The Do's and Don'ts of Membership Recruitment

Do's
 

  • Approach membership recruitment as an opportunity to make new friends.
     
  • Use a firm handshake and look a prospective member in the eye when he is introduced. Don't release his hand until you know his name, and remember it. Eye contact is important.
     
  • Stop talking and listen. Let him tell you what interests him.
     
  • Be honest about finances and all other obligations of membership.
     
  • Create a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
     
  • Be cheerful, honest and enthusiastic at all times.
     
  • Attitude is contagious. Make yours worth catching.
     
  • Give a prospective member written information before he leaves.
     
  • Involve alumni in your recruitment activities.
     
  • Sell the Greek system first, then sell your chapter.
     
  • Encourage all men to go Greek.
     
  • Make sure all the members are wearing letters or their badges. Dress neatly.
     
  • Make sure the prospective members meet other prospective members in whom you are interested.
     
  • Use first names as often as possible.
     
  • Use a positive approach. Say "I look forward to seeing you tomorrow," not "I hope I'll see you."
     
  • Keep your house clean.
     
  • Recognize prospective members on campus by their first names - they'll be impressed.
     
  • Make a prospective member feel at home, but avoid forced hospitality.
     
  • At formal recruitment functions, have name tags for both Fraters and prospective members. Keep them near eye level.
     
  • Find common ground for discussion.
     
  • Enlist the aid of prospective new members who will join to talk with others.
     
  • Discuss improvements and future plans for the house and chapter.
     

Don'ts
 

  • Don't criticize or make any sarcastic statements about your Fraters, your chapter or your alumni.
     
  • Don't badmouth any other Fraternity.
     
  • Do not talk only about yourself. Listen to the prospective member and talk about his interests.
     
  • Do not leave a prospective member by himself. There is nothing more awkward than being alone among strangers. If you must leave, introduce the prospective member to another Frater first.
     
  • Do not be rude, even to someone that you are not interested in.
     
  • Do not criticize anyone. You may be knocking the friend of a prospective member.
     
  • Do not act tired or bored, no matter how tired you are. This affects both Fraters and prospective members.
     
  • Maintain enthusiasm.
     
  • Do not congregate in groups with other Fraters if there are wandering prospective members.
     
  • Do not swear; foul language never helps and may do harm.
     
  • Do not tell inside jokes. An outsider will feel left out and insulted.
     
  • Do not give up if a prospective member wants to wait to join; good salesmanship may change his mind.
     
  • Do not apologize for the weak points of your chapter. Stress how they are being improved, and emphasize your strengths.
     
  • Do not lock rooms during open house. Prospective members may ask, "What are they hiding?" Make sure the whole house remains open.
     
  • Don't try to convince a prospective member that you've got what he wants unless you are sure you've got it.
     
  • Don't assume the prospective member knows everything about Greeks and fraternity life.
     
  • Don't lie about your chapter or its accomplishments.