As a president or officer of a local chapter, getting more students involved in Sigma Tau Delta can be particularly tricky. With a wealth of activities to choose from, it is so easy for clubs to get lost in the sea of campus spirit at involvement fairs and campus recruiting events. That is why I’ve put together a few quick tips for taking chapter recruitment to the next level.
Last fall while I was pulling double duty as the Alpha Zeta Iota Chapter’s Secretary and our campus literary magazine’s editor in chief, I decided that I wanted to do more not only to promote Sigma Tau Delta but also the handful of other English related clubs that so often tend to get overlooked. My solution: Chapman’s first Open Arts Social.
An Open Arts Social sounds super formal, but it can really be as casual as desired. It can essentially be an extra big club meeting hosted by a group of likeminded societies. At our socials, we’ve invited Books & Brews (our resident book club), Calliope Art & Literary Magazine, Ouroboros (our speculative fiction journal), Chapman Poets Society and more to meet for an hour where we welcome both old and prospective members to mingle with each other and hopefully discover a new club or two along the way.
Meeting in this smaller setting with more opportunity for conversation and personalization has been a great way to supplement campus-wide club fairs in a meaningful way that has increased membership across the board. It has also brought together all of us club officers. Which brings me to a pro-tip for expanding on-campus networks:
Collect contacts! If you can, try to meet all of the presidents of any other literary arts clubs your campus might have. Get to know them, what their club specializes in, and establish a connection. Follow their club on social media. Take down their contact information. And use it!
Be sure to support each other. The best way that we have found to increase membership across the board is to work together. Currently, we have a group chat where all of our club presidents can pitch ideas, advertise events, and host collective brainstorming sessions. As a result of this, our chapter came up with its latest idea to pool our resources and our attendance records.
Starting this fall, our chapter is starting a series of club sponsorships. This means that every other week, we’ll be sending our members to a different club’s meeting to help generate interest in their club while also allowing our members to experiment with new literary activities to keep them engaged and interested in getting more involved.
Coordinating a club sponsorship might sound challenging, but it mostly comes down to showing up and participating. You also don’t have to go in-person to be able to support one another. Just posting about another club’s meeting time on your chapter’s social media page could go a long way toward helping them gain the recognition and members they deserve. And more likely than not, they will be willing to return the favor.
This year, stop competing with other clubs for the most members. Try collaborating with them. Think of this particular race as more of a relay. The prize only comes when we’re working together.
Kelly Taylor
Student Representative, Far Western Region, 2023-2024
Alpha Zeta Iota Chapter, President
Chapman University, Orange, CA
Sigma Tau Delta
Sigma Tau Delta, International English Honor Society, was founded in 1924 at Dakota Wesleyan University. The Society strives to
- Confer distinction for high achievement in English language and literature in undergraduate, graduate, and professional studies;
- Provide, through its local chapters, cultural stimulation on college campuses and promote interest in literature and the English language in surrounding communities;
- Foster all aspects of the discipline of English, including literature, language, and writing;
- Promote exemplary character and good fellowship among its members;
- Exhibit high standards of academic excellence; and
- Serve society by fostering literacy.
With over 900 active chapters located in the United States and abroad, there are more than 1,000 Faculty Advisors, and approximately 9,000 members inducted annually.
Sigma Tau Delta also recognizes the accomplishments of professional writers who have contributed to the fields of language and literature.
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