While the Chapter has been doing so many things right over the past few years, recruitment has remained an elusive goal, with pledge classes between 4-10 associate members. It is impossible to sustain growth at such levels and year after year, we, along with the actives, have scratched our heads trying to figure out why the numbers just haven’t been there.
They’re a good, solid group of young men. Their grades are strong. Their social events are not suffering and we’ve seen them attract more and more young women (always a recruitment incentive). So why haven’t they been able to recruit?
Well, this semester brought them twenty-two new members, short of their goal of thirty, but the most successful recruitment effort in years. So what did they do differently? Lots of hard work and good decision making certainly made the difference, but we can dig even deeper.
Thanks to you, we could afford to send more men to recruitment training than ever before.
This summer we sent a record eight actives and three alumni to Delta Upsilon’s annual Leadership Institute (LI). The institute provides many workshops on leadership, management and recruitment, but the greatest benefit is the inspiration and motivation that help these young men take on and achieve big goals when they return to their chapters.
LI has always had this effect on attendees. I remember it myself over twenty years ago. Communicating that motivation to the rest of the chapter upon return has usually been the biggest challenge. It is very difficult to inspire an entire chapter when we only send two to four actives to LI. Sending eight, however, is a whole different story and was likely the difference in this year’s Rush.
We have received tremendous feedback from Taco Tuesday as well. Alumni Night is clearly a big factor in the decision making of many young recruits these days. These kids are smart and know the value of connections and involvement from an active alumni organization; one that will be a part of them for life. Alumni Night during Rush Week is a huge help and we’d like to thank all those who attended this year. We’re also glad to see them use El Unico again as their taco supplier. Those guys are the best.
The chapter is fired up. We must build on this momentum. We would like to thank all of you who have contributed to our local chapter and want to encourage you to keep contributing. We have real, tangible results from your generous donations. Thanks to you, we could afford to send more men to recruitment training than ever before. Our goal is to send even more to the next one. To contribute, please visit the San Diego Chapter’s donation page. As always, your donation benefits the local chapter and is fully tax deductible.
If you’re interested in meeting some of the newest members of Delta Upsilon, please come by our pinning ceremony on Sunday, September 29th at 5pm. And hey, Joe, remember to wear a coat and tie to this one. Thanks again to all the alumni who have so generously supported our young brothers at San Diego State.
The Chapter is growing, thanks, in no small part, to your encouragement, involvement and yes, money.
3 Comments. Leave new
David Christian Yorck Colgate University DU
We were a jock house with a mix of all Socorro-economic classes! Races and regilions
We remained friends over 30 years!
Just not overdue the drinking!
Yeah, I think they’re handling it all very well. They are diverse, get good grades, have good leadership and have a good time. We’re very pleased that recruitment is finally coming along. The sports will get stronger eventually. They all want it and personally, I think it will make them a compete house.
Stopped by last Friday around 5PM. The only thing standing was a massive hookah pipe in the front room, the only thing living was a culture test in the kitchen… As for the sizable pledge class WOW. Awesome—we’ll need every one of ’em to clean up the place (“,). (Seriously, nice to see some things don’t change.) Looking forward to interacting with the house once Hanson’s Market, Little Italy opens in Spring.