Recruitment help

[lyriclove22]

So I am in a new multicultural sorority that has always been fairly small compared to national sororities and recently, we have been having problems recruiting new members. I am a “younger” sister that doesn’t have the same network as the alumnae in the past had, and I’m sure it is a similar situation for the other active members. We table, flyer, and post Facebook events. We table at organization fairs and just at the beginning of each semester. I need some hints of what I can work on to better our recruitment strategy.

I know all of these aspects below are important when getting girls to join the sorority but what I’m asking here is what the level of importance of each thing is to you. I’ve researched rush themes and different ways to promote but I need to know what I should focus on more because I may be sweating the small stuff. Please tell me the things you think influence the outcome of recruiting the most by simply listing them or going down the subtopics and rating them (1 = very important; 2 = important, 3 = somewhat important; 4= neutral; 5 = not important; 6 = why did you mention this?)

1) Promoting
a) Rush Theme
b) Tabling Time – morning, noon, or night?
c) Tabling Location – hang out spots? Dorms/dining halls?
d) Table Display – do you prepare your table in a very specific way to attract others?
2) Events
a) Parties vs. Bonding activities
b) Sisters vs. Mixers with other orgs
3) Overall Appearance
a) Sorority Symbols & Colors – girls can be picky
b) Size of Organization – Will a small group scare girls away?
c) Uniformity – do sisters dressing alike attract more girls?

**Please give me CONSTRUCTIVE but POLITE feedback. ☺ Thanks a lot!
**Also, if there's any other suggestions that are not on the list but are relative to the topic please include them in your response.

[KSUViolet06]

If you poll Greeks, you'll find that very few of them joined their particular org specifically because of the symbols/colors, awesome table display, or super cute rush theme.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by lyriclove22

So I am in a new multicultural sorority that has always been fairly small compared to national sororities and recently, we have been having problems recruiting new members.

National sororities as in the 26 NPC groups, or national sororities as in other multicultural sororities that are national?

Recruiting strategies for these two categories are not interchangeable. You'd be better off to specifically state who your "competition" is before we give you ideas on how to compete with them.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by lyriclove22

So I am in a new multicultural sorority that has always been fairly small compared to national sororities and recently, we have been having problems recruiting new members.

Have you contacted your governing board (if you have one) for help? Have you contacted your chapter alumnae for advice?

[lyriclove22]

Yes I have. It was easier for the alumnae to recruit b/c they were the only multicultural sorority but now there are two others. :/ It's like the whole Multicultural Creek Council isn't doing too well on recruiting. We have an adviser that we can contact.

[DoctorD]

The Phired Up information on tabling is some of the best I've ever seen. Go check out their blog on their website.

Having seen a number of tables run poorly, their ideas make a lot of sense. Just being out there is not enough. People aren't going to approach you and engage; you have to approach them in a friendly, but fun manner.

[LatinaAlumna]

Originally Posted by lyriclove22

It's like the whole Multicultural Creek Council isn't doing too well on recruiting.

...then perhaps women on your campus are just not aware of their options. Have your chapter president bring this issue up at the next council meeting, and see if there are ways for the MGC to gain more visibility.

[ree-Xi]

Originally Posted by lyriclove22

So I am in a new multicultural sorority that has always been fairly small compared to national sororities and recently, we have been having problems recruiting new members. I am a “younger” sister that doesn’t have the same network as the alumnae in the past had, and I’m sure it is a similar situation for the other active members. We table, flyer, and post Facebook events. We table at organization fairs and just at the beginning of each semester. I need some hints of what I can work on to better our recruitment strategy.

I know all of these aspects below are important when getting girls to join the sorority but what I’m asking here is what the level of importance of each thing is to you. I’ve researched rush themes and different ways to promote but I need to know what I should focus on more because I may be sweating the small stuff. Please tell me the things you think influence the outcome of recruiting the most by simply listing them or going down the subtopics and rating them (1 = very important; 2 = important, 3 = somewhat important; 4= neutral; 5 = not important; 6 = why did you mention this?)

1) Promoting
a) Rush Theme
b) Tabling Time – morning, noon, or night?
c) Tabling Location – hang out spots? Dorms/dining halls?
d) Table Display – do you prepare your table in a very specific way to attract others?
2) Events
a) Parties vs. Bonding activities
b) Sisters vs. Mixers with other orgs
3) Overall Appearance
a) Sorority Symbols & Colors – girls can be picky
b) Size of Organization – Will a small group scare girls away?
c) Uniformity – do sisters dressing alike attract more girls?

**Please give me CONSTRUCTIVE but POLITE feedback. ☺ Thanks a lot!
**Also, if there's any other suggestions that are not on the list but are relative to the topic please include them in your response.

Making connections and friends is THE most important factor, above parties/themes/favors/colors, etc.