SIGMA KAPPA Voices Strong Hearts United. V Handbook for the Continuing Membership Chairman 2015 709 FOREWORD "The purpose of Sigma Kappa Sorority is to provide women lifelong opportunities and support for social, intellectual, and spiritual development by bringing women together to positively impact our communities." Article II, Section 1 Sigma Kappa Sorority Constitution This purpose builds on the values of our organization: friendship, loyalty, service and personal growth, all bound by a promise. National council affirms that Sigma Kappa collectively can only grow through the prosperity of each individual chapter. Such prosperity must begin with sound and lasting leadership. Each chapter officer is provided a handbook designed to give her the information needed to perform the duties of her office and assist the chapter in achieving the Sigma Kappa Standards of Excellence. Serving as a collegiate chapter officer exemplifies Sigma Kappa's purpose and values. © 2015 Sigma Kappa Sorority Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS Continuing Membership Chairman 4 Job Responsibilities 4 Advisor to the Vice President of Membership and Continuing Membership Chairman 5 Recruitment Supervisor 5 Getting Started 6 Types of Informal Recruitment 6 Definitions of Commonly Used Recruitment Terms 6 Determining the Need to Utilize Informal Recruitment 6 Snap Bidding 8 Continuous Open Bidding 9 Developing Continuous Open Bidding Plans 9 Membership Teams for Continuous Open Bidding Events 10 How to Find Potential New Members 10 Conclusion of Each Activity 12 Follow Up and Extending a Bid 13 Structured Informal Recruitment 14 How Do We Assess Potential New Members? 14 Membership Selection 15 Legacy Policy 15 Moral Objections 15 Recommendations/Recruitment Introduction Forms 15 Grade Risk Philosophy 16 Membership Selection Committee 16 Year Round Recruiting Opportunities 17 Making Connections 17 Chapter Websites 17 Social Media and Informal Recruitment 17 Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 3 CONTINUING MEMBERSHIP CHAIRMAN Job Responsibilities The continuing membership chairman (CMC) is elected or appointed by the collegiate chapter and is responsible for the collegiate chapter's continuing membership program. She educates and guides the chapter in informal recruitment until campus total and quota are achieved. She works closely with the vice president of membership (VPM) and vice president of programming (VPP) in developing a balanced calendar of continuing membership activities for the chapter. The CMC reports to the VPM and is responsible for planning and coordinating the informal recruitment efforts of the chapter; however, the VPM is responsible for ensuring the chapter's informal recruitment efforts are carried out effectively throughout the year while collaborating with the CMC. In light of these responsibilities, the CMC must do the following tasks. They are grouped together as they relate to one another. Prepare for the Role: Read, comprehend and follow the Handbook for the Continuing Membership Chairman and the Membership Selection Procedure Training Manual. Be knowledgeable about all policies and procedures regarding recruitment and membership selection. Collaborate with Others: Work with the VPM to ensure all recruitment requirements for Standards of Excellence (SOE) are met Educate chapter members on planned membership growth. Work closely with the recruitment supervisor (RS), VPM advisor, VPM and chapter recruitment team. Attend all membership selection committee (MSC) meetings during formal and informal recruitment. Work with the Panhellenic delegate to ensure that all NPC Manual of Information Unanimous Agreements and local Panhellenic rules are being followed throughout informal recruitment. Develop and Maintain Resources: Develop and implement a chapter continuing membership program to be approved by the RS, VPM advisor and advisory board supervisor (ABS) and voted on by the chapter each term. Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 4 Update files and assist in the training of the next CMC. Communication Responsibilities: Prepare and submit Sigma Kappa CMC reports by the deadlines established in the collegiate officer monthly calendar in Live Sigma Kappa. Advisor to the Vice President of Membership and Continuing Membership Chairman Each chapter should have a VPM advisor who is a member of the local advisory board for the chapter. This advisor works with the VPM and the CMC year-round and provides continuity for the chapter. To learn more about developing a relationship with your advisor, watch the module in SKILLab: Sigma Kappa's Interactive Learning Lab that highlights best practices for building this relationship. Recruitment Supervisor National council appoints the RS every year for each collegiate chapter. In some cases the VPM advisor is the RS; however, in many situations, national council may appoint a different volunteer/staff member to assist the local VPM advisor and serve as the RS. Appointed by national council, the RS is empowered to make membership selection decisions in the best interest of the chapter. When the chapter has both a RS and a VPM advisor, it is important for both of them to communicate regularly and to plan the coordination of all the activities listed in this handbook. The key to a successful recruitment is clear communication between all involved. In some instances, a leadership consultant or other national staff member or volunteer may be assigned by the national organization to assist a chapter during recruitment. She may take on the role of RS or be there to guide the current RS/VPM advisor in their duties. Often times, she will come to the chapter for pre-recruitment to assist with planning and workshops. Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 5 Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook . page 6 GETTING STARTED Informal recruitment is an opportunity for chapters to reach their maximum membership potential by pledging to quota and/or campus total at any other time during the academic year outside of formal recruitment. Chapters may incorporate recruitment events into their established chapter programs. There is not always a formal Bid Day when conducting informal recruitment; however, an event may be scheduled at an appropriate and convenient time to honor new members. Types of Informal Recruitment Snap Bidding Snap bidding is the process used between the conclusion of formal recruitment and the start of Bid Day activities for PNMs who participated in formal recruitment and maximized their options but did not match with a sorority. Snap bidding only occurs prior to bids being extended during formal recruitment. Once bids are extended and Bid Day has concluded, the continuous open bidding (COB) period begins. A chapter can only participate in the snap bidding process if quota was not met during formal recruitment. For more information, see the section on snap bidding. Continuous Open Bidding COB begins at the conclusion of Bid Day and lasts until a chapter either achieves quota and/or campus total. It may take place over a period of two school terms until the start of the next formal recruitment period unless restrictions are in place from the College Panhellenic. For more information, see the section on COB. Structured Informal Recruitment A Sigma Kappa structured informal recruitment (SIR) takes place throughout a one to two week period and has many aspects similar to COB events. For more information, see the section on SIR. Definitions of Commonly Used Recruitment Terms Formal recruitment - a designated membership recruitment time period during which each sorority holds a series of organized social activities governed by the College Panhellenic. Quota - the number of PNMs each sorority may pledge during a fully or partially structured recruitment process. Quota is not set until the final or preference round is completed and the number of PNMs signing the membership recruitment acceptance binding agreement (MRABA) is known. Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 7 Campus total - the allowable chapter size as determined by the College Panhellenic as the most desirable chapter size for its campus, including both new and initiated members. Determining the Need to Utilize Informal Recruitment It should be the goal of every Sigma Kappa chapter to reach its maximum membership potential by pledging to quota and campus total. During formal recruitment, it is possible that a chapter will achieve quota and exceed campus total. In this case, no additional informal recruitment is necessary unless the chapter falls below campus total at any time throughout the academic year. Chapters should utilize informal recruitment in the following situations: In the event a chapter that exceeds campus total, matched to quota during formal recruitment and a new member decides to depledge prior to participating in the new member ceremony, the chapter should recruit to replace that individual. Should a chapter exceed campus total but not match to quota during formal recruitment, the chapter can recruit during that same academic term to achieve quota. If a chapter matches to quota during formal recruitment but has not achieved campus total, informal recruitment plans should be utilized until campus total is reached. A chapter may also find itself below campus total due to seniors graduating mid- year or members transferring. Taking advantage of informal recruitment will allow a chapter to rebuild its membership to achieve campus total. All chapters should put together an informal recruitment plan before the start of formal recruitment to ensure the chapter is ready to begin informal recruitment efforts if campus total is raised and the chapter does not achieve campus total during the primary recruitment time. Informal recruitment is often critical to the success of many chapters and therefore must be pre-planned. Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 8 SNAP BIDDING All PNMs who attended at least one round during the formal recruitment process are eligible for snap bidding. Under the direction of the College Panhellenic, a chapter may extend bids to women who attended our events but did not pledge a sorority. Snap bidding shall begin immediately after bid matching and end with the distribution of bids at which time informal recruitment shall begin. Snap bidding is allowed only for those chapters that did not match to quota in the bid- matching process. Utilize the MSC to decide whether or not the chapter should extend bids to the PNMs. In the event a chapter wishes to extend a snap bid to a PNM they released during the formal recruitment process, they must get prior approval from the RS. Snap bids can be extended, coordinated through the College Panhellenic, prior to the start of Bid Day activities or when bids are distributed. The snap bidding process may vary on different campuses. Consult the College Panhellenic recruitment rules for specific snap bidding procedures. If the College Panhellenic allows chapter members to contact PNMs regarding snap bidding, a member who is skilled at recruiting and a tactful conversationalist should personally deliver a bid to this PNM. Tell the PNM she is welcome in Sigma Kappa and continue recruiting her. If the PNM does