RFM-pref day

[SoCalGirl]

Originally Posted by AlphaXi_Husky

I've seen a couple different names for RFM on here, so before anyone gets confused - Release Figure Methodology.


NPC has a 2015 handout with more details for anyone who's curious:
https://www.npcwomen.org/resources/pdf/RFM%20Update.pdf


And carnation, I'm not exactly sure what you're getting at. Are you asking if a PNM who has two stronger recruiting chapters (A & B) and one weaker recruiting chapter (C) at Pref is less likely to wind up in A or B than a PNM who has all strong recruiting chapters (A, B, & D) at Pref?


While I'm not an RFM specialist, based on what I've seen since RFM was started that isn't the case. It just all depends on where each girl is on each chapter's bid list.

Thank you for the link. There are so many things in it that make me happy and make me want to scream.

This one is a screamer: "Also, when determining chapter total on a campus with one chapter that is significantly below total, a Panhellenic may want to choose MCS, or use ACS but remove that chapter’s number from its calculation."

Am I wrong in thinking that removing the weaker chapter from the equation makes total higher, putting them even more behind?

Also, I know that it says that RFM started as a pilot in 2003 but I know that retention figures were used going into Pref to determine number of invites when I was in school. It stands out in my mind because we had an advisor who got the call with our number excitedly tell us that we needed to cut more girls. We freaked because we were not as strong of a recruiting chapter as we had once been. She tried to reassure us but our bid numbers were low that year.

Finally, does RFM have any mechanism in place to override or adjust figures? I'm thinking of the situation where a historically SRC has some drama go down that "poisons the well". They would normally have to cut more women but suddenly they're the WRC and need a bigger pool to try to hit quota.

[AZ-AlphaXi]

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

......

Finally, does RFM have any mechanism in place to override or adjust figures? I'm thinking of the situation where a historically SRC has some drama go down that "poisons the well". They would normally have to cut more women but suddenly they're the WRC and need a bigger pool to try to hit quota.

That's what the flex lists, plus and minus, are for. If a chapter has unexpectedly strong returns then the minus list is used to cut more PNMs. If a chapter has a weaker than expected return number then the plus list is used to add invitations.

[SoCalGirl]

Originally Posted by AZ-AlphaXi

That's what the flex lists, plus and minus, are for. If a chapter has unexpectedly strong returns then the minus list is used to cut more PNMs. If a chapter has a weaker than expected return number then the plus list is used to add invitations.

Thanks, I read that part but assumed the flex list would be rather short compared to the regular invite list. Since my brain tends to go to the extremes for what if scenarios, I didn't make the connection to the flex list likely being sufficient.

Originally Posted by TSteven

Starting with this fall's 2015 formal recruitment, PNMs at Kentucky may attend up to two chapters for preference. This is down from previous years when a PNM could attend up to three preference parties.

What would be the reasoning behind this? I believe that historically, most PNMs get placed in their first choice. A much smaller number are placed with their second choice. And an even smaller number with their third choice. Does moving to two preferences “help” the PNMs and/or the chapters?

FYI: The rounds go from 13 (open house) to 10 to 6 to 2 (preference). Also, there will be a recolonization after formal recruitment.

So next year it seems like the parties would be 14, 10, 6, 2. A decrease of 4 each round, makes sense. I suspect that if a rather small number actually match to their 3rd choice it's in the chapters best interest to reduce the time and expense of having the 3rd round. Financial expense may not be that impacted but the emotional strain on the women could be relieved greatly since Pref is the "make 'em cry" round.

[LAblondeGPhi]

Originally Posted by SoCalGirl

Thanks, I read that part but assumed the flex list would be rather short compared to the regular invite list. Since my brain tends to go to the extremes for what if scenarios, I didn't make the connection to the flex list likely being sufficient.

The flex lists that I've seen are relatively small compared to the regular invite list (in the range of 5%-10% of the regular invite list size). If something really dramatic happens, I would assume that the chapter would get a call to add names to one of the lists. That's what happened to me the first year I was a recruitment advisor - we got a call very early the morning of round 2 asking to add names to the flex minus list.