Recruitment Ideas - Instead of Singing While Girls Enter

[agdzx]

Wondering if any girls have ideas for what to do while girls enter the house? Generally we stand on our stairs and sing a song, but I was just wondering if other chapters do anything less intimidating?

I'm trying to really get to know the girls coming through recruitment - we are always really good at impressing them but they don't always want to join us (eg. girls say our decorations are best etc. but don't choose us because they feel better connected to other chapters)

thanks

[Kansas City]

One question ... how does singing or not singing influence your connection and conversation with the PNMs? It seems to me that you probably need to work more with your members on making a connection with the PNMs than worry too much about what you are doing to greet the group as they enter your house.

[UFsigmakappa]

When I rushed the house I'm in now, they sang as we walked in in just the last round. It was powerful, because they felt it too and emulated it.
If you dont want to sing, humming can work then do just one verse, maybe? Its hard to completely change recruitment. Also, we stand around the room while they file in. Surrounding them - not as creepy as it seems, then the speaker(s) can be at points of the shape or randomly around!

Decoration-wise, I dont know what you do, but we had an example done from nationals for prefs round. Its a triangle done in white fabric with lights below it and rose petals on top in the center of the room (not ritual, obvi). It looks amazing. I'd say classic is always best (esp because you can continue to use it for years)!

I, myself, havent recruited yet. But I figured that from what I've seen so far I can atleast give you a (possibly) good idea!

[gee_ess]

If pnms are telling you they don't feel connection with members, then the problem is more than likely in your conversation technique and not the songs. Songs can help set the mood, but the real meat and potatoes of rush occurs between the member and the pnm.

Do you role play different conversations in preparation for recruitment? Practicing with a "shy" pnm, a "chatty" one, learning how to direct the conversation toward certain topics, etc. can all help. Also, in conversations, it is so important to learn the art of the "follow up." For example, you begin a conversation about the pnm's major which leads to her mentioning she chose political science after her father served on the city council. Grab onto that fact and ask about the election, etc. Don't just nod and go on to a more routine question like, "Do you like your classes so far?" Boring.

Do you provide sample conversation questions/starters for each round? Typically it is a good idea to have 5 - 10 of these per round that your members can use as jumping off places for these conversations. PLUS, it is important to coach your members in the skill of "Closing the deal" as the last round gets closer. If you are still having "how are your classes going" type conversations at pref (or even the round prior to that) then your members are not doing their job.

In my experience with recruitment, fine tuning conversation skills AND knowing your pnm data (you know she was a basketball player in hs? Then talk to her about basketball) is key.

[AlphaXi_Husky]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

If pnms are telling you they don't feel connection with members, then the problem is more than likely in your conversation technique and not the songs. Songs can help set the mood, but the real meat and potatoes of rush occurs between the member and the pnm.

Do you role play different conversations in preparation for recruitment? Practicing with a "shy" pnm, a "chatty" one, learning how to direct the conversation toward certain topics, etc. can all help. Also, in conversations, it is so important to learn the art of the "follow up." For example, you begin a conversation about the pnm's major which leads to her mentioning she chose political science after her father served on the city council. Grab onto that fact and ask about the election, etc. Don't just nod and go on to a more routine question like, "Do you like your classes so far?" Boring.

Do you provide sample conversation questions/starters for each round? Typically it is a good idea to have 5 - 10 of these per round that your members can use as jumping off places for these conversations. PLUS, it is important to coach your members in the skill of "Closing the deal" as the last round gets closer. If you are still having "how are your classes going" type conversations at pref (or even the round prior to that) then your members are not doing their job.

In my experience with recruitment, fine tuning conversation skills AND knowing your pnm data (you know she was a basketball player in hs? Then talk to her about basketball) is key.

I agree with the PP's and particularly the part I've bolded. It definitely sounds like the conversation is the problem, and the biggest thing to keeping the conversation going and the PNM comfortable is to keep her talking about her favorite subject - HERSELF! Open-ended questions and lots of them.

As for your question, one thing the chapters at my alma mater started doing instead of door chants/songs was playing music - mostly Top 40 or 80s music. This provides some background noise for when the PNMs come in, as well as when they leave (and cues the end of the party, if you need it to).

[TexasDarling]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

In my experience with recruitment, fine tuning conversation skills AND knowing your pnm data (you know she was a basketball player in hs? Then talk to her about basketball) is key.

I have not gone through recruitment yet. However what would make me feel connected to girls has to do with those two things.

If there are lags in a conversation it would make me feel awkard and since I know I will be overanalyzing EVERYTHING I would take it as they dont like me.

If they KNOW things about me, then it makes it feel like they WANT me. And I think thats what most PNMs look for. To feel wanted and equalled not intimidated. At least I can speak for me and my friends. If you can say "Hey! I heard you were a StuGov President? What was your favorite dance ya'll planned?" That will make me open up and feel welcomed.

But thats just me.

[aephi alum]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

If pnms are telling you they don't feel connection with members, then the problem is more than likely in your conversation technique and not the songs. Songs can help set the mood, but the real meat and potatoes of rush occurs between the member and the pnm.

This.

Practice your conversations. Pair up with another sorority or a fraternity - they'll want the convo practice too, if they have any members who've never recruited from the members' side.

