14 Rush Event Ideas That Will Increase Recruitment Numbers

Aug 14th 2023

Over-the-top fraternity rush events are fun, but they're not necessarily the best ways to boost your recruitment numbers and bring in new members. While a huge production may be fun for current members, potential new members won't experience the one-on-one interactions that ultimately help them decide which fraternity to join. After all, you want to get along with your brothers, right?

To plan the best rush events, it's best to remember that personal interaction is key. Having a few parties is always good, but having too many will prevent you from getting to know the guys you want to bid. So, it's always a good idea to incorporate a few quieter events that foster conversations and allow for quality interactions.

If you're interested in learning about the best rush event ideas, follow along! We've compiled a list of fraternity rush events guaranteed to increase recruitment numbers for this next frat rush season.

Barbecue

One of our favorite fraternity recruitment ideas is a good old-fashioned barbecue. We're starting it off chill here with a backyard bash that's the perfect low-key setting to get to know others. If you make it fraternity-wide, rushes will have more than enough people to talk to, and they will never get bored. They can have enough time to find someone they relate to most and start creating relationships. Also, who doesn't love a good burger and some sunshine?

Beach or Pool Day

This idea may not work for those who live inland or in places that are far too cold for beaches, but if you're lucky enough to live in a warm climate or near the water, this is a near-perfect rush event. Potential members can be shown a good time without spending tons of your rush budget, and you'll still create a situation that allows for good conversation. If the beach is a bit of a drive, turn the whole event into a road trip and take the opportunity to create lasting memories.

If you live inland but in a warm climate, a good alternative is a pool day. You can couple it with a barbecue if you want to go all out, too!

Game Night

If you need relaxed, budget-friendly fraternity rush event ideas, a game night is a great choice. This event is guaranteed to be remembered by both current members and rushes. A good idea is to set aside one room in the chapter house per game, so people can jump from game to game throughout the night.

Assign a few key members to each game room to make sure rushes always have someone to talk to. Having about 10 games is a safe bet for a good night with a moderate turnout. You can include anything from poker to blackjack to Cards Against Humanity. You could even break out some fun board games like Win, Lose, or Draw.

College Games

If your school is big on school spirit and has a sports team worth talking about, take your rushes to a game! Have everyone meet up at the chapter house to hang out before the game and walk over together. Sporting events are great fraternity rush events and are the perfect way to meet other guys and get a sense of what their interests are.

Concerts

If your rush budget allows it, this is one of the best events you can plan. No one will turn down a free concert, so this event is guaranteed to increase attendance numbers. Holding this event towards the end of rush is also a good idea since you can invite only those who have connected well with the fraternity to seal the deal.

Professional Sporting Events

College sports are fun, but professional sports are a great option too. Baseball, basketball, and football events are all fun events for rushes. They're long enough to be worth the ticket price for everyone and still allow for conversation. Your fraternity will make such a great impression that you'll have rushes running back for more.

Dorm Move-In

If you want to start recruitment early on, it's not a bad idea to look at the incoming class and scout for potential rushes. Once you have an idea of who you're looking for, head out on move-in day with a team, and help some freshmen move in. You'll be likely to attract caring and attentive rushes who are mirroring your actions, which is never a bad thing.

Formal Events

One of the best fraternity or sorority social event ideas we've seen is to hold a formal dinner or dance at the end of the recruitment period. Rushes will have the opportunity to invite dates to a nice event, dress up and enjoy a good meal or dance. This can provide an opportunity to see how the rushes "clean up" and behave in a formal setting. These events also make lasting memories and can become ceremonial for a fraternity.

A Themed Party

No list of fraternity event ideas is complete without a themed party. It allows you to assess how each rush behaves in social situations, with other rushes, with current members, and with women or men. Understanding a rush's personality in social situations can help you decide whether or not you'd want him to join your fraternity.

Golf Outing

Skip watching sports on the sidelines in favor of playing them! Golf outings create a perfect balance between game time and talk time. You can have a great day not just playing but getting to know the rushes in the process. If your fraternity prides itself on being higher on the totem pole than others, a golf outing is a great move to preserve that image. Not into golf? Check out a mini golf facility near you and just have fun with it.

Alumni Day

Inviting alumni to the chapter house one day out of the year is one of the best frat rush event ideas that also gets older members involved. Expect them to tell the rushes great stories about their time at the fraternity and give their input on each frat. The rushes will be excited to ask them questions and will likely be engaged and attentive.

It's best to set up some games for the night to break the ice. Holding an alumni day during homecoming is also a great way to increase alumni turnout since a lot of them are on campus at that time.

Study Nights

If you want to showcase your brotherhood, it's never a bad idea to set up study nights to help freshman rushes with their introductory courses. Setting up mentoring programs or open study hours at the chapter house are both great ways to implement this. This type of event shows rushes one of the many benefits of joining a fraternity.

Traditions Night and Goodie Event

This event consists of a night during which rushes can be exposed to some of the group's more well-known traditions (save the super-secret ones for later). Knowing a bit about what they're getting themselves into can increase the chances they'll end up pledging.

Giving out goodies at this event, like sunglasses, sitckers, or hats, can also boost recruitment as rushes are more likely to join a frat if they have its merchandise. It's best to hold this at the very end of rush to give out goodies only to the best of the best and to save on Greek paraphernalia.

Movie Night

You may want to get to know rushes by inviting them to the house or somewhere on campus to watch a movie. Choose a fun movie, get some popcorn and snacks, and hang out for a bit. This is another one of those fraternity events that are good for the end of the rush season, as you can invite a smaller group of potential members, making time for one-on-one interactions.

Rush can be an exciting time for both current members and rushes. Making it as fun as possible with these rush event ideas will guarantee better recruitment numbers and an overall positive experience. Smaller, more personalized events will let you get to know potential members and decide if they're a good fit for the group and if the group is a good fit for them.