Towson Chapter Shares Recruitment Strategy

The MD Pi Phi Chapter, at Towson University, took new approaches to recruitment this semester which resulted in 18 new members. Under the leadership of Pat Hibben, the Rex, and Aaron Gower, the Archon, they were able to implement Dynamic Recruitment at their campus. They started planning for this fall’s recruitment during their summer break. Aaron first learned about Dynamic Recruitment while attending Pi Lambda Phi’s Leadership Convention. 

Aaron shared the many new ideas MD Pi Phi tried this semester, “We really tried to utilize our horses to find leadership material.”  Aaron uses the term “Horses” as an analogy referring to the leaders and motivated brothers of the chapter. “We actively participated all over campus in different campus-run events to make sure our presence around Towson was obvious.  During rush week we tried to establish small, open-conversation events that would target different groups of people.  Some of these were driving ranges, crab feasts, and even a tailgate.” 

The MD Pi Phi Chapter recruited 18 members in 2008 – 2009. Using Dynamic Recruitment they have already matched that this fall. Aaron mentioned how he was able to improve their chapter’s ability to recruit. “The older members of our chapter really see the new-age tactics that we have implemented with the way we format our rush schedule and how we plan out recruiting people before any other chapters on campus even think about it.  The bulk of our chapter is mainly younger guys due to our prior heavy use of static recruitment, but they are definitely noticing the big pledges classes we've been pulling in.  As far as our newest members currently pledging, to be honest, they have no idea that we just recently became this much of a powerhouse on campus.  To them, we have always been this way.  And that’s because that is the reputation that we give off to everyone.”

Aaron mentioned more about the planning required for recruitment. He strongly feels that organization was an important factor to his chapter success this semester.  “Organization was vital to our recruitment.  The executive board had meetings way before school started to plan out our switch to Dynamic Recruitment.  Everything from budgeting for a larger pledge class, to planning out a whole week of smaller events instead of a huge party. We even planned our first meeting for when we had to discuss with the chapter how things will now be run.”

It’s amazing the advanced planning Aaron and his chapter does for recruitment. This is evident when Aaron said he’s already planning for Fall 2010. “As far as next semester goes, we will probably try to stick with dynamic recruitment and build our names list.  We also plan on restructuring our recruitment chair to be a recruitment committee.  But what we really look forward to is next fall.  Over the summer we plan on accomplishing our summer recruitment goals and have people knowing about our chapter before even moving on campus.”

Pat and Aaron presented their recruitment strategy and tactics at the Widener Conclave. They showed how they used the many resources and ideas gained from Dynamic Recruitment which all chapters presented at Pi Lambda Phi’s Leadership Convention.  

For the MD Pi Phi Chapter, it is evident that planning and the wiliness to try new things have been extremely successful. The MD Pi Phi Chapter was able to gain new information about recruitment by attending Convention and using the resources available. 

For helpful resources on Recruitment please visit the Knowledge Center on Pi Lambda Phi’s Website

For more information on Dynamic Recruitment visit Phired-Up