Little Chapter, Big Recruitment: Spring 2009

[rhochi2002]

I love this thread... I can't wait to read more

[silverpearls]

Today was one long day! Sisters came to set up at 8 am and were still cleaning up close to midnight. We again met all 200ish PNMs which is a lot for a chapter our size. Only about 10 PNMs have dropped since the beginning of Recruitment, which is good news - just about everybody seems to be enjoying themselves! All the hard work we put into decorations really paid off. A lot of sisters remarked that PNMs told us our theme was the most creative and best decorated of any sorority!! It was really exciting to hear, especially since we did so much work on it. We were also the only one that served food, which was definitely popular with a bunch of tired, hungry girls

I talked to a lot of really amazing young women tonight. The PNMs are gaining more self-confidence now, which is good and bad. The quieter girls are coming out of their shells more and seem more willing to talk, but the girls who aren't interested are making it more obvious. There were a few who just refused to talk - were staring around the room, giving one-word answers and generally acting miserable. The parties are only a half hour long - is it really that difficult to be cordial?? Anyway, the vast majority were very sweet and excited to be there. I got a chance to talk to Kelly, Lily, Elizabeth, Jenny and Vicky, who all seemed to be having a great time. I've heard Lily is now thinking she likes both Minerva and Venus again... whereas before she wanted to suicide Venus (my chapter). It makles me a little worried, but I know she'll end up where she's meant to be. Vicky seemed a lot more confident and relaxed today, which was really good to see.

The energy of the sisters was still pretty high today, though we were all starting to drag towards the end. It's so hard to keep things fresh when you've done the same party 6 or 7 times in a row! We just keep reminding ourselves that this is the first time the PNMs have seen us this round, even if we've seen a million of them. Honestly, though, things got a little strained as the day went on. Some sisters were snapping at each other over bump groups or opinions on PNMs, which was kind of sad to see. We're such a tight-knit group and really almost never have any drama... but three weeks of non-stop preparations, decorating and rushing with the same group of girls can make you annoyed with them no matter how much you love them! Hopefully we'll all be back to our happy selves for the next party.

The next round should be shorter - after tonight all the sororities have made their first cuts and the PNMs did their first ranking. We're hoping for high returns! Our release figures are such that we couldn't cut too many PNMs. Obviously I can't tell you much about voting, but it lasted a long time... since it's the first time we've voted on these PNMs there were a lot of differing opinions and strong feelings (positive and negative). Luckily everyone was very respectful of others' opinions and we were all able to come to a general consensus on most girls.

Ok, time for bed! I'll be back with more soon! Have fun at your respective Super Bowl parties tomorrow!

[silverpearls]

Oh, and I know I shouldn't be reading JC... but it's really hard to resist. It's the only brutally honest feedback we get from PNMs! Anyway, people have been saying really nice things about us on there... mainly that our chapter is way better than they expected it would be, and that though most girls weren't interested in Venus going in they are now strongly considering us. They've also said that we "actually have a lot of hot girls" and that we're "real" and "easy to talk to". It's so refreshing after hearing so many nasty things being said about us for so long! Definitely a major ego boost for the chapter!

[APhiAnna]

So so so addicted...this is my favorite rush thread, people should do these more often, with the PNMs names coded instead of the sororities! I totally know what you mean about JC...it's horrible, but during recruitment you can't help but look...I never really go on it except during rush (and, of course, the days right afterwards).

The rude PNMs too...it's horrible, but the worst thing about it is that they are so sweet at the chapters they are interested in. We took a PNM once who we adored, only to find out that she couldn't have been more rude at some of my friends chapters! We were so upset. And the funny thing too is that there were probably some interested girls at your party who were acting that way at other chapters...and you'd never even know. Grrr I wish we could have "spies" in other houses to see how star PNMs are acting and make sure we aren't taking tactless women.

[silverpearls]

Originally Posted by APhiAnna

And the funny thing too is that there were probably some interested girls at your party who were acting that way at other chapters...and you'd never even know. Grrr I wish we could have "spies" in other houses to see how star PNMs are acting and make sure we aren't taking tactless women.

I know what you mean! One of our sisters who's a Rho Chi was telling us that there's a PNM all the Rho Chis can't stand... she's sweet as pie in the rush room, but in her group she's a total brat! She's nasty to the other PNMs, yells at her Rho Chi and generally acts horrible. I'm really glad we got see that side, because we really liked her in conversations. It goes to show that you should always be on your best behavior during Recruitment, because people definitely talk

[LucyAnne17]

Originally Posted by silverpearls

I know what you mean! One of our sisters who's a Rho Chi was telling us that there's a PNM all the Rho Chis can't stand... she's sweet as pie in the rush room, but in her group she's a total brat! She's nasty to the other PNMs, yells at her Rho Chi and generally acts horrible. I'm really glad we got see that side, because we really liked her in conversations. It goes to show that you should always be on your best behavior during Recruitment, because people definitely talk

Thats really interesting. We basically can't talk to our Rho Chi members starting the summer before recruitment (we obviously have Fall recruitment though). That would definitely be a no-no at my school.

But on another note, this is really interesting. I have my fingers crossed that you get an insane amount of returns!!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by LucyAnne17

Thats really interesting. We basically can't talk to our Rho Chi members starting the summer before recruitment (we obviously have Fall recruitment though). That would definitely be a no-no at my school.

It's a Panhellenic rule that Rho Chis are not to be in contact with their chapters. However, we all know that in the days of Facebook/texting/email/etc, that it doesn't always get followed.

