With sorority recruitment coming up or already passed for most of you southern sorority girls. Here are some quick tips for girls going through recruitment and girls recruiting:
If you're going through recruitment we refer to you as PNM's, which stands for "potential new member." I mainly tell you that because thats how I will refer to you in this guide.
1. Be There
PNM: It will be quite overwhelming at first all the people you will be meeting and rooms you're going into. My biggest advice is smile and be all there. Show every chapter how interested you are. This is not the time to try to act cool and aloof. They will not be interested in you if they think you're not interested in them.
Active Member: Whether this is you're first time recruiting or last give every girl your undivided attention. Remember how nervous you were going through and how much you loved talking to the girls that made you feel like you were the most important person in the room. No matter who you're talking to, try and give each girl that feeling.
2. Your outfit tells a story
PNM: Be yourself in what you wear. The women you're talking to are talking to hundreds of girls all day. Wearing something that they can remember you by can be a golden ticket. Almost how people try to remember people's names. They'll be like, "Oh Alexis, she wore the pretty floral romper, I remember her now! We had the greatest conversation."
Active Member: This is pretty solid since you're told what to wear.
3. Ask Questions
PNM: you will basically be asked hundred times about where you're from and what your major is. Get used to it and act like it is the first time you're being asked every time. Have personalized answers (do not think you're not the 100th girl to be a business major) and do not be afraid to ask the girls questions. It shows you're engaged and interested.
Active Member: Try not to only ask them about their major and hometown. Get to know things they like to do and what is important to them. That is the only way you will know if they are a right fit for your chapter or not.
4. Have Fun
PNM: I know how stressful this process is, but have fun. The rooms you're in that you find your self not wanting to leave because you're enjoying yourself so much is usually the chapter you belong in. Also make friends in your recruitment group. It is not a competition. I still have friends from my recruitment group that joined different chapters than me.
(Left: one of my friends I made in my recruitment group going through recruitment (ignore my flip flops I wore different shoes in the rooms) Right: us still friends as recruitment counselors together).
Active Member: Same situation--recruitment can be stressful on your end as well, but make it fun for yourself. Enjoy the time with your sisters. Never waste time arguing or making the long days miserable for each other. This is usually a time you can become close with sisters you may not be close to.
These tips will help you survive recruitment, whether you're a PNM or are the one recruiting!
