Helping out another sorority

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by limegreen

Avoid talking about specific customs from your chapter and campus.

This.

Don't go on and on about how your chapter does this supercool date party or this super cool new member sleepover where the NMs are treated to a Broadway show and filet mgnon. All that does is make Patty PNM wonder "why doesn't the chapter at our school do that?"

Either that or she mistakenly thinks that the chapter does the same things and is a little disapponted.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Just curious--why did you feel that way? Wouldn't potential members think, "Wow, that's great that their chapters stick together and support each other."

Every PNM thinks differently. Some of them see the big picture of the orgs having chapters at other schools, whereas other PNMs are thinking of chapters in terms of what is specifically going on at THEIR school.

I mean, it might be cool to hear about what another chapter does, but many PNMs are concerned with what THAT particular chapter is doing (since that is potentially the one they'll be joining). Ex: it's nice to hear about Big Southern State's slip-n-slide philanthrophy event, but it's not something you're actually going to be participating in. PNMs generally don't join ABC State's chapter based on what they hear that DEF chapter is doing.

[thetygerlily]

Be sure that the message is that you are there to help because the sisterhood & organization extends beyond the campus, not that you are only there because they are struggling. Be honest about the seniors graduating and needing you to help out- but don't dwell on the negatives. The spin you put on it can have a major impact on how it's perceived by the PNMs.

Focus on what you bring to the table- you represent the organization on a national level, can talk about how great it is that your chapters can be there for each other, etc. You are an asset that shows the scale of the organization. Think of it that way, rather than "they didn't have enough people so they couldn't do it without us". Especially since there are only five of you, it sounds like there are a lot more of them than there are of you.

I'm sure they will have this under control, but just in case- be sure that every PNM you talk to meets at least one person from the actual chapter every round. When I went through, I was really surprised and confused to learn that nearly everyone in the the first party was from a different chapter. They were the opposite- only five were local and the other 15 or so were from out of state (we had a very small system, our sororities averaged 20 actives each during recruitment hovering around 30 after). I did wind up joining, but only after I had made fantastic connections with a couple of the local actives. I still remember the first woman from the other chapter that I met, and I absolutely loved her. And I still hold a special place in my heart for that chapter!

I also agree with the advice about trying to spend some time with them- even 20 minutes of quality time getting to know a few of them. That way, when you introduce a PNM to an active you can make it more personal and it won't be an awkward "umm this is *reads nametag* oh, Katie". It can be "Hey, I want you to meet Katie- she's a biology major and since you're really into geology..."- or hobbies, hometowns, whatever. You won't know everyone or everything, but if you can make a couple of connections you'll seem like you fit in there and aren't just a random XYZ coming in off the street.

Side note- if possible see if you can keep up a relationship with them. This is a unique opportunity for cross-chapter bonding. A few months after my pledge class initiated (going from 5 to 17), nearly our entire chapter road tripped out to the other chapter a good 8 hours away. We stayed there for the weekend and it was fantastic. The following year we did a similar thing but with a different chapter, our Alpha chapter. They were unhoused so we went college style, sleeping on their dorm room floors It might be too late to plan something like that before recruitment starts, but it would be a huge win to be able to (truthfully) say "we are so happy to be here and hang out with such great sisters. We are even inviting them to come back to visit us after recruitment is over! They're such a great group of women."

[33girl]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Just curious--why did you feel that way? Wouldn't potential members think, "Wow, that's great that their chapters stick together and support each other."

As I said in my post, if the women from the other chapter didn't say right away that they were from another chapter, that can really turn PNMs off. Imagine if you're in a rush party and having a great conversation with someone and feeling like you're making a connection - and then she says "well at my chapter we also yadda yadda" and that's when you find out she doesn't even go to that school. Great, you found someone you like, but if you want to hang out with her you have to transfer.

I also have no clue what chapters who do this do about voting on PNMs. I can conceivably understand how PNMs would feel like they wasted their time - like talking to a dude for 1/2 an hour and then finding out he's married w/ 6 kids.

I'm kind of hoping that the OP and her chapter sisters are mostly going to be helping with refreshments, guiding the women into the house etc. With only 5 women coming in, that's kind of what it sounds like it might be.

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Do you mean they weren't allowed to say they were from another chapter?

The Panhel at the OP's school might just be a little more laid back about it. Especially if it's only 5 girls.

No. I mean that those campuses required that all rushers on the floor be enrolled in that school. They could say where they were from but they had to be approved by the CPH to recruit since they were not members of that chapter.

This was in some instances where we were trying to boost numbers and save a chapter but didn't want to go the full recolonization route.

[pearlbubbles]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Just curious--why did you feel that way? Wouldn't potential members think, "Wow, that's great that their chapters stick together and support each other."

At the first party I only talked to the girls that were from the other chapter and they discussed all the things they did at their school. Which sounded like a lot of fun and many of those girls were really great, but I didn't go to their school, so I wouldn't have gotten to do any of those things. Plus as an eighteen year old, the national aspect wasn't something I really thought about or necessarily cared about since one of my main reasons for joining was to make my campus smaller.

33girl also made a good point in the members not necessarily mentioning they were from another school until the middle of the conversation. It made me feel a little blindsided.

[RaggedyAnn]

When I saw the thread title, I thought you were going to be helping out another sorority all together. Since this is another chapter of the same sisterhood, I would do what others have said and concentrate on the fact that this is a national sisterhood. There will be women there that join this chapter because they get to experience the "big picture".

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Every PNM thinks differently. Some of them see the big picture of the orgs having chapters at other schools, whereas other PNMs are thinking of chapters in terms of what is specifically going on at THEIR school.

I mean, it might be cool to hear about what another chapter does, but many PNMs are concerned with what THAT particular chapter is doing (since that is potentially the one they'll be joining). Ex: it's nice to hear about Big Southern State's slip-n-slide philanthrophy event, but it's not something you're actually going to be participating in. PNMs generally don't join ABC State's chapter based on what they hear that DEF chapter is doing.

Interesting...hadn't really considered how it might hurt recruitment for NPCs to have other chapters help out.

I'm in a NALFO sorority, and it's expected that sisters from other chapters will show up to informationals, etc. (actually a turn-off for many interests if they don't).

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

I'm in a NALFO sorority, and it's expected that sisters from other chapters will show up to informationals, etc. (actually a turn-off for many interests if they don't).

Yep. The "bigger than your chapter" mentality is drilled into our heads even before we become members, so no one blinks an eye if nearby chapters stop by to help out. These are people that you're going to be working/interacting with frequently, so it's not as if they fall off the face of the Earth once pledging begins.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Yep. The "bigger than your chapter" mentality is drilled into our heads even before we become members, so no one blinks an eye if nearby chapters stop by to help out. These are people that you're going to be working/interacting with frequently, so it's not as if they fall off the face of the Earth once pledging begins.

Word...word, word, word.

[lyrica9]

when i was an undergrad i helped at two other schools, one that wanted us to let the PNMs know we came from another chapter, and another that didn't want it mentioned. it was much better to be open about it, especially since at the school where we didn't mention it i got into some interesting conversations about what dorm i had lived in the previous years with some PNMs. oh, and not to mention i ended up rushing a girl from my high school who knew i did not go to her school.

either way, i would do some research on the school and greek life there, it'll help facilitate easier conversations!