Matching pnms to actives - how do you do it?

gee_ess · #1 02-11-2008, 07:39 PM

I am affiliated with a competitive Greek system and am looking for better ways for our actives to click/connect/interact with the pnms during recruitment.

We have about 800 girls go through rush and our pledge classes are around 75. We are not doing a good job of putting "PNM Patty" with an active that she would enjoy talking to and have something in common with. I know that some groups do something called matching -and we tried our own limited version of that for the first time last fall with some success, but it felt cumbersome and we were really just flying by the seats of our pants since I didn't have a specific model to follow!

I would love to hear from anyone who could explain their particular process. Thank you!

33girl · #2 02-11-2008, 07:41 PM

Your best bet is to contact your national rush chair or your district rush chair.

KSUViolet06 · #3 02-11-2008, 07:44 PM

Where I go to school, we don't strategically pair PNMs with certain actives for the first 2 days, since we don't really know them.

Benzgirl · #4 02-11-2008, 07:52 PM

^^^Ditto.

What the OP is talking about happens quite a bit in the south, particularly in the SEC. This is not the norm in the north

texas*princess · #5 02-11-2008, 07:56 PM

I have never been in one of the "recruitment coordinating" type positions to know, but I would imagine no matter how you do it, it is going to take a lot of effort not just before recruitment, but during as well.

bluefish81 · #6 02-11-2008, 09:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Benzgirl

^^^Ditto.

What the OP is talking about happens quite a bit in the south, particularly in the SEC. This is not the norm in the north

I think it's getting more common at some of the northern schools at least schools with 10+ chapters. Most of the chapters at my midwestern school did it my last few undergrad years. And from reading some of the rush threads on here from different locations, you'll occassionally read how the PNMs were lined up alphabetically - mainly this is done for this purpose.

To the OP: I'd also agree with 33girl that you should contact someone from your district director or national director of recruitment as they might be able to provide good insight on how to do it.

gee_ess · #7 02-11-2008, 09:12 PM

Yes, that effort is what I am referring to regarding how difficult it was. Last year we only did it for the last two rounds - those first ones are too general and there is not enough time. We did not do much "advance" work before recruitment actually began because we really do not know at that time who is returning to the last few rounds. So this called for a lot of last minute frantic activity. Again, this is to find a way to make sure a pnm is talking to someone she might really feel a connection with.

I have not checked with a district or national rep regarding this, but I am under the impression that it varies from chapter to chapter and from GLO to GLO.

I think it is wonderful that this forum is so supportive of women who want to participate in Greek life and I enjoy seeing the comraderie on here as alums, actives, and pnm's share info.

gee_ess · #8 02-11-2008, 09:33 PM

Yes, that effort is what I am referring to regarding how difficult it was. Last year we only did it for the last two rounds - those first ones are too general and there is not enough time. We did not do much "advance" work before recruitment actually began because we really do not know at that time who is returning to the last few rounds. So this called for a lot of last minute frantic activity. Again, this is to find a way to make sure a pnm is talking to someone she might really feel a connection with.

I have not checked with a district or national rep regarding this, but I am under the impression that it varies from chapter to chapter and from GLO to GLO.

I think it is wonderful that this forum is so supportive of women who want to participate in Greek life and I enjoy seeing the comraderie on here as alums, actives, and pnm's share info.

MandyPepperidge · #9 02-11-2008, 10:08 PM

Use Facebook to the best of your ability! If Suzy PNM lists tennis as one of her activities, match her up with the sister who was captain of her high school tennis team. If Sally PNM's favorite movie is Legally Blonde, match her up with the sister who adores that type of comedy.

I'm assuming the PNMs at the school in question fill out an extensive activities bio prior to rush, too? Use that information.

No matter what you do, it's a PITA. The key is to keep on top of it, little by little, provided your school starts registering (and listing) PNMs during the summer.

Benzgirl · #10 02-11-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluefish81

I think it's getting more common at some of the northern schools at least schools with 10+ chapters. Most of the chapters at my midwestern school did it my last few undergrad years. And from reading some of the rush threads on here from different locations, you'll occassionally read how the PNMs were lined up alphabetically - mainly this is done for this purpose.

