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THE EXPONENT: Volume 2002, Number 2
"You
do not inherit your Fraternity from those Brothers who have gone before
you, but you borrow it for a very short time from those brothers who
will come after you." - Unknown
"Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is for you." - Emerson
Those
of you who've read the Exponent for some time, will recognize that I've
done something a little different here -- I've included two quotes
instead of one. I did that not because I've got so many quotes in my
file that I needed to do a little faster housecleaning, but instead
because I think these two in conjunction tell a critical story about
Triangle.
First, it is incumbent upon all of us -- actives and
alumni alike -- to realize that we are called to leave the Fraternity
better than we received it. There's lots of talk about tradition and
history in any fraternity and Triangle is no different, especially as
we approach Founders' Day. The real insight about Triangle, though,
isn't about its 95-year history and the successes and failures therein.
The real, deep, incisive Truth is that what Triangle offers should only
grow to be better for the FUTURE because of what we've learned in our
past.
Second, to make Triangle the best, we should not think of
the National Organization or the chapter first. We need to start with
the individual Brother. He is called upon to use Triangle to its
fullest in making of himself a better person -- learning new ideas,
skills, abilities, attitudes; becoming a more critical thinker in
things both technical and about life in general. If each man will do
this, will make an attempt at having fun doing it, then the aggregate
of men we know as "chapter" will also do the same and that will appeal
to others so that they will join. More alumni will have had good
experiences as actives and they will feel a desire, rather than simply
a duty, to remain involved. Triangle will prosper...In fact, we'll be
able to paraphrase Emerson's remarks: "Make the most of Triangle, for
that is all there is of it."
Contents
- Ideas from a 97 Regional Workshop
- John Gargani pitt82 and Marcus Stocco ok94
- Springtime and Thoughts of Love (of Triangle)
- Tim Eiler minn87
Yep, Spring just sprung. Now's the time to start thinking about your
recruiting for Summer and Fall -- as if you've ever stopped thinking
about recruiting, since it's a 24/7/365 activity!
First, remember
that it's far too easy to fall into the "fill the beds" trap. Though
offering to others what we've had the positive experience of is an
important part of continuing our Fraternity, it is not THE only thing
about being in Triangle. Instead, it's a secondary focus. The first
focus needs to be building a worthwhile organization -- one in which
you're having an enjoyable, fun, supportive time learning, doing new
things, and honing skills and abilities.
It's also easy to get
caught up in "plans" and "activity." Sometimes, too easily, I think.
Those are important, but first it's important to understand how to
actually get someone to join us. Put another way, "Who would join us
and why?"
So, who would buy what we offer?
From what I've
read and seen in my 15 years as a Triangle, there are two types of
people who would possibly join us. The first can be categorized as
"always joiners." They're the tiny fraction of people who want what we
offer and pretty much search us out. Like I said, that's a pretty small
group. The antithesis of the "always-joiner" is the "never-joiner," but
other than identifying they exist and that they also are a relatively
small group, we're not terribly interested in them. The massive group
in the middle is the "maybe-joiner" bunch. They're the type of people
who, when given the opportunity to get in with a group of people with
whom they fit and whose activities and ideals are right, will join.
Why would they join?
Simply
put, they'd join because they want what we've got. The next question,
then, becomes "what is it that interests them?" Chances are, first off,
that they think like you do. What did you want or find intriguing
enough about Triangle to join? (Thinking that way will also help to
remind you that, although you should be careful to not make your
chapter into something that others wouldn't want, it is your chapter
first and foremost and you should try to get out of it what you think
you want -- within reason...remember that like attracts like and if
you're a chapter that likes to party 'til you puke every night of the
week, you're in a very small minority of tech-head students, so you'll
have a hard time recruiting good guys in all probability.) Otherwise,
the answer is still pretty simple. Most of us want the same basic
things out of Triangle:
- Help getting good grades
- Opportunities to learn new skills and abilities like
leadership, management, selling ideas, communicating, social
interaction, etc.
- A chance to meet and be around people who are like us in many ways, but who are still diverse enough to be interesting
- A reasonably fun time
- A safe, comfortable place to live
Remember, unless the proposition appeals to their
INTEREST, unless it satisfies their DESIRES, and unless it shows them a
GAIN, they will not join!
That begs the question, "Why would they not buy?"
No
organization is ever going to fulfill everyone's interests and wants.
That shouldn't stop you from trying to satisfy the interests and wants
of the group of people Triangle targets, though. You've probably all
heard about the "value proposition" or something similar -- that's the
mix of what somebody gets for what it costs to get it. Any prospective
or his parents will ask some pretty standard questions before deciding
to join:
- Is this a safe place to live?
- Do I get as comfortable a place here as I could get elsewhere for similar money?
- Do I get as many amenities here as I could get elsewhere for similar money?
