hey XOmichelle, there is a weak tridelt chapter at my school.
i'm sure there's a weak chapter in every sorority, mine included.
in addition, what you or i may think is weak, the "weak" chapter may not. they may like things the way they are.:D

At the first university I attended there were two chapters there I perceived as weak or lesser. Now looking back on it after a number of years, I see it in a different light. One of them is definitely a really strong group. And in reality the school just did not have any weak chapters. They had a strong panhellenic and strong groups. I just don't think you can judge groups as weak or strong from the outside. And, as I said, after a while you change your perception of what makes a group strong/weak.

Of the 200 or so chapters in operation right now I can say that membership ranges from around 10 to around 200. There is a great deal of variety between chapters, the kinds of men you'll find in them, their awards and recognition.. Everything.

I've never met a Sigma Nu though that I didn't like:D -- and I've met 'em from around the country.

ktsnake, very well stated!

I will be the first to admit that LXA is not all grand and glorious all over N America!

That said, I will admit that my Chapter has had some tuff times, but We are in a rebuilding period.

Are we big Internationally, yes, are we strong in every area of the country, no, are we strong in every chapter no!

One of the ones that I had a great deal of respect for got into problems, but are in the process of turning it around.

Is abc crappy at your campus, but 100 miles down the road, they are strong? Yep can happen!:)

As Tom said, very well stated. I too can say that I have never met an AOII whom I did not like either.

As far as weak and strong, yes there are the traditional definitions through the various national and international organizations, GPA, large new member classes, campus involvment, etc... Conversely, as a member of a weak organization, does one(being a member) perceive it as weak if they are getting what they want from it, or do they let others opinions on campus let their perceptions take over?

All organizations have some sort of greatness from their members, and though a chapter may be perceived as "weak" by the other IFC/NPC/NPHC members, the members of the "weak" organization may see it completely differently.

How is that for redundant? ;)

I have not been everywhere in the country, and I could not tell you the name of every national sorority. But from what I have experianced as a member of only a local sorority, tri-sigs and alpha phi have always made a lasting impression on me. I'm sure that there are other sororities that are wonderful, but these are the two that I have constantly come in contact with at various schools, and have always been gracious, polite, and welcoming. There are others that I could not say the same for. If either of these sororities had been at my school, I am sure that it could have been a possibility that I would have joined them.

I think it just depends on how you look at it. Some groups are smaller with wonderful girls. Some are huge with not so wonderful girls. Some are weak with bad girls. Some are huge with good girls. There was one group in particular on my campus where their nationals did them wrong. Several years later at another school the same groups nationals did them wrong again! I think as long as the members of a certain chapter are happy that is what matters most! ;) A friend of mine said there was a chapter on her campus that got all the models but couldn't retain them b/c the girls weren't happy! So who knows!

I think I should try and take back my original post, b/c JohnsDGsweethrt you are absolutely right. It does depend on the chapter of girls. I have met girls on my campus and girls on a different campus, and my opinions on each chapter are different. Although, my personal reactions to all alpha phi and tri-sigs will remain the same, but only b/c each chapter I have met have been exquistete.

Well thank you my dear! :)

You are developing a sense of stereotype of a certain GLO, simply because what they are in your campus. Then, everytime you see or hear that certain GLO, you would bring up the stereotype you develop in your mind.

I think I develop that sense of stereotype to certain GLO from GC, especially for the GLO that don't have a chapter at Iowa State. So, I know it is not fair, but I would definately think of ktsnake or kitso when I see/hear Sigma Nu for instance, or ladies of Delta Gamma and Alpha Phi from ladies here.

My 0.02 cents ;)

geez man, no pressure there...LOL ;)

I think every group has strong and weak chapters. What makes a group's overall national rep strong or weak, I think, is how they deal with those issues. Do they do everything possible to keep a chapter from closing, or do they just let them flounder until they die out? Do they work with other groups on a national level, encouraging inter-Greek involvement, or are they only concerned with furthering their own programs? Are hazing and alcohol violations evaluated and dealt with according to the degree of the violation, or is the punishment "one size fits all"?

For example, I have so much respect for DG just from reading on here how they did everything to prevent chapters from closing - I'm sure at some point they wanted to say "screw it" but didn't.

I've never met a Theta Chi I didn't like. :) Also, I know we have rep for being backwards from most, as our dues funded as opposed to foundation based/funded. But its working out for us now. Yeah.

Just a little response...I can say there are some chapters out there who need help, who are/could be provided help and just refuse to do the work involved. Then they wonder why they are not getting anywhere, or why they are left to "die out". Let's say you have limited resources and you've got two chapters facing basically the same predicament (we'll use the most common example-numbers), one that's working on it and one who just isn't. Who are you going to help if you can only help one?

I think it's really hard to judge a inter/national organization just based on it's national programming, services, or chapter on different campuses. It's a lot more than just those principles. Alumnae involvement, structure of the organization, (both collegiate, alumnae, and volunteer) member satisfaction, member retention, etc. the list goes on. It even goes to the whole attitude of the organization from our New Members to the sister whose been involved for 50 years.

Basically what I'm trying to say is it depends on what you are looking for--what in your mind is the top priority as far as a GLO is concerned. I think this whole idea of national reputation will always be based on the mind of the individual evaluating their own set of preconceived standards for GLO's.

i completely agree that the chapter needs to want to do the work involved. my take on this whole situation is that until we have some clear standards on how to evaluate what makes a chapter weak vs strong, then i think we could talk for days and get no where. personally, i hate that npc has such a focus on numbers in determining weak vs. strong. maybe, it is bc i was a member of the smallest chapter on my campus, but everyone that was there WANTED to be there....and put in the work that needed to be done! i would much rather have 25 sisters who want to be a part of the group and make every effort to make it stronger than 80 girls...only 25 of whom really put in the effort. i have also known women on my own campus who joined abc or xyz because of their reputation as being the fun group...or whatever...and have been MISERABLE. things aren't always what they seem from the outside and you will never know until you get inside!

as far as what makes a national org strong vs. weak, i think that a strong national is appealing to women in different parts of the country bc their programming, etc. is made to be more flexible to fit the differences that occur across the country. i don't know if any group actually does this. i also don't think that a group is nationally weak bc they are more active in one part of the country vs. another bc there are so many factors that affect what schools chapters are at. i also think that nationally stronger groups will do what is needed to keep a chapter alive and well. i think that a nationally week group doesn't work as hard on programming and expansion. i also don't know if any groups are like this.

fire and pinky, I agree that the chapter needs to do the work, but the national also needs to offer concrete, realistic help to the chapters that need it. it's a two way street.

for example, if a chapter is having a numbers problem and all the consultant does is say "get more girls" without working on strategies that will work on the campus or helping the chapter work out internal stuff, how can you fault the chapter sisters for that? that is what we pay dues for. I don't think we are out of line to expect competent help from the people who govern and guide us.