My school has 14 chapters (Ohio State). Another one in Ohio has, I believe 18. While I believe that some schools may do this in the north, I would hardly say that it is "more common". Would it have been better, I'm not sold. I knew no one in the house in which I pledge, or the other two in which I preffed. If they had tried to "match" me with someone, God knows if my unbiased decision could have been tainted

33girl · #11 02-11-2008, 10:41 PM

I'm also going to throw in, make sure you have a good bumping or "abandon ship" strategy. Maybe the PNM's application lists her interests and activities, but just because she's a pageant winner doesn't mean she wants to talk about it the whole time at rush - in fact, she might be sick of pageants and wanting to quit the whole deal. Pairing her with Miss State 2007 might seem like a good idea, but it can also backfire. Don't miss out on a great girl because you prejudged her interests.

I do understand the original concept and I don't think this will be the norm, but just assuming that people always want to talk to people who are exactly like them and have all the same interests is a little silly to me. It always seemed to me that the point of rush was more making unexpected connections, not the obvious ones.

VandalSquirrel · #12 02-11-2008, 10:52 PM

For PNMs I've written recs on who I believe may be on the fence about Alpha Gam or may be legacies elsewhere I always try and find a sister who can connect with them on particular topics. I've also done that for out of state women and it seems to have worked.

With the new release figures it does vary on whether you need to work on it the first day or if you can wait a little bit because you have the opportunity to invite more women back and make an impression after they've either been cut by a particular chapter or gotten to know you.

Zillini · #13 02-11-2008, 11:18 PM

We use two different terms "assigning" and "matching". Assigning is fairly random, but still has 1 active assigned to pick up a specific PNM when she enters the party. Matching is when you try to match up interests, majors, hometowns, anything you can possibly think of. Assigning goes on more in the early rounds due to the sheer numbers. 3rd round and Pref are usually matched. Sometimes you just run out common traits for PNMs and actives especially if the parties are huge. Then you start reaching. "Um ... well they've both got brown eyes." "Perfect, put them together. Next!"

A great idea is to make bio cards with highlights form apps/recs or something like that to pass out along with the assignments. Even if you don't know this PNM from Adam and seemingly have nothing in common, at least you know some things about her that hopefully gives the active something to talk about. It also helps cut down on the "What was that PNM's name again who I just talked to for the last 15 minutes? She was from Anytown, wasn't she?"

Fair warning though -- even with the best pre-planned assignments with PNM's walking in alphabetically, there will still be actives that miss their girls. It happens every year, every round, every party and presumably in every Chapter. Have your non-assigned actives ready at a certain position to pick up any solo PMNs before they start wandering around the house unescorted. Yes, the world will come crashing down if that happens!

gee_ess · #14 02-12-2008, 03:40 PM

Thanks to all who have commented. I especially appreciate the PM's with specifics regarding your chapter's procedures on this topic.

We do already utilize "assigning" girls to pnm's. Usually this has been determined by different factors - Hometown girl picks up hometown pnm, roommate of active who is dying for pnm picks her up to support roommate, etc. I just feel like the idea of matching girls up with someone can be positive. And, to clarify, I intend (at the very least) that by using this process, we make sure that the active has knowledge of what the pnm has achieved/been involved in, etc. so they can have a more meaningful conversation other than "Wow, isn't it hot outside? How is the dorm? What do you think of college so far?" They don't have to have identical circumstances, but I think a pnm likes to feel as if the girl rushing her "knows" her.

In a 15 minute party, ( and on a 14 party day) it is often difficult to have a good conversation with each girl. I think this will help. I just need help figuring out how those who do it well, do it.

PhiLove83 · #15 02-12-2008, 04:56 PM

I am at a small school in Florida, we match girls, but only to make sure that they are not talking to the same girl each night. The Recruitment Counselors bring the girls to the rooms in alphabetical order, and we just line up differently than the night before. However, for pref night we do decide beforehand who will speak with which girl... lending our "best" recruiters to girls who may still be on the fence, and some of the girls don't even have a PNM to speak with on pref night, they just join another pair.