Going through sorority recruitment can be one of the most exciting and terrifying times of a college student’s life. For the sisters of sororities, it’s like "The Hunger Games." You have two goals: to stay alive, and to recruit the best girls. Each organization wants to make sure they have the coolest room with the perfect decorations, and the cutest outfits. On top of that, they have to make memorable conversations with every PNM (Potential New Member) that walks into the round to win them over.
What most PNMs don’t realize is: the sisters are probably more nervous than they are.
So, what goes on behind the scenes of sorority recruitment--past the fancy balloons, matching shirts, and loud chants? As the Vice President of Recruitment for my chapter of Alpha Epsilon Phi, I can tell you first-hand what recruitment is really like, from the inside looking out.
I wanted to be VPR since the day I got initiated into my chapter. I loved the idea of designing the shirts, planning outfits, and calling the shots about what each room would look like. Understandably, not everyone shares the same love for recruitment as I do. Shortly after being elected, I learned that all of the frilly decorative things were only the tip of the iceberg on my list of responsibilities for this position.
One of the coolest experiences I had as VPR was traveling to Tampa, Florida with our President to meet representatives of different chapters all over the country at a convention. The week consisted of endless workshops, activities, meetings, and planning for the upcoming school year. People around me used vocabulary regularly that I didn’t even know existed. Flex-minus who? Snap-bid when? COB--corn on the cob, right? Once I caught up, I met with our national board and other leaders in different chapters to discuss issues individuals and chapters as a whole were facing. Everyone was extremely helpful, and provided me with wonderful ways we could improve ourselves for recruitment. However, your chapter will not always welcome change with open arms.
Bringing back new ideas to your chapter is both fun and scary. It’s fun because some people are excited about fixing things that don’t work and improving ourselves. It’s scary because people are often resistant to change. What I took from the negative and positive feedback was this: sometimes you just need to try things, despite any pushback. Go with your gut. One of the major things that I wanted to change within my chapter was our voting system. I received some concerning looks and head shakes when I first proposed it, but I enforced it anyway. I knew it would benefit myself, my sisters, and our chapter. When recruitment came, it saved us a lot of time, tears, and arguments--everyone was happy we made the change.
When recruitment rolls around, almost half of the chapter forgets how to speak. As VPR, you are responsible for constantly reminding your sisters what is appropriate or inappropriate conversation during a round. What are our values? What specific qualities are we looking for in new members? It’s also important to remind the chapter that every PNM that walks into our room receives the same amount of respect and attention. This is one of the more difficult aspects of recruitment. Whether it’s treating your BFF the same as someone you just met or happily welcoming the girl who threw a drink on you while you were out last week, you work through the awkwardness and try to find the best in everyone. Sadly, I do not have twenty pairs of ears; I cannot monitor what every one of my sisters are saying. I have to trust that they’re well prepared and having genuine conversations with our PNMs.
Another challenging task is getting your sisters to understand that just because you are VPR, does not mean you are solely responsible for every aspect of recruitment. Being elected into this position does not mean we magically grow eight pairs of arms and are able to carry everything for the rooms across campus by ourselves. It does not give us mind-reading abilities when we are voting. It does not grant us the power to freeze time to submit lists. It does not mean I am given unlimited funds to buy everything for rounds. What it does give you is stress, no sleep, and a raspy voice. It is important to remind your sisters that without them nothing is possible. It’s also important to remind yourself as VPR that it is okay to ask for help. Every single member of your organization should be contributing in some way during recruitment.
In the midst of all of that, the VPR is also responsible for keeping in contact with their National headquarters, communicating with the school, submitting lists on time, making sure the rooms look great, assigning sisters to places, speaking at each round, making sure everything is cleaned up, and responding to sisters concerns. We’re constantly receiving texts about what should be changed, what went well, who we should bid, and who we should drop. It’s our jobs to take everyone’s feedback into consideration and teach the incoming VPR what works and what doesn’t.
Though I may sound like I am complaining, being VPR of my organization was the most amazing experience I’ve had in college so far. I never thought I would say it, but I am actually sad that recruitment is over. However, I always remember what I was taught during my first recruitment as a sister: “Recruitment is 365 days a year.” There are always improvements to be made, and planning to be done for the future. This position gave me confidence to be a great leader and taught me time management, and how to properly delegate. It gave me a lot of experience I will carry with me for the rest of my life. I will never forget the feeling of bringing in the largest pledge class my chapter has taken, and being so happy with the results. It is an indescribable feeling to have all of your sisters tell you how proud of you they are. I can honestly say that all of the stress, tears, and throbbing feet was worth it, and I will always be so thankful to my chapter for giving me this opportunity.
