Phi Taus Give Back

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Delta Chapter “Pie Tau” event.

Of all the good that our organization can do for the young men who join, the most fruitful is the instillation of a lifelong commitment to service. Teaching our members the importance of giving back to others is paramount to building men of distinction. March is historically the “Founders Month of Service” where our members are encouraged to participate in service events as well as raise funds for SeriousFun Children’s Network. Through various events and community service opportunities our undergraduate brothers from all over the country have been upholding our values and bringing pride to the fraternity throughout the month of March.  

Beta Psi brothers at their beach volleyball tournament.

For some chapters, this meant getting creative and hosting events to raise money for SeriousFun. Delta chapter at Centre College held a “Pie Tau” event and the Delta Lambda chapter at Muskingum College hosted a casino night. For brothers of the Beta Psi chapter at California State University, Long Beach, one event simply wasn’t going to cut it. Hosting four events over the course of a week, and raising over $1000 for SeriousFun Children’s Network, these young men went above and beyond.  A representative from the chapter said, “Donating to SeriousFun camps is something we do every semester. It was founded by Paul Newman, an alumni member. It’s never a bad time to help kids in need and is very humbling to support such a great cause”

Epsilon Chi brothers participating at Greeks Give Back.

The Alpha Omega chapter at Baldwin Wallace University and the Epsilon Chi chapter at Virginia Tech participated in campus lead events. Epsilon Chi joined in with the Greeks Give Back event on their campus, taking the time to serve citizens and neighborhoods throughout the area. Members of the Alpha Omega chapter participated in the campus’ annual Dance Marathon. Tony Ritson, Baldwin Wallace ’19, described the event, “Dance Marathon is a 12 hour long fundraising event for EGPAF, a foundation aiming to cure childhood aids in 3rd world countries. Everyone at DM is there to stand/dance for a full 12 hours while continuously pulling in donations from friends and family members and all the funds goes directly toward preventative care.” 

This is just a small sampling of all that our members have done throughout the month of March. A job very well done to all the men who continue to give back and uphold the values of our organization. For anyone who hasn’t yet found the time to volunteer or give to those in need, there is no time like the present.  

Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler, Phi Tau Takes on Mardi Gras

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Dave and Syd at their anniversary dinner.

Famed globetrotting chef, Anthony Bourdain, once said, “There’s no place on Earth even remotely like New Orleans. Don’t even try to compare it to anywhere else.” Any city that could evoke such conviction from someone who has been to the farthest reaches of this world, undoubtedly earns its place in the pantheon of all-time greats. This cultural melting pot is famed for unique twists on music, art, food, and lifestyle. So, it comes as no surprise that a young man from Northeast, Ohio would find himself so enamored with the city of New Orleans that he engrained himself within the very fabric of this southern oasis.  

For Dr. Dave Mulnick, Baldwin Wallace ’70, it was love of a New Orleans native that first brought him to the city. Mulnick and his wife, Syd, have lived in the city for over 40 years. The couple have three children: Rob, Piper, and Erin, and five grandchildren: Ricky, Virginia, Brandon, Alyssa, and Jaxon. To say that Mulnick has embedded himself within the community in New Orleans would be a drastic understatement. He serves as a member of several boards and educational institutions, most notably the past President of Gates of Prayer, a Reform Jewish Congregation. Outside of volunteer work, Mulnick spent 40 years in private practice and is now the Director of Audiology and Assistive Technology for the ReNEW School System. His work in the field of audiology and speech reading can be seen across countless lectures, consultation, and scientific papers. While family, work, and volunteering might seem like a full plate to some, Mulnick has another deep seeded passion, and it’s rooted in one of the city's oldest traditions. Stemming from an initial fascination with Carnival upon moving to the city, Mulnick is the current captain of one of the longest running Mardi Gras Krewes—now over 70 years old. Not only is he the leader of his own Krewe, but he also helps with various others, writing and narrating Carnival Bal masques and parades. This passion for the Carnival and Mardi Gras traditions have been parlayed into extensive lectures on the subjects, published articles and papers, numerous appearances on radio, and featurettes on several national and international television documentaries and films on Mardi Gras. 