not immediately accept the bid, the member should give the PNM a specific time (within 24 hours) she will return to get an answer. If possible, all contact during this time should be in-person. Remember to escort the PNM to all recruitment events and always make a personal visit to find out if she has accepted a bid. Snap Bidding Script: Introduction by the Sigma Kappa: "Hi, this is from Sigma Kappa. We really enjoyed meeting you during recruitment these past few days and think you would make a wonderful addition to our sisterhood. We would like to officially invite you to join Sigma Kappa." What, When, and Where: "Our Bid Day event starts tonight/tomorrow at (time) at (location). Everyone would love for you to join us and celebrate! Positive Closure: "Sister would be thrilled to pick you up and bring you to meet the other new members. We cannot wait to see you again." If the PNM is not sure of her answer: "I totally understand that this may be a hard decision for you. / know how happy it would make our members to see you accept our bid. What specific questions can / answer to help your decision? (Respond accordingly). We do have a limited time to extend this offer, so if you can please let us know your answer within the next 24 hours that would be great. / will return then! If you have any questions in the meantime, feel free to Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 9 " contact me at (phone number)." Sigma Kappa Sorority . Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 10 CONTINUOUS OPEN BIDDING COB may or may not be organized and coordinated by the College Panhellenic. Any non-affiliated woman is eligible for COB as long as she meets the requirements set by the College Panhellenic and by the national organization; however, once the MSC has voted to release a PNM during formal recruitment, she may only be extended an invitation for membership to Sigma Kappa with the permission of the RS. COB should be used any time a chapter is not at campus total or has not achieved quota through formal recruitment. The only exception is when a College Panhellenic is supporting another National Panhellenic Conference (NPC) group colonizing a chapter on their campus and has asked chapters to refrain from COB during that time period. If this is the case on your campus, refer to the College Panhellenic recruitment rules and the NPC Manual of Information (MOI) for additional information. For chapters who are not at College Panhellenic campus total or do not achieve quota during formal recruitment, it is important to realize that implementing the COB plan as soon as the College Panhellenic allows is essential. Since COB is typically immediately following formal recruitment, excitement is generally high amongst the new members. Encourage new members to help ensure a successful COB period for the chapter by bringing their non-affiliated friends to planned events. Developing COB Plans The first COB activity should be held within three days of the end of formal recruitment. For chapters with deferred recruitment, fall informal recruitment dates should be verified by the College Panhellenic. The activities should be very informal with no skits or ceremonies. When developing COB plans, consider the following items: Budget Event length Decorations and setup Entertainment and activities Nametags Refreshments Conversation Clothing Speeches Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 11 At each event, have the VPF or the CMC hand out a financial obligation sheet to the PNMs. This will help ensure that PNMs who accept a bid are ready, willing, and able to meet the financial obligations of joining the organization. A sample financial sheet may be found in Live Sigma Kappa. Examples of COB plans are located in the Recruitment Resources in Live Sigma Kappa. Keep in mind that when developing an event plan for a COB event, many of the events posted in the Recruitment Resources will work. Ideas include, but are not limited to: Philanthropy craft event Cookout Bowling Study break Ice cream sundae event Pizza and karaoke night Coffee break Fondue night House tours and dinner at the house Dinner at a local restaurant or on campus Game night at the house Attend a university sporting event Membership Teams for COB events When developing COB plans, keep in mind that the way your chapter members will meet PNMs is through the use of membership teams. By using membership teams, chapter members will be able to meet PNMs effectively, using limited time wisely as they keep recruitment activities moving smoothly. Consider assigning different membership teams to various COB events you have planned. This way, the entire chapter does not have to attend each COB event and will help to keep chapter members from feeling burnt out with recruitment activities. This also helps the number of initiated members at any given event be more in line with the number of PNMs so as to not overwhelm them. As the CMC, you should carefully consider your roster when dividing the chapter into membership teams. Each team should have a mixture of new and experienced recruiters, quiet and outgoing personalities, and a diversity of campus involvement. It is important to have a mixture of ages, majors, backgrounds and personality types in each group because likes attract likes. A PNM may not "click" with the first person she meets but may really hit it off with another person. Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 12 Each membership team should be led by a member of the MSC who will report back at the conclusion of the event to help determine if a bid should be extended to the PNMs her team met that night. How to Find Potential New Members Obtain a list of PNMs by: Meeting with the fraternity/sorority advisor on Bid Day to obtain a list of women who withdrew from formal recruitment or PNMs who were not matched with a sorority through the bid matching process. Verify this list with the RS to make sure they are approved. Asking the new member class who they may know that might be interested in sorority life or who espouse the values and characteristics the chapter is looking for in its members Asking chapter members to provide names of friends who may be interested in sorority life or who espouse the values and characteristics the chapter is looking for in its members. Obtaining a list of transfer students from the university registrar's office or the Dean of Students. Following up with women the chapter received Recruitment Introduction Forms (RIFs) for but did not participate in formal recruitment. Placing an ad announcing your COB plans in the school newspaper or putting a brochure with event dates and times in the residence halls and around campus. Announcing COB during a chapter meeting and award prizes for those who provide the most names of PNMs who actually attend the chapter's COB events. Utilizing social media for COB events by creating events that are open to the campus public and having chapter members invite their non-affiliated friends to the event. Inviting PNMS to Events PNMs can be contacted and invited to events via phone, email, printed invitations, social media and in person. If at all possible, have members contact PNMs they have previously met and are more comfortable speaking with. If members are calling PNMs they have not had the opportunity to meet, they should practice the conversations ahead of time in order to avoid sounding rehearsed. Prepare chapter members to respond to the different types of answers they will receive. Consider having a workshop covering responses that PNMs may give in order to Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 13 prepare them to handle negative responses. COB/SIR Sample Script: Introduction by the Sigma Kappa: "Hi, this is from Sigma Kappa. / was calling to invite you to our event Monday night.. " What, When, and Where of invitation: "The event is an opportunity to meet each other and get to know a few of our sisters. It is Monday night at 7 p.m. at the Sigma Kappa house on street. In fact, why don't / come by and pick you up?" Positive closure with a commitment for transportation and reinforcement such as: "We look forward to meeting you. I'll pick you up at 6:45 p.m. in the lobby of your residence hall. See you Monday!" Facebook Events When creating a Facebook event to use for inviting PNMs to COB events, be sure to include the following information: Event picture using Sigma Kappa visual standards (work with the public relations ((PR)) chairman on this) Brief description of the purpose of the event Date Location - be sure to include directions Time Suggested attire Contact information of the event coordinator Have chapter members invite all non-affiliated women they are Facebook friends with to the event. Ask them to post fun and upbeat messages on the event wall such as "Can't wait!" or "This will be so much fun!" If a chapter member posts anything that can be conceived as negative, such as "I can't attend" or "I'm in class," then ask them to please remove their post. Remember that we want this event to appear positive and fun to attend. Send out a reminder the day before the event to all attendees. In today's busy world, it is easy to view an event once on Facebook, respond "yes," and then forget all about it. Texting Texting an invitation to a COB event should only be done if the chapter member knows the PNM really well and regularly communicates with her via text message. This form of communication should never be sent to PNMs that the chapter does not already have a relationship with. Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 14 Email Emailing an invitation to a COB event should be done only when a personal phone call or visit cannot be made to invite a PNM and when the PNM knows one or more Sigma Kappa sisters. Sample email script: Hi (name of PNM)! / wanted to drop you a quick message to let you know about our event next Monday night. We will be gathering at the Sigma Kappa house at 7:00 p.m. to go to a baseball game to cheer on the (team name). I'd love for you to come to the game with us to meet my sisters because / know you'd enjoy them. Do you want me to pick you up and bring you to the house with me? Thanks! (name of sister) Hosting PNMs During a COB event, be sure to make all PNMs feel welcome. It is the responsibility of the Sigma Kappa members to carry on the conversation during the event. Remember to: Pick up PNMs/escort them to the event Greet PNMs at the door Offer refreshments (if refreshments are served) Provide a house tour Provide nametags for the PNMs and the Sigma Kappa members Introduce PNMs to chapter members with similar interests Tracking PNMs Throughout the process of COB, it is imperative to track PNMs. Utilize a spreadsheet that keeps track of each event, which chapter members attended the event, PNM names and phone numbers, and who their host was for the event. Additional pieces of information can be tracked through this spreadsheet. Chapters should personalize the spreadsheet to track important information. Work with the collegiate recruitment specialist, your RS and your recruitment coordinator/specialized recruitment coordinator/new chapter recruitment coordinator (as applicable) if you need assistance building your tracking spreadsheet. Keep the chapter informed of all PNMs