Reply If You're A Small Chapter Too!!!
 

Hey Zetas,
I'm from Theta Nu chapter in Montgomery, AL (Auburn University Montgomery) and we have huge schools in our provine: Mississippi State, Univ of Alabama, Auburn, Samford....etc....they hit chapter total every time and winning Crown chapter is effortless to them basically...our school is kind of a commuter campus and we only have two other sororities to compete with (Delta Zeta and Alpha Gamma Delta), but right now we are the largest sorority on campus with about 30 sisters. When we go to Zeta Day, I feel like the rest of the chapters look at us like the red-headed step children....anyone else feel this way?? We are small, but we all know each other and really are good friends. We're all dedicated as well...I was just wondering though if there were any other small chapters out there who feel my pain??
ZLAM,
Kristina \^^^/

dear kristina
 

compare your chapter only with chapters in similar circumstances as your own. that you are the largest chapter on your campus speaks volumes and you should be proud of that. crown chapter awards are based on what the chapter does, not how the chapter performs vs. another chapter. if you turn in your reports on time, everyone pays their bills on time so that you are in good standing with i.o. for finances, if you have a working relationship with the alums in your area, if you pledge quota and initiate the majority of your new members, if you donate to the zta foundation, do philanthropy events, etc. you will win a crown chapter award. the criteria for a chrown chapter award is in the general manual. if your chapter hasn't gotten a crown chapter award, you all could analyze the list and see where you could improve.set some chapter goals and go for it. if the whole chapter is motivated you can achieve your goals. and don't feel second rate, you're not-your a zeta!!if your chapter is the best it can be on your campus, you have nothing to feel second-rate about and if your not, you can be with a little work. best of luck! lisa

Commuter Sister here!
 

ztakrissy-

http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/wavey.gifI also belong to a chapter that is on a commuter campus, Iota Sigma (Old Dominion University ~ Norfolk, VA) We have 49 sisters, and two new members right now. There are five sororities on campus: us, Alpha Xi Delta, Alpha Phi, Pi Beta Phi, and Delta Zeta. No one is at total, which is set at 60, but this semester everyone but Delta Zeta is expected to reach total. (including us!!http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/jump.gif) We don't have a house, only AZD does.

Hold your head high. There is nothing to be ashamed of being small. I like the fact that I have a relationship with every sister in my chapter. It is nice that the majority of us show up at events. We are a pretty close knit group.

I would love to hear what type of stuff you do for recruitment....we seem to struggle with getting women to come out to CROWN events being a commuter campus. Always looking for new and fresh ideas! http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmilies.de/tongue3.gif

ZLAM,
Meredith http://www.handykult.de/plaudersmili...llows/king.gif

Hey, I go to Robert Morris University... Its like right outside of Pitthburgh-- but we have a really small chapter.. 28 sisters- in a way, i love it because i have gotten to know everyone so well, but on the other hand, i cant even imagine what it would be like to pledge with 50 other girls, or be in a chapter with 140 girls (wow).. the DZ's are the only other sorority on campus, but we get along with them... The other thing that kinda stinks is the stupid Housing Law in PA.... like, i really wish we had a Zeta house here! it would be awesome... but o well... maybe i can go visit another chapter with a house sometime!! Hehe...

We had a house...I think it all depends on how many ppl live there. Ours was full at 6 and other orgs on campus had housing too.

Kristina,
My collegiate chapter, Kappa Iota @ Moravian College in Bethlehem PA, was on the smaller side too, I think we were at 42 when I graduated. I'll co-sign with the rest of ya'll that there are +s and -s when it comes to a smaller chapter. A very close sisterhood but sometimes always seeing the same faces doing the same stuff got...well...a lil boring. But that was the campus we were on too. Small size and people wise. It does get frustrating tho at times that's for sure!

And as far as feeling like you stick out at State day. If you don't already, make sure that as as many sisters that can go!! One year, bc of different emergencies, there were only 3 of us and we did not have a lot of pride in ourselves at all!! The next year, we were sure to have all of exec at least there, we were dressed alike our bid-shirts, etc etc. I guess it's the little things that make the big difference sometimes.

