This is your Recruitment Chair speaking. I’m here today to give some of you underclassmen a few tips on one of my favorite parts of recruitment: voting on PNMs. When you’re a senior, like me, this is a no-brainer, but for those of you who will be voting for the first time, you may need some shameless guidance.
Legacies
Not all legacies are bad, but there are some that are less than desirable potential new members. Unfortunately, there’s not much you can do here. Your options are to a) not-so-subtly encourage her to go for for that lower-tier sorority, or to b) freeze her out. Make her think that your sorority isn’t actually her top choice. Usually this doesn’t work, because why would it? This otherwise awkward girl gets the chance to receive a bid from a sorority that’s way out of her league. Unless you have a really good reason, enough of a reason to discuss the girl with nationals or her affiliated relative, you’re just going to have to accept it, move on, and remember that you can always put her on kitchen duty.
Conclusion: Bid (unfortunately).
The Girl Who Wants Your Sorority Soooooo Badly But Is Below a 6
During my first few years as an active, the over-eager, but under-the-appropriate-level-of-attractiveness PNM was always the toughest for me to vote down, but trust me when I say that you need to let her go. Sure, it seems awkward, and mean, and unfair. She is so nice, and she bleeds your sorority’s colors, but hear me out. Remember when you were just a little freshie about to receive your bid and you hadn’t slept for days because you were so nervous about whether or not you’d get into your top choice? And remember how you were jumping up and down, screaming, and hugging everyone you saw because you were so excited to accept that bid? It meant so much to you because you knew you had gotten into one of the most elite organizations on campus, and not everyone is so lucky. Perhaps it’s awkward to deny a bid to someone who really wants one, but that’s the nature of being on top. Not everyone gets in. So cut your losses, and think about the excitement those precious new babies will feel when they realize they get to be a part of the hottest sorority on campus.
Conclusion: No Bid.
The Girl Rushing Because Her Friends Are
It’s always awkward and slightly uncomfortable when you’re faced with the decision of whether or not to split up a group of friends. However, throughout recruitment, it’s a decision you’re going to have to make. Even though it may be difficult at times, you should make it a priority to evaluate girls individually, and NEVER let the phrase “package deal” become part of your vocabulary. Honestly, it’s neither fair to your sorority, nor the PNM if you let her in when she’s not a good fit. Allow her to find the group of girls that will love and adore her, and save the reputation of your sorority with one easy decision.
Conclusion: No Bid.
The Girl Involved in Everything
She’s a pre-med cheerleader on student council and she already has a killer internship. Oh yeah, and she just started college. At first, you might feel skeptical about whether or not she can give your sorority the love and attention it deserves, but give this girl a chance, because I can 100% guarantee you that once she’s an upperclassman, she’ll be one of the best officers your sorority has ever seen. She has her shit together, and that’s exactly the kind of reputation you want your future President, Vice President, or Recruitment Chair to have. If she makes a commitment, she will do everything in her power to commit fully to whatever it is. In this case, it’s your sorority, and this girl will be the one taking charge.
Conclusion: Bid.
Your Soulmate
From the first thirty seconds of meeting her, it’s obvious that you two were separated at birth. She’s gorgeous, smart, funny, and you’re obsessed with her shoes. She’s the whole package and you’re thrilled she’s at your rush event. Make sure to introduce her to as many actives as possible, while motioning behind her back to your pledge sister that you LOVE her. This effectively kills two birds with one stone. The other girls get a heads up that obviously they need to vote for her and you’re not-so-subtly staking your claim on the girl who is obviously your future little. This is the kind of girl that will not only make your family look good, but will make your sorority look even better. The answer here is obvious.
Conclusion: BID. BID. BID.
Nice Move229
Respond
RecruitmentChairTSM
RecruitmentChairTSM (@TheRecruitChair) is a contributing writer for Total Sorority Move. This current grad student and ex-sorority girl survives solely on Diet Coke and the tears of the pledges she personally victimized. She's a Monica, a Marnie, a Miranda, and a Regina. Her favorite hobbies include drinking $14 bottles of wine and binge-watching season 2 of Grey's Anatomy until she cries. You can send her annoying e-mails at RecruitChairTSM@gmail.com
@TheRecruitChair
