The inside scoop: a Q&A with our recruitment chairs!

We sat down with our recruitment chairs, Kendall Zenk and Rebekah Jacobsen, to give you an inside look at what recruitment looks like for Delta Zeta at the University of Alabama!

Q: Tell us about yourself and your Delta Zeta position?
K: Hi! My name is Kendall Zenk and I am a marketing major from Orange County, California. I'm the current 1st Vice President and I oversee chapter membership and recruitment. I love guiding my sisters and I find it rewarding when everyone works together as a team. It's the best reward to get a new generation of sisters. The highlight is seeing them run down the row to their new house and sisters at DZ.
R: Hi Rebekah Jacobson! I'm a junior from Dallas, Texas and I'm majoring in Nutrition. I'm the current recruitment chair for Delta Zeta. This marks my second year in the recruitment position. Last year was a really big growing experience for me as I undertook a big leadership role as a sophomore, so I learned how to work with different people and ages. I found it challenging and interesting, but at the end of the day it was very rewarding. I gained many friends and became very close with the recruitment team and our advisors, and that is something I will always hold close.

Q: What are you most excited for PNMs (Potential New Members) to see this year during recruitment?
K: I am excited to see all the different personalities of the PNMs and love seeing the connections that our actives make with them during rush. We just love getting to know each girl. We also have an amazing recruitment team! I am excited to see their creativity come through in the decorations of the house and to show the PNMs our DZ personality.
R: I am so excited for the girls to see Sisterhood Day! DZ is bringing in some very unique and different ideas! We have been working around the clock to make sure that our PNMs and actives have an amazing, comfortable, and memorable experience. It is truly exciting!

Q: What can PNMs expect going through rush week?
K: As a PNM, you will feel nervous, tired, overwhelmed, and even stressed. Just remember to be yourself and ultimately you will end up where you are supposed to be. It's okay to be nervous and perfectly normal. Remember it will be so worth it once you find your new home and sisters.
R: Coming from Texas I wasn’t sure what to expect. Put yourself out there and don’t let your nerves take over- we are just as nervous as you! Show us who you are and smile! We know that it will be HOT and uncomfortable. Just remember that we’ve all been there and we know what you are going though. DRINK WATER! Dress for the hot humid weather. Don’t listen to “tent talk” and make your own decisions about who you connect with. Your experience at a house is unique. Rely on your true feelings. You will be happier at a house that you felt a connection with rather than relying on what another PNM felt. Trust the process and be yourself. Remember to choose a house with a great sisterhood and a place you can call home during your college life. Can you see yourself spending late nights and early mornings hanging out with your sisters? If so, you’ve found your new home!

Q: What does Delta Zeta look for in a girl?
K&R: We look for future leaders. We look for individual qualities of kindness, responsibility, and involvement. We want our new members to love Delta Zeta as much as we love Delta Zeta. This is an exciting a time for us too. We want the greatest new sisters just as much as you want to find your new home.

Q: What can a PNM do to prepare for sorority recruitment?
K&R: Recs (Letters of Recommendation): Try to get at least 2 per house if you can but it is not the end of the world if you cannot get more then 1. It is better to have a rec from someone who knows you and knows your unique qualities and values. We only accept recs from alumnae and suggest contacting local alumnae groups if you're having trouble finding one! Look here for more info on recs.
Conversation Tips: Be yourself. Try to ask things that are not the standard questions. Ask actives questions. This is the time to find out about the sorority and it's individual sisters. Tell us: What makes you unique? Ask our girls what makes her unique and why she chose the sorority she did. Come prepared to ask questions and open up!
Outfits: Dress appropriately and wear clothes that fit your body type. The key is comfort and dressing for our crazy hot Alabama weather. Try to keep the length of your dresses and shorts appropriate. Some houses may have you sitting during some rounds and we wouldn’t want you to be focused on your clothing rather than your conversation with an active. Most importantly, wear something YOU feel confident in! And make sure to bring a comfy pair of flip flops to wear between parties. Trust us, your feet will thank you!

Q: How important is GPA going into rush?
K&R: Extremely. The all-Greek average -- which includes organizations in the Interfraternity Council, the Multicultural Greek Council, the National Panhellenic Council and the Panhellenic Council - was 3.32, while the total undergraduate GPA was 3.20.

Q: What is going to different about Delta Zeta this year as compared to past years?
K: This year Panhellenic changed Skit Day to Sisterhood Day. The goals of Sisterhood Day are to demonstrate the values and qualities of our members. Delta Zeta will be memorable this year.
R: We are going to make Sisterhood Day relaxing for our PNMs. Our girls are well prepared this year and we strive to make our PNMs comfortable and relaxed so they can get to know us and our values.

Q: What is the most important thing you want girls to know about Delta Zeta?
K: Delta Zeta is an amazing organization with networking and sisters for life. We have
an incredible relationship with our alumnae. Our sisterhood is full of genuinely fun, smart
and talented girls. We will be talking more about our new house during rush and we look
forward to having even more room for fun activities and events with our sisters.
R: I think the most important thing is our personal connections with the girls. We are
friendly and Delta Zeta has a great group of diverse girls who are both in-state and out-
of-state. We are beautiful inside and out - DZ girls care about genuine friendship and
sisterhood. We are involved in our local community, and we pride ourselves on our
numerous Panhellenic awards for Philanthropy, Sisterhood and Community involvement.
We continue to have a strong ratio of upperclassmen who pledge DZ every year. I think
that is why we attract girls who may not have chosen to rush during their freshman year
but choose to rush DZ once they get to know our sisters and values!

We are so excited for recruitment and can't wait to meet all the potential new members! Make sure to check out and keep up with uapanhellenic.com to find out more about recruitment and keep checking back here at our blog! See you in August!

Our 2016 Recruitment Team: Elaina Engel, Rebekah Jacobsen, Holly Bulgarella, Caroline Karson, Kendall Zenk, and Miranda Fulmore

Written by: Katie O'Donnell