Getting Ready for Sorority Recruitment

What terms are used most frequently during sorority recruitment?  We’ve got them for you here, including people, groups, time frames, rules, statistics, and actions. A quick peruse will help familiarize you with some new (and sometimes odd) words and phrases you will likely be hearing more often.

National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) is the conference body of 26 sororities and women’s fraternities established to collaborate with and advocate for it’s members.  Membership recruitment is governed by a College Panhellenic Association at each institution.

College Panhellenic Association (sometimes abbreviated as CPH, PHC, Panhel, CPC, etc.) is the cooperative campus organization of collegiate members of NPC sororities represented on that campus.

Formal Recruitment is a designated membership recruitment period during which each sorority holds a series of organized social activities.

A Chapter is the local group that represents a segment of an Inter/National organization. The term Inter/National describes a sorority’s central organization.

All sororities have chapters in the U.S. These are national sororities. Some sororities have chapters in Canada, making them international sororities. The term Inter/National describes both types organizations and is used widely in the collegiate setting. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: greek sorority, joining a sorority, panhellenic, recruitment, sigma sigma sigma, sorority membership intake, sorority recruitment, womens fraternities

“Dressy casual.”

“Business casual.”

“Interview attire.”

“Semi-formal.”

All of these terms have been used to describe what potential new members should wear during sorority recruitment.  Usually, these phrases only create MORE questions.  It’s enough to make your head spin!

Your Panhellenic officers will provide you with guidance for each day of recruitment.  If those guidelines aren’t clear, ask questions.  Even then, one person’s “casual” can translate into another person’s “sloppy.”  What looks “dressy” to someone can seem “overdone” to others.

Head still spinning?  Let’s steady your head and polish your look with some simple tips.  Follow these basic do’s and don’ts, and you will look and feel your best each day of recruitment. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: Appearance, greek sorority, PETAL System, sorority attire, sorority recruitment, sorority rush

(Tacoma, WA.) Lauren McHugh joins the SureSister.com Ambassador team with broad experience in Panhellenic management including Panhellenic President at the University of New Hampshire and current Panhellenic Council Co-Advisor at Ball State University.  Lauren also served her collegiate chapter of Alpha Xi Delta Women’s Fraternity as Panhellenic Delegate and Recruitment Assistant. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: alpha xi delta, greek sorority, sorority recruitment advice, sorority rush tips

(Tacoma, WA.) Kristi Jensen joins the SureSister.com Ambassador Team as a new graduate of the University of Oregon.  She has recently earned a bachelors degree in Political Science and Spanish with a minor in Business Administration, and intends to pursue graduate work in student affairs.

Kristi served her collegiate chapter of Kappa Kappa Gamma as Treasurer and Finance Committee member.  Her roles in her College Panhellenic Council included Director of Continuous Open Recruitment as well as Vice President of Accountability. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: greek sorority, kappa kappa gamma, sorority recruitment advice, sorority rush tips

How do you persuade someone to appreciate your fabulousness?  One of the strongest basic tenets of persuasive communications is evidence.  Provide your listener with evidence of your thesis, position, or brand.  When you meet sorority members during the recruitment process, will you flat out announce the three legs of your special brand?

“Hi, my name is Brit.  First, I’m a skilled varsity athlete.  Second, I’m a National Merit Scholar.  Third, I plan to become a pediatric anesthesiologist.”

Is that normal, friendly conversation?  Would this persuade others that Brit is special?  Self-absorbed?  Even if these three things about Brit are both true and pertinent, is there a better way Brit could convince a sorority member she is a good candidate for a sorority? Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: greek sorority, panhellenic, sorority hazing, sorority recruitment, sorority rush, sorority rush secrets

Many prospective sorority members and their parents worry about sororities engaging in questionable practices which may culminate in alcohol use and/or hazing during sorority recruitment week.

Your formal Panhellenic sorority recruitment process is structured and overseen by mature student leaders such as Panhellenic officers, recruitment counselors/guides, and sorority officers. Additionally, student affairs professionals and (inter)national officers of many sororities are present. Alumnae and advisory board members, many of whom are parents themselves, are often present at each sorority to assist with management or support of the events. Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: alcohol, drinking, greek sorority, hazing, recruitment, rush

The term “rush” was coined around the turn of the 20th century when sorority and fraternity students would literally rush train platforms where new students arrived on campus for the school year.

That was the beginning of the disorganized membership recruitment for the sororities and fraternities.  Read the rest of this entry »

Technorati Tags: greek sorority, joining a sorority, panhellenic, sorority membership, sorority membership intake, sorority recruitment, sorority rush