Silent Recruitment by Dixie Mosier;Greene National Membership Services Coordinator
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very semester chapters across the nation start recruiting new members. There are “smokers” and parties and even some really neat ideas, like an October pumpkin-carving event for rush. Lots of time and money and effort are expended. And hopefully all the events create a lot of interest in ΚΚΨ and ΤΒΣ – and great Membership Candidates. But sometimes silence speaks louder than words. People notice how exciting and enthusiastic members are during rush – but they also notice the other eleven months of the year. Look around your band hall. Is it attractive? If your chapter has its own bulletin board, what kind of image does it project? How much thought is put into what goes on the bulletin board and how it’s placed? Is it full of current and eye-catching announcements – or the leftovers from the last few semesters? How about the band lounge? Is it scruffy, with old faded painted walls, dumpy furniture, litter on the floor and spider webs around the windows? Is the most appealing thing in the room the Coke machine? Does it look like no one cares? Here’s a chance to impact the band members every day – clean up, spruce up that essential room. Make it attractive and comfortable. And wear your letters while you are doing it. Is your chapter a “presence” in the band office? It is always surprising to call a band office to leave a message and find out that they have no idea what Kappa Kappa Psi or Tau Beta Sigma is. Why not? Aren’t members volunteering to help out with band mailers? Offering to file band music? Just hanging out in case a “runner” is needed? Then the band department (and the all-important department secretary) knows there are chapters, knows who the presidents are, and knows where to leave a message or a package. Conversations are part of silent recruitment, too. Everyone hears how you speak to one another. Are you courteous with other members, other band members, other students? Are you interested in each other, happy to see your brothers and sisters? Having a night of chapter fellowship is great — but not if it means that the members are all grouchy that next morning, listless at rehearsal, and lousy musicians. Band members didn’t see the fun you had, only the poor attitude the next day. We can’t be cheerful all the time, but we can be courteous. The extra seconds it takes to be polite and kind aren’t wasted but are part of your chapter’s silent recruitment. This same attitude does wonders for retention; members want to stay active because they feel valuable and appreciated. Let your actions speak louder than words! }
34 – The PODIUM, Spring 2002
<==< District Conventions Make plans now to attend the <==< District Con; vention in your area! At press time$ the schedule was as follows: Midwest District: Springfield$ Missouri April ><;>C$ <==< Host Chapters: Epsilon Psi$ ΚΚΨ Alpha Mu$ ΤΒΣ Northeast District: Pittsburg$ Pennsylvania March <>;<$ <==< Host Chapters: Alpha Omega$ ΚΚΨ Gamma Omega$ ΤΒΣ North Central District: Indiana University April B;H$ <==< Host Chapters: Alpha Zeta$ ΚΚΨ Rho$ ΤΒΣ Southeast District: Atlanta$ Georgia March H;>=$ <==< Host Chapters: Iota & Iota Rho$ ΚΚΨ Epsilon Theta & Theta Kappa$ ΤΒΣ Southwest District: Oklahoma City$ Oklahoma April >N;<> Host Chapters: Delta Alpha$ ΚΚΨ Delta Alpha$ ΤΒΣ Western District: Flagstaff$ Arizona April B;H$ <==< Host Chapters: Gamma Kappa$ ΚΚΨ Alpha Chi$ ΤΒΣ For further details$ contact the host chapters listed above#
