Question for Advisors
 

The Chapter I advise has had a very difficult time over the last few years. They are really putting forward some improved effort to work on some of the biggest challenges, and I'd like to do something for them to show my support and appreciation.

Last year, I sent a bouquet of yellow roses for the beginning of the semester. The year before that, I gave them an SDT scrapbook. This year, I'd really like to be able to do a little something for all of the girls (small chapter -- less than 30) without breaking the bank.

Does anyone have any suggestions?

First, can I say, You are an Awesome Person and a true Member of Your Chapter.:)

It is not easy to pick and choose what to do.

Does Your Chapter have a house? If so, something for the house that will be permanent would be nice.

If just a Dorm Section, something for the area that designates Your Chapters area.

If so, they can proudly point to it and say this is from a Sister.

Hopefully they aren't reading...but I just bought a pen and bumper sticker for each of the women in the chapter I advise. I also got the leadership team cups for a few dollars a piece. Last semester, I got them all DPhiE buttons.

I chose these items to reward them and when they use them, its a good way to "advertise" on campus. I order from greekcreations.com because they have good prices, particularly if you are ordering in bulk.

Wow, what a lovely gesture. They are a lucky Chapter to have someone who cares so much.

In my experience food is always appreciated and doesn't have to break the bank since there are less than 30. Heck, you could even make something yourself. Cupcakes, munchies, a "Make your own Sundae" night, anything is always welcome. Or how about renting videos and bringing popcorn for a Movie Night?

I too congratulate you on your involvement!

What about baking cookies perhaps with cookie cutters in shapes associated with your sorority? (i found a ton of reasonably priced ones at www.cookiecuttershop.com)

Thank you so much! They don't have a house right now, but I will definitely keep some of these suggestions in mind for the girls' "informal" housing!

I love the pens & cups ideas, and the cookies sound great, too! I think I will do both!

I knwo it sounds rather simplistic, but as an alumnae, your best bet may be just taking the time to talk to each of the sisters. While the pen/cups/cookies ideas will certainly work, being able to individually give them your attention throughout the semester is going to be far more lasting. As an alumni advisor for the Epsilon-Zeta chapter of Kappa Sigma at UConn, I am proud to say I am as active as any current brother, and because of that, I'd like to think I've made a great contribution.

Also: Chapter collage! I am donating a 28"x40" matted collage of various pictures taken throughout the last five years of the fraternity. (We got into some trouble in 2001, so the last 5 years we've totally rebuilt, and its sorta considered the 'new era'.) So the collage is just various pictures representing our growth from a chapter of 35 to a chapter of 75, etc. Do somethign like that to reflect their triumph over adversity.

Best wishes.

I couldn't agree more, and am actually doing that (and have been for quite some time... the difficulties they've had have essentially required it!). But I'd like to do something a little extra special, too.

The collage is a great idea... although, they seem to be really lacking with "history" stuff. There isn't a whole lot as far as memorabilia, photos, etc. But I will keep an eye out!

foundation donation
 

For Gamma Phi Beta, you can make Foundation donations in honor, memory or celebration of a person/group, and they are listed in the quarterly magazine. If SDT has a similar practice, I would recommend that as well. I think it would make your chapter feel great to see themselves recognized by you, and have it publicized to all the SDT's.

You could write a sisterhood celebration letter to a member of the chapter and read it aloud at their meeting. The following week, the sister who was honored the week before writes a letter to another chapter member and reads is aloud. You can present the member with the letter in a frame or start a scrapbook.

For chapter incentives or personal gifts, go to the dollar store-- you can buy inexpensive candles and baskets. Add some candy. Add some ribbon and a little note tag and voila! Personal gifts for each member. I used to do this for my officers.

Another good one: letter keychains with the letters cut out as large shapes: great to add to a backpack zipper and a way to promote the sorority on campus.

Some great ideas and remember, do not break your bank account to be nice!:D

Do you have any Alums to help in this or are you on your own?

There aren't any alumnae in the area (that we are aware of) and it also isn't my chapter of initiation... so it is very challenging! :)

I am also a chapter advisor. I have often shown up at officer meetings or chapter meetings with random treats of brownies, cupakes, a bag of candy or once even ice cream and chocolate syrup. They have never turned up their noses at treats!

At the end of the year I buy the president a chapter guard and dangle for her Quill. I'm lucky in that most of my chapter buys silver Quills, and the silver accessories are much cheaper than the gold ones!!

The idea of letters is great, too. One year I wrote each senior a short letter and mailed it to her over the summer. It was basically a "you've grown so much over the past 4 years, I hope your last year in school is filled with fond memories.We'll be sad to see you graduate....." They seemed to really like the thought.