conversation

[Roraem]

Ask them new questions. Before recruitment starts, make up a list of 5-10 really interesting questions that you would honestly like to know the answer to. Remember that all of the girls in your GLO and in every other sorority during recruitment will be asking the same few questions. "What's your major","where are you from", and "what are your hobbies" gets old fast.

One of my favorite questions has always been "If money was not a problem, what would you major in?"

The reason people mostly just advise you to stay away from the "B" questions is because you should be creative and talk to the PNM about things that matter to you. There is no magic question or topic that will make the PNM love your GLO instantly and want only your sorority. It will probably come easier than you think. At the same time, don't force topics into conversations! Let it flow naturally, let the PNM ask questions and start topics, and most importantly stay calm and be yourself.

[AlphaXi_Husky]

As has been suggested many a time on GC - read "I <3 Recruitment" by Coffey & Gendron. It has a lot of helpful tips for how to talk to PNMs. Also, the search function is your friend - there have been many threads on conversation topics.

As for this...

Originally Posted by Roraem

The reason people mostly just advise you to stay away from the "B" questions is because you should be creative and talk to the PNM about things that matter to you.

...I disagree - the reason to stay away from the "B" questions is because it's impolite (and trashy) to talk about those topics with strangers. However I do agree you should try and be creative when talking to PNMs - open-ended questions are your friend.

[adpiucf]

When you meet someone new, what are some things you are interested in knowing about her? Think about this and write out a list. Also, talk to some older sisters who have been through the other side of recruitment before. They will have great ideas on questions to ask.

Some things I'd want to know about a new person interested in my sorority would include the basics: where's she from, what she's majoring in, why she chose to come to college here, and where she's living this fall. I'd also be interested in her hobbies, and some of the activities she participated in while in high school.

Mostly, I'd be looking to find something in common with her in the course of asking these questions. For example, asking someone her hometown or high school might be a basic question, but it might just turn out that you are from the same hometown! Finding something in common often helps to make the conversation flow.

Also, you might want to ask her what motivated her to go through sorority recruitment. Ask her what she's looking forward to the most as a prospective sorority member-- take her responses as cues to sell her on what makes your sorority a great place! Play up your sisterhood, social activities, philanthropy, etc.

Good luck!

[Roraem]

Originally Posted by AlphaXi_Husky

...I disagree - the reason to stay away from the "B" questions is because it's impolite (and trashy) to talk about those topics with strangers.

I agree. My point was why people were only recommending to stay away from touchy topics, not why the "B" questions are inappropriate. I suppose I could have worded that phrase better