Men, I'm posting this on behalf of frater Aphotoguy
He's a GPA and always thinking about you all. These are great ideas that men and women alike can adopt or should. Have a great upcoming summer and fall!
Chapter Recruitment Culture
excerpt from NIC Campus Commentary (Nov. 92)
Chapter Recruitment events can quickly become trite and superficial, leaving members less than excited to participate. The essence and dynamic nature of fraternity is lost. Recruitment should happen 365 days a year. Every time a Greek spends time with a non-affiliated student, Recruiting CAN OCCUR. Not the "cram it down their throat" approach, but a subtle strategy which promotes relationship-building and encourages continued interaction which ultimately will lead to increased interest in fraternity membership.
Basically, both the members and Recruits are looking for something more than making small talk around a table of refreshments. Here are simple ways to add variety to a chapter Recruitment program and generate quality conversation among members and Recruits. A lot of the reason these are simple is because they start with what your chapter culture is like overall. The more you're having fun and getting something good out of your TEKE experience, the easier you'll find the job of generating interest in others.
SIZE: Some of the best Recruitment events are informal and intimate - a handful of members and Recruits enjoying each other's company and participating in an activity which all personally value. Too many people can quickly make a quality Recruitment event overcrowded and impersonal. The best Recruitment is done one-on-one.
PICK UP SPORTS: We've all seen the immediate attraction and migration to a pick-up football or basketball game (or any number of other sporting activities). The sporting activity is a natural way for people sharing a common interest to come together, oftentimes with people they do not know well.
Many students in residence halls, especially early in the academic year, would jump at the chance to play recreational sports. A group of chapter members (the whole chapter is not needed) can form the nucleus for a great afternoon of pick up sports. Remember to have members divide among the teams to promote additional interaction.
This type of event works because it is natural, simple, easy to set up, and free in cost to both chapter and prospective members. People who participate in a sporting activity have immediate bonding, which can become the basis of fraternity friendship and affiliation.
COMMUNITY SERVICE EVENTS: As many as 60% of college students have indicated that "helping others" is of value to them. With this in mind, a chapter service event can easily double as a Recruitment event. To maximize interest, the chapter should approach (two to three weeks in advance of the proposed activity) a residence hall floor or student organization whose membership base may be ideal candidates for a fraternity. The event should be billed as a service event with a fraternity rather than as a service and Recruitment event. Service is the primary purpose and in the process, relationships may be formed which will lead to affiliation.
Together, the two groups should mutually decide on a service activity. The chapter may suggest several possibilities. A hands-on and interactive service project will produce significant opportunities to meet, converse, discuss, challenge, support, and bond. Members and prospective members should be equally divided among work teams.
Ideal service activities or locations may include: river or water clean up, soup kitchen, elementary school field day, Boy's and Girl's clubs, senior citizen center, painting homes of elderly or low-income, residential home for disabled.
STUDY BREAKS: The study break approach to Recruitment can pay dividends. All college students study, so why not hold Recruitment events which are scheduled around studying. A 45-60 minute activity is suggested with a location near the library or other study area. Simple refreshments or activities will allow members and prospective members alike to refresh before returning to the books. Members should be encouraged to bring students from their classes or work groups. The keys to this Recruiting concept are simplicity and convenience.
MEMBERSHIP EDUCATION: Chapters are consistently looking for positive ways in which new members can show loyalty to the organization and increase personal commitment. Requiring new members to play a major role in recruitment is an ideal arrangement.
Not only do new members know more prospective Recruits who are freshmen and sophomores than do upperclassmen, but they can immediately convey the positive elements of membership to their peers.
Imagine the impact if every new member simply recruited one or two people during the first term of membership. Responsibility is placed on the individual, and recruitment is made a priority from the initial days of affiliation.
PRIVATE EVENTS: Think of these as "fishbowl" events. Get members together to do things where the group can relax and have fun together. Events like a bowling outing, frisbee somewhere on campus, a dinner out would work great for this. The idea is to kill two birds with one stone: have a great time together and let potential non-members get to see "inside" fraternity. The intent is to show those potential new members that fraternity can be a good time (without all the negative stereotypes). Additional ideas in this vein are to post conspicuous congratulations to anyone who does well academically. Once again, you'll be showing some of the best qualities of Teke at the same time you'll be celebrating achievement.
REMEMBER: Recruitment is social in nature, but Recruitment is NOT a social event. Don't DO RECRUITMENT, DO FRATERNITY. Show others that being a Teke is a good thing; that it's clean fun, personal support, and a chance to be a better person.
Then invite others to join you!
Stuart R Umberger
Director Region III
Tau Kappa Epsilon International Fraternity
8645 Founders Rd.
Indianapolis, IN. 46268
Email:
Sumberger@tkehq.org
Email:
Soup465tke@aol.com
O: 317-872-6533 Ext. 243
Fax: 317-872-8353
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