Helping out another sorority

[pearlbubbles]

When I went through recruitment, one of the chapters had a chapter from a nearby university come to help and I remember myself and many other PNMs being turned off by it, so I imagine that feeling is unavoidable. My best advice, thinking back on that experience, would be to make sure to mention it, otherwise the PNMs might feel hurt later. And they'll probably be a bit turned off anyway, but this isn't your fault.

Otherwise, keep the topics general "get to know you" type of subjects )travel, movies, whatever) and the national organization. If there's any way to make sure they can also talk to an active at that chapter, that might be best, but I know it could be difficult and is out of your control.

I'm sure this is a tough situation to be in and I wish you luck! Hopefully you have some time to see the campus and meet your sisters before you have to go right into recruiting.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by pearlbubbles

When I went through recruitment, one of the chapters had a chapter from a nearby university come to help and I remember myself and many other PNMs being turned off by it

Just curious--why did you feel that way? Wouldn't potential members think, "Wow, that's great that their chapters stick together and support each other."

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Just curious--why did you feel that way? Wouldn't potential members think, "Wow, that's great that their chapters stick together and support each other."

Every PNM thinks differently. Some of them see the big picture of the orgs having chapters at other schools, whereas other PNMs are thinking of chapters in terms of what is specifically going on at THEIR school.

I mean, it might be cool to hear about what another chapter does, but many PNMs are concerned with what THAT particular chapter is doing (since that is potentially the one they'll be joining). Ex: it's nice to hear about Big Southern State's slip-n-slide philanthrophy event, but it's not something you're actually going to be participating in. PNMs generally don't join ABC State's chapter based on what they hear that DEF chapter is doing.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Every PNM thinks differently. Some of them see the big picture of the orgs having chapters at other schools, whereas other PNMs are thinking of chapters in terms of what is specifically going on at THEIR school.

I mean, it might be cool to hear about what another chapter does, but many PNMs are concerned with what THAT particular chapter is doing (since that is potentially the one they'll be joining). Ex: it's nice to hear about Big Southern State's slip-n-slide philanthrophy event, but it's not something you're actually going to be participating in. PNMs generally don't join ABC State's chapter based on what they hear that DEF chapter is doing.

Interesting...hadn't really considered how it might hurt recruitment for NPCs to have other chapters help out.

I'm in a NALFO sorority, and it's expected that sisters from other chapters will show up to informationals, etc. (actually a turn-off for many interests if they don't).

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

I'm in a NALFO sorority, and it's expected that sisters from other chapters will show up to informationals, etc. (actually a turn-off for many interests if they don't).

Yep. The "bigger than your chapter" mentality is drilled into our heads even before we become members, so no one blinks an eye if nearby chapters stop by to help out. These are people that you're going to be working/interacting with frequently, so it's not as if they fall off the face of the Earth once pledging begins.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Yep. The "bigger than your chapter" mentality is drilled into our heads even before we become members, so no one blinks an eye if nearby chapters stop by to help out. These are people that you're going to be working/interacting with frequently, so it's not as if they fall off the face of the Earth once pledging begins.

Word...word, word, word.

[lyrica9]

when i was an undergrad i helped at two other schools, one that wanted us to let the PNMs know we came from another chapter, and another that didn't want it mentioned. it was much better to be open about it, especially since at the school where we didn't mention it i got into some interesting conversations about what dorm i had lived in the previous years with some PNMs. oh, and not to mention i ended up rushing a girl from my high school who knew i did not go to her school.

either way, i would do some research on the school and greek life there, it'll help facilitate easier conversations!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Just curious--why did you feel that way? Wouldn't potential members think, "Wow, that's great that their chapters stick together and support each other."

As I said in my post, if the women from the other chapter didn't say right away that they were from another chapter, that can really turn PNMs off. Imagine if you're in a rush party and having a great conversation with someone and feeling like you're making a connection - and then she says "well at my chapter we also yadda yadda" and that's when you find out she doesn't even go to that school. Great, you found someone you like, but if you want to hang out with her you have to transfer.

I also have no clue what chapters who do this do about voting on PNMs. I can conceivably understand how PNMs would feel like they wasted their time - like talking to a dude for 1/2 an hour and then finding out he's married w/ 6 kids.

I'm kind of hoping that the OP and her chapter sisters are mostly going to be helping with refreshments, guiding the women into the house etc. With only 5 women coming in, that's kind of what it sounds like it might be.

[pearlbubbles]

Originally Posted by LatinaAlumna

Just curious--why did you feel that way? Wouldn't potential members think, "Wow, that's great that their chapters stick together and support each other."

At the first party I only talked to the girls that were from the other chapter and they discussed all the things they did at their school. Which sounded like a lot of fun and many of those girls were really great, but I didn't go to their school, so I wouldn't have gotten to do any of those things. Plus as an eighteen year old, the national aspect wasn't something I really thought about or necessarily cared about since one of my main reasons for joining was to make my campus smaller.

33girl also made a good point in the members not necessarily mentioning they were from another school until the middle of the conversation. It made me feel a little blindsided.