First night of formal rush

[justamom]

I was thinking that we should hang letter shirts and different tees from events such as greek week, homecoming etc and string them on clothesline around the room,

I LOVE that idea! That sounds cute-you could even put those hanger shaped faces on them. (It's a cut out of face and shoulders, and you can use glitter glue or glue gun beads for earings and the shape of your lavalier for the necklaces)Decorations set the mood when people step in and see your chapter for the first time! Many PNMs go back and refer to the houses by their decorations and what they serve or HOW they serve it. For example, the Kappas served Kappa Kappa-chino at one party. How cute is THAT! Every PNM was talking about it.

The good news is your numbers, the chapter sounds really healthy.
Put those actives who can bring out the best in anyone
in the heart of the activties because if others see girls having fun-it will filter through the group.

Laughter-when people see or hear it, they want to be a part of it.
The PNMs want to look at a group of women and see a reflecton of how they see themselves.

During workshop, do you practice mini conversation like role playing good PNM, bad PNM? Most are pretty nervous. They are comparing themselves to all the other rushees so their confidence may be a little shakey. The more open ended questions the better. Think of twists to the way you ask for information like what's your major.
For example instead of "WYM?" ask, "Who did you have for English?" ------- "Oh WOW, is HE really great/easy/good/funny-Bethany had him last year!"
Where are you from." "Is it this hot/rain this much where YOU live?" It will take cooperation from your membership. Sometimes THAT's the most difficult part,yet so important.

I bet you're going to be fantastic! WHY??? Because so many people come on these boards asking for help. Instead of presenting their own positives (as you have), EVERYTHING is a negative. They shoot everyones suggestions down with-won't work-tried that-negaivity out the arse! Never explaining a thing...
Best of luck to you!

[bruinaphi]

Originally posted by PhiMuJulia
because in PA its illegal to have sorority houses

No it is not. There are sorority houses at Penn. There have been several threads on this through the years.

[IheartAphi]

My chapter went to a bead/jewelry store were you make your own jewelry and chose the beads and designs you want. Everyone made big hoop earrings that were super cute and matched our first day outfit. Every sorority had to wear the same recruitment shirt (with their letters on it) so it added something super cute to the outfit.

[aephi alum]

That post of mine that JAM is referring to, is really aimed at smaller chapters. That doesn't seem to be the case with your chapter... but I hope it helps anyway (and thanks JAM)

For our round 1, we used to have 10-minute "tours" and then an open house where women could visit any sorority's rush rooms and stay as long as they wanted. So, tours were about impressing women enough that they came back during open houses. Peppy, energetic door chants and skits were very effective. Slide shows and videos - not so much.

Tours were themed - are you allowed to use a theme? A cute, original theme will be remembered; I still remember Alpha Phi's "Phi-esta" and I rushed 10 years ago!

Try asking different questions from the standard "where are you from" "what's your major" etc. You say it's the only night where you are allowed to ask things like that, which means every chapter will be doing it. If you don't, that will stick in the PNM's minds - Phi Mu was interested in me, not my major or hometown. I like JAM's idea of finding a "different" way to get at that info.

Good luck

[PhiMuJulia]

Originally posted by IheartAphi
My chapter went to a bead/jewelry store were you make your own jewelry and chose the beads and designs you want. Everyone made big hoop earrings that were super cute and matched our first day outfit. Every sorority had to wear the same recruitment shirt (with their letters on it) so it added something super cute to the outfit.

what a super cute idea

[bsp-mich24]

Don't mean to hijact this thread but I thought it might be related.

I'll be new to this Formal Recruitment thing (on advising team)...

What is the"common theme" if there is one or is this another regional, chapter-by-chapter thing. Day 1 for the GLO's out here is Panhellenic Day on Friday late afternoon or early evening. Please PM me if necessary.