DBB's Retro Recruitment Thread

[KSUViolet06]

I remember the sororities on my campus didn't always have crafts that were tied to their national philanthropies. Sometimes they were related to something the chapter was supporting locally at the time. For example, in 2005 the Delta Zeta chapter on my campus had PNMs make fleece blankets (they were pre-cut, all the PNMs did was tie them) to donate to Hurricane Katrina victims. They kept the craft the same the next year and donated the blankets to homeless shelters.

This discussion brings back memories. Sigma's philanthropy is of course RPM, so our craft was "Build a Bear." We'd have them decorate bears to be sent to our area children's hospital. Each PNM got a bear at the door. they would spend a few minutes at each of the 3 bear decoration stations (all while talking to sisters who were stationed at each one).

Station 1 had felt vests and stuff to decorate them with. Then they would move on to the next one. Station 2 was the necklace station. There was yarn and beads to make a necklace for your bear. Then they'd go to the last station. Station 3 was cards. Each PNM would make an encouraging card to go with the bear (we had paper, markers, etc).

We always told them not to worry if they didn't get to finish (sometimes they ran out of time at the last table) or if something fell off of it during the day because we'd fix it.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

I remember the sororities on my campus didn't always have crafts that were tied to their national philanthropies. Sometimes they were related to something the chapter was supporting locally at the time. For example, in 2005 the Delta Zeta chapter on my campus had PNMs make fleece blankets (they were pre-cut, all the PNMs did was tie them) to donate to Hurricane Katrina victims. They kept the craft the same the next year and donated the blankets to homeless shelters.

Sometimes, you'd almost have to. Or you could make items which would be sold later to benefit the national group.

It's a shame because sometimes a charity or community service group really might need the benefit of a couple of thousand extra hands, in terms of sorority members and PNMs, but with recruitment there are build in limits.

[tld221]

Originally Posted by Alphagamuga

I'm sorry in advanced at how cynical this may sound, but at a really big recruitment, you kind of have to wonder what the philanthropy group is really going to do with 1000 pillowcases (or painted flowerpots, I'm not trying to single any one craft out, and maybe they can use 1000 pillowcases) all at once. It really is hard to figure out how 18 groups could have everyone make a meaningful craft, you know?

I think having a day to focus on the groups' philanthropies is a great idea, but that maybe it should focus more of videos, scrapbooks and photos of the projects that the group, particularly in support of their national group's philanthropy, really does throughout the year. That way the benefits keep coming because group may be inspired to actually do more or more substantial projects, and it can be a focus for the sisterhood. It could also get big to have pictures of your members working on other groups philanthropies, building up pahellenic spirit.

Again, with the cynicism, but I sort of feel like this was a "what-can-we-do-to-change-the-image-of-sororities" idea rather than an authentically well thought out philanthropic idea.

Originally Posted by 33girl

I totally agree, and as someone whose art skills would need assistance to get up to suck hard, it places another pressure on the PNMs and sisters who aren't inclined to that sort of thing. Not to mention the wanting to look nice because you're rushing, but being afraid to wear TOO nice of clothes because of the glue/paint etc you may be using. Not to mention that not everyone has a philanthropy easily translatable to a 15 minute craft.

I think it would be much better for everyone to get together before or after rush and build a Habitat for Humanity house or something along those lines.

OK I JUST LOST THE POST I WROTE responding to this... but, im gonna to an apples-to-oranges of how an NPHC community service could work for NPC philantrophy day (just an example of course)

for example, NY Cares Day has lots of different projects happening in one day on one site. a few chapters (either from one org or a mix of orgs) sign up and split up between the projects (ie. organizing bookshelves, painting murals, planting trees, etc) for a part of the day (or even a full day if you're ambitious).

more often than not, we open our comm service events to interested members so they can get to know us and give back in some aspect. while NY Cares isn't any of the NPHC's official national projects, at its core it allows us to serve our respective communities in the name of service just like every NPC has their own philantrophy, generally speaking it is understood within your principles.

with what i outlined, you solve the following:

1. well, a philantrophy day that isnt borerline suck@ss
2. show that your org (and that greeks in general) do more than the stereotypical party, drink and what not
3. save a mess on nicer clothing (and everyone wins cause they can wear jeans and tees!)
4. getting to see all the orgs in action at once. that way the PNM can see exactly how social the orgs are in one setting, versus going to each house every day in an isolated setting. and you know greeks get together and it turns into one big chant fest (ok maybe that's a NPHC/MCGLO thing? but i know NPCs really go at it with door chants!)
5. not getting stuck with pillowcases, flowerpots, blankets and picture frames that not even yo mama would pretend to love. remember, just because theyre the less fortunate doesnt mean they dont deserve qualilty handouts.


im sure there would be kinks to work out ie. "hey wait - isnt that hazing?!?!?!" and size issues (i know many schools have hundreds and even thousands of rushees a season so it could gets really hectic! but i think it could be doable...

