Double rushing - do's and don'ts

[greeklady65_1]

To anyone who recently went through recruitment...

When you went to a small (but strong!) chapter who had to have more than one PNM to a sister, what were the things that put you off about this or were positive?? What are the things the rusher should do to make this a comfortable thing? What was the most uncomfortable thing about it? What would have made it better?

Thanks!

[chloe173]

WHen I rushed at USC, tri-delta had a system of rushing in which they had two PNM's and two sisters in a group for house tour day and they stayed as a group all day. They didn't do this for numbers reasons, at least I dont think they did, although they did have at least two girls in every room that we visited that day as "room hosts" I absolutely hated it! You had to watch every word that came out of your mouth to make sure you weren't talking too much and shutting the other PNM out, but also talking enough so that you would be remembered and they were getting to know you. Plus, it just seemed very cramped because instead of meeting lots of sisters acting as floaters, it was just those two sisters the whole time and tiny snippets of conversations with the room hosts.

I understand that some groups must do this because of numbers, I would just warn your rushers to make sure that both PNM's are getting equal attention and talking time.

[FAUNikki]

My sororoity will be having this problem coming up this fall. There are 15 returning members (many graduating and transferring schools) (the system here isnt too big, only 4 NPC sororities). Ive been told that about 100 girls go through rush each year. So that means that the 15 of us are really going to have to work overtime to make sure that we can meet greet and please everyone . So Im not sure how to do this as well.

[DWAlphaGam]

Originally posted by chloe173
WHen I rushed at USC, tri-delta had a system of rushing in which they had two PNM's and two sisters in a group for house tour day and they stayed as a group all day. They didn't do this for numbers reasons, at least I dont think they did, although they did have at least two girls in every room that we visited that day as "room hosts" I absolutely hated it! You had to watch every word that came out of your mouth to make sure you weren't talking too much and shutting the other PNM out, but also talking enough so that you would be remembered and they were getting to know you. Plus, it just seemed very cramped because instead of meeting lots of sisters acting as floaters, it was just those two sisters the whole time and tiny snippets of conversations with the room hosts.

I understand that some groups must do this because of numbers, I would just warn your rushers to make sure that both PNM's are getting equal attention and talking time.

Trying to give equal attention is definitely key. Also, if possible, try to let your weaker recruiters only have 1 guest, and save the doubling-up for your stronger recruiters. You don't want to have a quiet sister having to carry a conversation with 2 boisterous PNMs; trust me, it can be disasterous. Forming groups of maybe 2 sisters and 3 PNM's can also sometimes help to make things less awkward conversation-wise, but you have to make sure it doesn't mess up your rotation.


FAUNikki, I would suggest asking some of your younger alumnae to come back and help you with recruitment, since your chapter is so small. If you have another chapter nearby and their recruitment does not coincide with yours, you may also be able to ask them to come and help you. While they should not be the only sisters talking to a PNM, alumnae or sisters from another chapter can act as floaters and bail the collegians out of situations with "problem" PNMs so the collegians can concentrate on talking to PNMs in whom they are truly interested.

[AchtungBaby80]

Ditto with the equal attention thing--that's definitely important, because no PNM wants to feel shut out. And DWAlphaGam has a good suggestion about getting alumnae/members of other chapters to come help. Ain't no shame in doing that, and you can use the situation to demonstrate how strong your sisterhood is.

[Little E]

We went and helped out the chapter in chicago last fall for formal recruitment. They were hurting...like 10 actives??? they ended up with 20 pledges!!!!! Granted it isn't our success but theirs, however, it gave the ladies rushing the opportunity to see that though the chapter was a little smaller, it was national and they had those connections. (plus it made us firm that we will NEVER have formal rush here! lol)

[FuzzieAlum]

FAUNikki, you will have to double rush, but don't worry, it won't be 15 sisters with 100 PNMs at once. With four sororities, there will be four parties first round, so you'll only have 25 PNMs to handle. You will be double rushing, but it won't be impossible.

The hardest part is at later parties. If you have good returns, great! but it also means more doubling up. It's a lot easier to double up at first party, where the conversation is "what's your major" than at preference, where you're trying to make a unique bond.

Also - don't stick the two PNMs with one sister the whole time. Make sure you still rotate so they get to meet more of you.

Good luck!

[OUlioness01]

i remember rushing and going to one house in particular. they paired us up for house tours. i had gotten to know this girl a little bit because we lined up in alphabetical order and we ended paired together a lot, but i will never ever forget the house that completely ignored me, introducing the first girl and telling them her interests, and then saying "oh, and this is Megan".

this past year i had 4 pnms at a time while giving house tours. make sure you look at all the PNMs. that should help you make sure you include everyone. also, if you have one very talkative PMN and one very quiet/shy PNM try drawing her into the conversation by asking her what she thinks about a topic. hopefully that will start a move balanced conversation.