Recruitment + Growth

Coronavirus resources + FAQs

The world has a need for human connections now more than ever. We also want to stay open to the idea of inviting new Phi Kaps to join our brotherhood. The page answers questions and provides new resources to help your chapter succeed with recruitment and retention.

We’ve put together several guides this summer for preparing for recruitment season. We invite you to review them with your executive board and any/all brothers who are working toward a recruitment plan. You can also find these documents in your 2020-2021 Asana Project.

Q: What are the recommendations for retaining current members during this time?

A: Members of the executive board should develop a recruitment/retention plan for their own brothers. When members are considering stepping away from the Fraternity, often times a contributing factor is because of uncertainty or lack of communication. To prevent this, chapters are encouraged to complete the following:

• Identify aspects of chapter operations that may need to be adjusted based on local guidance and develop a plan for how it will accommodate.

• For housed chapters, the house corporation president, chapter president and chapter advisor need to communicate a consistent housing message.

• Develop a FAQ doc for members of the chapters that is specific to your chapter or colony.

• Each member should receive a call from one person on the executive board. Executive board members should project optimism and communicate the information listed above.

• Set a goal for several touch-points the chapter wants to have with each member throughout the summer.

• Create a names list similar to those used for the recruitment process and track the anticipated returning membership to plan for the upcoming year.

• Special attention should be given to any new Phi Kaps that joined in Spring 2020 especially any who are not yet initiated.  

Q: What are some suggested strategies for recruiting virtually?

A: There will still be individuals on your campus who can benefit from membership in Phi Kappa Theta. Provide these men the opportunity to have the full Phi Kap experience. While virtual recruitment is not the first option anyone would choose, many of the same strategies that make a normal recruitment plan successful can be applied to a virtual experience.

Even if fewer men are recruited, one year without any new members can also impact a chapter for years down the road, so it is important to continue to be focused on the lifeblood of your chapter. Here are a few strategies chapters can utilize:

• Referrals

  • Develop a referral strategy to collect recommendations from people about prospective members. Reach out to local alumni, create a competition between sororities on campus to see who can provide the most referrals, create a competition between members, utilize lists of graduating seniors from local high schools or look up rosters of organizations that focus on similar interests your members have. Make sure to obtain contact information as you receive these referrals.

  • Set a goal for the number of lists to obtain from university outlets and number of names to have on your names list.

  • Remember because someone is listed on your names list doesn’t mean he has to join. However, the more men you contact the greater chance you have with finding the right men for your chapter.

• Social Media

  • Find social media pages for incoming students and send a direct message to men in those groups.

  • Consider purchasing paid advertisements on social media platforms that is an invitation for the individual to receive a personal DM from a member to start a conversation about your chapter.

  • Include in all social media posts a way for any prospective member to contact members with interest in the chapter.

• One-on-one meetings

  • If in-person meetings are not an option, encouraged members to use virtual platforms to hold these meetings

• For chapters and colonies who are able to meet, but have limitations placed on gathering sizes have additional options members can consider.

  • Holding the same event at different locations at the same time.

  • Making sure the gathering size follows local guidance at each location.

  • Focusing on getting to know potential members during events. Remember most people join the Fraternity because of individuals they meet not the event.

  • The priority should always be about getting to know prospective members more. 

Q: How can the national organization assist with the recruitment process?

A: A small team of Recruitment Coaches are being trained the last week of July by the Executive Offices. Beginning in early August, Class 2 chapters* and chapters that demonstrated retention drops the previous year will be connected with a Coach.

These individuals will work with the chapter to identify problem areas and work to set and achieve goals related to retention, growth, and recruitment for Fall of 2020. Keep an eye out for communications in Asana and emails from the Executive Offices for more information.

Name drivers for fraternities and sororities

Webinar - A Brutally Honest Conversations About Recruitment in 2020

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Phired Up Certified Recruiter Digital Classroom

Phired Up Online Webinars

PhiredUP’s IFC Fraternity Recruitment Digital Classroom
For $45, your chapter can have access to a library of diigital learning all about IFC Recruitment How-To’s