[Regina Filangie]

Every chapter at my school made their philanthropy for the childrens hospital. We made flower pots during the party but then we filled them with candy. I'm sure the kids didn't give two flips about the flower pot but the candy was a nice gesture Every year we'd get thank you cards from the families of the kids that had gotten gifts so obviously it meant something to them.

Another house made pillowcases and they'd write "get well soon", "the xyz's are thinking of you", etc. Another one made picture frames and the insert would have the same kind of sentiments on it. Those were the only othert two I remember but regardless of how great the projects turned out it's still a nice gesture.

Plus at my school every PNM got a philantrhopy day t-shirt and were told to wear either denim or khaki pants, skirts, or capris. It was also the only party that PNMs were told it was ok to wear flip flops.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by Regina Filangie

Every chapter at my school made their philanthropy for the childrens hospital. We made flower pots during the party but then we filled them with candy. I'm sure the kids didn't give two flips about the flower pot but the candy was a nice gesture Every year we'd get thank you cards from the families of the kids that had gotten gifts so obviously it meant something to them.

Another house made pillowcases and they'd write "get well soon", "the xyz's are thinking of you", etc. Another one made picture frames and the insert would have the same kind of sentiments on it. Those were the only othert two I remember but regardless of how great the projects turned out it's still a nice gesture.

Plus at my school every PNM got a philantrhopy day t-shirt and were told to wear either denim or khaki pants, skirts, or capris. It was also the only party that PNMs were told it was ok to wear flip flops.

At the right sized recruitment, it's a good idea. I'm not negative about philanthropy crafts completely. But at the point that you'd have more flower pots than patients, well, it might not be sure a great idea. It's partially a question of the scale of the recruitment and the needs of the community.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by tld221

OK I JUST LOST THE POST I WROTE responding to this... but, im gonna to an apples-to-oranges of how an NPHC community service could work for NPC philantrophy day (just an example of course)

for example, NY Cares Day has lots of different projects happening in one day on one site. a few chapters (either from one org or a mix of orgs) sign up and split up between the projects (ie. organizing bookshelves, painting murals, planting trees, etc) for a part of the day (or even a full day if you're ambitious).

more often than not, we open our comm service events to interested members so they can get to know us and give back in some aspect. while NY Cares isn't any of the NPHC's official national projects, at its core it allows us to serve our respective communities in the name of service just like every NPC has their own philantrophy, generally speaking it is understood within your principles.

with what i outlined, you solve the following:

1. well, a philantrophy day that isnt borerline suck@ss
2. show that your org (and that greeks in general) do more than the stereotypical party, drink and what not
3. save a mess on nicer clothing (and everyone wins cause they can wear jeans and tees!)
4. getting to see all the orgs in action at once. that way the PNM can see exactly how social the orgs are in one setting, versus going to each house every day in an isolated setting. and you know greeks get together and it turns into one big chant fest (ok maybe that's a NPHC/MCGLO thing? but i know NPCs really go at it with door chants!)
5. not getting stuck with pillowcases, flowerpots, blankets and picture frames that not even yo mama would pretend to love. remember, just because theyre the less fortunate doesnt mean they dont deserve qualilty handouts.


im sure there would be kinks to work out ie. "hey wait - isnt that hazing?!?!?!" and size issues (i know many schools have hundreds and even thousands of rushees a season so it could gets really hectic! but i think it could be doable...

At a school with deferred recruitment, it might be really great to do it this way. I agree with your list of benefits.

It's a little harder to figure out how you'd do it at campuses where they have recruitment for girls who haven't even attended their first day of class yet although I guess you could make high school girls welcome. But that's mainly because we insist on doing our intake in such a silly way. I bet it does seem ridiculous to NPHC folks.