Matching pnms to actives - how do you do it?

[Zillini]

We use two different terms "assigning" and "matching". Assigning is fairly random, but still has 1 active assigned to pick up a specific PNM when she enters the party. Matching is when you try to match up interests, majors, hometowns, anything you can possibly think of. Assigning goes on more in the early rounds due to the sheer numbers. 3rd round and Pref are usually matched. Sometimes you just run out common traits for PNMs and actives especially if the parties are huge. Then you start reaching. "Um ... well they've both got brown eyes." "Perfect, put them together. Next!"

A great idea is to make bio cards with highlights form apps/recs or something like that to pass out along with the assignments. Even if you don't know this PNM from Adam and seemingly have nothing in common, at least you know some things about her that hopefully gives the active something to talk about. It also helps cut down on the "What was that PNM's name again who I just talked to for the last 15 minutes? She was from Anytown, wasn't she?"

Fair warning though -- even with the best pre-planned assignments with PNM's walking in alphabetically, there will still be actives that miss their girls. It happens every year, every round, every party and presumably in every Chapter. Have your non-assigned actives ready at a certain position to pick up any solo PMNs before they start wandering around the house unescorted. Yes, the world will come crashing down if that happens!

[gee_ess]

Thanks to all who have commented. I especially appreciate the PM's with specifics regarding your chapter's procedures on this topic.

We do already utilize "assigning" girls to pnm's. Usually this has been determined by different factors - Hometown girl picks up hometown pnm, roommate of active who is dying for pnm picks her up to support roommate, etc. I just feel like the idea of matching girls up with someone can be positive. And, to clarify, I intend (at the very least) that by using this process, we make sure that the active has knowledge of what the pnm has achieved/been involved in, etc. so they can have a more meaningful conversation other than "Wow, isn't it hot outside? How is the dorm? What do you think of college so far?" They don't have to have identical circumstances, but I think a pnm likes to feel as if the girl rushing her "knows" her.

In a 15 minute party, ( and on a 14 party day) it is often difficult to have a good conversation with each girl. I think this will help. I just need help figuring out how those who do it well, do it.

[Benzgirl]

Originally Posted by Zillini

Sometimes you just run out common traits for PNMs and actives especially if the parties are huge. Then you start reaching. "Um ... well they've both got brown eyes." "Perfect, put them together. Next!"

LOL!!! The visuals are running through my head.

[gee_ess]

Okay, I guess I am just old and out of the loop! WHO KNEW? Thanks for the kind way of letting me know how uncomfortable my question was making you.

Hmmm...I will get in touch with someone at a higher level asap.

But, at the risk of being argumentative, and for the sake of further discussion, I don't see what is so restricted about this info. Don't we all gather info - recs, letters, etc in basically the same manner? I am not inquiring about ritual, just trying to improve technique.

[AlphaFrog]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

But, at the risk of being argumentative, and for the sake of further discussion, I don't see what is so restricted about this info. Don't we all gather info - recs, letters, etc in basically the same manner? I am not inquiring about ritual, just trying to improve technique.

Groups vary a lot in what they consider secret and ritual.

And, for the sake of the topic - I think it's okay to pair up Patty "Piccolo" PNM with Suzy "Saxaphone" Sister, but I think after the fact they have that one thing in common, the rest of the convo should be impromptu. I would be a little creeped out if someone memorized that I'm in the marching band, a basketball cheerleader, was student government president in highschool, and ran a marathon last weekend. Even though that info was probably on recs or rush forms, it would still feel a bit stalker-ish. And yes, I have heard of chapters who do this.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Okay, I guess I am just old and out of the loop! WHO KNEW? Thanks for the kind way of letting me know how uncomfortable my question was making you.

Hmmm...I will get in touch with someone at a higher level asap.

But, at the risk of being argumentative, and for the sake of further discussion, I don't see what is so restricted about this info. Don't we all gather info - recs, letters, etc in basically the same manner? I am not inquiring about ritual, just trying to improve technique.

But how you do your rush groups and matching may be related to how you do voting, which could get into membership selection, etc.

At least I think that was the objection.

The other possibility is that people don't want to give away the tips that help them get an edge in, let's face it, a competitive process.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

The other possibility is that people don't want to give away the tips that help them get an edge in, let's face it, a competitive process.

Yep.

Just because your rush manual or the format of your pref party isn't "ritual" doesn't mean you should put it on the internet for all to see.

Not only that, everyone does things a little differently...for all I know, there's a secret special Nu Nu Nu bumping method that they have to use in rush or their chapter can't receive awards.

[NutBrnHair]

Originally Posted by UGAalum94

But how you do your rush groups and matching may be related to how you do voting, which could get into membership selection, etc.

At least I think that was the objection.

The other possibility is that people don't want to give away the tips that help them get an edge in, let's face it, a competitive process.

BINGO!