Alpha Sigma Alpha Blog

June 30, 2021

Lexi Carter

0

5 Tips to Survive Work Week

Formal recruitment and work week – or whatever you call the prep leading up to it – can be some of the most stressful and exhausting aspects of being in a sorority. As an officer or executive board member, it can feel like the pressure is increased tenfold.  But with a few simple tips and tricks work week can be a time that you and all your sisters can enjoy.

1. Work as a team
   Work week and formal recruitment are big commitments, and the vice president of PR and recruitment can’t do them alone!  It’s important to remember that your fellow officers and chapter members want recruitment to be a success as much as you do, so delegate work when you need to. Have officers or emerging leaders run activities to give yourself a break. Have members of your recruitment committee critique bumping or door songs in small groups. Remember, you’re only human and if you overwork yourself the whole chapter will feel it!
   
2. Plan, but don’t be afraid to go off schedule!
   Planning is an important part of being prepared for work week.  Members need to know start and stop times, however, your plan doesn’t need to be set in stone. If a last-minute opportunity to practice with another chapter presents itself, or your sisters just seem too tired to keep going for another half hour, don’t be afraid to change things up! Just make sure you keep everyone informed of the changes you make.
   
3. Take breaks
   This goes beyond giving your members time off for lunch and dinner and making sure they’re able to get enough sleep every night.  Planning chapter bonding activities can be a great way to give members time to relax and take a break from all the hard work they’re putting in. This also lets members reconnect after summer break! Don’t forget to share the fun you’re having on social media. This can be a great opportunity to give PNMs a look at your sisterhood before recruitment begins.
   
   Check out this resource for intentional bonding activities!
   
4. Focus on what matters
   With all the grandeur of formal recruitment, it can be easy to get swept away by superficial elements. While it’s fun to spend time on decorations, outfits, door songs and preference ceremonies, it’s important to dedicate some time in work week to the deeper aspects of recruitment.  Have members practice having deeper conversations with each other, give ideas as to the kind of questions members should be asking PNMs in each round of recruitment, and have conversations about what the chapter is looking for in new members.
   
   Check out this resource for recruitment workshop content and ideas!
   
5. Remember why you’re here
   Finally, in all the stress and exhaustion of work week and recruitment it can be easy for both you and your members to forget why you’re even putting in all this hard work in the first place.  Take a moment to remind yourself and your chapter of everything you love about being in a sorority.  Recruitment is all about finding new members who will not only benefit from joining your sisterhood, but will also enhance the experience of current members. 

Always remember, with the right motivations and the support of your sisters, even a task as daunting as work week can be made fun!

Here are a few resources to help you in planning your recruitment prep:

• LIVE Session with Tina VanSteenbergen
• Recruitment Resource Manual
• Recruitment Prep follow-up guide
• Your recruitment advisor and region recruitment leader
• Phired Up’s 97 Ways to Make Panhellenic Recruitment More Authentic

Daniela Schull
IH