Recruitment Methods

[kaitapoul]

Does anyone have any ideas on how to reach out to the campus community regarding recruitment? Half of our chapter graduates this year (and we are already a small chapter), so we need a good group during recruitment in the fall and spring. We are a service organization, so we don't do formal recruitment during the same time as the social sororities and fraternities.

Does anyone have any ideas on how we can reach out to our campus community, maybe those who decided social GLOs weren't their "scene" and still want to be involved on campus? Or for current members to have dual membership?

Any ideas on how to advertise recruitment, the do's-and-don'ts, or anything would be greatly appreciated!

TIA!

[FSUZeta]

what do you all offer that the social sororities don't or why would membership in your org. compliment someone's greek social membershp? that is what you need to market.

[33girl]

Whatever you do, don't say anything negative about social fraternities or sororities. It makes you look like bitter wannabes who didn't get bids - whether that is true or not. It also really turns off members of social GLOs who might be interested in joining. The only reason for you to mention them at all is to let people know that you can be active in both.

Impress on people that the service you do is hands-on and directly working with individuals/organizations who need help, rather than just monetary donations. A lot of members of GLOs get frustrated if their national philanthropy is something they don't get to participate in directly - this speaks to those people.

[kaitapoul]

We never say anything bad about socials. Our Pledgemaster is actually in a social frat and we are hoping that he will be able to spread the word about us.

We also are a VERY hands on service org and becoming more involved in our community. It's just getting a hold of and reaching out to PNMs that is a struggle for us.

[33girl]

Help with high-visibility things, if you can, like:

Freshman move-in/orientation/mentor programs
Campus bloodmobile (if you have to pair with a social or another group to have enough people to do this, go for it)
Refereeing Greek Week
Helping with Homecoming - maybe manning the alumni booth, a hot dog stand, information booth
If there are on-campus concerts, theatre productions - offer to usher at these.

When you are doing all these things, if it is appropriate, WEAR LETTERS!! If sweatshirts aren't feasible, wear your pins.

It's all about getting your name out there.

[elicampbell]

As I stated in the other thread you started.

The chapter I advise uses a modified version of the IFC recruitment. I encourage my chapter members to be active members of two or more organizations on campus. Wear letters on campus. 33girl has offered you excellent advice. I have told my chapter DO NOT SAY ANYTHING NEGATIVE about social greeks. The chapter has had members that did not like social greeks and made that fact known. I let the chapter know that attitude is unacceptable. As a member of a social fraternity, I know what they were saying was WAY off base.

Remember - People don't join organizations, they join other people.

I was given a copy of Phired Up books by an APO National Officer.

[kaitapoul]

Thanks FSU, 33girl and elicampbell! I appreciate your thoughts and suggestions!

[*winter*]

Target groups of people who are already doing community service or have majors where they are "community based" such as education or social work. Maybe if your campus has a Neumann Center (Catholic) or other religious orgs...we had Americorps when I was in college (I did both AC and service sorority and events often "counted" for hours for both groups.). I think students who are already involved in helping the community would like the idea of joining an organization that allows them to bond with their sisters (and brothers?) while doing so.

On our campus you werent allowed to do both ALL GLOs had Chapter on Sunday night at the same time, thus making it impossible.

Good luck!

[33girl]

*winter* brings up another good point. If all the socials have their meetings on Sunday night, have yours on Tuesday.