Mulnick serving as Captain of his Krewe.

Mulnick’s route to Mardi Gras royalty first took him to Baldwin Wallace University, known at the time as Baldwin-Wallace College, where he joined the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. Although there were a variety of fraternities on the campus, Mulnick found ours to be the most accepting and fun-loving. Still holding on to many of the friendships made, he said that his time within the fraternity was one of the most rewarding experiences of his life. While an undergraduate member of our organization, Mulnick also played football under head coach, Lee Tressel, and alongside starting quarterback, Jim Tressel. Following the completion of his undergraduate studies, he did his master's and Ph.D. work at Kent State University, where he was both a Graduate Assistant and Teaching Fellow. Still not done with the world of academia, Mulnick also received an Au.D. (Doctor of Audiology) Degree from A.T. Still University - Arizona School of Health Sciences. Of all the accomplishments in the life of Dr. Dave Mulnick—which there are plenty—one that he holds most dear is his work with children. Among other charitable work, his organization picks a Prince and Princess every year to be written into the coronation and given their own float within the Mardi Gras parade. If I knew a famous New Orleans saying to give the proper credit due to our immensely accomplished alumnus, this is where I would put it, unfortunately I do not. So, I’ll simply say congratulations on all your successes, and we are proud to have you as a member of our organization.  

Fraternity Staff Celebrates Founders Day

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Executive Office Staff on Founders Day 2022

Following March of 2020, nearly all aspects of life had changed, including the long-standing art of office culture. Cracking jokes around the water cooler and popping into someone's office to catch up was replaced by fun slack channels and zoom hangs. Now, over two years later, life and work are finding their way back to normalcy. Outside of the restrictions that the COVID-19 pandemic posed, the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices don’t often get to operate at full capacity. With the constant need for employees to travel to various conferences, campuses, and events, our staff can be like ships passing in the night. In a proper celebration of Phi Tau’s 116th birthday, the Fraternity’s full-time staff worked their schedules around to spend a week working together and celebrating our organization.  

With all hands on deck, the celebration of our Founders Day felt a bit more special. Working together as the week ramped up to the second annual Founders Day of Giving—on the hallowed ground where our organization came to life—was a leap forward in the route to life and office culture returning to normal. Complete with a lunchtime potluck of all the best traditional St. Patrick’s Day foods, our staff was truly thankful for this opportunity to celebrate this organization and its founding together.  

Phi Kappa Tau Foundation Adds Two New Scholarships

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

For countless young men across the country, attending college is little more than a pipe dream. Regardless of grades, work ethic, or motivation, they simply lack the necessary means to continue furthering their education. While some individuals may have the idea that acquiring student loans and funding is a viable option for everyone, in reality, it can be a long and arduous process which often ends with only partial funding. This can be particularly troublesome for a first-generation college student whose family is navigating the maze of financial aid bureaucracy for the first time as well. The importance of scholarships to aid these students through their journey into higher education cannot be overstated. Not only do they offer assistance in trying to gain an education, scholarships also lighten the load of student loan debt following the completion of their degree.  

Jon Hays, Old Dominion ’07

Through generous donations by alumnus Jon Hays, Old Dominion ’07, and Mike Rosser, Colorado State ’61, the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation now offers two additional endowed named scholarships. We asked Hays and Rosser about what drove their decision to endow these new scholarships, and for both men the answer was quite clear—to help those who have a need, and who themselves, are dedicated to giving back. Both the Jon F. Hays Scholarship Fund and the Rosser-Call Volunteer Support Scholarship are tailored to brothers with a history of service. Beit military, first responders, or volunteer work for Hays, or time spent with SeriousFun Camps for Rosser; these two men are committed to a life in service of others and are now offering support to those who do the same.  

