Pref Ceremonies

[gee_ess]

I would definitely email some AXO recruitment chairs for advice.

Also, one common mistake made in pref ceremonies is forgetting to plan the ceremony based on the mindset of a pnm. What are they thinking, feeling? Too often, the ceremony is planned by a senior and plays to the memories, good times, emotion of that graduating group of girls. But the video and music and speaking parts of pref must appeal to a PNM and her current state of mind.

Excellent advice above regarding a workshop on teaching members to seal the deal, etc.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

Also, one common mistake made in pref ceremonies is forgetting to plan the ceremony based on the mindset of a pnm. What are they thinking, feeling? Too often, the ceremony is planned by a senior and plays to the memories, good times, emotion of that graduating group of girls. But the video and music and speaking parts of pref must appeal to a PNM and her current state of mind.

This. The chapter I advised had a "tradition" of the seniors filming footage during work week and then putting together a video that was shown at pref. The intention was to "showcase" how much fun the chapter had together, but it almost inevitably turned into inside jokes and senior memories. While it was definitely fun to watch, I don't think it necessarily was the draw for the chapter it was supposed to be. Personally, I thought it would have been better used during Senior Week. But it was "tradition" so no one wanted to change it.

[ErinBee]

Originally Posted by gee_ess

I would definitely email some AXO recruitment chairs for advice.

Also, one common mistake made in pref ceremonies is forgetting to plan the ceremony based on the mindset of a pnm. What are they thinking, feeling? Too often, the ceremony is planned by a senior and plays to the memories, good times, emotion of that graduating group of girls. But the video and music and speaking parts of pref must appeal to a PNM and her current state of mind.

Excellent advice above regarding a workshop on teaching members to seal the deal, etc.

I think that is a really good point that many people, including myself forget. I know that one of the things we do that I really like is that we have a sister that went through the previous year talk about her recruitment journey.

[SWTXBelle]

It helps to bear in mind that at this point, the chapter has decided the pnms at their pref parties are worthy of membership - the focus needs to shift from both selling the chapter and evaluating the pnms to focusing on hearing what the pnms are looking for in a sisterhood, and letting the pnms know what membership in AXO will mean for THEM - how their needs will be met. It's not enough to have a Broadway-quality performance - although that should be a concern - the pnms must feel that they will find their home at AXO, that their particular needs are best met at AXO. Too often the focus is on the glitzy part of pref, and the one-on-one interaction between members and pnms is left to chance. PLAN what the rushers are going to discuss - how they will try to direct the conversation, how they will discuss their experience, how they will make the pnms feel comfortable and able to see themselves as AXOs.

[honeychile]

A simple thing I noticed as an advisor: have at least one sister stationed at where she can watch the reactions of the PNMs. Ones who look bored may have already decided how they're going to rank the sororities, and you're not number one. On the other hand, those who look interested are still worth that extra push.

Also, see how they interact with the other PNMs - potentially their new member class.