In this thread we actives share recruitment advice...

[KSUViolet06]

Try not to focus on "selling the sorority" to PNMs on day 1.

Sometimes you can be so wrapped up in pushing your sorority that it can have the OPPOSITE effect and turn girls off. You have to go into recruitment looking to connect with women as friends first for the first 2 rounds. After they've connected with you as people, then you move into selling the sorority experience during 3rd round and Pref. The PNMs can't see you as sisters if they can't see you as friends first.

[honeychile]

Originally Posted by Zillini

Let's be honest. There will be some PNMs who you know will not fit into your org, but never, ever let them know or even sense that. You have no idea who she's friends with in her Rho Chi group, on her dorm floor, in class, who she went to summer camp with 3 years ago, etc. PNMs talk and if 1 is treated rudely many, many others will find out about it.

We always used the expression, "Everybody knows somebody who knows somebody who knows the President." It's a great way to remember to watch what you say, and treat everyone well.

[KSUViolet06]

*Understand that every sister is not going to feel the same way about every PNM. That's just the way it is. Try to respect other girl's opinions. I've seen way too many recruitment disagreements that turn into personal dramas, and it's just not neccessary.

*Remember to eat and get rest! This is sounds like common sense, but it seems like every year there were girls who started feeling sick during the day because they were so busy that they forgot to eat breakfast, bring water, etc.

*Try to avoid asking PNMs "So, any questions?" That question can be really hard for some girls to answer, because they most likely have a lot of questions but are too overwhelmed/nervous to ask. They might also not able to think of any questions right then and end up just standing there awkwardly trying to think of something.

[annabella]

If your school does the big formal recruitment, girls aren't going to remember all the info about your philanthropy, socials, chapter facilities, etc that some girls try to squeeze in. They're going to leave at the end of the day and rank houses based on a combination of name recognition and whether or not they can even remember being there.
So ditto what KSUViolet said. Don't sell your sorority so hard; find out about the person you're talking to. Priority #1: Make a friend.

[ASTalumna06]

Don't leave a PNM alone in the corner by herself!

Don't walk away from a PNM without another sister there, and don't completely ignore her when another sister comes to talk to you.

So many times on here, and in reality, I have heard/seen this happen. It is disappointing. Put yourself in a room of 10, 20, 50, 100 girls who you've never met.. and pretend that no one is talking to you. That's how they feel when you leave them alone.

[33girl]

This goes with what KSUViolet said about don't focus too much on "selling the sorority" - don't freak out if your conversation segues from philanthropy to something totally unrelated (like, oh, Rock of Love). If you keep forcing the PNM to discuss "sorority" things it'll turn her off. Just go with the mood. Of course, if she keeps asking questions like "which sororities haze/drink/sleep around" just let her know, nicely but firmly, that discussing other sororities is a rush infraction and can get you both in trouble.

If your chapter is large enough that not everyone is on the floor and you KNOW you utterly suck at rush - don't be afraid to say so. It doesn't make you less of a sister or less important - you are simply being self aware enough to realize you could do more harm than good.

Don't bitch about the clothing choices, even if you think they are horrendous. You don't have to wear them that long. Of course if the rush chair has chosen short shorts and tube tops for a chapter filled with D cup women, she needs a talking to.

[LΩVE]

Be careful what you say. Even the stupidest comments can get taken to heart. A PNM dropped from recruitment this year because a sorority girl called her a dork. In context (we were hearing this as Rho Chi's, after the fact,and without first-hand knowledge) it wasn't really offensive, but the PNM still took it that way.

I was a Rho Chi more than once and one of my pet peeves was for PNM's to badmouth sororities. I always explained that it was ok to say they didn't see themselves in XYZ but that I wasn't going to have them saying things like "XYZ are losers/sluts/drunks/etc.". But then sororities would do it about each other! We have a good Panhellenic atmosphere on our campus, except during formal recruitment. It really undermined our efforts to help the PNM's remain Panhellenic-minded, and it makes the sororities involved look really bad.

[PeppyGPhiB]

Do not have just seniors talk at Preference - pick someone from each class who can share a different perspective.

Don't let Preference Party turn into a big sob fest. It's OK to shed a tear or two, but drama and anything that would make the PNM feel left out uncomfortable should be squashed. Remember that PNMs have not joined the sorority yet and could not possible understand how Jane has come to rely on her sisters in a time of tragedy. You also don't know the background of every PNM and it wouldn't be good for any of their own personal sad feelings to bubble to the surface and distract them.

No inside jokes. The PNMs won't get it and it will only make them feel excluded.