Mike Rosser, Colorado State ’61

After passing his 80th birthday, Rosser was inspired to leave a lasting legacy on an organization that was so helpful to him as a student. Reflecting upon not only his volunteer experiences, but also his wife’s, Rosser was inspired to give back and endow this new scholarship. For Hays, the decision was simple, to give back to those who were in a similar situation to himself. As a first-generation college student, Hays had to figure out how to pay for his education on his own. Now that he is in a place to help another, it seemed almost implicit that he would do so. Both Rosser and Hays hope that their generosity will inspire fellow brothers of our organization to do the same. To use Rosser’s own words, he hopes that brothers with the means will think, “If Rosser can do that, I can at least double or triple it!” 

With less than 24 hours until our second annual Founders Day of Giving, we hope that these two exemplary brothers will be an inspiration to all. We do not expect all brothers to go above and beyond and endow a scholarship tomorrow, but we hope the spirit of generosity shared by Brothers Rosser and Hays helps guide your donation to the Founders Day of Giving.  

For more information on scholarships click here. Scholarship applications are due April 15th, 2022.  

Looking Back at the First Day of Giving

The Logo used for the 115th Anniversary of Phi Kappa Tau

For much of this country, March 17th is St. Patrick’s Day. Originally created in 1631 as a feast and remembrance for the Patron Saint of Ireland, but now more typically observed through parades and a healthy dose of libations. For the brothers of Phi Kappa Tau, it is a day to celebrate the founding of an organization which we hold so dear. From celebrations, traditions are born. On March 17th, 2021, the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation introduced and celebrated the first ever Founders Day of Giving. This new tradition was born out of the hope that we as an organization could honor our founding fathers in the best way possible—helping their creation flourish and grow.  

Ringing in the 115th Anniversary of our birth with the inception of this new tradition saw no shortage of memorable observances from our staff at the Phi Tau Executive Offices. Chief Executive Officer, Tim Hudson, Truman ’97, delivered a State of the Fraternity address; Foundation Director, Charlie Ball, Miami ’82, conducted a tour of Miami University; and Director of Communications, Logan Lukacs, Baldwin Wallace ’10, interviewed undergraduate members to discuss the challenges and successes they faced throughout the COVID-19 Pandemic. The executive office staff were joined by brothers across the country in finding a new way to celebrate the founding of our organization. With 72 chapters represented, the Phi Kappa Tau Foundation raised $36,000 in just 36 hours. Comprised of eight gifts of $1,000 or more, and receiving 32% of donations from first time donors, a tradition that would bring our founders immense pride was born.  

With our 116th birthday just two days away, we ask our brothers to join us once again in honoring the organization that brought us all together. With the ability to donate to the Brotherhood Fund, which goes to benefiting the fraternity as a whole, or to individual chapters, there’s no wrong way to observe and honor the second annual Founders Day of Giving.  

My Brother's Keeper: Representation Matters

Op-Ed by Ricky Bailey, Florida State ’03

Ricky Bailey, Florida State ’03

As we approach our fraternity’s Founders Day, I find myself reflecting on my fraternity experience. As I think about my journey, one phrase continually comes to mind: Representation Matters.  

There’s so much power in those two words; and it perfectly represents my fraternity experience. It was easy learning the “what” and “who” I represented. But it has taken some time – years, in fact – for me to truly appreciate the “how” and “why” representation matters to me. 

I joined Phi Kappa Tau at Florida State University in Fall 2002. At the time, I would have told you I had no business joining a fraternity. No one in my family was Greek, I knew virtually nothing about fraternities, and I looked nothing like the all-American white guy staring back at me from all of the marketing materials. So why did I join? It started with small talk with a fellow classmate in a hallway before English class. He had on a “Phi Tau Athletics” shirt and I asked him about it. Rather than rambling on about all of the sports he played, he focused on what Phi Kappa Tau represented for him. At the end of our conversation, he invited me to the fraternity house later that evening for a formal recruitment event. It was the only fraternity house where I didn’t feel ostracized for not being a white male. Rather, I saw men who were more like me in many different aspects: short, black, scrawny, baby-faced, smart, genuinely nice, respectful, the list goes on. But most importantly, they saw me for me. They saw my innate worth. It was the first time I understood why representation mattered to me.  Being a member of a brotherhood with a sense of purpose greater than oneself, that’s the feeling I got – and still get to this day – from joining Phi Kappa Tau that I didn’t feel at any other house. 

