Keep the Pressure On

One of the most difficult issues faced when working in a career is staying persistent and unwavering. Decisions you disagree with, a difficult colleague, a bad boss or long hours are just some of the things that can deter you from realizing your potential. Everyone wants to advance and move up the ladder of success, but to do so you must show consistent and sustained effort. One of the best ways to learn this valuable lesson is in your chapter. Recruitment deserves just as much attention during the typical periods as it does in the summer. Just because there are less people on campus or at the chapter house doesn’t mean you shut down this process for three months.

Even if you don’t have classes to attend, there is much to do. Planning for next year and scouting prospective members are just a couple of things to do. In the chapters that do this, they lock in 80% of their goal for the Fall new member class and avoid the opportunity of others to grab the best of the best. If fraternities on your campus don’t do this, this is a great opportunity for you to get on top of it now. In addition, once you get these guys locked up they are likely to spread the word once the semester gets going. The following are suggestions to take over the campus next year or ensure you stay there.

1. Attract Summer School Students
   Typically there is little to no social life during this time. This can be a great way to show what you have to offer men during the school year (albeit less than normal). Go to the main area of campus and throw a football or Frisbee (inviting them to join you). Host a dinner at a chapter house or local restaurant. Become their friend before you “rush” them.
    
2. Local High Schools
   Contact the local high school’s guidance counselors to find out men who will be attending your college in the fall. This can help you contact them early with something like a welcome letter or phone call. There is no need to hard sell TKE, but it is an opportunity to invite them to a planned recruitment event either before school starts or when the typical recruitment week begins. Be sure to provide your info so they can have an instant connection when they get there.
    
3. University Admissions
   There are a few areas to look into. The first is scholarship recipients. These are no-brainers because they are already academically or athletically superior. A large percent of them are already involved in clubs or organizations and want to continue this in the future. The second is a list of those attending orientation. Much like those awarded scholarships, these men are committed to make their college experience special. With TKE it will be even better.
    
4. Chapter Members
   Don’t forget to tap the resources you already have. New Members most likely still have ties to their high schools or local communities. Friends a year behind them in school may be going to your school or one where another chapter is and as a result will want to reconnect with people they already know or have a connection to them.
    
5. Follow-up, Follow-up, Follow-up
   Regardless of how you proceed (the four suggestions above or something else), they are all useless without following up with them. A personal visit, face-to-face meeting, is still the number one way to show someone what it means to be a member. You can send mailers or make phone calls, but if they never meet you in person or stay in contact with you TKE will be forgotten quickly. So send texts, facebook messages, tweets, standard mail and call them, but don’t forget to shake their hand.

None of these suggestions are new, but making sure you do them and others are vital to sustained success. You want to be tops on your campus, if for no other reason than others will envy your brotherhood. Take some time to relax, but don’t forget to turn up the pressure on others to become the best.

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