Recruitment is Here!

To all the women from the Brazos Valley who are rushing this fall....remember that it is about the girls and not about the letters. As you receive your event invitations, focus on the group of women that have invited you back and not on the houses you will not be visiting. Remember to smile, ask questions, and share what you are looking for in a sorority. My prayers are with you as you navigate through the week. Take advantage of friendships that will appear as you are walking to a house, waiting in a tent, or riding the bus. Although you may be tired and things might not be going as you had anticipated, stay the course as your new home might be something totally different than you first thought!
Go Greek!
Go Brazos Valley Local PNMs!

Presenting Your Most Confident Self During Recruitment

Conversation During Recruitment

Although your resume is one way someone can get to know you, there are many things about you that your resume cannot share. Most of us do not include our height, weight, or hair and eye color. Nor do we include information on our favorite color, our newest cool shoes, or our nail polish length & color. A resume cannot tell all the unique and wonderful things about a person and that is why face-to-face meetings are a part of the recruitment process.

Having the ability to talk one-on-one with others you have just met is an important skill that will be used not only during sorority recruitment but also when you are job hunting. Here are a few things to practice during the next few weeks as you must practice to get better at a skill.

Open Body Language

Make sure you are standing tall and looking confident. Watch what you do with your arms. Crossing your arms in front of you is "closed" body language and conveys a message of "I'm not interested." Putting your hands on your hips is not a lady-like look and holding hands behind your back might show you are hiding something. Standing with your arms by your side so you are able to use them when speaking is the best say to stand but is difficult if you are not used to it. Fiddling with your hair shows that you are nervous and can be distracting. Find a way to stand with your feet so that you look comfortable. 

Good Eye Contact

Make sure you focus on the person who is talking. Looking around the room to see who you can see does not allow the person you are speaking with to feel you are listening.

Think About What You Are Going To Say

You will be asked  the same question at every party during the first day. It is basic banter to get to speak about something you feel comfortable with - basically "small talk." Have a story to tell about what you did this summer, how you made the decision to attend the university you are attending, things you enjoy doing...anything that will allow the women you meet to get to know you. Answer with more than a few words. Embellish. Again, practicing will enable you to share your story. Your mom is not there to share what wonderful talents you have.

Positive Attitude

Put a smile on your face and be genuinely interested in what the other person is saying. Ask questions to show you are listening and then follow up with a question asking the member something about herself. Spray all those you meet with positiveness.

Self Confidence

Yes, there are lots of women going through recruitment but they are not you. You are you and have so many interesting and wonderful stories to tell. Think about those behaviors and talents that are special to you and tie these back to how you will share those with the sorority in which you become a member.

Do Your Homework

It is easy to find out about the various philanthropies and service projects the chapters support. State that you know something about the chapter and then follow up with a question. "What part did you play in support of your philanthropy?" or "What is your favorite service project?"

Remember that the members will also be sharing information about their sorority so make sure you are an active listener. You might need to ask questions to clarify something a member says so you understand what she is trying to communicate with you. Know that many times the members are as nervous as you in meeting and talking with new people.

Greetings
As we say goodbye to the last day in July, that means fall recruitment is only weeks away. For those campuses participating in fall recruitment, chapter members are finalizing plans to have a successful 2013 recruitment. All you have to do is sit back and relax.
Well...not really. 
If you have not finalized the outfits you will be wearing, now is the time to do so. Things to remember:

• It will be hot and you will sweat so find items that will breathe and that will work with water.
• You will be walking a lot so find shoes that are comfortable. 
• Your hair can be an asset or a deterrent. Think about how you will wear it on each day and have the correct products available to create your signature look. If you know you are a hair-messer-wither (and you know who you are) consider wearing it pulled back so your hands will not be tempted to touch your hair. (You know you do it when you are nervous.)
• Find accent jewelry that will enhance your outfit and might prompt conversation. You should wear the pieces; they should not wear you.
• Practice being hot. One advisor had great advice. "Get dressed up - makeup and everything - and then walk around outside during the hottest part of the day." Stay outside for several hours and see how you look and feel and possibly rethink your hair, makeup, attire.

How exciting to nearly be in college.

If you visit your university and see someone in Greek letters, remember to put on that smile and introduce yourself (first & last name) and ask for any advice that person might have regarding the recruitment process.

Want to know more: http://sororityrush.webs.com/firstthingsfirst.htm

 And remember: It's not about the letters. It's about the girls.

Pictures for Recruitment

Pictures

The sororities want to be able to recognize you when you walk in their house so a picture that accurately reflects you is preferable – not a “glamour shot”. You do not need to send in professional portraits. You can send in snapshots. If you print pictures at home, please use photo quality paper and use a max size of 4x6. The most important thing to remember is to smile and show your sparkling personality. It is very helpful to have pictures in jpg format as many times you will register for recruitment online.

