I'm a New Rush Chair & I've got a bunch of ?'s & i hope someone can help

[snowadams]

Hi everyone!
First off, I'm new here so i thought would say hi! I have spent the past two days looking through tons of old threads and getting some great ideas... so i also want to thank everyone. Now on to my questions...

The first and biggest question i have is... what can to do to keep people interested during all those long rush practices we have? What activities can you do for the girls who think they are too old to do icebreakers? Or what kinds of new activties can you do for the older sisters who have done this many times already?

My next concern is about me... I'm more on the quite side. I can get things done, i can organize things okay, and as far as the skit goes i'm very creative... so i'm not worried about those things very much. I am worry about how i'm going to get people to listen to me. When i'm mad people seem to laugh at me rather then take me seriuosly. So how to i get people to stop talking, set up things, or show up on time? I know i can be mean about it but i also don't want to have most of my sisters disliking after rush. Is there a way to get my piont across in a nice manor? Any ideas?

And the last thing for tonite... How do i get sisters to talk to other sisters that they usually don't hang out with has much? I know i can put people into groups for activties but people usually only do as little as possible to get the activtiy done. Is there a way to get them to do more? Or am i asking too much? Should i just be happy that i got them to learn the info that they need to know?

I'm sure i'll think of more questions but that's it for tonite! I just really want to do a good job with recuitment. I have been online all break so looking for information and by far this board is the best i've found. I mean Recuitment for us isn't until the fall and i'm already worried! Imagion how bad im going to be the week of recuitment! lol...

[shadokat]

How long of rush practice are you having? Offer breaks during practice to keep people into what you're doing, but also to have a break. Also, let the sisters know that the faster you get through everything, the faster rush practice goes.

Well, as for having folks stop talking and show up on time, instead of things like fines and punishments for not doing it, have some sort of reward in the end, like say, for the sister who goes to every practice and is on time every practice and participates and such gets a gift certificate to a local restaurant or a sorority t-shirt or something. The best advice here is to reward good behavior. Punishment and fines only end up causing animosity.

As for having sisters talk to sisters they don't hang out with, do a secret sister or rush buddy thing. Instead of letting people pick here, have everyone put their names in a hat, and pick a secret rush buddy who they can get little presents for and provide an outlet to bitch

Don't worry, you'll be GREAT!

[PenguinTrax]

I agree with Shadokat...

Reward attendance, etc.
Using Recruitment Buddies is a GREAT idea.
Frequent breaks are key - also, plan fun activities during one or two breaks each day. Things that aren't related to recruitment - massage, word games, short subject movies, etc.

Also...
Enlist the older sisters' help - make them teachers not just participants in the conversation exercises. They've been doing it the longest, use their experience to your best advantage.

Utilize committees - make your voice heard through your committee chairman. Delegate, delegate, delegate! Instead of keeping track of a million tiny details, assign a chairperson for each night of recruitment and let them work with a committee to get things done. That way you just work with a few people, not just everyone. Also, that gives the entire chapter a stake in making sure things go as planned.

At the beginning of recruitment prep week make your goals well-known. Set a schedule, review the schedule and state your goals for each day. Also, post a timeline with the goals clearly stated. For example, by Thursday before recruitment all name tags must be complete. The meeting on Friday requires 100% attendance, etc.

[MoxieGrrl]

I've been rush chairing it for what seems like forever now, so I hope some of my suggestions help!

Intersperse (sp? you get what I'm saying!) some "work" rush things, like making nametags, conversation skill practices, etc.. with fun activities during the workshop time. Some of my chapters' favorites are:

1. Massages! EVERYONE loves getting massages!
2. We do an activity that really gets everyone thinking. All you need is a length of rope (long enough to throw to each sister participating), your charter, and a big pillow.
We have everyone stand in a circle. You throw the rope to random people and as they catch it, they say one positive thing that they will bring to recruitment. For example, I always say "I will bring my energy and leadership." Then I throw it to someone else. Once everyone is holding a piece of the rope, set the charter on top of the web of rope.
Then, work backwards and have each person say something they do that might have a negative effect on recruitment. I always say, "I will get too stressed out and start screaming at everyone." Then have the person that speaks drop their section of the rope.
Once everyone is finished, the charter will drop the ground. (Hence, why the big pillow is necessary!). This activity shows why every chapter member's contribution is pertinent to the success of your rush!

3. We also have a fashion show of what to NOT wear during recruitment. I usually pick a couple girls to dress nuts, put on bad makeup, etc....It's always a lot of fun! Hey, plus, if you can sneak in some member's fashion boo-boos (we always have one girl that wears her pants sky high! *shudder*), it might be a clue in to them without confrontation and everyone realizing who it is.

Like someone said earlier....punishments do not work! Rewards are what get the job done. And utilize your standard's chair to help you get people to show up! I say "We're having 7 workshops this semester. You have to go to 4." The secretary keeps track, then towards the end of the semester, I get the list of who was/wasn't there and give it to standards. I let her be the heavy, because hey! It's her job!

We also have the problem of getting sisters to work together who do not interact very much. Figure out who needs to hang out/talk more and assign them to a committee together. If they are working together on a project, it breeds liking! (Sherif's superordinate goals...yeah psychology!)

Sorry this post is so long...I just love rush!!!!! If you need anything else, PM me!

[TriSigmaTX]

As one....make sure to contact your National Organization's Recruitment Coordinator. I'm sure you've got one and she'll have some amazing ideas for you!

Interfraternally,