Rush - What to NOT do or say

[freshie4]

Do rushers ever ask rushees about community service ideas? like if they had to come up with a way to get donations for their philantropy? If they don't is it a good idea to tell them if you have an ideas on that topic?

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by freshie4

Do rushers ever ask rushees about community service ideas? like if they had to come up with a way to get donations for their philantropy? If they don't is it a good idea to tell them if you have an ideas on that topic?

This isn't generally something you'll be asked.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by freshie4

Do rushers ever ask rushees about community service ideas? like if they had to come up with a way to get donations for their philantropy? If they don't is it a good idea to tell them if you have an ideas on that topic?

Please don't do this.

Usually, members of a sorority won't ask for your ideas as to how to contribute to their philanthropy, or for any other specific ideas concerning their chapter. If for some reason they do, give ideas, but without suggesting any major ones that might conflict with their current processes and procedures.

We had a PNM once who came to recruitment events, made it a point to tell the sisters that she had done research on the sorority, and then said that she had a ton of new ideas for the chapter. She mentioned philanthropies she'd like to do, and in some cases, she gave specific examples of how we'd help out.

When you're not even a part of Greek life, when you know little to nothing about how a chapter operates, and you've only met the members a few times, you don't start telling them how to run their organization.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

We had a PNM once who came to recruitment events, made it a point to tell the sisters that she had done research on the sorority, and then said that she had a ton of new ideas for the chapter. She mentioned philanthropies she'd like to do, and in some cases, she gave specific examples of how we'd help out.

When you're not even a part of Greek life, when you know little to nothing about how a chapter operates, and you've only met the members a few times, you don't start telling them how to run their organization.

Not to mention that it's kind of creepy and obsessive to think that someone who wasn't even a member spent her time thinking this stuff up for them. If your parent worked for [name sorority philanthropy here] and you remember things from them doing it, that's one thing, but of course that's the exception not the rule.

[beccaminister]

Here are my best pieces of advice for someone going through recruitment.

• Don't be afraid to be yourself. If you are yourself and you don't fit in at a certain GLO, then you don't fit in there and you WON'T fit in there for the next 4 years.
• When the girls ask "What did you do this summer?", that is their way of asking about money...those with money talk about travels and beaches. those who dont' talk about their jobs. Be honest, but know that this is what they are really asking. On the "other side", don't ask this question unless you are being genuinely interested. And if the girl says, "I worked", then don't freak out. At one GLO I went to, the girl literally turned up her nose at me. At the one I eventually joined, they said "where did you work" i replied, "McDonalds" and they went and found TWO of their sisters who also worked at McD's. I knew that I'd fit in there because there were hardworking girls that didn't turn their noses up at those who work.
• Be careful about what you wear and how you do your hair. Look at the other girls in your rush group. If you are over dressed, wearing more make-up, under dressed, or wearing your hair too causual, adjust it for the next time.
• Seriously, if it's after labor day don't wear white-- especially if you are rushing in the south. The girls DO talk about it.
• Don't be rude. I'll never forget one girl who went through and who was so rude that she was dropped from all 4 groups the first night. If you don't want to go through, don't waste your time or anyone else's.
• If you do not intend to accept a bid, don't rush. Seriosuly, "I'm just rushing to meet people" is not fair. If you are at a school with small quotas, you've just screwed someone out of a bid.
• Smile. Seriously....all night. Smile.
• Clever ways to remember your name are a great idea. No one could pronounce my name when I went through so I had a clever little way to introduce myself and when I pledged ALL of the actives already knew who I was thanks to that.

I know I've probably reiterated what most people have said, but just my 2 cents worth.

Most of all to everyone-- have fun. If it isn't fun, it isn't for you.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by beccaminister

Here are my best pieces of advice for someone going through recruitment.

[*]When the girls ask "What did you do this summer?", that is their way of asking about money...those with money talk about travels and beaches. those who dont' talk about their jobs. Be honest, but know that this is what they are really asking. On the "other side", don't ask this question unless you are being genuinely interested.

Yeah this is a big generalization. It may be true for your school, but I know that most of the time, they're asking because they WANT TO KNOW.

Originally Posted by beccaminister

If you are at a school with small quotas, you've just screwed someone out of a bid.

Ok, this is not true. Quota is set by thr number of girls who attend preference. So whether women drop out of rush or not, it doesn't "screw someone out of a bid."

[beccaminister]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Ok, this is not true. Quota is set by thr number of girls who attend preference. So whether women drop out of rush or not, it doesn't "screw someone out of a bid."

Yes...the number of girls who attend pref. But if you attend pref without intending to take a bid, aren't you screwing someone out of a bid?

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by beccaminister

Yes...the number of girls who attend pref. But if you attend pref without intending to take a bid, aren't you screwing someone out of a bid?

Well, you do change the bid list, so you *could* affect whether someone else gets a bid or not. It's not likely.

[jwright25]

Originally Posted by beccaminister

Yes...the number of girls who attend pref. But if you attend pref without intending to take a bid, aren't you screwing someone out of a bid?

Maybe a long time ago, but not any more. At most schools, women who maximize their options after Preference are placed. There are exceptions - such as Indiana where Quota is based on the number of open beds in the chapter house.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by beccaminister

Yes...the number of girls who attend pref. But if you attend pref without intending to take a bid, aren't you screwing someone out of a bid?

No, they can always get an open bid or snap bid.

In my experience, the "I'm just rushing to meet people" people don't go the whole way through pref, however YMMV.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

In my experience, the "I'm just rushing to meet people" people don't go the whole way through pref, however YMMV.

Yeah, those girls generally withdrew after day one, when they realized that recruitment is designed for girls to join a sorority, and they knew they didn't want to do that.

[sherryanne]

I'm going through COB this week and I'm really nervous. I know the actives will ask me why I am interested in joining a chapter (and I do have my reasons) but is it better to not mention about formal recruitment if I have gone through it (I was released early)? I'm not sure if rushing a second time is looked down upon.

I read the previous posts and saw the no-no on namedropping, but what about mentioning an active in general? For example, if my good friend Susie Smith was in ABC, could I mention (at ABC's recruitment event) how Susie told me about her personal Greek experience which convinced me to consider the recruitment events?

Thanks again for this thread!