Values Based Recruitment

[AGDee]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Anyway, I am intrigued by this idea of values based recruitment and (knowing membership selection is woo hoo big deal secret) I would have assumed that there was already some sort of objective/subjective score sheet one might use in voting.

Then again, I'm sure such a values-based scorecard wouldn't work in huge chapters.

Or would it? I don't know, these are questions.

And if we told you, we'd have to kill you.

[Senusret I]

Awww shucks

lol

[Denise_DPhiE]

Values based recruitment was first introduced by Sigma Nu. DPhiE and Sigma Kappa both use a modified version. it gets away from minutiae of recruitment (napkins and nametags).

Here is a link to Sigma Nu's which is all online and is a good read and great material.

http://www.sigmanu.org/programs/vbr/index.php

[EE-BO]

Setting concrete standards but then allowing case-by-case review to waive one or more of those standards is asking for huge trouble in my view. It creates a very hostile politically driven environment.

My fraternity's IHQ has tried in recent years to push through certain firm requirements- like GPA- and they always fail at Convention for fear of the outcome I mention above.

My suggestion would be to focus on those values in a specific recruitment plan, but also leave it to the discretion of the sisters in how they implement those values. Also encourage your alumnae advisors to espouse and promote these values.

I tell you this based on recent internal movements within my own chapter where I am currently an advisor. I firmly believe that recruitment can be planned to aim for recruiting individuals based on certain goals- academics being a big one- but I also believe that a chapter is a living and evolving entity where the current members at any given point need absolute discretion in deciding who can join. Take that away, and you are basically telling a chapter they cannot be trusted to make good rush decisions- and then what is the point of a fraternal organization at all?

Anyhow, I hope this helps. This "values recruiting" movement is going on in a lot of GLOs right now- and a lot of it is driven by professional fundraisers hired to address very real issues we face from a financial and legal perspective. The idea is right, but the execution is often promoted in ways inconsistent with how organizations like ours have to function (meaning it is trying to force college students to think like lawyers and salesmen.)

[Zillini]

Originally Posted by keystone 209

I just hate it when I've worked so hard on something and I know it'll make our chapter better and everyone just like...refuses to change if it involves radically different way of doing things.

There's the problem IMO. People hate change period. When it's radical change, they'll fight tooth and nail. Based on what the OP posted about members saying their grades weren't that good before joining, I think another problem is some sisters feel that had these high standards been in place when they were recruited they wouldn't have qualified. Therefore maybe they wouldn't feel like they belong in this "new and improved" sorority. Or it might make them feel like hypocrites to say "Sure I only had a 2.3 when I joined, but you need a 2.7."

I suggest devising more long term strategies/goals with small changes each year. People can accept that easier. More importantly I'd like to re-emphasize what AOII Angel suggested. Contact your I/natl officers. They have a wealth of information about all areas of sorority life available to them. Their job and their purpose is to help chapters grow and be successful. You don't need to re-invent the wheel. Maybe request one of the traveling consultants come for a visit with their primary mission to be recruitment training/prep.

Too often collegians get hung up thinking their chapter and/or their campus is so unique that I/natl would never understand. In reality there are very, very few situations where that is actually true.

[LPIDelta]

keystone--I am sending you a PM.

As far as VBR, it works as long as you set the standards and stick with them.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by EE-BO

This "values recruiting" movement is going on in a lot of GLOs right now- and a lot of it is driven by professional fundraisers hired to address very real issues we face from a financial and legal perspective. The idea is right, but the execution is often promoted in ways inconsistent with how organizations like ours have to function (meaning it is trying to force college students to think like lawyers and salesmen.)

Amen, amen, and a fricking men.

I feel like they're trying to take the emotions out of rush/recruitment, and that is well nigh impossible to do.

[basket96]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Another option... values-based new member programs. Teaching your members about values, education, service and tradition almost immediately after they accept a bid should be your priority.

Think about it. What did you learn in your new member program that actually helped you to become a better sister? Instead of simply teaching new members "the basics" of your organization, delve into what makes you a sorority.

Meet with the new members after their first meeting and have them analyze their current academic situation. Have them create goals for themselves (i.e. earning A's and B's for the semester), and check up with them weekly to see how they're progressing. Offer incentives for completing goals.

Have them organize a philanthropy event together that all of the sisters must attend.

Don't only teach them things like the names of your founders, but explain to them what the founders intended to create and the symbols that they used to relay their ideas.

Constantly remind the new members of your purpose. For AST, it is to promote the ethical, cultural and social development of it's members. Focus on aspects of the sorority that teach your values. For us, we could plan 3 different nights during their program that had to deal with each of these characteristics of the sorority.

Use what YOU know about the sorority (through knowledge and experience), and teach it to your new members first. If they're taught from the very beginning to embrace these ideals, they'll be more likely to then transfer these requirements and considerations over into recruitment.

It may be a longer process than you would have liked, but it will be worth it in the end.

This is one of the best posts I've seen. Thank you, ASTalumna06!

[ASTalumna06]

Thank you, basket96