Concerned about my chapter
 

I'm a bit concerned about my chapter.

I haven't seen anyone else from my alma mater posting here, so hopefully this is safe. :)

I just received partial spring formal rush results from my alma mater. AEPhi matched four; two other sororities (out of five NPC orgs) matched 26 and 27. I don't know how the other two did.

This was their second year of deferred recruitment. Deferred rush means that all five sororities are under total (80) at the start of fall semester because the senior class graduates. AEPhi was the only sorority not to have a fall pledge class this year.

My chapter has always been on the wrong side of the numbers game, because of how we were colonized (from a small local - the previous two colonizations were done from the ground up).

I feel frustrated because there's not much I can do as an alum to help them out. I couldn't take time off work to help with recruitment. I feel like all I can do is get COB ideas from GC and elsewhere and present them to my chapter (and they'd better get to the COB'ing!)

I think the plain fact of the matter is that my school cannot support five sororities with deferred recruitment, and AEPhi, as the smallest chapter, is the most at risk to close.

And to think, just a few years ago we were talking about expanding to six sororities.

I just hate watching something I worked hard to bring to fruition, dying by pieces...

:(

Re: Concerned about my chapter
 

You said it right there...it is not the fault of deferred recruitment, it isn't the campus culture, it is because the girls aren't COBing. They need to know this isn't an option, they HAVE to do it the same as they have to go to meetings or ritual.

As soon as spring rush is over, they need to get a list of girls who didn't match, if there are any. Give them a couple weeks to get over formal - not everyone wants to jump back in after feeling rejected. If the sisters know any of these women, they should contact them personally and invite them to COB events throughout the semester. The key is making the rushees feel they are there because the sisters know and like them, not to increase numbers.

[blunt]Do you feel that AEPhi's history as a "Jewish sorority" is a factor in low numbers? Or is it the opposite, not being used enough? I have no idea of the religious makeup of your campus so I thought I would throw that out there. [/blunt]

I do ascribe some of the problems to deferred recruitment. When we had formal fall rush, the other four chapters would usually be over total as a result; maybe one chapter would be COBing to fill two or three spots. This gave AEPhi a certain amount of "protection" - we could COB freely all year. We got a number of women who were put off by FR but who shone in a more informal setting. Now we've lost that protection - come fall, everyone's under total.

I think the "Jewish sorority" history definitely plays into it. All the founding sisters of my chapter except one were Jewish. In some way, we fill a niche market. That's not to say that Jewish women might not be more comfortable elsewhere or that non-Jewish women might be happiest with AEPhi (I have a number of non-Jewish chapter sisters).

I just think about the four women we got this year, and while I'm very happy for them and proud of my chapter, if this becomes the pattern - 16 women does not a chapter make when total is 80.

Perhaps your chapter would benefit from a visit from national. They have suggestions that could help the chapter recruit new members.

It sounds like y'all might want to tear a page out of the fraternity rush book. Ask guys that are in houses to steer girls they know that aren't in houses your way. Talk to people in the dorms. Do any kind of PR that your PHC allows. Just get the word out that you do exist and you all have something very special.

I don't think that there's any campus out there that can change in such a way that it ever needs to contract in terms of the # of GLO's on campus. The only reason that ever happens is because the GLO's on campus do not adjust correctly to the changes in the types of people they need.

Whatever you do though, you have to change something :D

I'd be afraid to talk to your HQ though. How quick are they to shut down chapters that they claim to be 'defunct'?

The thing is their headquarters will find out sooner or later. I personally think sooner is better. I can't say for certain what AEPhi would do, but I think that they will send a rep who is trained to help with COB.

aephi alum, I wish your chapter the best. :)

Here's wishing the very best for your chapter!

If this year's sorority formal rush figures published in your school's student paper are reasonably correct, it looks like nearly 80 women who registered for rush dropped out (or were dropped) before bids were extended. Now, just how deeply interested they were in Greek life, I don't know. Nor do I know whether a fair number of them would fit with your chapter. However, just from numbers, with nothing more to go on, it looks like there are women at your school who had at least some interest in sorority life, and who _might_ be among the prospects for COBing.

Again, best wishes!

Why did your chapter not have a Fall NM Class?

Also, think outside the box. Apparently what they are doing isn't working. Can they go visit a nearby chapter and "rush" them and then have that chapter give them some pointers? Also, let them know that they don't HAVE to have an organized COB party in order to offer bids. If the sisters know a few girls they would love to have as members, have those girls join you at a few events that the chapter is participating in on campus (going to a ball game, philanthropy, even a casual sisterhood get together), then vote to extend them a bid at the next meeting. Don't wait to organize an actual party if you know you already want these women.

Also, I don't know how this is on your campus, but talk with the four women they did get. See what they can tell you about recruitment and what they thought about it. They may each know 5 of the women who dropped from recruitment and why the dropped. Have those new members invite their friends to events. And don't be afraid to have that new class wait until some others join them. If it's OK with your campus and HQ (and the NM class), get them started on learning their info, but don't feel like you have to initiate them all by themselves. Add to their NM class and initate them all at once....even if it is 8 weeks into the NM program (once again, only if your campus and HQ allows that....they might give you an exception due to the situation).

