Recruitment: What do you look for?

[Kevin]

As actives, we all have at some point and in some way had a hand in selecting the pledges that we do or do not want to extend bids to. What types of criterion do you use in making your individual decision? What types of things do and don't matter?

[Firehouse]

That's an interesting question.
There are a lot of similarities between college football recruiting and college fraternity recruiting. A top Division I football program will screen propsective recruits for what the program needs to win. One top D-I coach said this: "First, we screen for speed. Next, we screen for athletic ability. Last, we screen for character. Character is last not because it is the least important - in fact character might be the most important - but because character is the hardest thing to determine."
If you have a big-time fraternity chapter that places value on its competitive position among its peers and rivals, then rush has the same goal for you that recruiting does for the top D-I program: seek out and find the top players/leaders that will make your organization a competitive success.
Here's how one top fraternity conducts their rush/recruiting: first, screen for looks - it's the easiest thing to determine. Next, screen for compatibility - does he have the desire to be in your type of fraternity? Does he have the ability to help you maintain your position? What does he bring to the table?.
Finally, you screen for character - not becasue it's the least important, but because it's the hardest thing to determine.
Rush happens fast; you have to seek out the best candidates, and you have to make fairly quick decisions. The best rush programs seem to be those where a rush chairman is in command and makes all the decisions with the help of a veteran rush committee. The chapter, its reputation and the active participation of the members, are the tools.

[KSUViolet06]

Some advice:

Always ask yourself:

Is this someone I would be proud to have rushing other girls/guys during next years' recruitment?

Would he/she represent my chapter well?

Is he/she someone I'd like to see wear my letters?

(Let's face it ladies and gentlemen, this is rush and no one is going to bid someone that makes you want to hang your head in shame or run the other way when you see them in letters)

Does he/she have a personality that is pleasant and that will mesh with other chapter members?

[Optimist Prime]

Is cool? Does fit the image of not fitting an image, but fitting that image without really trying to, seem himself, in letters. Or to rephrase that, does he present himself in a way that is "real" or does he look like he's hiding something about himself. What other orgs is he in? Exec board of these said Org.s? (that's not always a good thing). Will more girls come to the house or less if he was a brother.

Is he cool? If not, ball him.

[PhoenixAzul]

Is this someone I want to talk to more?
Could I trust her to sit beside me in ritual?
Would she answer the phone at 3 am?
Is she not judgemental/accepting? (this is a HUGE one for me...I really want open minded and different sisters).
What would she bring to the sorority and how would that work with what we have allready?

[Denise_DPhiE]

#1 question I used as "Rush" chair (it was called that then) and as an alumna volunteer:

Is this person someone you would allow to represent your ENTIRE organization to the university president?

Can't tell you the reaction that one gets during a heated membership selection!

Denise

[LightBulb]

Good responses... that was really interesting, Firehouse!

In regards to being competitive, I'd also like to add... grades!

One factor that is always important is classiness. (Though I guess that's easier at my school than at some others - I go to a small school, and formal recruitment is after fall break.)