Saturday, February 2, 2008

This isnt Farsi!

So, my problem with recruitment. Why is it so exhausting? Why do we dread recruiting people?

Planning a Big Event wont help.
Throwing more money at wont help either.
Screaming at the Recruitment Chair wont get more people to join either!

In my opinion these are steps to simplify your recruitment process.

*Prepare Members
*Create a database of names
*Make friends
*Have activities which interacts fraternity members with new friends
*Clear concerns from join
*Ask him to join


Preparing your Members:
Know your product
Know your facts
Love your product!
People wont buy what you sell, if you don't believe in it yourself!

DB of Names:
What good does planning events do if no one attends them?
Before any "recruitment events" are planned, make sure you know people who are interested in coming!
Before moving on to the next process, you must compile at least 200 names! Minimum!
How?
Leaders and brothers are on campus, in the classroom, in organizational meetings, on the athletic field, not in a bar or party!
Be on the grind- walk your campus, get to know people
Be social in your classrooms
Make friends with resident adviser and res hall students
Ask sorority women for membership referrals
See what the Dean of Students can provide (incoming freshman contact list, summer orientation list)
Attend meetings other organizations meetings on campus recruit involved students
Marketing- post fliers, newspaper ads, table tents, and facebook ads

EVERY FRATERNITY EVENT IS A RECRUITMENT EVENT!
They will positively or negatively affect your recruitment results.

don't believe me ask? Id be happy to explain!


Make friends:
as you build your contact list, make sure to build relationships as well!
befriend any and all men you come in contact with
beginning introducing them to other brothers


Inclusive Interaction:
When you meet a girl for the first time do you automatically take her to meet your parents after introducing yourself?
NO
So why would you expect a shy/naive/nervous/skeptical person come to a fraternity house full of strangers.
Its overwhelming, not to mention nerve racking, to step in to an unfamiliar place especially when you have preconceived notions of a fraternity house.
Make it simple, play ball on their court.
Focus on small activities and make them feel comfortable.
Go to lunch, the rec center, bowling, study, walk on campus, play a pickup game of basketball with some brothers, or even just find a place to sit and chat.
Gradually have the potential new member interact with more fraternity members.
By this time he should feel like part of the group and not hesitate to attend that BIG EVENT you been waiting to have.

Test the Waters:
EITHER YOU WILL SELL THEM ON WHY TO JOIN OR THEY WILL SELL YOU ON WHY NOT TO, REGARDLESS SOMEONE WILL BE SOLD! SO JUST MAKE THE DEAL
Make sure to "pre-close"
Be smart, always have an answer to their "no."
Have responses to,
Time Commitment
Financial Constraints
A parent/girlfriend not wanting them to join
Staying focused on grades
Their age/Too old
Not being the fraternity type
Being Hazed
Drinking Concerns

Ask them to join!
So many people walk away from fraternity because....they were never asked to join!
No one will ever join your fraternity if you do not ask them to
After all the work, we forget to just ask them to join!
Good, now you have one recruit...start all over again for the next

Tips:
Always leave them wanting more
Never let them leave empty handed
Be upfront, no hidden fees
Follow through one what you promise, we are not mortgage lenders so lets not "bait and switch" them


-El Comandante


...apologies to any mortgage lenders...