And honestly, if a PNM is saying things and behaving a completely different way when not in a recruitment situation, I think most girls would appreciate a "heads up" from a PX (even if it is against the rules).

For example: If a girl tries to act all sweet and cute in front of chapters, but shows up to her PX group meeting saying "Man, sorry I'm late, I'm still a little tired from that coked-out threesome I had last night" I would DEFINITELY let my sisters know (and my other sorority member friends too for that matter.

This is why I always let PNMs know to be mindful of what they say around their PX groups. Should they happen to say something derogatory about a chapter, or say something that is a 'red flag' to her PX, there's no guarantee that her PX will remain disafiliated and not tell anyone.

[LucyAnne17]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

For example: If a girl tries to act all sweet and cute in front of chapters, but shows up to her PX group meeting saying "Man, sorry I'm late, I'm still a little tired from that coked-out threesome I had last night" I would DEFINITELY let my sisters know (and my other sorority member friends too for that matter.

LOL...I can see your point there.

[Benzgirl]

PNMs are typically not writing anything on JC. They are trolls posing as PNMs, either in other houses, GDIs, men or people who don't even go to your school. Even if you read something, I wouldn't believe as a PNM.

As for your Rho Chi sister, she shouldn't tell you what is going on with any PNM.

[APhiAnna]

I think recruitment counselors often will let a chapter know of a problem PNM in their group. Technically I think it is kind of unethical, but also it is bound to happen. If there is some girl who is being bitchy to everybody in their group beyond the normal rush cattiness I think most recruitment counselors might send a Facebook message or something. I think it would be absurd, for example, if a recruitment counselor send a message rating every girl in their group. I would be uneasy if one of ours sent our chapter that information. But if it's a warning against a very undesirable PNM, I think most current collegians would look the other way and accept the information as valid. Ethical? No. But it's rush...PNMs are cut for more superficial reasons than that.

[AOII Angel]

Kelly might have dropped out! Anyway, don't take it too hard. Recruitment is a tough time for everyone. Maybe she met amazing girls in the other chapters that clicked with her instantly. If she did succumb to tent talk, you are probably better off as a chapter without her! Take the 125 women coming back to your pref party and show them what it means to be a Venus! I'm sure you have a lot of GCers rooting for you!!!

[silverpearls]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

Kelly might have dropped out! Anyway, don't take it too hard. Recruitment is a tough time for everyone. Maybe she amazing girls in the other chapters that clicked with her instantly. If she did succumb to tent talk, you are probably better off as a chapter without her! Take the 125 women coming back to your pref party and show them what it means to be a Venus! I'm sure you have a lot of GCers rooting for you!!!

Thank you so much for your support! I'm 99% sure she didn't drop out... but she probably did just really click with another chapter. Tonight's our 3rd round, not Pref (Pref is Wednesday), but we'll do our best!!

[agzg]

Maybe she didn't listen to the tent talk, but she really did just click with members in sororities she never thought she would join. If she did listen to the tent talk, well, there's not really anything you can do about it. When I was a recruitment counselor we dealt with a lot of PNMs whose perceptions changed so much about the chapters that they were completely confused as to whether or not they should go with their first impression of a chapter or what they're feeling right at the moment - it's a tough call to make.

I know you're hurt, but try not to hold it against her. Remember, recruitment isn't just about you guys getting new members, it's about women finding a chapter that they can call home.

You guys are working so hard, and it seems like it's paying off (minus a few snafus), good luck tonight and shine your brightest!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by alphagamzetagam

I know you're hurt, but try not to hold it against her. Remember, recruitment isn't just about you guys getting new members, it's about women finding a chapter that they can call home.

Very true. I am sure that you wouldn't want Kelly to reutrn to your chapter if she genuinely wanted to go back elsewhere but was just coming back (for example) because she has friends in your chapter and wouldn't want to hurt your feelings.

Also, recruitment is a whirlwind. I'm sure you guys are meeting PNMs and changing your opinions about them. Just as you guys do that, the PNMs also change opinions of chapters throughout the process. It's not that she betrayed you, because I don't believe she meant to hurt your feelings by not returning there, she just may have connected better with another chapter. It doesn't necessarily means she hates you guys or anything like that.

[APhiAnna]

Honestly, maybe it wasn't the tent talk but something else. You mentioned in your first post that she didn't really know much about the other groups. Well, then maybe a) she found another chapter randomly that completely fit her personality or b) she released you guys because she wants to join a sorority where she doesn't know anybody to make new friends.

Case in point, one of my best friends at school was rushing my sophomore year, and I was ECSTATIC about this girl. I spread her name everywhere, the way she talked she was completely set on us, I counted her as a closer friend than nearly all of my pledge class, etc. I even had some Big/Lil clues picked out. She was at our pref and imagine my surprise when she ended up at our biggest rival!!!

I was secretly taking "bawling breaks" all through bid night (which was stupid because all of my other rush crushes were in our pledge class) and felt so betrayed. But when we talked, she said that she loved our chapter but in the end wanted to start her own thing with a new "big sister" she had never met, new friends she had never met (she had met most of my sisters already), etc. I know it wasn't a "status" related cut because she preffed our biggest competitor (sounds like a Minerva/Venus relationship) and our return rates were virtually identical during that recruitment.

Anyways, what I'm saying is have a little venting break, but a) assume she had the best of intentions, b) know that she genuinely likes you as people and c) focus on all those other hot little PNMs you are rushing! Good luck, I'm excited for you!