Best Way to Help With Recruitment

mkgirl · #1 06-26-2006, 07:25 PM

I hope some of you can give me some suggestions here. My sister and I are alums of a chapter that has been struggling with its numbers for several years. We have offered our help for recruitment, and plan to meet with the pres. in the next few weeks. She is receptive to our help and especially wants to get some history from my sister. She was in at a time (20 years ago) when attracting girls was not an issue. (I'm an alum initiate, so can't be of help with history) They are without an advisor right now, though someone has stepped in temporarily. Of course, we'll see what the pres. would like us to do, but I thought with the wealth of knowledge and experience on this board, that we might go in with some ideas.

There are some other alums that I think will be willing to offer their help, as well. However, none of us are young enough to hang around during parties and look collegiate! LOL

Any ideas...send them this way!

tunatartare · #2 06-26-2006, 07:49 PM

The best thing that I can think of would be to contact the chapter and see what they need in terms of supplies, t shirts, food for pref, bid day gifts, etc. Then alumnae can either purchase those or make them (food and decorations).

SOPi_Jawbreaker · #3 06-26-2006, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkgirl

I hope some of you can give me some suggestions here. My sister and I are alums of a chapter that has been struggling with its numbers for several years. We have offered our help for recruitment, and plan to meet with the pres. in the next few weeks. She is receptive to our help and especially wants to get some history from my sister. She was in at a time (20 years ago) when attracting girls was not an issue. (I'm an alum initiate, so can't be of help with history) They are without an advisor right now, though someone has stepped in temporarily. Of course, we'll see what the pres. would like us to do, but I thought with the wealth of knowledge and experience on this board, that we might go in with some ideas.

There are some other alums that I think will be willing to offer their help, as well. However, none of us are young enough to hang around during parties and look collegiate! LOL

Any ideas...send them this way!

I don't know what the rules are for NPC orgs in regards to whether or not alumnae can attend recruitment parties/events or talk to PNM's. But if there is not rule against these things, you could bring a different perspective. You and your sister could talk about the things that you've gained from your sorority that have lasted beyond college (networking, lifelong friends, confidence, leadership skills, patience, maturity, etc.)

I don't know much about how the NPC orgs are run, but I know that for my sorority, donations for food or decorations would have been really appreciated. I know that some schools have limits on how much a chapter can spend. But even with a no-frills recruitment, I'm sure a smaller, struggling chapter would appreciate some help so that they don't have to dip into the budget as much (so that they can have a little more money for other things later on in the semester).

lauralaylin · #4 06-27-2006, 07:15 AM

It sounds to me like the chapter needs a full Advisery Board, not just a Chapter Adviser. If neither of you are qualified or want to do it, maybe help them fill their AB by talking to alums at your alum events about the chapter.

Also, I am always in the room for rush parties (I'm the Chapter Adviser at one campus and the Recruitment Adviser at another), even when I was pregnant last spring. The chapter let the pnm's know who I was so no one thought I was the "pregnant sister." But I think having an older sister in the room during rush is normal. You need someone to make sure the food is taken care of and other things are going smoothly. I don't recommend you talk to the pnm's though obviously.

You might also want to make sure that some higher up people know how much the chapter is struggling so they can also look into getting the chapter the help they need.

Buttonz · #5 06-27-2006, 08:29 AM

See what the chapter needs. Our alums usually helped out and dontated the food for pref night, along with the favors (a yellow rose) for pref night. It was always amazing to see them come back and help us for pref night also.

gpb1874 · #6 06-27-2006, 11:16 AM

It depends what the chapter needs. Do they need supplies or do they need encouragement and practice? For the latter, see if the alums can come to a recruitment practice and act like pnm's so the chapter can practice their conversation skills, rotation group skills, etc. Is there anyone who is great at small talk? Have them do a workshop on how to get to know people, think of different ways to ask the same question, and make pnm's feel at home.

The alums can give praise and emotional support too. Recruitment is not all about the food and decorations and alums can provide a lot more than just that. If numbers are not that great, I doubt it's the decorations thats the issue. Members need to know how to talk to people, get to know them, make them feel at home and be able to communicate the outstanding benefits of membership. That's how you recruit people. And it takes practice.

/end little soap box. =)

KSUViolet06 · #7 07-03-2006, 12:49 AM

The best way to help is to contact the VP Recruitment and ask what the chapter needs. That way everyone is helping where they are most needed.

AChiOAlumna · #8 07-04-2006, 11:14 PM

Our alum group helps out every year. On Day 1 and 2 activities, it's mainly entering PNM information into the computer for the chapter to make their selection process go more smoothly. We also provide support (emotional and otherwise) when actives are tired and lacking energy. On Day 2, the alum group brings in dinner for the chapter.

For pref night, we help set up the room, assist the chapter with prep for the pref ceremony and prep the food/set up of the tables. When pref night is over, we help the VP ensure that PNM selection goes smoothly.

So, our collegiate chapter has the alums doing a lot behind-the-scenes. We are never on the floor during recruitment parties, unless absolutely necessary.

Tom Earp · #9 07-07-2006, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mkgirl

I hope some of you can give me some suggestions here. My sister and I are alums of a chapter that has been struggling with its numbers for several years. We have offered our help for recruitment, and plan to meet with the pres. in the next few weeks. She is receptive to our help and especially wants to get some history from my sister. She was in at a time (20 years ago) when attracting girls was not an issue. (I'm an alum initiate, so can't be of help with history) They are without an advisor right now, though someone has stepped in temporarily. Of course, we'll see what the pres. would like us to do, but I thought with the wealth of knowledge and experience on this board, that we might go in with some ideas.

There are some other alums that I think will be willing to offer their help, as well. However, none of us are young enough to hang around during parties and look collegiate! LOL

Any ideas...send them this way!

First off, get an Advisor. Get or try to get a Facualy Member interested. The College always like to see staff involved.

As far as recruiting, can You get help from Your HQ? Is the Chapter at a School who is friendly to Greeks?

What size School is it and how prominent is the School?

What kind of Alum base do You have?

Is it National or Local?

Do You have houseing? Or is it just Dorms via the School.

I can agree, with Alums trying to Recruit as while they/you know more, it is hard to relate to Students as opposed to parents.

Students do not want parent types giving them what to do. They want to find what the girls or Chapter is doing.

I was instrumental in keeping the Chapter afloat along with a strong number of Alums and working with IHQ to finally help.

PM Me if I can be of help.