Our Founding Fathers certainly understood why representation matters. It would have been easy for them to fall in line and join one of the fraternities of the Miami Triad. However, the Triad wasn’t representative of what they believed in—their higher purpose. And they knew there were other men who felt they had no representation. They took the time to understand why representation beyond the Triad was important for them and for the greater good of the Miami student body. It is because Borradaile, Boyd, Douglass, and Shideler believed representation matters that I am able and honored to write this article for our great brotherhood 116 years later. 

Today, I have the privilege of representing our fraternity as a National Councilor. My journey would not have led me here were it not for my fellow classmate from freshman English (now Brother) who showed me why representation matters to me. Now, there’s not a day that goes by where I don’t think about how to continue the legacy of our founders and best represent our great organization. As I close, I challenge each of you reading this article to ponder, what does Representation Matters mean to you? Why is it important to you? And how will you continue to build upon the legacy of representation created by our Founding Fathers? Be sure to share your thoughts on social media using the hashtag #MyBrothersKeeper. Happy Founders Day Brothers! 

 Proud To Be. 

-Ricky Bailey, Florida State ’03 - National Councilor

International Women's Day: Celebrating Lisa Adams

By Dalton Lee, Baldwin Wallace ’11

Lisa and Mark Adams.

We so often take the time to honor the accomplished men within our organization, and as an organization comprised of only men, that comes as no surprise. Astronauts, politicians, CEOs, and the plethora of other distinguished alumni within our fraternity make for great stories. However, there is the old saying, “Behind every great man, there is a great woman.” While this is a rather antiquated notion, we at Phi Kappa Tau will choose to take the positives of this statement and repurpose it for a more applicable quote: “Behind every great organization, there is a great woman.” 

Roughly 26 years ago a young woman named Lisa Adams was unhappy in her current role and was hoping to move back to Oxford, Ohio. Securing an interview for a reception position at the Beta Theta Pi fraternity, she had hope for a fresh start. Beta Theta Pi decided to go with another candidate, but later passed Lisa’s name along to another fraternity. Lisa received a call from the former Assistant Executive Director of Phi Kappa Tau, Craig Little, Ohio State ’80, and was asked to interview for the Finance Coordinator position. Since May of 1996, Lisa Adams has been a staple of the Phi Kappa Tau Executive Offices, and of the fraternity as a whole. Working with countless staff members, meeting Phi Tau members from all generations and chapters, and building friendships as strong as the brotherly ties we all hold dear. When asked what her favorite memories as a staff member were, Lisa mentioned the opportunities to travel and see the country, but nothing could top the friendships made and the chance to go to conventions where she could reconnect with members of her “second family.” 

The Adams Family (Christmas 2021).

Earning the moniker of “second family” is a title, of which, we should all be proud. Yet, there are those who hold Lisa in even greater regard. Married for over 32 years, Lisa and husband Mark have two daughters: Julie and Mallory, and four grandchildren: Jaylen, Josie, Jameson, and Annie. Although we were unable to speak with Lisa’s family prior to this news piece, I’m sure they would have expressed immense gratitude for the amazing wife, mother, and grandmother that she is. Drawing inspiration from heroes like Maya Angelou and Ruth Bader Ginsberg, Lisa has become what she always aspired to be—strong and capable, while remaining kind and uplifting to others. Instead of ending this piece with a generic thank you, we decided to hear from some of our longest running staff members on what Lisa means to them and the organization:  

