Just Because We're The Bottom Tier..

[FSUZeta]

I am sorry that your chapter struggles during recruitment. It sounds like you are ready to be the spark that changes the direction of the chapter. Have you thought of reading this during a chapter meeting?

I agree that if your sisters want to be competitive during recruitment they need to present themselves comparably to the appearance of the other chapters. Sometimes another friendly chapter is willing to practice recruitment techniques with another chapter. That might be helpful.

Attending campus events and supporting other organizations is great PR. It is important that chapter members are identified as such. The goal is to create a positive buzz about the chapter:" I just love those ABC girls. They always support our fundraisers." Another important component is for chapter members to belong to at least one other campus org. It not only looks good on resumes', but is a way for more people to learn how great your members are.

[AnchorAlumna]

You have put your finger on the cause of a downrated chapter - nobody knows you.
Opinions change when people know you - and you're doing the right things, but you can't do it alone.
Sounds like your chapter needs some serious, heavy-duty guidance and training. I'll bet your adviser, regional officer or even a national officer could arrange for some chapter visitors who could provide that.
Perhaps you could ask to speak to your executive board and discuss ways to bring in help to better train your members to recruit...AND to build good public relations on campus.
I know it's hard when you have just a few members to attend all those events, while XYZ chapter has dozens.
Help is out there, but you have to ask for it.

[33girl]

Is it the members of the sorority who really want to be as unselective as you say, or are you under HQ pressure to meet quota and total?

You don't mention COB or open bidding. You need to look outside the box at upperclassmen and women who didn't like formal rush - women who don't just want to be in A sorority, they want to be in YOUR sorority. Women who have a year or two of college under their belt typically will have more confidence and be more able to laugh at people who stereotype them, as opposed to first semester freshmen who are desperate to fit in and terrified of making social mistakes.

As far as rush it sounds as though your sisters have had the fear of God put into them about "taboo" topics and so are sounding stilted. They need to know that if a PNM mentions going to the RNC they don't have to think "politics! Oh holy crap no! BAD SUBJECT MUST NOT DISCUSS!!" and veer awkwardly to a discussion of colors or mascots. Practice spinning topics like that - when brought up by the PNM - into more neutral territory without making the PNM feel awkward.