going through the informal recruitment process. Announce their names at a chapter meeting or send information via the GIN if there is a time constraint. Conclusion of Each Activity Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 15 Once all PNMs have been escorted back to their apartment/residence hall, the MSC for the event should meet to discuss each PNM. At the discretion of the VPM, the MSC does not have to be in its entirety. It may consist of the CMC or VPM, president, and one to two membership team leaders. Chapter members should assess the PNM on a rating card. See the Handbook for the Vice President of Membership on specifics for how to rate PNMs. For additional information regarding MSC, please refer to the Membership Selection Procedure Training Manual located in Live Sigma Kappa. Follow-Up and Extending a Bid Make every effort to follow-up with the PNM within 24 hours of the COB event. This contact is very important as the PNM will still have the Sigma Kappa activity fresh in her mind. Follow-up may be in the form of another COB event invitation or a bid. Extending an invitation of membership for Sigma Kappa should be done in person. Get a commitment. Allow the PNM 24 to 48 hours (maximum) to make her decision. If she does not give an immediate answer, plan a specific time to meet with her again to hear her response. Let the PNM know that the chapter wants her as a member! After a woman accepts a bid to become a member, the chapter has seven days to hold the new member ceremony according to the National Policy Handbook. Ensure the chapter is taking steps to involve the new member in chapter activities as soon as possible to help her transition into chapter life. If it becomes obvious that a woman is not interested in pledging or cannot pledge a sorority due to financial or academic reasons, attempt to ease her mind by addressing her concerns. If she declines the bid or is not committing either way after 48 hours, let her know that the chapter feels she would be an asset to the sisterhood and you wish her the best. The chapter's energy must be directed toward those women who can pledge now. Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 16 STRUCTURED INFORMAL RECRUITMENT SIR takes place over the course of one to two weeks. It is a coordinated informal recruitment effort planned by the CMC. Unlike COB, the overall schedule structure of SIR is similar to formal recruitment. SIR events have a designated place, time and often, a theme or specific Sigma Kappa focus placed on the event. SIR may be only a Sigma Kappa event or may be coordinated by the College Panhellenic if multiple chapters plan to participate in a structured informal recruitment. Many of the components used for COB can be implemented during SIR. These components differ in SIR in that the recruiting period is limited to multiple nights of recruitment instead of being spread throughout the year as with COB. As a result, extending bids is reserved to the last night following a preference ceremony. How Do We Assess PNMs? At the conclusion of each night's events, PNMs should be rated on rating cards by the women who met them. See the Handbook for the Vice President of Membership on specifics for how to rate PNMs. During SIR, the entire MSC and RS should meet each night to hold recruitment events much like a smaller version of formal recruitment. For additional information regarding MSC, please refer to the Membership Selection Procedure Training Manual located in Live Sigma Kappa. Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 17 Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook . page 18 MEMBERSHIP SELECTION Membership selection occurs throughout all aspects of recruitment - both formal and informal. A member casts her vote every time she assesses a PNM on a rating card during COB or through Bidlily during formal recruitment. Membership selection is always confidential, whether it is the member rating a PNM or discussions during a MSC meeting. If there is a question of breeching confidentiality, the RS/ VPM advisor should have a conversation with the member in question. Legacy Policy Importance of legacies: It is the belief of Sigma Kappa Sorority that our legacies are extremely important to the success of our sorority. When the chapter is determining whom they wish to pledge, the chapter shall give careful consideration to the following relatives/step-relatives of collegiate members and active Sigma Kappa alumnae: sister, daughter, granddaughter, and niece. While we believe all legacies are to be given special consideration, it is necessary to be even more careful in our consideration of those specifically listed above. The entire MSC must meet a legacy going through informal recruitment. Moral Objections A moral objection (MO) is a serious reason that a chapter member has as to why a PNM should not be invited back to Sigma Kappa. MOs are given to the RS and are not to be shared with anyone in the chapter. Because a MO, eliminates the PNMs chance of becoming a Sigma Kappa, reasons must be severely serious and must have been witnessed by the chapter member herself. They cannot be hearsay or rumor. A MO must be brought to the RS as soon as the chapter member realizes that the PNM is participating in recruitment. It is up to the discretion of the RS to decide if the PNM will receive a MO or if that PNM should be considered carefully by the members of the MSC Examples of MOs: I was at a party and saw this PNM participate in illegal drug use. I witnessed this PNM displaying inappropriate behavior in public. (Note: this is not I HEARD.) Recommendations/Recruitment Introduction Forms Sigma Kappa