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Basic Information
Full Name: Kyle Zimmerman
UC Email: zimmerk4@mail.uc.edu
College: Lindner College of Business
Majors: Marketing and Finance
Title of Project: Learning to Lead as a Fraternitys Recruitment Chairman
Thematic Area: Leadership
Expected Project Start Date: Mid-March
Expected Project End Date: Mid-September
Project Information
1. Provide a detailed abstract of your proposed honors experiential learning project.
Sigma Chi has been an active fraternity on campus since 1882, and recruiting a group of high-achieving
leaders has been a huge part of the houses success in the past. From March to September, I will be
serving in the role of Sigma Chis Zeta Psi chapter recruitment chairman (chair). The recruitment chair
organizes the chapters membership recruitment program. My general role is to involve the entire chapter
in recruitment efforts, coordinate communications with recruits, and develop recruitment publications.
At the University of Cincinnati, competition amongst fraternities for the best and brightest leaders on
campus is very stiff. There are 20 fraternities on campus competing for the men who they believe will
make the fraternity stronger. It is a serious commitment to hold this office in the house.
This position is especially meaningful to me because of how much I have benefitted from Sigma Chi
already in my short time on campus. I would have joined a different fraternity if I had not been recruited
by Sigma Chi. The recruitment chair position was explained best to me by the most recent chair. He said,
As recruitment chair, you are in the business of changing lives. Literally, by someone choosing to
pledge Sigma Chi, his life will be totally different than if he would have pledged somewhere else or not
joined at all.

My more overall duties as recruitment chair include

Making sure that all prospective members who are recommended are contacted and invited to
events and that brothers sending recommendations are notified of the outcome
Emphasizing Sigma Chis academic and financial obligations
Providing information to parents
Communicating the values of fraternity membership in Sigma Chi
My more specific, logistical responsibilities include
Organizing recruitment events and seeing them through to fruition
o Examples: Cornhole tournament, 3 vs. 3 basketball tournament, cigars and euchre
tournament, fraternity information sessions, Reds game, annual Steak Fry dinner
Presiding over bid-sessions in which the active chapter decides whether or not a prospective
pledge should receive a bid to pledge the fraternity
Coordinating and facilitating interaction between active brothers and recruits to create a welcome
environment
Managing the fraternitys Recruitment Committee
Recruitment lunches with individuals over the summer and early in the semester
Relaying information about recruitment to active chapter via e-mail or printed publication
Digital and/or personal communication with recruits on a daily to weekly basis

This office will take a considerable amount of time; the office of recruitment chair almost becomes a part
of every day life. There isnt a day that I will go without communicating with recruits or planning events
to attract more men to the fraternity. In terms of commitment, there are chapter meetings every Tuesday
and Recruitment Committee meetings whenever I arrange them.

Clearly and thoroughly address how each of the following elements will be exhibited in your work:
2. Connection to Learning Outcomes within the Honors Thematic Area (identified above)

Has the ability to relate, communicate and work effectively with peers
Something Ive heard numerous times is that recruitment is a whole-house effort. As recruitment
chair, I cannot do it all by myself. I was elected to the role because of my proven ability to relate,
communicate and work effectively with other active brothers. If I lack in any of these skills, the
recruitment efforts will not be as strong as they should be. If there is any problem with
recruitment, it can be blamed on me for lacking in my ability to relate, communicate and work
effectively with my fraternity brothers.
I will also need to relate well to the men I am recruiting. Personally, I was attracted to Sigma Chi
because of the brotherhood I felt when I was at the house. I have complete confidence that I will
be able to continue to work well with my peers. Something Sigma Chi prides itself on is being a
fraternity of like-minded men with different talents, temperaments and convictions, so I need to
be able to relate to people who might be different than me in some ways, while still understanding
that they are in the fraternity with the intention of becoming better men.

