our system goes like this: Q&A, then all PNMs recieve folders with invites to all 1st rushes. 1st rushes are held the following week, one sorority per night (9pm-10:30pm) M-F. This is a fun activity with themes like Hollywood, Slumber party, etc. It's casual, and filled with activities and fun songs. Then cuts are made and invites extended to rushees. All rushees must attend all 2nd rushes they have been invited to (in order to encourage open-mindedness).
2nd rush is held ( I am sketchy cause the system has changed this year, we're integrating Rho Chis somehow now, and there is a new preference round...) the following weekend I believe with 3 orgs on sat, 1 on Fri nite, and 1 on sun (noon-ish). Normally orgs hold this event at an alums house (somewhere nice up in the hills) and there is some sort of getting to know you activity about actives, and slide shows are held, in addition to alums talking about their experiences/memories as an active, and what role the org plays in their life now. Formal songs are sung, and rushees are driven home with a silence period until bid day (actives may not address rushees besides in classor work). Now, we have included a 3rd round after 2nd rush. The rushees make a list of their top 3 I think that go to our greek life advisors...orgs recieve the lists and then there is an open house (2 hour long period where rushees visit their chosen houses and have tour of houses w/singing and chips, cookies, etc). After this event, final bidding is performed and bids are truned in and the silence period goes on until bid day, whic is now a sat instead of sun since lots of people were missing classes. (we have a huge party called "scream night" and all orgs do their own thing until about 7pm when we all chant and sing to University Hall where the party is and we have a sing-off. Then all the frats show up with their pledges to congratulate us on our newbies and party with us.)
So, again, my question is for 2nd rush event which is usually dressy (skirts/summer dresses). Ours is on a saturday from 11:30 -1:00. I would like to make it as memorable as possible for the girls...
hope this helps!
And thanks again!