Unconvential Rush Ideas

[PowderASU]

Hey everyone. This is one of my first posts on the boards; been reading the posts for a few months now. I'm sure some of you share the same problem as I do: belonging to an awesome new/small chapter at your school and wanting to get the word out about yourselves but not really knowing how. So, I've been sitting here brainstorming for a while about rush ideas that aren't staples of rush. At least, I think they are somewhat original. Here's what I have so far.

1. Helping freshman find their classes. I'm sure that a lot of GLO's take advantage of freshman move-in, but how many help freshman find their classes? Being a freshman myself, I know a knowledgable, "cool" upperclassman that "randomly" went out of his way to help me find my classes around campus would have been huge. And, if he was affiliated with GLO, I would have been sure to remember that when it came time for formal rush week.
2. Making it mandatory for every member to join a club that they were interested in. Now, I know this might not work for some members because of time constraints, but I think the more you get out on campus and involved in other groups besides your GLO, the better.
3. Having a member participate in the "summer bridge" program. There is a program here where high-school students that are going to come here next year stay in the dorms and get a taste of college. If you have one or two RA's involved, it sure wouldn't hurt to have them wear letters and befriend those interested.

These are just a few ideas I came up in the past half an hour. Maybe they are old-news at some campuses, or maybe they will be a catalyst for other ideas. So, what are some of the ways you rush on your campus that aren't mainstream, ordinary methods?

[LeslieAGD]

Maybe this is similar to your "summer bridge" program but because we have people visiting all year round we have a group of students who do campus tours. If you have something like this, it's another way to wear your letters and get high school kids thinking about going Greek.

We also have "Move In Madness" where we wear our recruitment shirts and help the freshman move into the dorms. Last year we also had door hangers, so if we moved someone in, we'd put a door hanger on their doorknob that said "I've Been Moved In By A Greek" and the back side had information about how to get involved in Greek Life.

[ZTAngel]

We have a rule that all members must be involved in at least one campus activity. I don't know if it is so much because it helps rush people who are not in sororities. We do this because it helps build a reputation of being involved on campus and getting our name out.

[ZetaLuvBunny]

True we have to be in another organization, however, at least half of us live on campus & that counts as the "Residential Housing Association", which is considered an organization. I don't think that should be counted, because the RHA doesn't mean crap except that you live on campus. It's not as if that "organization" does anything, EVER. Next year I will still be on campus (although in a nice apartment-style dorm), but I think I'm going to join another org. anyhow. I wanted to join everything this year (freshman year), but it would have been too much stress since I ended up with mono & and all this other stuff going on.

Aside from that, certain people help with move-in days, but I'm not exactly sure who. This year we're having rush the first week of school practically! Ahhhh!

[pinkangel]

well, if you're just trying to get a good reputation out there about your org, then you could sponsor a campus-wide philanthropy event such as a blood drive and then advertise for it all over campus. that way, your name and your involvement in the community are known. for advertising, i recommend chalking the sidewalks and haning flyers in popular areas.

you could also hand out popsicles on a hot day to all students, or hot chocolate on a cold day, with your members wearing letters.

[PowderASU]

It's just getting to the point where fear is going to be a big factor with rush; that's the whole point of this post. We are a colony right now; we were installed a year ago. As of right now we only have 19 active members, and Nationals aren't budging on having 50 before we charter. Opinion is that if we don't make this by the end of next semester it would be pointless to continue on with our dream. So....I'm just trying to think of ideas that aren't ordinary that will help us with recruitment.

[josh8o]

You could also get the name and addresses of every incoming freshman from admissions (or wherever they have them), and send them a simple tri-fold flyer about your fraternity over the summer. You can have a section they can mail back if they want more info so that when the fall starts you will already have a list of guys who are interested. If you plan on helping freshman move in you could also hand out nice packets with info about your fraternity- do this when their parents are present, you will score so many points with parents, who will be paying for dues, by having all the bennifits of your fraternity organized and looking sharp.

[LeslieAGD]

Forgot to mention that we also do an "Alpha Gam Random Act of Kindness Day"...this year we tagged a couple hundred blow pops with "AGD hopes you have a good day" (or something like that) and randomly passed them out to people on campus and in our classes.

[Eman95]

Whats going!! Just found this website and decided to see what new things i can do for my rush in the fall. I was appointed head rush chair at the beginning of the spring and did not bring in the numbers we needed. To me now its definitely about pride since whatever ive been associated with always succeeds. Im very appreciative of little tips for a great rush

[madmax]

Originally posted by josh8o
You could also get the name and addresses of every incoming freshman from admissions (or wherever they have them), and send them a simple tri-fold flyer about your fraternity over the summer. You can have a section they can mail back if they want more info so that when the fall starts you will already have a list of guys who are interested. If you plan on helping freshman move in you could also hand out nice packets with info about your fraternity- do this when their parents are present, you will score so many points with parents, who will be paying for dues, by having all the bennifits of your fraternity organized and looking sharp.

Do schools give that info out?

[TigerGirl52]

I know that usually if you tell the admissions people what you are doing they will release addresses. I know we've done that in the past and it's worked wonders for us. I have tons more ideas but I'll post them later!!!

Allison

[SapphireSphinx9]

At our campus we have a lot of activities that help get our name out there.

There is New Student Orientation, where we help give tours around the campus, before school starts. We're not allowed to wear our letters on our shirts, because they give us tees to wear, but we can wear our sweaters around the waist, hats, or anything else that promotes our organization.

We have Day at Dominguez and CSUDH Serves, were we help with whatever we can. Most of the time we split up and "cover more ground."

This Saturday, we are volunteering at the Compton Youth Athletic Games. Even though it's not a campus event, we will still be able to get our name out there.

Half of our sisters work on-campus, in all different departments. So that helps us also.

And we are at every single event that our campus sponsors. We got Organization of the Year!!! We had over 94,000 club points, because we had at least one person at everything. (thanks to our vp!!)

Anyways, I hope these help you out!

[josh8o]

Originally posted by madmax



Do schools give that info out?

most schools do. if they don't for rush a way to still get them is to offer a scholarship to new students- you get all the info on possible new members, and you look good for having a scholarship for new students.

[ThetaxiUW]

I have to say that our house has a very simlar case. Not exactly, but more or less close. We are the only dry fraternity on campus. Or rather, the only true "dry" fraternity on campus. No behind closed doors policy or anything. no alcohol period. Having the natural stereotype of a fraternity is very difficult with us. We worked past it though. We decided that taking a new approach would work best. We are now known as the extreme fraternity. Skydining, bunji-jumping, rock climbing, white water rafting, stuff like that. You could try something like that. As for rushing specifically, being new isn't bad. Its actually a selling point. You just need to let people know. As for that, try the flyer idea. However, we call everyone on the incoming freshamn list. Calling seems more personal, and they can't throw a conversation away. Also, it gives you a chance to get the parents. Some people think this is bad. Oh its not. Parents are an easy way to get their kids interested. usually the mothers are easier to convince. Plus,usually they are the financial selling point. As long as your dues are not to high, they'll buy in. Calling everyone is expensive though. I recommend it without a cell phone. our rush chairs usually spend around a grand in phone calls. The University of Washington has a big freshman class. The weeding out process is a totally different thing though. A good question if you are wondering about a possible rushee is "Did you hear about that new Magic the Gathering character?" hahah.

I hope i said something of use.

[deltaduke]

Sororities be extra careful not to "dirty rush" by talking to new students about your house....you could get huge fines and be put on restriction. Make sure you ask your advisors BEFORE you do anything!