Matching pnms to actives - how do you do it?

[Zillini]

We use two different terms "assigning" and "matching". Assigning is fairly random, but still has 1 active assigned to pick up a specific PNM when she enters the party. Matching is when you try to match up interests, majors, hometowns, anything you can possibly think of. Assigning goes on more in the early rounds due to the sheer numbers. 3rd round and Pref are usually matched. Sometimes you just run out common traits for PNMs and actives especially if the parties are huge. Then you start reaching. "Um ... well they've both got brown eyes." "Perfect, put them together. Next!"

A great idea is to make bio cards with highlights form apps/recs or something like that to pass out along with the assignments. Even if you don't know this PNM from Adam and seemingly have nothing in common, at least you know some things about her that hopefully gives the active something to talk about. It also helps cut down on the "What was that PNM's name again who I just talked to for the last 15 minutes? She was from Anytown, wasn't she?"

Fair warning though -- even with the best pre-planned assignments with PNM's walking in alphabetically, there will still be actives that miss their girls. It happens every year, every round, every party and presumably in every Chapter. Have your non-assigned actives ready at a certain position to pick up any solo PMNs before they start wandering around the house unescorted. Yes, the world will come crashing down if that happens!