Keeping it simple

Keep it Simple!

Even if prospective members have seen the advertising or received a letter, the information meetings (a.k.a. interest meetings or meet nights) are usually their real introduction to Phi Sigma Pi. So while it’s vital to make a good impression and help them understand just what the fraternity is all about, it’s equally important to not overwhelm the prospective members with too much information. Think of the information meeting as the preview to what students will be experiencing during rush week and beyond. This is the time to pique their curiosity and entice them to attend the rest of the rush events. Thus, it’s best to address the basics – who is eligible to join, what the chapter does, why Phi Sigma Pi is a good choice, how they can become members – and leave the rest for other brothers to share with them later. Not sure where to start? Keep reading below for some specific ways to simplify your chapter’s information meetings.

Revisiting the basics

Here are some helpful hints for planning a simple yet successful information meeting:

• Speak the prospective member’s language. Remember – they may know nothing about Phi Sigma Pi or Greek-letter organizations, so phrases like “rush,” “bids” and “brotherhood” could go right over their heads. You’ll want to avoid the “Greek-speak” whenever possible.

• Make prospective members feel welcome. Brothers must understand that an information meeting is not the time to socialize with one another. This is their first opportunity to meet-and-greet the prospective members, and to answer any questions they might have about the fraternity. It may help to distribute suggestions for conversation-starters beforehand, or to ask particularly outgoing brothers to act as greeters.

• Inform them, without overwhelming them. A key part of the information meeting is to introduce the prospective members to rush and the initiation program, so they understand the process for becoming a member. But this does not require an in-depth week-by-week review of the entire program. A clear summary of the program’s expectations should be enough to help them decide whether to pursue membership. Be professional.

• Know ahead of time who will be speaking, and ensure that the speakers know what they’ll be saying. Also, try to avoid the inside jokes or stories; all they do is confuse the prospective members, who most likely have no clue what you’re talking about. But most importantly, put on a good show. Information meetings (and rush week in general) are the time to put your chapter’s best foot forward, and show off the many rewards of joining Phi Sigma Pi.

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