How to keep the freshman interested???

[ASTalumna06]

(Ok, to clear things up: I never said that inviting girls to events is dirty rushing. I simply said that in a "non-dirty rushing" way, we inform the PNMs that they can't receive a bid until the following semester. Forget I even mentioned it.)

And as for the "poor us" attitude... that's not what I'm saying at all. I'm simply saying that implementing formal recruitment probably isn't the next logical step in creating more interest in Greek life on this campus.

And here's another question... I know that a lot of people don't have experience with the recruitment situation of this campus, but... do you think it would be a good idea to do away with recruitment events altogether? (And I'm talking recruitment parties with themes and all that)

Now hear me out... 99.9% of the girls that we get are either a.) brought to a recruitment event by a sister who she's already friends with, b.) is a new roommate of a sister, or c.) has a friend who knows someone in the sorority who convinces her to join.

If this is the case, and if convincing complete strangers to come to recruitment events is difficult, why have them? Why not just invite these girls we don't know to do normal things like get lunch, go to a basketball game, or study?

I keep reading everywhere that "Non-Greeks are afraid of sorority/fraternity rush events", which I can understand. And in a formal recruitment setting, they have to go through these events if they want to join. But on this campus, they don't. Would it be wise to avoid these kind of events altogether?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

Now hear me out... 99.9% of the girls that we get are either a.) brought to a recruitment event by a sister who she's already friends with, b.) is a new roommate of a sister, or c.) has a friend who knows someone in the sorority who convinces her to join.

If this is the case, and if convincing complete strangers to come to recruitment events is difficult, why have them? Why not just invite these girls we don't know to do normal things like get lunch, go to a basketball game, or study?

I keep reading everywhere that "Non-Greeks are afraid of sorority/fraternity rush events", which I can understand. And in a formal recruitment setting, they have to go through these events if they want to join. But on this campus, they don't. Would it be wise to avoid these kind of events altogether?

Well, if the only way you're recruiting is to ask friends, eventually you're going to run out of friends of friends.

Yes, ask girls you don't know to get lunch etc...I thought you were already doing that. But you, and your sisters, have to become friends with her before you think about rushing her. And realize not everyone you befriend is going to be a good fit - it's trial and error. If your only motivation to get to know new women on campus is to eventually get them to pledge, then people are going to run the other way when they see one of you coming. It'll be like you're selling Amway or Arbonne or something.

And I don't think that non Greeks are "afraid" of rush events - uninterested maybe, indifferent maybe, but afraid? Do you really want someone as a sister who's afraid to go to a rush event?

[AlphaXi_Husky]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

do you think it would be a good idea to do away with recruitment events altogether? (And I'm talking recruitment parties with themes and all that)

...

If this is the case, and if convincing complete strangers to come to recruitment events is difficult, why have them? Why not just invite these girls we don't know to do normal things like get lunch, go to a basketball game, or study?

I keep reading everywhere that "Non-Greeks are afraid of sorority/fraternity rush events", which I can understand. And in a formal recruitment setting, they have to go through these events if they want to join. But on this campus, they don't. Would it be wise to avoid these kind of events altogether?

In one word - yes. It's much easier to invite people along to do things the chapters would do normally (study, eat, watch a sporting event, etc.) then to try and plan out an additional event with decorations, special cookies - whatever.

I know I've said it before and I'll say it again - read I <3 Recruitment. A lot of what they discuss plays directly into the issues it sounds like you're having. (I would tell you about some of their ideas here, but I feel that would probably verge on copyright issues).

ETA: and ditto what 33girl said - if you're trying to meet people just to get them to join your sorority and not to become their friend, it will scare them away.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AlphaXi_Husky

I know I've said it before and I'll say it again - read I <3 Recruitment. A lot of what they discuss plays directly into the issues it sounds like you're having. (I would tell you about some of their ideas here, but I feel that would probably verge on copyright issues).

I guess this is what's making me a tad befuddled....the OP brought up the phiredup website and shared ideas from it before. Isn't that the same people??

[AlphaXi_Husky]

Originally Posted by 33girl

I guess this is what's making me a tad befuddled....the OP brought up the phiredup website and shared ideas from it before. Isn't that the same people??

Hmmm - I hadn't realized that.

AST - have you (and the chapter you advise) read that book? And if so, have you guys tried some of their tactics? I realize some of them may be a bit intimidating (introducing yourself to people you don't know, for one), but it sounds like on your campus that is what's needed.

Also, have you spoken with regional or national officers about ways to improve your recruiting efforts?

[BabyPiNK_FL]

Someone said it before. Have panhellenic get involved.

They should be presenting at orientation, keeping a list of interested women and their contact info (and emailing/phoning them!), hosting events for the sororities all first semester that women can attend without things seeming shady (ice cream, informationals, GPA events, etc.)

These things aren't expensive, but it will give women things to go to, should provide a way to keep women interested and also bring their friends (or if they are shy, get them out there)!

Another thing would be to begin a relaxed formal recruitment during the spring semester. Each chapter has an adviser who can provide them info and an opinion on this and the Panhellenic has an area adviser who can help make it happen.

[ASTalumna06]

yea, cuz I visit PhiredUp.com (from the writers of "Good Guys" and "I <3 Recruitment.. who are ASTs, btw ) just about everyday, and that's what they say all the time. Being a recruitment advisor, I try to suggest this idea to the girls, but I think they're afraid to move away from "tradition" and the "status quo". Recruitment parties are what everyone else on campus does, and so we do it too, to little or no avail.

[AlphaXi_Husky]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

yea, cuz I visit PhiredUp.com (from the writers of "Good Guys" and "I <3 Recruitment.. who are ASTs, btw ) just about everyday, and that's what they say all the time. Being a recruitment advisor, I try to suggest this idea to the girls, but I think they're afraid to move away from "tradition" and the "status quo". Recruitment parties are what everyone else on campus does, and so we do it too, to little or no avail.

But there's nothing to say you couldn't do some Recruitment parties as well as try other, more outside the box, recruitment methods. Is it maybe a problem with the chapter members being comfortable doing those outside the box things? Not so much in terms of tradition, but in terms of conversation skills? Has it come to sink or swim time, where they either try something new or the chapter doesn't really grow?