Question
 

Hey all!

I hope we can get this board crunk and stuff....but NEWay

As you know the new chapter at SELU will be activated soon and I need a little input on ideas for encouraging diversity in the chapter. I came from a pretty diverse chapter and that has always been a key aspect of OPA for me so I want to make sure I continue that at SELU.

P.S
I know I could find answers about this on the general board but I wanted to hear from my sisters first!

How diverse is the campus you're currently on? Also, how many minorities are charter members?

The reason I asked this is because (in case ya'll didn't know), I'm African American. When I joined OPA, it was already a pretty diverse group. My chapter's charter members are Caucasian, African American and Indian American (people decented from India, not to be confused with Native Americans). Showing that they were a very diverse group, they were able to recruit those who wanted be in a diverse group as well as those minorities (like myself) who also wanted to be a part of that group. It's worked well to this day.:)

If you and other sisters know people of any color who would love to be in this part of the group, try to reach out to them and promote how good it would be to be a part of the sorority. I was recruited by one of my best friends (who is Caucasian) who thought I would be good for the sorority. And then those who love it will pass the word and invite their friends.

Also, do not forget the non-traditional students and grad students. While I was in undergrad we had a member who was a married mother of two young boys. Patti, who's now one of the national officers, pledged OPA as a grad student (and a RHD of a residence hall of freshman girls!).

I hope this helps and I hope I didn't sound offensive (that's not the case). Good luck on the new chapter!!:D :D

Of course no offense! I understand what you are saying. The school is slowly becoming diverse. Just a bit a background, it used to be a commuter school. We (as in African Americans) are increasing our presence their quite rapidly and most live on campus now - which is a new experience for all involved!

The charter members of the new chapter are all AF AM. But we are strongly promoting diversity next fall.

Thanks for your input

our chapter is quite diverse too. one of our new actives is quite a bit older than "normal" undergrads, i think around 30, and has a 2 year old son (who she brought to one of the active meetings...he's so cute!). i would think just try to keep diversity as one of your priorirites, but don't be trying to exclude anyone...that's what makes it diverse in the first place!

Again, congrats on you new chapter! Since you and your fellow charter members are African-American, you may have to do the reverse on what I suggested and try to get members of other races. Some on campus may see ya'll as an Af-Am sorority. And since there is are Greeks on your campus (I did a little research) try to promote to them as a way to meet others as well as particpating in other community service activies in which some may not be used to.

Also promote that OPA is as much as a sorority as any social one. I was in OPA five years before I became a Delta. I got comments from D9 Greeks that I wasn't a part of a "real" sorority (I couldn't help it that the sorors were suspended while I was there). But I felt as much as a member of OPA as I am a member of DST. Some of my sisters even when out of their way to give me a Af-Am Ophia! There were girls who were in OPA and NPC sororities and one of our charter members is also a Delta.

I wish much luck and keep us posted!

I'd second what everyone else has suggested. Doing service projects with other groups (Greek or not) is a good way to get your name out there and meet potential members that are outside your normal social circle.

Another thing that you guys could do is e-mail other organizations with information about your upcoming events (rush, service projects, fundraisers) and ask them to read it or pass it around at their next meeting. Our school has mailboxes for each student organization -- on occasion we'll pop flyers in everyone's mailbox and they usually get read at meetings. You could also go speak at other organizations' meetings (pick a few that you think would be really good to speak at, or have pairs of sisters go to two or three a piece).

Our school has a community service list, and we post our events on there occasionally -- do you guys have something like that?

You could also encourage each of your sisters to join one other organization on campus where they'd meet new people -- that's how we got a few of our current sisters.

(And Koah, I'm so sorry I couldn't make it to y'alls initiation! But Nu Chapter was thinking of you guys that weekend!)

Thanks Hun!!!! And thats ok, I'm just happy its done!!!