And now I really really really miss my KI girls!! sniff sniff

ZLAM,
Michelle

i know how ya feel. our chapter has 18 girls (2 of which are new members). we have a large campus, but it is a commuter school. everyone has jobs and a lot of the students on campus are above the age of 25. our campus is growing, so hopefully it will help in the long run. our largest recruitment consisted of 24 girls coming through. we have trouble getting people to come to CROWN as well...so any ideas would be appreciated! i wouldnt trade my chapter for the world...i love each of my sisters and am happy to say i'm very close with all of them (which is very special).

Small Chapter ZX@TTU
 

I'm part of a chapter with 35 girls. We just finished spring recruitment and got one new member. There are 5 chapters on campus (ADPi, DG, KD, Phi Mu, ZTA) and we're the smallest. Total for all chapters is set at 55. My problem is a little different though. We have the same girls that are doing stuff all the time. It's the same faces. I'm on PC this semester (activities) and we just passed bylaws to start fining again (first time in 3 years). A few of our older (less active) sisters are making a big deal about fines. What can I (as well as other concerned sisters) do to get these girls more active, AND to get new girls who will WANT to do more?

ZLAM,
Jenny

We use the point system, it seems to be working really well. In out chapter nothing is mandatory, but we are required to have atleast (i think) 85% of the points. We can get points for living in the suite, being a PC or EC officer, and for going to meetings, sisterhoods, standards, etc.... I think it works a lot better than fining because then people wont get penalized if they have to work, or have other obligations..

We issue fines...if you don't show to CROWN events or things that are mandatory--we fine you. which I think is a great thing because you can't bring a pnm out to a CROWN event and only have 7 or 8 girls show up...so...that's my soap box!
:D

We were on the Point System before our new Bylaws set fines. We set fines because girls weren't showing up to stuff, and our chapter is having budget problems. If you have work or class, then you write an excuse letter to our secretary at least a week in advance. I don't really see why some of my sisters are amking such big deals about fines. For me, as activities chair, it's embarrassing to go to other greek events and only have 12-15 girls of 35 show up. We always have the worst participation and it's really discouraging. I've talked to other PC officers about it, as well as EC, and it seems like all we can do is graduate the less active sisters out. Until then, I have no idea what to do. I think I'm taking this to a thread all it's own...

ZLAM
Jenny

You can bring them up for judicial- That is also my other office besides FRED/Standards...thank goodness I have not had to do any hearings...we've got some really dedicated new members this year and we are doing A-OK! I love talking to other chapters who are small...we go through the same things seems like-

Also, I really don't see the effect of a point system....if you want to really get somebody where it hurts--you gotta go to the pocketbook! Fines!

Don't feel too badly. The National Organization closed down our house this past spring at Oklahoma University. They had just spent 250,000$ renovating the house, and now they closed us. I am a Freshman looking forward to living inthe house, and we are all devastated. I am wondering what happened??? It does not make sense. This happen to anyone else?

we're a small chapter
 

Hey zeta lady!

I'm from Nacogdoches, Texas Theta Eta chapter. We have about 90 sisters, so we're pretty small. Believe me, next to Kappa chapter (University of Texas at Austin) we looked pretty small too. Just try to understand that you did join an awesome organization. Our school is funny because the sororities here are so weird. Before I came here I knew which sororities were the "good ones" to join. Just look for the good in Zeta, its the best ALL AROUND. It doesn't matter what you look like to other people. If you know that your girls belong in your chapter, don't be ashamed of it. If you join right in, even if you dont get crown chapter (we havent gotten it in like 5 years!!), then every chapter will think you are cute and awesome. That's what we do, 'cause zetas sure do know how to have fun!

ZLAM- Christen

fines vs points
 

i'm from delta upsilon in west virginia (the only zeta chapter in the state of wv) we have a fine and point system. we have a excuse book at yahoo.com and for manadatory events, such as recruitment, rituals, chapter, etc you have to send in an excuse, it could be for homework or work or another reason why you cant be there. if you miss an mandatory event without putting in an excuse you get fined. 20 bucks for chapter and 5-10 bucks for other events. the point system is a point for each dollar you would get fined. so chapter is worth 20 points. if you send in an excuse you can get the points. if you dont have 85 percent of the points for the semester, you can't go to formal or other social events. some people hate it, but i think it works well. there are 3 other chapters on campus, azd, adpi, agd and our total is 65, and we usually make total during spring recruitment.

nice to see other zetas out in small chapters!