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Originally Posted by SigKapCoug
I'm so worried about rush!
My house will probably be 'double-recruiting' the first day. Any tips for that (thats one member and 2 PNMs).
I always talk really fast and flub my words when i'm nervous.  Must run in the family, because my big told me she was so nervous she broke out in a rash! |
I had 2 PNMs at a few parties last year, and it was my
first time, too! Don't worry. Just communicate to the girl you pick up
first that you have to wait for another one, and go with whoever's next in line (if you have PNMs coming in a line). Be polite to both PNMs and spend equal
time with both ones. Remember names! Don't be embarrassed to nametag check during a conversation (that's what they're there for) and try to find a commonality between the two girls. Sometimes you luck out and get a pair of BFFs, which is great, because it makes the conversation go smoother. Even if you are double-rushing, make sure that they get to meet other sisters, too. Keep track of both girls at all times and make sure you try to introduce them to similar girls in your section of the room. Even if they're exactly like [person] across the room, try to find someone in your corner who has a shared interest with at least one of your girls. That being said, take the
time during Spirit Week/before rush to get to know the girls who are going to be standing near you during rush! Make sure you know chapter officers (intramurals, chaplain, etc.), chapter facts (size, philanthropies, colors, etc.), and basically prepare yourself for anything either girl will ask. Remember to stick with open-ended questions (what are you looking for in a sorority?, what are your interests outside of rush?, etc.) that will help you find a common trait between the two girls to go off on in the conversation.
Amen on the gargle/mint recommendations! If you don't have chapter moms or members who do this already, have someone go around between parties with a basket of mints and a trash can for wrappers, it's a wonderful thing to have.
Another rush-side recommendation: try not to focus on the negative, but if the PNM's comes in kind of down or nervous, it's not completely bad to commiserate a bit. One of my PNMs last year had a bad case of sore feet, so I told her that, yup, mine hurt, too. We chatted for a little while on feet/nervous woes and got that out of the way, so the rest of the convo was smooth sailing.
Know what makes your sorority different. Our chapter really does have the diversity thing working in our favor, and I use that bit to emphasize that I was looking to break outside of my mostly-honors college group of friends when I rushed, and I found people in my chapter who had all different majors, interests, and talents, and fell in love with it. Don't use the diversity angle as your only difference, though--know your favorite events, explain what different things mean to you (i.e. if you have a personal connection to the chapter philanthropy, etc.), and the other things that make your chapter stand out (most philanthropies, intramural/event titles, chapter awards, high GPAs, etc., etc.). Don't be afraid to get personal with your PNM. Not only are they there to get to know your chapter, but they're there to get to know you.
If your PNM is unsure about being there in the
first place, it's always good to know the different resources that your chapter has to offer (study groups, connections with girls in your programs/majors/minors, scholarships, internships, etc., etc.) and how you've used them to your benefit. Again with the personal angle--nothing's going to come home unless they know that said resources are used by other sisters and easily accessible to themselves upon getting a bid.
Whatever gets thrown at you by the PNM, try to connect it to your chapter. When we were discussing how to handle "worst case scenario PNMs" last year, one of the older girls came in acting as a stereotypical nerd, talking about some kind of personal relationship with her computer to try and throw me off somehow. Well, it didn't work--I answered her with "Really? I'm the chapter's webmaster...[blahblahblahblah, you get the point.]" Know your chapter's various activities and who's interested in what! Chances are, there'll be some kind of chapter meeting over the dos and don'ts of rush conversations beforehand like that which will get you loosened up and less nervous about "selling" your chapter to PNMs. The "I have a sister who..." line is also another great segway from a PNM's interest to a connection with your chapter.
Another amen to whoever mentioned going to the kitchen. If you're feeling really lousy, talk to whoever's in charge of rush and if possible, sit out for a party in the bathroom or the kitchen so you can come back out polished, not dizzy (I had a huge problem with that last year due to new medications/illnesses...FYI, recruitment is not the opportune
time for new meds!), not sniffling as much, etc. Sometimes it's not possible due to sisters double-rushing or other circumstances like that, and if that's the case, make the most of breaks between parties. If you're truly having health issues, though, do tell someone. I had a sister who had such a bad cold that she had to go home during rush, and the rest of chapter was understanding about it.
Alumnae are great! I don't know how ours put up with my antics, but if you're especially cantankerous (it's early for everyone involved, and sometimes...poo-poo occurs), do apologize for whatever happens that you did, and thank them! You're glad to get the help, and word gets around to other alums that your chapter is great to work with, and you may attract more help in the future.
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