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"Lisa has been a faithful and devoted member of the Executive Office team for more than 25 years...serving in many official and unofficial roles; notably as fellow employee, friend, on-site event registration guru (ex. Conventions - 12 attended as a staffer), and at times a provider of motherly advice to a number of staffers.  She is also a fierce defender of the positive relationships that are created within this organization - one could argue she understands that as deeply as any brother of our Fraternity.  With gratitude, we say thank you Lisa!" - Chief Executive Officer Tim Hudson, Truman ’97 

“Lisa is as much a part of Phi Kappa Tau as any member. In many ways, she's the glue that holds the Executive Offices together. In addition to the stability and integrity she brings to our financial operations, her personal relationship with so many members make the Phi Tau family what it is.” -Foundation Director Charlie Ball, Miami ’82 

“Working at the executive offices is many staff members’ first step into the professional world, which can be a struggle for some. Lisa provides not only a model of professionalism, but also a consistency the organization would be lost without.” -Director of Communications Logan Lukacs, Baldwin Wallace ’10 

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Thank you, Lisa, for all that you do.  

Year Two of Progress Completes its Mission

Program logo

Progress: Leadership Training for the Future of Phi Kappa Tau wrapped up last week on Thursday, February 24. Taking place virtually over three Thursdays in February, as well as a primer session for Presidents at the beginning of the month. Progress saw over 300 chapter officers visit the virtual workspace to engage in fellowship with their brothers and learn how to better operate as a leader in their chapter.  

Building on the inaugural Progress from 2021—birthed out of the necessity for virtual programming due to the Covid-19 pandemic—this year’s Progress hoped to build on that success while having chapter officers continue to walk away with Objectives and Key Result (OKRs) based goals for the upcoming calendar year. Over 10 Presenters brought the program to life throughout the three weekly sessions. Broader large group topics covered included diversity, equity, inclusion, mental health, lifelong commitment, and strategic planning. In smaller breakout rooms, brothers were divided by officer role to dive deeper into their goals as officers and share ideas with one another in small group session.  

The program was brought to life through the Education Committee of Phi Kappa Tau, with Educational Dean Michael Lukins, Washington ’08, serving as lead. Other members of the education committee including the newly appointed National Education Advisor Don Stansberry, Ohio ’87, who attended throughout the sessions providing insights and guidance.  

While Phi Kappa Tau looks forward to returning to consistent in-person programming in the very near future (more details to come), learning how to navigate a digital space has been a giant leap in adding accessible alternatives for brothers who may not be able to attend in-person. The future is looking bright for the educational programming of Phi Kappa Tau as we all Progress forward into 2022.  

If you would like to view any of the archived sessions of Progress 2022, please use the links below.  

Archived Sessions 

• Presidents Town Hall 

• Week One Part One (In Total) 

• Week Two Lifelong Commitment Panel 

• Week Three Opening and Mental Health Panel 

• Week Three Strategic Plan and Closing 

Why Grow?

This is a part of the Strategic Plan 2025 series, zooming in on each of the pillars of the plan and going into further detail on their importance. For the full Strategic Plan click here.

Strategic Plan Pillar: Accelerate Growth of Undergraduate Membership.

Associate members at Miami University, a staff-led expansion in 2021.

Why grow? Accelerating our growth expands the reach of our mission and brotherhood. Phi Kappa Tau’s presence grows broader, allowing us to achieve our mission of impacting the world. From a practical perspective, growth is important because it enables us to unlock efficiency and scale—which allows us to provide more value to our chapters and members. Growth provides the resources for us to achieve our mission and provides the fraternity with more stability and permanence over the long run. 

Growth will also increase our base of engaged alumni down the road. Since most of our members join as collegiate undergraduates and that is typically the time in which members are most active with the organization, investing in growing our undergraduate membership will not only make our current chapters more successful, but provide long-term benefits to the fraternity. 

How? The goals for 2025 are clear in the pillar. In the year 2025 Phi Kappa Tau aims to have a steady base of 5000 undergraduate members, maintain 100 active and associate chapters, and align with modern trends in recruitment to better support today’s undergraduate.  

