S T R AT E G I C G O A L A R E A
ADVANCE
Virtual Recruitment provided the chapter with chapter personalized masks, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant sprays and wipes in between each round.” The number of members recruiting also decreased.
Members of Eta Eta Chapter showcase their custom-made face masks for an in-person recruitment event. WRITTEN BY: JEN AKRIGHT, ETA ETA, COLLEGIATE RECRUITMENT COORDINATOR
In previous years primary, or “formal,” recruitment meant large groups of women packed into small spaces, talking with one another, singing, snacking and everything else that seems “off-limits” now. For many in 2020, the collegiate experience is partially or completely online – including recruitment. As institutions began announcing their changes to virtual or hybrid learning, the National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) created a task force to examine the changing landscape and provide recommendations for fall 2020 recruitment. From that task force, three key priorities were identified: adapt and change to survive; market the sorority experience and increase membership. With a team of volunteers, college Panhellenic associations created plans A, B and C for fall 2020 recruitment with options including 10 Phoenix of Alpha Sigma Alpha
in-person recruitment, virtual recruitment or a hybrid version of recruitment. In-person recruitment was a popular choice among college Panhellenic associations with typically small recruitments hosting around 50 or fewer potential new members. Rounds were expanded to allow for smaller groups of women to gather at one time. As Taylor Landry, vice president of PR & recruitment at Theta Mu Chapter began planning for in-person recruitment, it became clear how even recruitment budgets had to change. “We
"All we could do was remain positive, follow social distancing guidelines and recruit to the best of our ability."
Virtual recruitment was the answer for larger college Panhellenic associations. With virtual recruitment comes the use of various technology. Beth Holloway, Beta Epsilon Chapter vice president of PR & recruitment shared her experience with virtual recruitment: “At first, I was very nervous and in denial. I thought that there was no possible way this could work and that, as a chapter, we would face many problems... I thought it would be near impossible, but as I began to plan, there were many parallels that I could draw and help the chapter visualize.” Along with many other chapters, Nu Nu Chapter at Drexel University participated in a video-only first round. This concept allowed the chapter to create a video highlighting their chapter experience and values, while potential new members submitted individual videos expressing their interests, goals and more. When asked how the chapter made up for not meeting in person and formed personal connections in the second round, Miranda Bottura, NN, shared, “our sisters were able to bring up conversations and topics mentioned in potential new members’ videos,” as their solution to this new barrier.
