Recruitment problems

[Stef the Pef]

My suggestions?

*Wear letters everywhere, with the exception of when you're going out and/or drinking. The six of you need to make your chapter as visible as possible, start making lots of friends outside the chapter, and then trying to bring them into your chapter.

*Along with that point--don't do anything stupid in letters. If PNMs see you drunk/high/smoking/swearing/etc. in letters, that can be a huuuuuuge turn-off.

*Bring in an "image guy." Our chapter usually brings in a husband and wife pair we call "Ronnifer" (there's a Ron and a Jennifer and they're practically attached at the hip) and they rock. The token "image guy(s)" can show you all kinds of tips and tricks for winning people over during rush and/or COB.

*Do your all-campus events big. Make them fun. Make others interested in joining your chapter and being a part of the planning for it. If you don't have a big event, maybe you should consider it? Things like concerts, field days, Greek-vs.-Greek competitions, open parties, battle of the bands events, and even guy invites like crushes are great ways to get the rest of the campus involved in and excited about your chapter. The more folks see your name on event shirts, the more folks see your chapter. Plus, big events can sometimes be a good way to raise money for your philanthropy.
*Be nice to everyone. Even guys. Even other sororities. Nobody wants to join a chapter they see as small and bitter over everyone else's success. I don't know if that's a pervasive attitude or not, but that tends to happen a lot in smaller chapters and can really make one or two members bring the rest of the chapter down.

*If there's in-chapter trouble (even the small stuff), try to keep it under wraps. Don't have sisters talking smack in public about how ________ is a crappy officer or _________ is going to be a lame event. Keep that kind of stuff between yourselves.


And I know this is a stretch because if you're a local, you're dedicated to your local--but have you considered trying to affiliate with a national sorority? One that closest matches your local's ideals and traditions? If you're losing that many girls because they want to be a part of an inter/national sisterhood, that may be something to consider.