Achieving 5000 undergraduate members will come from a combination of recruiting a higher volume of undergraduate members, while also retaining active members through graduation. In the coming months and years, a heightened emphasis on recruitment training will be developed, paired with a deep dive into the value of the fraternity to enhance retention. 

Being at 100 campuses will certainly aid in strengthening the base of 5000 undergraduate members. The Executive Offices has a plan to increase recruitment staff—targeting more campuses simultaneously. It will involve a combination of returning to campuses with an alumni base, as well as expanding to new areas of the country to create stronger footholds for future growth. This, of course, also comes with an increased focus on ensuring the retention of current chapters.  

Finally, the higher education environment is changing, and Phi Tau should be well-aligned to the college campus and students of the future. We are seeing more diversity on campuses and in fraternities, including many more first-generation college students. Leaning models are evolving, including remote and hybrid learning and community colleges increasingly offering bachelor's degrees. Overall, student enrollment is forecasted to drop over the coming decade. We are creating a task force to evaluate these and other trends, then will adopt recommendations on how Phi Kappa Tau needs to change to best position ourselves going forward. 

What can you do? As an undergraduate member, the simplest way is to focus on growing your chapter size and improving your recruitment efforts with a focus on member retention. Be on the lookout for upcoming programming that is specifically geared towards recruitment training. If you’ve got friends who go to campuses where Phi Tau is not established, consider reaching out to them about starting an interest group. If you are an alumnus, consider volunteering for a chapter’s board of governors as a recruitment advisor, or just provide guidance as an older brother.  

If you have suggestions on how we can best support chapters in recruitment and growth, please contact communications@phikappatau.org.

Success with Spring Recruitment

A Recruitment Q&A Spotlighting Three Chapters

With the spring semester reaching its midpoint, it’s time to reflect upon the successes and opportunities for growth from this past recruitment cycle. Whether your chapter was able to initiate twenty new members, or just one, there is always room for improvement and feedback. We decided to sit down with three chapters who had particularly successful spring recruitments and learn more about what went right, and what their challenges were. We spoke with the Zeta Xi chapter at the University of South Carolina (SC), who recruited 20 men, and were represented by President Ashton Reynolds, South Carolina ’19; the Chi chapter at North Carolina State University (NC), who recruited 12 men, represented by Recruitment Chair Gavin Brumfield, North Carolina State ’21; and Zeta Omicron at the Arizona State University (AZ), who recruited 33 men, represented by Recruitment Chair Daniel Hayes, Arizona State ’20. 

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Q: Is spring your main recruitment season? 

SC: No, fall is by far our main recruitment season, however since COVID we have seen a larger proportion of PNMs (Potential New Members) rush in the spring. 

Zeta Pi at Arizona State’s New Member Class

NC: Spring is not our main recruitment season; however, recruitment is a continuous year-round effort for us. 

AZ: No, I would say Fall is usually our main recruitment season, as with the rest of ASU. Before the Xi class at 35, our largest Spring class ever was my own, the Kappas, at 24. However, this Spring we saw a very good turnout during recruitment week, and the 35 was our largest class in Chapter history, beating our previous class by 1. 

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Q: What worked well for you in recruitment? 

SC: One of the main reasons we were so successful was the implementation of a second recruitment chair last fall. We were able to pull in a record class, so we decided to continue it in the spring. With the hard work of Jacob Asplen, South Carolina ’21, and Ric Dunleavy, South Carolina ’20, we were able to bring in the largest spring class on campus and boast a 96% bid acceptance rate. I know the recruitment process can be a very hectic few weeks and having a second chair really helps with organization. Another thing that worked for us in spring rush is the utilization of our fall class. We have found, at least on our campus, most of the spring associates are those who are roommates or friends of those who rushed in the fall. We make a point to have our fall classes reach out to their friends in the last couple months of the fall semester and bring them to some of our events. More times than not, they will follow their group of friends who are already in the chapter. 