Picture Do’s

·      Have a classic picture taken (You don’t have to wear the latest clothing trend.)

·      Have an individual picture taken with you as the primary subject

·      Have a close up so we can see your smile

Picture Don’ts

·      Send in a glamour shot

·      Pose next to an unusual object

·      Include friends or boys in the picture

·      Wear revealing or tight fitting clothing when taking your picture

·      Take pictures at a social event (no prom pictures please!)

About Recommendations or References as It is All Greek to Me

Recommendations/References/Letters

1.  What are recommendations/ letters of reference?

A reference is similar to a job reference.  It is a form written by a sorority alumna (graduate) to introduce you to a sorority chapter.  It provides a means of introduction and does not guarantee an invitation to membership from that sorority.  It is the responsibility of the sorority alumna who is completing the form, to obtain, complete and submit it in the manner and time required by her group.

2.  Do I need letters in addition to a recommendation/ reference?

Sometimes you don’t.  The sorority alumna writing the recommendation/ reference will be familiar with her sorority’s requirements.

3.  How do I obtain a reference/recommendation?

Find out what sorority chapters are represented on your college campus.  Begin early to network with friends, family and teachers of your intent to participate in the membership recruitment process. They may wish to provide a reference letter for you.  The sorority alumna writing the reference will ask you for pictures, transcripts and a resume to enclose.

An alumna wishing to write a reference does not need to be a graduate of the college you will attend.  She only needs to be a member of a sorority with a chapter on that campus.

When you are providing information for a reference letter, please use correct grammar, punctuation, be polite and brief.  Tell the alumna which college you will attend.  Include a typed resume and a photo.  The photo should be full length or a head shot, and is used for recognition.  List any legacy affiliations on your resume.  Ask her to please call or email you (list your phone & email address) if she needs any more information.

If the alumna is not currently active in her Brazos Valley sorority organization and does not know the correct procedures or addresses, please tell her to contact any member of the Membership Recruitment Committee.  Any alumna can call her sorority’s recruitment contact for correct procedures and addresses.

You must register with your college or university Panhellenic to be eligible to participate in their recruitment activities.

Top Ten Things for an Amazing Recruitment

Top 10 Things to Insure an AMAZING Recruitment

1. Acquiring recommendations is your first lesson in networking…so work it!
2. Savor the experience…you get out what you put in.
3. Have an open mind…being Greek is amazing no matter your letters.
4. Dress cute, but comfy…it’s hard to think with a blister on your toe!
5. Be yourself and you’ll find your best fit.
6. Ask questions…sororities have more to offer than parties.
7. Follow your heart…it will lead you home.
8. Smile…You’re not the only one who is nervous.
9. Have fun…sororities spend a lot of time preparing for you!
10. Have faith…you wind up where you belong.

Jessica Jones-Horvath, President & Queen of Quite A Lot, The Greek Boutique

National Panhellenc Sororities

National Panhellenic Sororities

Alpha Chi Omega

Alpha Delta Pi

Alpha Epsilon Phi

Alpha Gamma Delta

Alpha Omicron Pi

Alpha Phi

Alpha Sigma Alpha

Alpha Sigma Tau

Alpha Xi Delta

Chi Omega

Delta Delta Delta

Delta Gamma

Delta Phi Epsilon

Delta Zeta

Gamma Phi Beta

Kappa Alpha Theta

Kappa Delta

Kappa Kappa Gamma

Phi Mu

Phi Sigma Sigma

Pi Beta Phi

Sigma Delta Tau

Sigma Kappa

Sigma Sigma Sigma

Theta Phi Alpha

Zeta Tau Alpha

The National Panhellenic Conference and many of its NPC member sororities have their own websites. The following are websites that may be of interest. 

National Panhellenic Conference	www.npcwomen.org
Alpha Chi Omega	www.alphachiomega.org
Alpha Delta Pi	www.alphadeltapi.org
Alpha Epsilon Phi	www.aephi.org
Alpha Gamma Delta	www.alphagammadelta.org
Alpha Omicron Pi	www.alphaomicronpi.org
Alpha Phi	www.alphaphi.org
Alpha Xi Delta	www.alphaxidelta.org
Chi Omega	www.chiomega.org
Delta Delta Delta	www.tridelta.org
Delta Gamma	www.deltagamma.org
Delta Phi Epsilon	www.dphie.org
Delta Zeta	www.deltazeta.org
Gamma Phi Beta	www.gammaphibeta.org
Kappa Alpha Theta	www.kappaalphatheta.org
Kappa Delta	www.kappadelta.org
Kappa Kappa Gamma	www.kappakappagamma.org
Phi Mu	www.phimu.org
Pi Beta Phi	www.pibetaphi.org
Sigma Kappa	www.sigmakappa.org
Sigma Sigma Sigma	www.sigmasigmasigma.org
Zeta Tau Alpha	www.zetataualpha.org