Quote:
Originally posted by SockPuppet3
The remaining two constantly seem to struggle (they never make total, even with COB; they are rarely invited to mix with fraternities; etc.).
I am in one of the latter mentioned sororities. While we have an incredible sisterhood, we really don't have much respect on campus. I know one of the reasons behind this is that we're seen as the "dumpy" girls. We have women who wear size 14 or larger, women who don't wear much make-up, etc.
We have struggled for years. My older sister went to school here, and was a member of another sorority, but remembers how bad my sorority's reputation was 10 years ago. Unfortunately, it hasn't gotten any better.
She was so disappointed that I chose to sign my bid card when she found out which sorority I had chosen. I ranked it 2nd (out of 3) after pref. She thinks I might have even been offered a bid from my top choice (which is in the first category I mentioned), but was extended a bid from this group because I actually ranked it 2nd. There were two people, including me, in my pledge class.
I guess where I'm going with this is, at what point does the school reconsider how many groups it will continue to recognize? How long will it let these two struggling chapters continue to struggle? Or, are the sororities themselves the ones who decide whether or not to continue?
Please, any help you can provide will be appreciated. I think my chapter's future looks pretty dismal. I'd like to find some kind of way to keep us around, but with a much better image.
:( [/B]
|
Wow. As a chapter advisor (who is an admitted lurker here) I am touched and amused by the various responses to your original questions. I've worked with chapters at both ends of the spectrum and will try to answer your original questions.
First, if you are in an NPC sorority, the bid you matched is a result of a mutual selection process. Not to be mean, but your sister's concerns about you choosing your second choice reflects a misunderstanding of how bid matching is conducted (and I've participated in bid matching as an advisor, so I can say that I do know how it works, but I am by no means an NPC expert). However, if she means that she's upset that you actually signed your bid card, then that's different.
Also, the school or university will not pull recognition for your orginazation because of low numbers. At least not in my experience. Your national orginization, sooner or later, might realize that their investment in the campus is not worth the expense. If you are getting constant visits from chapter consultants, or national officers, I'd be worried.
Second, I know from painfully personal experience that you can NOT succeed at helping your chapter if you are the only one to want the change. You haven't mentioned if you have a group of women in the chapter who feel the same way, a "coalition of the willing" if you will. If you do, get together with them and brainstorm on ways you can all run for office to take over chapter operations. Then you can implement change from the inside out, which is key.
Third, your reluctance to involve your chapter advisors (if any) or your national organization is understandable, but unfortunate. It is imperative, and I can not express this enough, that you DO involve them. These women most likely already know that there is a "problem" in the chapter and they would love to have a clue that some of the members are looking for change.
I guarantee you that if your chapter is having membership/recruitment problems, which is what it sounds like, that they ALREADY know and are concerned for the health of the chapter. As an advisor I would, hands down, rather deal with a risk management problem than a membership problem. The former can be dealt with through education and policy enforcement, but the latter is a touchy situation that deals with core self-esteem issues not easily resolved.
Forth, change has to come from the general membership. To repeat, you can not be the only member wanting to improve things. No matter what you do, if 99% of them don't want to turn things around, it's not going to happen.
Last, as a way to improve general appearance, and by this I don't mean being Barbies and fake, try going in the back door. Invite speakers on how to present yourself at job interviews or in interviews for internships/scholarships/etc. The seniors in your chapter will need it soon. Like it or not, the collegiate experience - the sorority experience - is a perfect training ground for your future careers. People that show up at job interviews looking like slobs will not be hired, or if they are, they will be offered less money than someone who shows up in a nice suit, combed hair and a smile. It's a fact of life and if you don't think so, just give it a try at your next interview.
Other suggestions here on volunteering with the less fortunate are valid and will give everyone a healthy dose of reality and good resume building material. Ideas about publicity are great, too. As are trying to build personal relationships with a few fraternities and then having philanthropy/social events with them. Take the men cookies, invite them for a home cooked meal. It sounds basic and rather 1950s, but men are suckers for food.
Again, as a chapter advisor and for the love of all that's holy, talk to your advisors/national officers about how they can bring in resources to help you. They are not the enemy and you won't get in trouble for trying to ensure your chapter's success.
This is a hard battle that will not be won in the next year. You can only hope to build a legacy for future classes to carry on. Several years from now the baby steps you have taken will be evident, but when you are in the fight it is easy to be discouraged. If you care as you say you do, don't give up, but do get help. Good luck in this.
