Recruitment Tips
Participating in recruitment is the first step in your journey into sorority life. Recruitment is a mutual selection process, meaning that you pick the sorority and the sorority also picks you. Recruitment is a time where you and the chapters have the opportunity to meet and talk to each other before the selection process.
Below are some tips to help you, the potential new member (PNM), with recruitment.
Research the eight chapters that are participating in formal recruitment at UCSB. Find out what they do for community service, the philanthropy they support, their members' involvement in other organizations, and other fun facts about both their UCSB chapter and their inter/national organization. Make sure you find out information from credible sources like their websites and Facebook pages (links are provided on chapter pages).
Get some sleep! You want to be well rested during recruitment. This way you will enjoy the conversations more and have energy when you visit all of the houses.
Be polite. Even if you do not like a chapter, be kind and interested in the conversation. Remember that you are a guest in their house.
Make your own decisions. Don't listen to any rumors that people tell you about houses because most likely they are not true. Most importantly, do not let the opinions of other women effect your decision about a house. All that matters is that YOU like the house.
Be careful what you say. Try to say only positive things about chapters when you are around other people. If you feel negatively about a house, try not to discuss it around other PNMs. You don't want to sway their feelings about a house -- they may have loved that chapter!
Be realistic. Look for chapters that fit your personality, likes, and interests. Don't focus on reputations. Focus on chapters that you connect with.
Be yourself. Chapters want to get to know the real you, so let them see the real you.
Ask questions. Not only does asking questions keep the conversation flowing, but it is also your chance to find out information about chapters that you are interested in learning.
Take notes. You will be visiting a lot of chapters during the week. Write down names, what you talked about, and anything else that will help you remember the chapter. These will be useful when you are making your decisions later in the week.
Keep an open mind. Don't rule out a chapter after talking to only a small handful of members. Chapters have around 120 members! You may change your mind and end up liking the chapter later in the week after talking to more members, so stay positive! All chapters have something great to offer.
Make friends. You will be in a walking group of 16-20 other PNMs. This is a great opportunity to make new friends! Some of them could end up being in the same house as you. Even if they do not end up in your house, you now have friends in multiple chapters!
Use your Rho Gam. Your Rho Gam has been trained to help you through recruitment and tackle almost any issue or concern you may have. She is your guide throughout the week. If you're stressed, conflicted, or just need to talk, your Rho Gam will help you. (She also has an emergency recruitment kit.)
Don't panic if something happens. If an emergency or unavoidable conflict arises, don't panic. Email the VP Recruitment at VPRecruitmentexternal@ucsbpanhellenic.org and let her know your situation. Most of the time it can be easily resolved.
HAVE FUN! Remember to enjoy yourself. Recruitment is a great time where you get to meet so many new people and start one of the best chapters of your life.