Holding Onto Your New Members

Here we are in the month of November and Fall Semester is starting to wind down. All the chapters have done a great job getting New Member classes full of quality men. The issue that faces all chapters once the New Member Education Program begins is retaining those men. 

The key to retention is making your New Member Education Program transparent. Let these guys know what they will be getting into. That you will not be hitting them with paddles, making them to push ups, or eating weird things. Let them know they will be learning the history and traditions of Pi Lambda Phi. Let them know about the interesting things they will be doing. An example is in CA Tau where they have their New Members interview alumni who fought in World War II. Interesting things like this are what you want your New Members to know about up front.

Another time tested method of retaining your New Member class is by spending time with them and getting to know them even better. These men are going to be your brothers soon and they need to know that you care about them now, and not just when they become brothers. When you hang out with the New Members it shows them that not only have they made a promise to you to get to know the brothers, but you to them and by getting to know them. If they see that you are genuinely interested in them they are much more likely to stick around. 

One last technique for improving retention rates are by showing the New Members the benefits of brotherhood. I do not just mean partying, but some of the other less spoke about benefits. There are many unspoken of benefits like the amazing bonds of friendship that you form with your brothers. These bonds can translate into networking possibilities with alumni later in your college and professional career. The experience of having to work with different brothers can serve you well down the road too. It can prepare you for having to deal with all different manners of people once you have a job.

We are not telling you to give away the ritual secrets but rather to reassure them. To retain these men you need to allay any fears or worries that they may have. Get rid of the mental anguish and anxiety that comes along with not knowing what is going to happen next. Remember, these men are going to be your brothers, do not start their Pi Lambda Phi experience with a bitter taste in their mouths.