Values Based Recruitment

[ASTalumna06]

Another option... values-based new member programs. Teaching your members about values, education, service and tradition almost immediately after they accept a bid should be your priority.

Think about it. What did you learn in your new member program that actually helped you to become a better sister? Instead of simply teaching new members "the basics" of your organization, delve into what makes you a sorority.

Meet with the new members after their first meeting and have them analyze their current academic situation. Have them create goals for themselves (i.e. earning A's and B's for the semester), and check up with them weekly to see how they're progressing. Offer incentives for completing goals.

Have them organize a philanthropy event together that all of the sisters must attend.

Don't only teach them things like the names of your founders, but explain to them what the founders intended to create and the symbols that they used to relay their ideas.

Constantly remind the new members of your purpose. For AST, it is to promote the ethical, cultural and social development of it's members. Focus on aspects of the sorority that teach your values. For us, we could plan 3 different nights during their program that had to deal with each of these characteristics of the sorority.

Use what YOU know about the sorority (through knowledge and experience), and teach it to your new members first. If they're taught from the very beginning to embrace these ideals, they'll be more likely to then transfer these requirements and considerations over into recruitment.

It may be a longer process than you would have liked, but it will be worth it in the end.