new rush chair- help!

[AlethiaSi]

Hello, I am a member of SUNY Cortland's local sorority Nu Sigma Chi- I am the new Rush Chair and this past year we've gone through some incredible growth. We started out with 4 sisters last fall and this past semester we took in 16 in two pledge classes. It is very difficult to overcome the stereotypes that had been assigned to us for the past few years- but we're working on it- My pledge class and I tried to go out as much as possible and spread the word about us- and also tried to strengthen fraternity relations and where letters as much as possible. It is hard being local because we don't have the national board behind us- but also it is nice to be local since we are the only ones and we have an incredible alumni association that has raised money for us so we could keep our house and they are completely renovating it for us all through donations. As I said, this year has been a time of massive growth. We have been having growing pains trying to get new girls to get along with old girls... needless to say, its not easy. I was wondering if I could maybe get in contact with other rush chairs to share ideas and what not because we need to do really well this year with numbers and everyone is putting a lot of pressure on me and plus i WANT to do really well. I love my sororoity and i want a lot of girls to realize that. In any case, if you have any advice- words of encouragement or if you have questions for me- please let me know- thank you so much- fellow greek- Maggie in Nu Sigma Chi

[AXOKatie]

congratulations on being a new rush chair!!! it's exciting to be able to build from such a small group...the best advice i can give you is to take every opportunity to advertise your letters...wearing them to class and promoting greek events are great ways to put yourself out there, but think of places and events on campus that greeks might not go, but have a lot of potential rushers to talk to, like coffee shops, book stores, quads...make sure to talk up the achievements of individual sisters at every opportunity because if you're excited about rush, it can be contagious! also, talk to non-greek friends about girls they know that might rush...even if your friend doesn't want to rush, she probably knows a lot of other girls that would be interested...and don't be afraid to solicit ideas from your sisters, i know some rush chairs from other schools who get a little power hungry when it comes to rush because they want to do well so much, but just remember that you're all in it together and have fun!

[SigEp42]

As you are a local and don’t have to follow NPC rules. I would suggest holding a philanthropy event, and set up a table in a populated area on campus. This helps to get your name out as well as battle the sorority stereotypes. If you get to interact with the people that stop by its good too things like make cards for children in a local hospital. Sell candy for a charity, something like that.

Also if there is a place on campus where you and your sisters can meet at hang out or eat lunch during the day being in a group around campus will make you appear larger.

When it comes to recruitment being small can be a good thing when trying to get someone to join. If you point out that there are almost immediate opportunities for leadership positions, and the fact that you grew so much last is good because you can say that you are going through a growth spurt and you are planning on growing as an organization, “its an exciting time” is a great phrase to use to a potential member.

[Little E]

Congrats on the growth of Nu Sigma Chi!!

We have a designated letters day and on that day our sisterhood chair starts out a neckalace (ok Mardi Gras beads...) with the first sister she sees, then she passes it around. We originally started this cause we had sisters who just weren't talking in public and it looked bad. They hated the beads in the beginning and now they fight for them. They'll ask the girl who has the beads for them and stuff. anyhow, the point is that other people would ask why you are wearing them and it is a great opportunity to explain your org and what you are about. (ok so we didn't mention why we had te beads) You don't need to do it with beads, but you could easily do it with something else.

Another tip- if you do the table, i know this sounds obvious, but make sure the women at the table do not just stand behind it talking to eachother. one person could be behind it but have brochures to pass out and have a bund of women out in front and around the table talking to women who pass them by - giving brochures.

Also, if you guys have a fraternity you are close to, get those little pins made w/your letters on them and give them to the guys to wear on their bags. it'll get your letters out there more. (you ladies should wear them too!) i don't know if you are allowed to, but if you are it can help.

We also do chalking. We write all over the sidewalks w/letters and slogans and stuff. or you can always just put posters on the ground too. but people walk with their heads down so often they see your stuff.

I dunno what you are allowed to do at your school but i hope some of this helps!!!

Tau Love
Lil E

[RedFox]

Congrats on becoming your chapters Rush Chair!! Good luck

[bsp-mich24]

Good luck with fall rush!

[pinkyphimu]

what a great growth!!!! way to go!!

everyone has given you great advice! keep up the good work and let us know how the fall goes!

[MoxieGrrl]

Ditto to what everyone else said....advertising your letters is the key!

Also, get your sisters out there and involved. Have them participate in every aspect of campus life...if pledging freshman is your main focus, this is important, as freshman are really eager to take part in campus life. Make it so people say, "Gee, you can't walk anywhere without tripping over a Nu Sigma Chi!"

I know I might sound like Captain Obvious on this one, but make sure your sisters seem like they like each other on campus. Believe it or not, but PNMs notice if two sisters walk by each other without even a hello.

Good luck to you!

[MVP4GPB]

Hey Maggie~

I PMed you!

*C*

[bruinaphi]

First, what are your rules? Are you associate members of your College Panhellenic? Do you participate in Formal Recruitment? Do you have to follow the unanimous agreements? Make sure you find out exactly what rules apply to you before going forward.

Second, you need to devise your plan for recruitment. There are a lot of great ideas set forth above.

Finally, you need to meet with your entire chapter and make sure they understand that a successful recruitment depends on each and everyone of them participating just as much as it depends upon your planning. You can't do this by yourself. They will need to come to every event you plan and help you find PNMs.

Good luck!

[AlethiaSi]

[COLOR=seagreen] thank you sooo much for the support- i printed everything out that you guys wrote- and i am going to meet with my co rush chair in a few weeks to plan everything- thank you so much for everything!!! and i'll definately keep everyone posted and how everything went