I think you need to be careful how you come across, though, too. My dad used to tell me when I was younger, "50% of life is in the delivery." But maybe that was just because I'm not so hot at the delivery.

and White Chocolate, I knew you were joking, and was surprised so many other folks didn't!

Wow. Assuming you're NPC - it sounds like the chapter could use a review of national policies. I see a couple of weird things here. I don't know what every NPC group's policies are, but they tend to be similar.

1) Aren't you required to have exec meetings pretty much all weeks school is in session and there isn't a holiday? I don't think the Super Bowl counts.

2) There is almost always a campus Panhel rush budget to stay within, as 33girl said. And if you're going to blow it, I wouldn't think flyers would be the way to do it.

3) Generally an officeholder is NOT entitled to make lots of financial decisions just because it's her area. Depending on your system, there may be a recuitment council that needs to vet it, or exec needs to vote on major expenditures. After all, if she decided, "I think it would help rush if I spent the entire chapter income on sweaters for me," there would need to be some way for the chapter to stop her!

Now you probably don't want to be the one who runs to Nationals and says, "Houston, we have a problem." I would start by taking a look at your national and local bylaws on your own time. And if for example you see a rule requiring chapter input on expenditures, mention in privately to the recruitment chair.

No, she's NOT panhel. She mentioned that she might rush an NPC earlier.

jacquelyn, are you Columbo or something?? :p I didn't see that.

Hang in there.

Every chapter will have it's ups and downs.

I've seen chapters do 180s within semesters.

I am part of an NPC sorority. I am really trying to make this work out. I want to talk to my Big about it, but she is alumni already. I was reading another thread on this forum, and someone suggested talking to an alumni member. I think it is a great idea, but my chapter for some reason gets upset when active members talk to alumni about our chapter problems. One of the sisters who has been active longer than I have said another sister got in trouble because she talked to an alumni about chapter problems they were having back then.

So I don't know?

These are kinda random thoughts I had while reading this thread. . .

1. If you've only been in the GLO for 2 semesters, then your big has only been alum for less than 1 year (logically speaking). I would think that it would be OK to speak to her about this, she most likely experienced the beginnings of it while she was still active. (Aside from the fact that I think it's OK to talk to your big about anything!!) My bigger concern is the fact that talking with alums about chapter issues is taboo. Why would you not want their help? Of course, if an alum hasn't been involved in a while, I wouldn't dump everything on their lap. But a chapter who isn't willing to go to some alums for help concerns me. . . (maybe it offends me 'cause I'm an alum who would LOVE to approached to help work out problems!)

2. Every NPC has (or should have) regulations about their chapter's budgets. Especially recruitment budget. Look through you National Constitution/Bylaws and Chapter Handbooks to find the answer. And I agree that you should bring it up privately to the Recrutment Chair first. No need to create additional drama.

3. Do you have some sort of advisory board? You know, alums that advise the exec board positions (Recruitment Advisor, New Member Ed Advisor, Treasurer Advisor, etc.) If so, turn to them for help. Maybe they (or a similar group of alums/advisors, however your GLO is set up) can conduct a 1 day retreat/training, where exec can air their problems/concerns and work towards solutions.

4. You may also want to consider whether or not holding an office in your chapter is right for you. Exec board isn't for everyone. Some of the greatest leaders work behind the scenes in getting things done. They are the assistants and "helpers", and sometimes that is what really makes a chapter great. (Not trying to get you down, but it is a thought!) I would consider that angle before I would consider deactivating. After all, I joined for a lifetime, and while I wasn't the greatest chapter officer in the world, I have found a passion for helping other chapters with the little (and BIG) things that come up (now that I'm alum).

:) Keep us updated!!

PyschTau, my big just graduated last semester. She told me she was pretty much in the same posititon I am in now. Sounds kind of weird, but our chapter is really... cliquish I guess. She saw that we were having problems and was also trying to help before she graduated. I thought it was really odd that our chapter doesn't like the idea of going to alumni for help. Anyhow, my Big said to keep trying. She was sad to hear that I wasn't feeling so good about the chapter and said there actually was a time when the chapter was organized and well - fun.

I know I'm not the only girl who thinks our chapter is having problems. There are a couple other sisters that I know of who feel the same way but are scared to speak up. It seems it is just so hard to get our sisters pysched up about our sorority and our chapter. I read in another thread where another girl was having problems with her sorority in the Greek Life section. She said she felt like her chapter did the stuff they had to do but didn't give it their all. It seems like everyone here is just doing their own thing. Which I guess is understandable since this is college, I thought the sorority experience would be different.

Would anyone have any suggestions on how to get everyone excited and proud again?

Super Bowl counts in our chapter. I never really understood that either though.

Candycanegirl, follow your heart. It has to be your own decision. You are the only one who knows exactly how you feel and what your chapter is like to you.

Good luck!