These are just some ideas I've had working with chapters in a similar situation recently. Good Luck!!!

PsychTau

A few thoughts: Why didn't Panhel adjust total so that total was around what most chapters have in the fall?? That is what W&L Panhellenic does w/ our deferred rush--that way, the smallest chapters can still COB upperclass women in the fall.

Bottom line, they've got to COB. I know what campus we're discussing, and there's got to be tons and tons of qualified women out there! :) Maybe a visit from a consultant specializing in COB-type recruitment is in order? The fall is a great time to COB a lot of women because entering sophomore year many women are evaluating their lives or experiencing life changes that cause them to look for more social supports.

On the Jewish tradition:

Do you have Hillel or other such organizations on your campus? I'm sure you must. Members must go to these events with letters! Promote, promote, promote! I'm sure this would be a great way to get the word out. If you have attracted Jewish women in the past, use that to your advantage!

Go to other events with letters, too, religious or not.

I think a rush exchange sounds like a great idea.

The best option is one that people often don't want to hear.

Y'all really need to find a large group of women who may be looking to start their own sorority. There's legwork involved, but if you can get 20 or so women to join at once, noting that they will pretty much have control of the direction the org takes once they're initiated, the org will survive on campus.

The downside: the current members really need to be on board with this, because they are giving up their baby, and there are SERIOUS growing pains that go along with an action like this.

The upside: everyone will have somewhere to go for homecoming.

Edited to add: PS. Tried to PM you aephi_alum, but your inbox is full. :(

Unfortunately MIT hurt the whole system by going to deferred recruitment.

Quote:

A few thoughts: Why didn't Panhel adjust total so that total was around what most chapters have in the fall?? That is what W&L Panhellenic does w/ our deferred rush--that way, the smallest chapters can still COB upperclass women in the fall.

Some of the groups, A Phi included are housed. They need ceiling to stay where it is at to be able to fill their facilities. Additionally helping one smaller chapter would potentially shut women out of a greek system that is already shrinking.

Ideas: contact men's groups, student council, leadership orgs, sports team captains and ask for referrals. Then ask the student orientation leaders, people who work in student affairs and any other pro-greek segment you can think of for more names.

Make COB a continuous effort and if your chapter has restrictions on how people can receive bids (ie must meet x # of sisters y times) remove them. Form a COB team that is athorized to give bids.

Finally maybe some alums can go back for a weekend workshop?? I know people suggest consultants and depending on who your National office can send it could be helpful but in my experience I think alums helping their own chpater sometimes works better.

We recently switched from fall recruitment to deferred recruitment. The first thing that I can tell you is that even though you cannot rush freshman first semester, that doesn't mean that you should disappear on campus. Freshman are still interested in learning about Greek life and the more that they see organizations on campus, the more they will remember them come recruitment. We had a couple of philanthropic events on campus in the fall and had sisters eating together on campus in large groups at least twice a week. It's all about visibility.

Also, when sisters go to fraternity parties or campus events, by all means, get to know the women there!!! Make it a point to be friendly and approachable. COB is something that is a year round event. Even if a group is at total, they still need to get to know new women...and even though they cannot extend bids, getting their name out and putting on a good face is never a bad thing.

Some suggestions I have:

-Each member needs to make a list of women that they know who might make a good member. Each member knows at least one, despite what they might say. Just have them think about it. People often overlook great potential members who are right under our noses!

-Develop a plan to recruit these people. It doesn't have to be an all-out frontal "Do you want to COB our sorority?" assault. Let them get to know your sisters. Have some events and invite them without pressure.

-Get as much exposure as possible on your campus, or better yet where there are the highest concentrations of women. If you can eat as a group in the campus dining halls- do it. Wear letters and get your names out.

-Network. Ask your guy friends for assistance. Get them to talk you up to their female friends etc. Get them to introduce you to any unaffiliated women they know. The bigger the network the more contacts you will make.

-Most importantly, the entire chapter has to know that recruitment is the #1 priority for EVERYONE. Too often we leave it up to the "COB Chair" or the "Rush Committee". The most successful recruitment stems from high levels of participation at the individual level.

Good Luck. It will be hard work, but I know your chapter can do it!

Why is deferred rush so bad?

It gives time for the New Frosh to get settled in to College Life without Mom and Dad! They get to look around and see what is going on! Give the new fish a break so to speak! Oh Yes, that is a prison term!

I just wonder if your Soroity is not up to rush? I know My Chapter isnt, that is why We as Alums are trying to work with them! What are yours doing? :confused:

You want to sound Harsh, I reccommended shutting our Chapter Done and starting anew! How hard is that? I am the god damn founder that is how hard it is!

But, we are doing what we can from a Core Group that I started and it has been growing! We Will Do It ourselves, come hell or High Water!:)

Sorry, has been a tuff week for me in many ways, not female but My Love for My Brothers!:cool: