Recruitment Reveries #2: 5 New Resources to Help You Rock Your Philanthropy Round!

Delta Zeta Guest Blogger - Alissa Zito, National Recruitment Chairman

In today’s second edition of our Recruitment Reveries column, I’m excited to update you on 5 new resources available for your philanthropy round of recruitment. (ICYMI – our first post on RFM can be seen here!) 

“To those whom my life may touch in slight measure, may I give graciously of what is mine.” 

We all know and love this line from our creed, and the philanthropy round of recruitment that many campuses celebrate calls us to share our philanthropy and service passions with our potential new members.

The good news – actually GREAT news – is that as millennials – the women who are our potential new members care. A 2013Forbes article tells us: “Millennials strive to give back to society. 81 percent have donated money, good or services, reports a study by Walden University and Harris Interactive. They strive to support causes that align with their values and personal belief system.”

So think of recruitment,  and especially your philanthropy round, as your chance to inspire PNMs to join our efforts to make a difference! Based on the above statistic, they are likely looking for an opportunity like this.

Delta Zeta has several new resources that can help you share our passion for giving back with potential new members.

#1 A new video. Thanks to our partnership with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, we have a new video that provides an overview of Starkey’s work AND mentions Delta Zeta which is now available for your chapter to show during recruitment, if your campus permits. See this video here.

#2 An inspiring pledge. Delta Zeta has made a promise to raise and donate $5 million in the next five years to support Starkey Hearing Foundation. Our national leadership also accepted an award on the Sorority’s behalf on July 26. Read more on our website here. That is an impressive goal and one that is sure to strike a chord with philanthropic PNMs. Be sure to share this new goal with pride and let the PNMs know we hope they join us in this inspiring effort so that all may hear.

#3 New talking points. We’ve done the tough part for you! See our new sample philanthropy round script here. We’ve designed the script to be delivered by two Delta Zetas, but you can amend to fit your chapter’s needs. Remember to choose your very best speaker(s) to deliver this important message – it doesn’t have to be your philanthropy chair!

#4 An updated craft list. Since The Painted Turtle camp is now officially Delta Zeta’s National Service Project, we reached out to see what items they need most from us. See this outline of crafts the Painted Turtle camp would love to receive from Delta Zeta chapters. Remember to make these craft projects appeal to PNMs – think of how you can choose supplies and create setups that inspire “Instagrammable” moments! 

#5 Hike for Hearing. Our new Hike for Hearing initiative doesn’t have to be a literal “hike.” It’s more about how we can each support Delta Zeta’s philanthropy of speech and hearing. New resources make this interactive and fun for members. Each Delta Zeta has the chance to set up her own fundraising page and help contribute to our organization-wide goal of raising $5 million in 5 years. How will YOU Hike for Hearing?! Find out more at www.dzhikeforhearing.org.

Remember – in talking with potential new members about our philanthropy and service, we always want to share WHY we do what we do – not just WHAT we do. The WHY is what inspires others to join in our efforts to make the world a brighter place.

Go Team DZ!

xo Alissa

Recruitment Reveries #1: RFM (Ridiculously Fun Math)

Delta Zeta Guest Blogger - Alissa Zito, National Recruitment Chairman

Hi, sisters! And specifically, hello to our Delta Zeta Vice Presidents of Membership!

In today’s inaugural Recruitment Reveries post, I’m excited to share a change in our Delta Zeta RFM procedures during formal recruitment.

While RFM actually stands for Release Figure Methodology, I like to think of it as Ridiculously Fun Math – because I love recruitment math! But don’t be alarmed if you don’t! The whole point of this DZ update is to let you know we have complete experts ready to help you and your chapter every step of the way.

So here’s the update: during formal recruitment, if your chapter needs to deviate from your RFM carry figures for any reason, you will now need to get approval from one of our Delta Zeta RFM experts – either Stacey Slaughter or Lauren Campbell.

Each of our chapters on an RFM campus (that’s all but 27 of you!) will be assigned to either Stacey or Lauren. So even if it’s overnight during recruitment, Stacey/Lauren will be ready to assist as needed with your RFM approvals/strategy. They are amazing, right?!

Here’s why we’re making this update on approvals: Delta Zeta's top goal for this biennium is growth. So as a whole, the sorority has been focused on programs and strategies that can help us grow. Formal recruitment is our most efficient method for growth, and so our National Recruitment Committee has especially been focused on how we can equip and support our chapters to grow by reaching and maintaining maximum campus total. I know you all spend a lot of time on this as well – thank you!

Delta Zeta utilizes the expertise of our RFM experts, Lynnda Hoefler, Stacey Slaughter, and our RFM senior specialist Lauren Campbell, to get the key information in your hands so you can understand what the data is telling us about our performance during formal recruitment and how/where we can make improvements for formal recruitments to follow. I LOVE DATA… don’t you?!

​​To continue to utilize the expertise of our RFM Team, and ​similar to how other NPC organizations utilize their RFM Specialists, beginning this fall, we will ask ALL chapters who wish to deviate from your RFM carry figures for any reason to reach out and work with your assigned member of the RFM team (Lauren or Stacey) to seek approval. Lauren and Stacey will work in partnership with you to make the best membership decisions via RFM strategies. You cannot deviate from the RFM Figures without Lauren or Stacey’s approval. But trust me, you’re going to want their awesome input!

T​he main reason for this shift​ is to utilize the expertise of the women in our sorority who are our trained RFM strategists.

​Additionally, when you under-invite during recruitment, it is the RFM Specialists who receive a call in the middle of the night from your campus RFM Specialist. Now that these Delta Zeta experts are in the loop and a part of your decision making process, they can let your campus RFM Specialist know AHEAD OF TIME of any membership strategies and under-inviting we may be intentionally ​doing.

You will still turn to your RCD for any legacy release approvals. If you don’t have an RCD, you must receive approval from me, as the National Recruitment Chairman, in order to release any legacies during recruitment. For a refresher on our Delta Zeta legacy policy, go here.

What’s next? If you are on a RFM campus, you will soon hear from one of our DZ RFM experts, Lauren or Stacey. They will work with you and your chapter to help create a game plan for your RFM strategy. Be sure to respond right away so we can keep this important conversation going – recruitment season is almost here!

The overall point of RFM is to help potential new members earn a bid from their top choice AND to help ensure parity across the sororities participating on campus. Want to learn more about RFM strategies like Flex Lists, Quota Additions, and Snap Bids? Check out this awesome guide.
Go Team DZ!

xo Alissa