recruitment counselor advice?

We call them rho chi's so idk of people understand your topic as a header

I think your header makes perfect sense.

Take disaffiliation seriously and really practice the Panhellenic values you are preaching. So many rho chis are biased towards their houses or biased AGAINST other houses. Let girls figure out where they want to go organically and remember that what is best for them may not be what's best for you. Your job is to help them decide what to do. Not decide for them because you have different opinions on different houses.

Dealing with girls that have been dropped from recruitment is the hardest part and so heartbreaking. It's never an easy thing to navigate and my fingers are crossed that you won't have to do it, but I'm not sure what the numbers look like at your school. Let the PNM be upset, let her be angry... Just let her feel her feelings and then be there for her as she decides what to do moving forward.

Girls who want to suicide... oh, boy. This is the part where you really have to draw on the Panhellenic stuff I mentioned above. Remind them that when pledge classes have so many girls in them, you are bound to find a solid group you get along with, no matter what. You will get the sisterhood, the swaps, the lifetime membership, etc. It's ALWAYS better to be safe than sorry so it's ALWAYS better to not suicide. For me this was the hardest part but just do your best to be persuasive. So many girls end up happier in their 2nd/3rd choice than they would have been in their 1st.

Anyways, good luck!!

- Stay completely neutral. There's a lot of dirty rushing that happens here and it's sad that sororities can take advantage of such a fulfilling opportunity, like being a Rho Chi, to get top PNMs. Also report any dirty rushing that you may see yourself.
- Carry a bag of stuff such as snacks, water bottles, pens, bandages, etc. Maybe even make motivational cards?
- Constantly ask the PNMs how they're feeling, both physically and emotionally, every chance you get. I know it can get annoying but you never know if someone will take you up on your offer in the spur of the moment and it could potentially save someones life.
- Constantly remind the PNMs that everything happens for a reason. It may be hard for some girls to grasp that idea because they may be used to getting everything they want, but it's important to remind everyone that sorority life is what you make of it.
- Be as nice and sympathetic as you can, especially for girls who are having a hard time. Some girls have waited years to join a sorority and find themselves getting dropped from their favorite house or getting dropped from recruitment as a whole. So be a shoulder to cry on, if need be. Be a confidant.
- Also be as fun as possible. Rush is exhausting and at times kind of boring. When you're just sitting around with the PNMs have them maybe gather around and let each other share funny stories?

Being a recruitment counselor was seriously one of the most rewarding parts of my greek experience. It really opened my eyes that there is a right fit for everyone. I've had girls tell me they'll drop out of recruitment if they don't get invited back to a chapter everyone considered "bottom", because she felt at home there, so definitely realize that everyone is different!

Take care of yourself, too. It can hurt to hear PNMs say mean things about your chapter or your friend's chapter, and with all the running around and organizing, it can be easy to forget to eat or drink water. Make sure you're practicing what you preach!

Use language like "alternates" when talking about houses PNMs rank, so that they're less surprised if those chapters appear on their list the next day, and so that any eavesdropping PNMs might not hear Snowflake Suzy say "I'm cutting XYZ, they're my LAST choice"

Also, always remember that you are the authority and the expert when it comes to PNMs. When they're having a meltdown about being cut from Super Special Sorority or only being invited back to 3 instead of 5, you can reassure them by reminding them of the great attributes of their remaining chapters, that they only need one house at the end of the day, and that these girls are evaluating each other after only like 30 minute conversations, so it's really not personal. This also applies to tent talk. you're in charge, so don't be afraid to pull a girl to the side and have a talk about her behavior, and I know that at some schools, girls can be removed from recruitment for being rude to actives in hopes of being cut from less desirable chapters.

When it comes to suiciding, if they don't listen when you tell them about all the different girls in chapters and how this might be their only opportunity at greek life or how they should just give every chapter a fair shot, remind them that they can't be a quota addition if they don't maximize their options, so they have a slightly better chance of getting into their top choice if they maximize.

Hope that helps!