Where possible, pair up sisters and PNMs who have common interests. The later the round, the more important this is. If you pair up a PNM who's hoping to be a professional singer with a sister whose favorite key is Z, they're not going to be able to have much of a conversation.

If your goal is to not intimidate the PNMs by cheering and screaming and singing really loudly as they enter your house or rush room, then you could try singing or humming a quieter song. But if all the other chapters cheer and scream and sing really loudly, PNMs may think "what's wrong with this chapter, why aren't they as loud as everyone else?" So weigh that into your decision.

[FSUZeta]

singing or chanting as pnms come in can set the party mood. peppy songs/chants can rev up the energy of the members and give the pnms the impression that you are a fun, outgoing group. what are the other chapters on your campus doing?

what happens as the pnms file in during the song? are members meeting them and escorting them to the room where the event will be taking place or is the chapter staying on the stairs until the song is over? if it is the latter, i would feel very awkward as a pnm standing around while a group of girls sang to us. as soon as pnms crossed the threshold, members would introduce themselves to whichever pnm came in first and lead her to a display and begin talking to her.there was a plan on who would pick up the first girl and where that sister should go. for instance, susie would pick up pnm 1, then sarah would pick up pnm 2 and so forth. the song continued until the last pnm had come in and been picked up by someone and those sisters who did not have a pnm would finish the song and then go to their assigned spots.

agree with everyone that it sounds like some practice on conversation skills would benefit your chapter.

[33girl]

If singing as PNMs enter is the norm at your school, the last thing you want to do is get rid of it.

In addition to what everyone else said about brushing up your conversation skills - maybe change your entry song to something not so aggressively peppy. Sweet Escape instead of Hollaback Girl, if that makes sense.

[AOII Angel]

I agree with the advice about conversation, but also make sure that women who have made a connection one day with a PNM make a point to go back the next day to at least say high to the PNM if they don't actually rush them. You don't make connections with isolated 10 minute conversations, but you do make connections when you follow up those conversations and show that a connection was made on your side. Good luck!

[FSUZeta]

good point.

[AGDee]

Hi! I worked with your chapter for a number of years as Province Director and Area Coordinator. You are close enough to Tau to practice conversations skills with them! Your house is beautiful, use all the different spaces and make sure you use rotation so that the PNMs meet a lot of different women. Contact your new Province Director, she's an alumna from your chapter and was, most recently, advisor at Tau. She's amazing, has tons of experience and would be happy to get your chapters together to practice recruitment skills. She also has a ton of Panhellenic experience. I loved working with your chapter. They were wonderful hostesses when I visited, making me feel very welcome. It's important for your PNMs to feel that same graciousness and see how strong your sisterhood is! Best of luck, welcome to Greekchat and come on over to the Alpha Gam forum and introduce yourself!

[gee_ess]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I agree with the advice about conversation, but also make sure that women who have made a connection one day with a PNM make a point to go back the next day to at least say high to the PNM if they don't actually rush them. You don't make connections with isolated 10 minute conversations, but you do make connections when you follow up those conversations and show that a connection was made on your side. Good luck!

Excellent point. The pnm will feel very special if the active from yesterday's round makes a quick stop to say "Hello, so glad to see you today!" This helps her feel connected to the house.


Also, another tip for conversation, especially when bumping...
When an active (1) and pnm have been talking, and another active(2) steps up to join them, coach the Active 1 on the art of transferring the converstation to Active 2. This way Active 2 doesn't have to start over from scratch and risk asking the PNM something she had been asked by Active 1.

For example:
Active 1 - "Hi, Active 2, PNM Patty and I were just talking about living in Jester Hall and the rickety elevator that always gets stuck! Didn't you live there when you were a freshman?"
Active 2 - "Oh my gosh, yes, are you living there this year? That elevator was always giving us fits last year. Does Mrs Jenkins still run the front desk?..."

The conversation has been successfully transferred to Active 2 and Active 1 can leave after a few seconds knowing that Active 2 and Pnm are talking with ease.

[perfectinpurple]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Also, another tip for conversation, especially when bumping...
When an active (1) and pnm have been talking, and another active(2) steps up to join them, coach the Active 1 on the art of transferring the converstation to Active 2. This way Active 2 doesn't have to start over from scratch and risk asking the PNM something she had been asked by Active 1.

For example:
Active 1 - "Hi, Active 2, PNM Patty and I were just talking about living in Jester Hall and the rickety elevator that always gets stuck! Didn't you live there when you were a freshman?"
Active 2 - "Oh my gosh, yes, are you living there this year? That elevator was always giving us fits last year. Does Mrs Jenkins still run the front desk?..."

The conversation has been successfully transferred to Active 2 and Active 1 can leave after a few seconds knowing that Active 2 and Pnm are talking with ease.

I think this is such a good point. It was very frustrating for me while going through rush to have to start the same old name, year, major conversation over and over at the same party!

I know that bumping happens so you get to meet more people, but using this strategy would have definitely made me feel more comfortable at the rush parties.

[carnation]

You don't want to be 'the chapter that doesn't sing'. When my oldest daughter rushed, there was one chapter that stood silently in double lines as the girls came in for the first set of parties. I guess that didn't set the stage for scintillating conversation but my daughter said there was kind of a weird vibe the whole time as if the PNMs were still being stared at and when the time came for the PNMs to cut 1 of 6 groups, guess who almost everybody cut?

Yep, the one who later said that they were only trying to stand out by being different.