School is out and the sun is out. Students usually take the time to relax and enjoy their time off from school, but the time off is also an opportunity for Alpha Gamma Rho chapters to boost their chapter and get to know potential new members. Many chapters across the nation hold summer events to deepen bonds within the chapter and grow new roots.
Kappa Chapter at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln is one of the many chapters that hold recruitment events during the summer. Brother Easton Webber, VNR-Recruitment of Kappa Chapter, said that the summertime is the prime time for the chapter to recruit. The chapter has already held several events including days at the lake, pool days and trap shooting events,
“We’ve found over the years that men, especially collegiate members too, like to do something fun that’s worth their time,” Brother Webber said.
He said they usually try to do five to six events over the course of the summer to provide plenty of opportunities for potential new members to find a time that works best for them so they can get a chance to get to know the Alpha Gamma Rho Chapter at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Omicron Chapter at the University of Kentucky also holds multiple events throughout the summer and even holds them in different towns around the Lexington, Kentucky area.
Brother Jack Matthews, a summer recruiter for the chapter, said the chapter has held multiple events, including a Summer Hangout at the chapter house where they will have games, food and an opportunity for potential new members to mingle with collegiate brothers.
Brother Matthews said the chapter reached out to the local Farm Bureau agents in the state, FFA advisors in the state, alumni and collegiate brothers, and compiled a list of names of people they think would make good members for their chapter. They also have utilized their university’s IFC recruitment list.
“We’ve been reaching out to men – just trying to cast a wide net – to see as many guys as possible,” Brother Matthews said.
The hope is to get as many young men to the chapter house as possible to show them what AGR is about. Both Brother Matthews and Brother Webber said they do their best to show potential new members what AGR really is and how it differs from the stereotypical fraternity they might see in the media.
Brother Matthews said last year was the first year of their summer recruiting program, which they decided to start because they could see how the success that other Greek organizations were having across the nation because they were holding summer recruitment events.
“You see they are having success, and they are having summer events, and getting in front of these guys before they come to school to get them thinking about it,” Brother Matthews said.
Brother Webber said that when they get to spend some time with potential new members, they do their best to explain how AGR is one of the largest agriculture-based fraternities not just at the collegiate level but including alumni networks.
“I think we have one of the best alumni networks in the country and a lot of men don’t realize how big we are, and what we have to offer while they are in college and after college,” Brother Webber said.
Kappa Chapter and Omicron Chapter are just two of many AGR chapters that hold summer recruitment events. Beta Epsilon Chapter at Arkansas State held a fish fry June 22, and they have a Spring River Float Trip planned July 20 along with a Back To School Cookout August 17. Xi Chapter at Auburn University has 10 different recruitment events planned throughout June, July and August.
Phired Up, an organization AGR partners with to help its chapters succeed in reaching all of their recruitment goals, highlights how summertime can be a great time to plan and focus in on recruitment efforts.
As we inch closer to the school year, Alpha Gamma Rho encourages all of its chapters to think about the future of their membership and aim to succeed in their recruitment events. All chapters can reach out to their Educational Leadership Consultant for any advice, ideas or support in planning these events. If you are unsure who your ELC is, please contact the AGR Home Office or Ben Willoughby, Educational Programs Coordinator, at [email protected].
