How to get Noticed by the Organization
The first thing you want to do is your homework, and I'm not talking about for your classes. Before approaching any members of the organization you have interest in, make sure you know some basic information about the organization and the specific chapter at your respective University or College. Basic information includes, knowing the organization's current Chapter President, brief information about the fraternity or sorority in general (when and where they were founded, programs/events they host annually, organization's mission statement). The key is to be well-prepared and have some background knowledge when you do come in contact with a member of the organization. This gives you credibility and tells them that you are serious about taking that next step, and not just someone who is still pondering multiple options to choose from.
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How to make initial Contact with Organization Members
This can be tricky, because it all depends on the person who you choose to contact. Some people are not very friendly, while others are very open and helpful to those seeking more information or looking to build relationships. The key is to go about contacting someone the right way, and the rest will take care of itself. Timing is everything, not just with Greek Life but with Life in general. Try to make contact at events, programs, or when someone is just out and about, but not when they're in a rush to be somewhere or busy. Please do not "run up" on someone the second you see them, understand that they don't know you, and the 1st impression is always a lasting impression . The best way to introduce yourself initially is in person, not through Facebook, Twitter, or any other means of social media. When you introduce yourself, do exactly that....and be yourself. Don't "try" to be liked or act like something you are not. Everyone's "true colors" show at some point, so please don't put on a "Front". If you are friendly, respectful, and humble, then you should have nothing to worry about.
When initiating contact, don't make your conversation 1-dimentional, meaning....don't jump straight into talking about Greek stuff. Doing your "homework" also means being observant, and noticing what goes on around you. Mention how you might have seen this person in one of your classes, they might be a member of other school organizations like NAACP, Black Student Union, Student Government ect. Mention how you attended a program or event that the organization hosted. This not only shows you can hold a decent conversation, but it can potentially open up avenues for other things you may have in common. The key is gradually come around and make yourself known...in a good way. Even if you choose not to pledge a Greek Fraternity or Sorority, you never know what connections you can make with people during your college career. By genuinely having basic conversation with someone in the organization, this is the 1st step to actually getting noticed by the fraternity or sorority.
The last part of making initial contact is to follow-up. Once you've introduced yourself in person, now it is OK to add this person as a friend on Facebook or Twitter if you wish. Hopefully you made a lasting impression and they will remember you from the contact you had earlier. The overall point is just to use good judgement. Don't do anything you wouldn't want somebody to do to you if you were in the other person's shoes. By following the general steps I've outlined, you should be in a good position to build relationships based off the intial contact you've made. At the end of the day, everything happens for a reason. If for some reason, you do not find much success making contact with organization members, this could be a sign. Is this really the type of organization you want to be a part of? What if you don't have enough time to go to events, programs ect....Maybe going Alumni is the best route for you? There are many alternative options for people of all walks of life to be a part of Black Greek Life, its just a matter of finding out which path is best for you.
When initiating contact, don't make your conversation 1-dimentional, meaning....don't jump straight into talking about Greek stuff. Doing your "homework" also means being observant, and noticing what goes on around you. Mention how you might have seen this person in one of your classes, they might be a member of other school organizations like NAACP, Black Student Union, Student Government ect. Mention how you attended a program or event that the organization hosted. This not only shows you can hold a decent conversation, but it can potentially open up avenues for other things you may have in common. The key is gradually come around and make yourself known...in a good way. Even if you choose not to pledge a Greek Fraternity or Sorority, you never know what connections you can make with people during your college career. By genuinely having basic conversation with someone in the organization, this is the 1st step to actually getting noticed by the fraternity or sorority.
The last part of making initial contact is to follow-up. Once you've introduced yourself in person, now it is OK to add this person as a friend on Facebook or Twitter if you wish. Hopefully you made a lasting impression and they will remember you from the contact you had earlier. The overall point is just to use good judgement. Don't do anything you wouldn't want somebody to do to you if you were in the other person's shoes. By following the general steps I've outlined, you should be in a good position to build relationships based off the intial contact you've made. At the end of the day, everything happens for a reason. If for some reason, you do not find much success making contact with organization members, this could be a sign. Is this really the type of organization you want to be a part of? What if you don't have enough time to go to events, programs ect....Maybe going Alumni is the best route for you? There are many alternative options for people of all walks of life to be a part of Black Greek Life, its just a matter of finding out which path is best for you.
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