NC: Hosting events that target our brother’s hobbies and interests: Casino Night, Basketball, etc. During recruitment, many chapters have problems with brother attendance at events. However, when we started hosting events that were more specific to our brothers' hobbies and interests, we saw a huge jump in attendance and consequently were more successful in recruitment. 

AZ: I think what worked well for us in recruitment is the honest and genuine conversations that our brothers have with every Potential New Member, whether they walk into our house or show up at our events. I always hear from our new Associate Members that what kept them coming back to our events was us being the first house they went to where they had actual conversations and felt like they were meeting genuine people. Many of them said that they felt as if our brothers were actually interested in getting to know them, as opposed to feeling like they were getting interviewed in other houses. In addition, I felt we were able to emphasize how strong our bond is at every event, as we had a great turnout with our activities and with their participation. 

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Q: Did you face any challenges? 

SC: Usually one of the challenges we face in spring recruitment is the officer transitions. We hold our elections in November and often the newly elected recruitment chair is not prepared for the reality of the recruitment process. However, this year’s spring class shows what can be done if the chair(s) are prepared before they return to campus for the semester. All in all, we were fortunate to not face any major, uncontrollable challenges this rush, as we did in the fall. I could not have been happier with the organization and success of our recruitment chairs. 

NC: COVID was a major setback this year. Brothers in our house tested positive and prevented us from being able to hold recruitment events for a short period of time. 

AZ: I would say the main challenge is setting up and running every event as there is only 1 of me and more than 100 PNMs. Another difficulty is getting our name out, because we have only been Chartered for 5 years at ASU. However, we combatted this with a great marketing strategy on Instagram, as well as diligent on-the-ground recruiting—we made 800 rush cards and passed out almost all of them. 

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Q: What would you say to a group struggling with spring recruitment? 

Zeta Xi at South Carolina’s New Member Class

SC: I will strongly recommend adding a second recruitment chair to any chapter, regardless of size. We’ve had back-to-back top 5 classes on campus since doing so. I can certainly attest to the fact that our recruitment chairs agree that having another equal partner throughout the process alleviates a lot of stress and makes pulling off a successful rush much easier. Along with this, make sure your new members are staying connected with guys in their dorms and classes, so when spring recruitment comes along you have a solid PNM list. 

NC: Spring recruitment may seem like a challenge without the structure provided during Formal Recruitment, however, here are some things we did in order to be successful: 1) Host events that reflect your chapter’s interests and hobbies, 2) begin with larger events and transition to smaller group events that are ‘invite only’, and 3) motivate your chapter by providing incentives for coming out to recruitment events. 

AZ: I would say you can never talk to enough people or pass out enough cards, be okay with rejection, and never be afraid to take risks. Many of the men we ended up with were not interested in joining at first, but after meeting our brothers and coming to a few events they realized that their idea of a fraternity was completely changed, and they ended up joining. I would also say this to anyone struggling during the recruitment period, recruitment does not last two weeks, recruitment should be all year round. I always emphasize this to our underclassmen; talking to everybody they meet in their classes, making connections well before recruitment week—this way many of the men that we meet are already very comfortable around us and know what we are all about. 

Q: Any fun events that you’d recommend to other chapters? 

SC: Spring recruitment obviously takes a lot of outdoor events we do in the fall off the table. However, we have found that with the smaller spring group, laid back events such as poker, going to basketball games, and football watch parties are often great ways to facilitate conversations between PNMs and brothers. 

Chi Chapter at NC State With New Members (Front)

NC: We always have a really great time at our Casino Night. We normally place this event towards the end of recruitment, as it is a formal event. 

AZ: The Associate Members this semester told me they really enjoyed our Grill Out with the Brothers, as well as the event we held in partnership with a Local restaurant Zipps. I would say the best events for recruitment purposes are those that have an activity of interest to the PNMs, while also keeping it relatively close to Campus to allow easy access. Also, any event where you can show PNMs any of your off-campus housing is sure to help. This allows for a more personal environment and allows the men to get to know us better, and us them better than at a more formal on-campus or venue event.