Develops a vision of the future and acknowledges the impact of decisions

Recruitment is all about the future. Every person we recruit is someone we see potential in and
we understand that the potential may not materialize for a few semesters or years. Each pledge
class is the future of the house. A poorly assembled pledge class can ruin a chapters future and
relevance on campus. Conversely, a strong pledge class can change the culture of the fraternity
internally, and the reputation and relevance of the fraternity on campus. Thus, I am going to
recruit men who demonstrate a commitment to hard work and good character.

3. Connection to Goals and Academic Theories (include reference list, as appropriate)

A. Holding this position in the house relates to my professional goals because I am a business
major, and many of the relationship skills that are required of recruitment chair are valuable
skills in the business world. Understanding how people respond to different routes of
persuasion and communication is something that will I have the experience to learn through
this position that many other people my age will not have. More so, the organization and
delegation required of this position will give me great practice for managing teams and
initiatives in college and my professional career.
B. How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
While the title may sound shallow and disingenuous, this is one of the first best-selling selfhelp books ever published. I plan on reading this to learn about what actions, words and
emotions are most conducive to attracting recruits to accept their bids.
I am also going to talk with past recruitment chairs and presidents to find out strategies and
tips for being a successful recruitment chair.

A Chicago Tribune article about the pros and cons of going Greek is the second resource
that I want to use to prepare for recruitment season. Since many students are uncertain about
whether or not they want to join a fraternity at all, I want to be able to understand and
extinguish their concerns and also show them the true benefits of joining a fraternity. This
article helped me to understand some of the most common worries and concerns of people
looking for membership.
(Hageman, William. "Pros and Cons of Choosing Fraternity or Sorority." Chicago Tribune, 06 Aug. 2013. Web. 19 Nov. 2014.
<http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-08-06/features/sc-fam-0806-greek-pro-con-20130806_1_greek-life-sororityfraternity/2>.)

4. Initiative, Independence, and/or Creativity

I am looking to improve the office of recruitment chair by making the actives more involved in
the whole process and also using the scholarship program we have as a tool to attract more
prospective pledges. I am a very personable, relationship-oriented person and the recruitment
chair position demands this. My involvement is unique from everyone elses because I will see
every recruit through to the very end of Rusk Week. While other actives may just have a couple
conversations with one particular recruit, I will be the touch point and representative for the
house. Being in Lindner Honors-PLUS, I have access to some of the brightest students coming in,
and may be able to use that as a maneuver to get some recruits over to the house. I am a creative
person and I will continue to look for new ways to show the brotherhood to recruits and make
students want to become a part of Sigma Chi.
5. Reflection

During my time as recruitment chair, I will be keeping a journal/daily log of my progress with
each individual recruit. I will be writing down the details of my latest interaction, any signs they
show of interest or disinterest, and if I think they meet the standards of becoming a Sigma Chi. I
will write down what I need to do in the next few days ahead, who I need help from, and
questions I have for myself and for others.
Some question I might ask myself periodically throughout the recruitment process:
How can I better involve the rest of the actives in the recruitment process?
Am I doing the best job I can?
Is there an active whom I think could talk with this person to best answer his questions and show
him the benefits of Sigma Chi?
What skills do I lack that I could ask someone else to help me with?
What questions do I have that another active could help me to answer?
Am I making a difference? If not, why?
Am I enjoying this? If not, what can I change that would make me enjoy it?

6. Dissemination
Dissemination of my experience is a tricky subject for a couple reasons. First, recruits are not
supposed to be aware of the recruitment chair. Secondly, the tactics and strategic plans of each
fraternitys recruitment efforts are never disseminated. I would only be able to share my
experience with Sigma Chi recruitment chairs in the future by offering them advice and tips about
the office. However, I would be able to help future UHP students who are interested in turning a
fraternity or sorority chairmanship into an honors experience.

7. Project Advisor(s)
Mr. Greg Sizemore
Adjunct Professor, University of Cincinnati
gregory.l.sizemore@uc.edu

8. Budget (if applicable)

Sigma Chi has allotted sufficient funds to the recruitment chair to cover expenses for recruitment
lunches, event materials, and Rush Week events. No outside funding is needed.