- What extras (fun, lifelong friendships, meeting more girls,
etc) do I get here over what I could get elsewhere? Are they worth
money in the equation?
- What work will I have to do here that I wouldn't have to do elsewhere? Is that worth money in the equation?
- Will joining this organization help or hinder my academic progress (usually based on "Animal House")?
Ultimately, the answers to these questions lay at your
feet. How would you or your parents answer them? Are they the answers
that you're proud of and that would attract others -- chances are that
if the answers would keep others from joining, your doing yourselves
the first disservice. If you don't find the picture you'd like when you
ask yourselves these questions, ask yourselves whether there's some
"house" cleaning that needs to take place.
First and foremost, HAVE FUN BECOMING GOOD PEOPLE.
- Some Recruitment Thoughts
- George Griffin ok78
I'd like to mention some underlying concepts about rush.
-
The most important aspect of rush is the quality of the product. If
Triangle is a quality product, rush is a simple matter of conveying that to
broader circle of friends. If Triangle is not a quality product, the
notion that it will suddenly become a quality product with the addition of
a few more individuals is a false expectation.
-
It is paramount that you identify both your strengths and your weaknesses
going into rush. Build upon your strengths, and fix your weaknesses.
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Use your own experiences as a barometer. Make all aspects of Triangle --
including rush -- an enjoyable team experience. Work your collective butts
off, but have fun doing it.
-
Do not put down a good idea, or even a bad idea, out of hand. Brothers
who are wet-blankets can really kill the excitement that might otherwise
build. Gestures as simple as an impatient sigh or rolling of the eyes in
response to a suggestion can have enormous negative impact. Take these
brothers aside, ask them for their positive suggestions, but above all
don't let anyone take the wind out of your sails. Go for it.
-
Identify your resources. If you are cash starved (and who isn't?) take
advantage of things that don't cost much, or don't cost anything.
-
Identify choke-points on campus where freshmen pass through on their way
to calculus classes. Put your advertising there. String a banner/chalk
the sidewalks/hang a few fliers.
-
Maintain a visible presence on campus. Do the people in your classes
know that you are a Triangle?
-
Identify your rush target. Who do you appeal to at this point in your
history? You may need to narrow your target or broaden your appeal
depending upon your resources. Devote the bulk of your energies and other
resources to attracting those individuals whom you can logically expect to
bring in. Broaden your base whenever you logically can without
jeopardizing your core rush pool.
-
Identify places where your core rush group naturally congregate or events
where they might attend. Go there, shake hands, take names, follow up on
their events, or cosponsor an event.
-
Identify individuals on campus whom these folks naturally like and
respect (such as faculty members). Earn for Triangle the respect and
endorsement of these individuals.
-
Plan. Plan not only big events to establish your rush pool, but follow
up events where you can really get to know the individuals. Practice
responding to questions a rushee might ask. Practice presenting Triangle
in a positive way. Develop techniques for working Triangle into a
conversation, such as introducing a person into your conversation as a
Triangle brother. Hold regular meetings to discuss prospects and to keep
the actives focused on rush.
-
Make your first contacts as comfortable as possible to the rushee. An
open party for rushees at a campus facility is more comfortable for most
rushees than one at your chapter home. A handshake in the halls of a dorm
a volleyball game at the park or between the buildings on campus, a pool
tourney, tutoring, ... There are a lot of different ways to meet new
people. Free food...
-
Document everything about rushees. Names, friends, interests, contacts,
etc. It will help. It demonstrates a tremendous amount of interest in a
gentleman if you can remember his name when he walks through the door. Ask
him how his softball game came out.
-
If a rushee or pledge already has a circle of friends, get to know that
circle of friends. Identify the leaders of the group and bring them into
the fold.
-
Follow up, follow up, follow up. Rush is a repetitive process. Mass
mailings are ok, as long as you realize that they only count as a fraction
of a first contact. Virtually nobody will join Triangle based solely upon
something printed on a sheet of paper, no matter how eloquently it is
written. A successful party can count as a solid first contact, but
nothing more. Get to know the guys you're rushing. Let them know you.
You're not peddling a bill of goods, you're presenting them with a
wonderful opportunity.
Don't be snowed by the daunting task. Rush is a team-building exercise.
It's a game. It's a goal. It's a tremendous accomplishment when done
correctly. Break it into manageable pieces and have fun with it. When I
was the active president, I got to the point where I could remember the
first name of every person in the room after meeting them one time. (I
wish I could still do that). When I walked into a room, I immediately and
automatically began categorizing people as eligibles and ineligibles. :)
Good luck on recruitment, gentlemen. Have fun.
Hope you enjoyed this issue!!! If you have questions, feel free to
email the editor (
This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it
).
Tim Eiler
Exponent Editor
Pursue Excellence Relentlessly
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