Unleash your creativity to stand out among the crowd - Phi Chi Theta

STRATEGIES | TACTICSTips for a Successful RushSpring of 2011 was a very successful RUSHfor Gamma Iota chapter at the Universityof Colorado Denver. There were 28prospective members in attendance dueto the leadership of the Marketing Committeeand the dedication of chapter members. Marketingdirector David Oakeley developed a simple yeteffective plan and implemented his vision as follows:16Target business majors.Compile a master schedule of classes from the businessschool and economics department. Chaptersneed to choose classes consisting of the targeted demographic.In this case, the demographic is madeup of mostly freshman and sophomore classes.Gamma Iota’s goal is to recruit members who willbe in school for the long term so that can replenishchapter leadership roles as seniors graduate.Go to the masses (or classes).Get chapter members to sign up to speak in businessclasses to promote Phi Chi Theta. Members are expectedto speak in front of business and economics classesthat they attend. Chapters should write a script andflyers promoting rush onhand to pass out to prospectivemembers. Both the script and fliers should be tothe point and convey a consistentmessage. Using a script can helpchapters stay on point and illustratethe benefits and purpose ofPhi Chi Theta while staying onmessage. Make sure you rehearseand keep your message no longerthan 5 minutes. As an alternative,one Gamma Iota member createda video instead of a speech. Flierscan be conventional or you canstray away from the norm and becreative. For example, one year,business cards were used instead ofa flier. It was different and workedas an effective marketing tool.Marketing, marketing and more marketing.Post fliers all around campus. Make sure the websiteis updated and that your chapter’s web address is displayedpromiently on all materials. Make sure that rushmeeting information is current and on your website.The Gamma Iota chapter has access to a bulletin boardin a main area in the business school and keep it stockedwith fliers and information about upcoming events.An estimated 150 fliers were posted around campusor handed directly to students who expressed interest.Give it away.Entice prospective pledges to rush with free food andfree stuff. The marketing committee obtained somegreat giveaways to get people interested into talkingto us about rush and Phi Chi Theta. Giveawaysincluded gift cards for local restaurants and iTunes,a school packet, a coffee mug and board games.Get to know each other.Start bonding with prospectivemembers from the moment theywalk in the room. Engage themwith ice breakers such as “peoplebingo” or a scavenger hunt, withinteresting facts about membersso that prospective memberscan start the conversation. Allowplenty of time for networkingprior to starting the informationsession. This can be a critical timefor retaining potential members.Don’t let the cat out of thebag.Wait a while before talking aboutthe price of membership. Instead,emphasize the benefits ofmembership. Talk about planned events, chapter operationsand networking opportunities. You can mentionat rush that there is a cost associated with membership,but avoid specifics until the first meetingafter rush. Furthermore, emphasize that the fraternityis more than just another club, but it is like family.Notice that the direct marketing theme is consistentthroughout. It is helpful to get current members involvedwith rush recruitment. By following the tipsabove, Gamma Iota hopes that your rush will be justas successful. It is important to remember that peopletend to drop off as the semester progresses. By startingout with as many people as possible, your chapterwill has a greater chance of retaining members. Andthat means a great future for the whole fraternity!Melissa (“Missy”) Bolin (Gamma Iota) is currently presidentof the Denver alumni.17