The Best Strategy for a "Weak Recruiting" Chapter

[redlady2]

To Mevara (again!): One more note on how things turned out. We did make quota, and we actually got a number of our "rush crushes" which was pretty astonishing. However, I still think we achieved this in spite of our release figures, not because of our release figures. And I do think that the system helped our chapter the next year, because it adjusted to our increased strength, yet still required the stronger chapters to release more women, leaving us with fuller (but manageable!) parties.

[ladybug12]

I think most of us would agree that RFM has been successful in that it forces stronger recruiting chapters to release women they were not really planning to pledge early in the process. Many of these women are great PNMs who are a better fit for other groups (but can't see that initially). The WRCs benefit by having more of these PNMs in their next round of parties. Thus their chance of pledging these women goes from 0% to maybe 25%. Over time, that adds up.
I also agree that WRCs need to have the flexibility to release some women who do not meet the scholarship and/or leadership standards of their chapters. Sometimes letting a WRC "over-release" by just a few numbers does wonders for the morale of a chapter. I have seen this personally!

[Zillini]

There is an inherent unfairness in RFM that rarely gets talked about and that's the added financial burden it places on WRCs. Let's say RFM allows a strong chapter to invite back 700, but a WRC has to invite 1000. The WRC has to pay for those extra chair/table rentals, drinks, glasses, napkins, philanthropy project supplies, etc. Plus there are (typically) fewer members in a WRC to share the cost through their dues compared to a stronger chapter.

Something else to think about. Max recruitment budgets are typically set by the Panhellenic and are the same amount for all chapters. That gives a strong chapter more money to spend per invited PNM than a WRC.

* Granted if the campus in question has a totally no-frills recruitment, then this isn't nearly such an issue. *

[Titchou]

There are different styles of conversation during recruitment. A lot of it depends on the campus and/or the chapter. It is difficult to take 2 or more women at the door and have quality conversations with them. If you are used to a certain style of recruitment (bring them in, sit them down and chat while a few people rotate by and introduce themselves) then that's going to be tough - esp at pref where you are trying to have a "meaningful" personal conversation. It can be done but it certainly isn't easy. There are other methods of moving PNMs about the room. Without telling all our secrets so the PNMs know "how" we do it, chapters need to investigate these different methods. It often will make a difference.

Also, it's been known to happen that the CPH has allowed members from other chapters - or young alums - to be on the floor helping recruit at some WRC's. It's worked beautifully for us at a couple of places that I know about.

[dgdramadawg]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Also, it's been known to happen that the CPH has allowed members from other chapters - or young alums - to be on the floor helping recruit at some WRC's. It's worked beautifully for us at a couple of places that I know about.

You took the words right out of my mouth, Titchou! Even just using alumnae in the back rooms (plating food, pouring water, etc.) can free up the collegians to focus on recruiting.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Also, it's been known to happen that the CPH has allowed members from other chapters - or young alums - to be on the floor helping recruit at some WRC's. It's worked beautifully for us at a couple of places that I know about.

Originally Posted by dgdramadawg

You took the words right out of my mouth, Titchou! Even just using alumnae in the back rooms (plating food, pouring water, etc.) can free up the collegians to focus on recruiting.

I know that most of the PNMs on here who experienced it said that if they had to choose between WRCs who used members from other schools or those who double/triple rushed - while neither is ideal, they overwhelmingly chose the latter. It's hard to get a feel for a chapter if the only person you talk to isn't part of that chapter, and for better or worse, that is the way NPC gains members - through personal contact.

If you MUST use members of other chapters, unless the two chapters have somewhat of a relationship with each other and these will be women the PNMs will encounter again, I would confine them to back room duties or to initally greeting PNMs, and be very clear on their nametags who they are. It's easy for a PNM to feel misled otherwise.

Young alums (young = under 25) who are going to be still visiting the chapter a lot are another story.

[Mevara]

Originally Posted by Titchou

Also, it's been known to happen that the CPH has allowed members from other chapters - or young alums - to be on the floor helping recruit at some WRC's. It's worked beautifully for us at a couple of places that I know about.

I have also read about this happening on some campuses and it backfiring. I think there was a recruitment story on here that talked about it.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Mevara

I have also read about this happening on some campuses and it backfiring. I think there was a recruitment story on here that talked about it.

This was one of the more recent ones, but there have been others.

[Mevara]

Yup, that was the one.

[Titchou]

The ones where I know we did it, the PNMs had no clue - at least they weren't told by PH that some of our women were from elsewhere. I can see where it might be a drawback if they were told.

[33girl]

I think it would be more of a drawback if they showed up on bid day and wondered where in blue blazes that nice girl was that they talked to all through rush and why the chapter had suddenly shrank to half the size it had been.

[Mevara]

Originally Posted by Titchou

The ones where I know we did it, the PNMs had no clue - at least they weren't told by PH that some of our women were from elsewhere. I can see where it might be a drawback if they were told.

Was this recent, as in the past 5 years? Had this happen at that campus before?

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by Mevara

Was this recent, as in the past 5 years? Had this happen at that campus before?

Not that recently...and have no idea whether anyone else there had done it - on either campus....

[Titchou]

Possibly but as it turned out, they didn't recall. And I think I can honestly say that most wouldn't. Both instances were on mega Greek campuses - 14-16 groups on campus. And as the week wound down to fewer numbers, fewer of the out of town folks were used so that by pref, it was all that chapter. You just have to work it right.....

[Mevara]

I know our Panhellenic has rules about having other chapters help with recruitment. The other chapter must wear name tags stating which chapter they are from. Panhellenic announces it to the other chapters so everyone knows what is going on and then of course word would get out to all the PNMs.