highly encourages its members, both collegiate and alumnae, to complete RIFs for PNMs. These forms are brought to the membership team in order to help the RS and VPM advisor guide the committee in making smart decisions about to whom a Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 19 bid should be extended. While they are not a guarantee to the PNM of being invited back to future activities, they do allow the MSC more insight as to which PNMs are really liked by the members or may already have a strong knowledge base of Sigma Kappa from knowing an alumna. Grade Risk Philosophy Per the National Policy Handbook, a woman shall have a 2.8 GPA from high school and a 2.5 GPA from college based off of a 4.0 system to be pledged to Sigma Kappa. All exceptions to this policy require approval of the collegiate coordinator/new chapter coordinator/specialized chapter coordinator (as applicable). The RS and collegiate coordinator/new chapter coordinator/specialized chapter coordinator (as applicable) will determine how many, if any, PNMs who are considered a grade risk the chapter may take. Membership Selection Committee During informal recruitment the MSC will meet at the conclusion of any event where PNMs were present. At the discretion of the VPM and CMC, the MSC does not have to be present in its entirety. It may consist of the chapter president, VPM, CMC and only the membership team leaders whose teams participated in that particular event. The MSC meeting is advised by the RS, VPM advisor, national officer, and NHQ staff member (when applicable). The meeting is chaired by the RS. If the RS or VPM advisor is not available, then the ABS will attend. In the event that the RS, VPM advisor, ABS or national staff person/visiting national officer is unavailable for the MSC meeting, then the VPM shall chair the meeting. The MSC meeting procedures found in the VPM supplies in Live Sigma Kappa should be followed to ensure national policy is being followed. Not all components of the formal recruitment procedures will apply to informal recruitment; and therefore, some portions can be bypassed at the discretion of the RS/VPM advisor. Following 3/4 approval from the MSC and the RS, the CMC will offer bids for membership to the selected PNMs. The CMC can invite other chapter members to join her in presenting the bids to the PNMs, such as the VPNME, VPM or chapter president. The responsibilities of the MSC include: Maintains highest confidentiality of discussions during the meeting. Voices the thoughts and opinions about the PNMs on items that are unable to be rated on. Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 20 Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook . page 21 YEAR ROUND RECRUITING OPPORTUNITIES The VPM and CMC share the responsibility of leading the chapter through recruitment efforts. As a result, the VPM and CMC should work together to ensure the chapter is educated about recruitment and their role in opportunities for year round recruiting. Making Connections Giveaways, tabling, passing out fliers and meeting women through your classes all present opportunities to begin a conversation with a female student/potential new friend. Your goal is to make new friends with as many female students as possible, and the benefits of Sigma Kappa can be introduced later. Chapter Websites A chapter website has become one of the most important tools during the recruitment process. It allows PNMs and their parents, siblings, and friends the opportunity to find out more about the sororities at their college or university before recruitment begins. It is important to keep the chapter website up to date, as recruitment is continuous throughout the year. Work with the webmaster to post information about upcoming events. You should also have your website linked to the national website by having its content approved by your ABS. This is your chapter's way of bragging about your accomplishments, collectively and individually. A chapter website can: Give PNMs a chance to get to know Sigma Kappa before even getting to campus. Highlight members, including information about chapter officers, majors, summer activities, campus involvement, co-curricular activities, honors, philanthropy, positive social activities, Big/Little sisters, alumnae, and parent involvement. Allow students who did not go through formal recruitment but may be interested in joining through informal recruitment or the next formal recruitment a way to learn about our values, mission and sisterhood. Help with retention. A website is a great tool to use to give public recognition to sisters that deserve acknowledgment. Be used as a way to invite non-affiliated women to informal recruitment events. Help alumnae stay connected. Communicate with chapter members throughout summer/year with important information such as PR dates, informal recruitment, etc. Provide contact information for the College Panhellenic and alumnae. Social Media and Informal Recruitment Social media has become another important tool to use for informal recruitment. Work with the webmaster and PR chairman to ensure these pages are made public to the campus and are updated often to include information about upcoming events, awards Sigma Kappa Sorority Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook page 22 the chapter won and contact information of someone a PNM can contact if they are interested in Sigma Kappa membership. SIGMA KAPPA Voices Strong Hearts United. 695 PRO-MED LANE, SUITE 300 CARMEL, IN 46032 317-872-3275 f: 317-872-0716 e: INFO@SIGMAKAPPA.ORG WWW.SIGMAKAPPA.ORG Sigma Kappa Sorority . Continuing Membership Chairman Handbook . page 23