Release Figures Methodology ("RFM")

The new Release Figures Methodology ("RFM") was developed by NPC women with the first year of implementation and testing being in 2004. 

The purpose behind the RFM is threefold:
1.    To enable each sorority to invite a sufficient number of PNMs to each event in order to attain Quota at the conclusion of Fully or Partially Structured Recruitment.  Quota is a number representing an equal allocation of the PNM pool;
2.    To allow each PNM to methodically investigate available options and ultimately to match with a sorority for which she has a preference; and
3.    To maximize the number of PNMs that ultimately affiliates with a sorority through FSR or PSR.  (From the NPC Release Figure Method document)

As part of the RFM, your campus will be assigned an NPC RFM Specialist.  Your Specialist will be a sister of any one of the 26 NPC groups who volunteers to do this RFM work on behalf of her national organization.  Your assigned Specialist works with your campus Fraternity/Sorority Advisor in the month leading up to recruitment to build your campus’ workbook that will be used to “crunch the numbers”.  This workbook is a very elaborate Excel workbook consisting of 13 embedded spreadsheets, the formulas for which are based upon a mathematical optimization model.  The data upon which your chapter’s Release Figures get based is weighted from the previous three recruitment years. 

The idea behind the RFM is that the ¨stronger recruiting groups are required to release more PNMs earlier in the process, causing those PNMs to focus on the chapters that are the more realistic options for them.”   (From the RFM Beginning Training PPT by Laura Lynn Davidson & Tara Riemer Jones, NPC RFM Team Leaders)

The term “Release Figures”, though, is somewhat of a misnomer because the number you are given is not how many PNMs (Potential New Members) you must eliminate from consideration.  A better term is “Carry Figures” because the number your chapter is given is how many PNMs you are to bring back to the following round.  There are few things you need to understand about these Carry Figures:

1.    Carry Figures are very specific to each chapter on your campus.  Using the RFM workbook, the Specialist works up for each chapter their specific Carry Figure from one invitational round to the next.  Each sorority on your campus has its own figure.

2.    The Carry Figures are generated in “real time” as recruitment wears on.  This allows for adjustments due to a chapter having an “off”, underperforming year or maybe an extraordinarily great recruitment this year. 

3.    The Carry Figure generated by the RFM Specialist is based upon real data of how your chapter has performed in recruitment from one round to the next in each of the past three years, as well how you are doing this current year.  The figure you receive is the number of PNMs it is expected that you will need to have at that next event round in order to eventually achieve Quota. 

So what does this all mean for you?  IT IS ABSOLUTELY IMPERATIVE THAT YOU ABIDE BY YOUR ASSIGNED CARRY FIGURES!  If your chapter chooses to not carry the recommended number into an invitational round, you are significantly decreasing your chances of achieving Quota.  This can then jeopardize your Chapter Accreditation as Standard #1 for Recruitment states: “To be at campus Total and pledge Quota, or meet the minimum improvement standard.” 

Should you find that you will not be adhering to your assigned Carry Figure for any round in recruitment, you are to immediately contact your College Panhellenic Coordinator.