgs. All the NPHC and MC groups use the schedule set by the hq's. As for Alpha Chi Sigma, we try to start recruitment in the first and second weeks of classes.

[Taualumna]

Thanks to all who responded.