how to increase enthusiasm?
 

Recently my chapter has gone through some bad times, and many of the chapter members have lost enthusiasm. With spring rush coming up soon, and because this hosue has meant so much to me over the past four years I was wondering if anyone had any ideas to increase enthusiasm and make this house what it can be.
Has anyone else had this happen in their chapter and survived? please give me encouraging info! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

During a chapter meeting; each member writes their name on a piece of paper. You then pass the paper to 5 or 10 (depending on chapter size) other sisters. Each sister writes a positive aspect of that person BUT DON'T sign your name. When you get your piece of paper back; it has all these wonderful comments about you and just makes everyone feel wonderful. I remember one girl said I was the reason she pledged the sorority- it made my day! http://www.greekchat.com/forums/ubb/smile.gif

Another thing is a Hootie Jar. During chapter you pass around the Hootie Jar and people put in comments that vary from "Congrats Jane for making Motar Board" to silly/funny ones if something crazy happened at a party over the weekend.

Both things really helped our chapter become closer! Hope they can help you too! Sue

------------------
I'd rather be lovable than popular and democratic than exclusive!

I believe that enthusiasm is contageous and once some of your sisters and yourself get pumped up again, the whole chapter will too!
I know as a Junior, I've had times where I lack enthusiasm. I just have to remember what it is about my chapter and Chi Omega that keeps me going.
Perhaps you should increase sisterhood events or have a retreat. We do a sisterhood event at least once a week. After Monday night meetings we all meet somewhere for dinner (we don't have a house). Then sometimes we'll do another sisterhood event on the weekends. Some ideas include making Chi Omega hair bows (a little cheesy but fun), making Chi Omega shirts, going dancing together, to the movies...etc.!
So chin up. It's the third quarter blues and hopefully everyone will be pumped up by the end of the semester!
Hootie



------------------
What do you get when you cross and Alpha Omicron Pi and a Sigma Phi Epsilon? A beautiful Chi Omega!!!

I really like the idea of having the hearts at a sleepover and everyone writing on them! Our exec board did a similiar activity with our chapt visitor.

It seems like every year the spring is a rough time. We are all stressed out, the seniors are emotional about graduation(that's me), people are tired of classes, school, roommates and just everyone is getting on each other's nerves. BUT it all works out in the end and by Rush Retreat in the fall we are going full speed ahead. Sometimes it seems to help to have a group type meeting where just everyone can vent their concerns, problems, etc. On a weekly basis we did a "you rock" award. (it was a painted rock with XO ribbon in it) It was passed on to a sister who had done something that "rocked".

we have sisterhood events every week, and tried an all house retreat, and only 13 people came! it seems like its the same few people going to everything and those people are loosingenthusiasm becasue they work so hard and are getting no encouragment from the rest of the house!

Thanks for the ideas though guys. we will never give up!

The your rock award sounds like a great idea. ill talk to our exec board about implimenting that. it would probably help alot.

I love these lyrics by Ani DiFranco.

I do it for the joy it brings because i am a joyful girl. I do it cause the world owes me nothing, and we owe each other the world. I do it cause it's the least i can do- I do it cause I learned it from you. I do it just because I want to.

Love in Chi Omega and Mine

We used to have our problems with this.....there was a core of really die-hard members who seemed to do everything, and then there were the people who just didn't participate in things and it really dragged everyone down. Usually all it takes to get interested in what's going on is to get involved and see how much fun it is....especially when it's competitive stuff and your chapter gets all pumped up and starts winning things, nothing sparks the sisterhood quite like it. At one point our chapter actually had to start making certain events mandatory. Once our participation was up, people started realizing how much fun they were having and how great it is to be in a strong chapter. Pretty soon we didn't have to make things mandatory anymore and a lot of new friendships were forged.

Hi! I'm a Kappa Kappa Gamma, and our chapter is having problems with enthusiasm as well, but as the new member chairman this year, I noticed that many of our seniors were saying very negative things about our new members, and they refused to come to events. I was wondering if any of you had similar problems, or maybe some ideas for new member events that worked really well at your chapters? Thanks!

For senior/pledges- For the past few years (we are trying to make it a tradition) we have had a senior/pledge picnic. The seniors bring all the food and we just get to know each other and play at the park. Nothing elaborate but I think it helped the new members get to know the seniors since it is hard for some of the seniors to be around with all their classes and busy schedules. As a senior I know how demanding and stressful the senior year can be, not that I'm justifying talking negatively about the new members.

For general enthusiasm- We also did an event on night before meeting where we all stood around a huge sheet with a badge placed in the middle of it. Everyone grabbed the sheet to start off with. Then personnel would name off certain events and activities. If you had participated you kept holding the sheet, if not you dropped it. The idea was not to let the pin drop. It really gave us an idea of who had been to what events and that if we didn't all support each other Chi Omega (as in the badge) would fall. That was about 2 years ago but we still have girls talking about that.

Thanks so much, those are great ideas!
I can't wait for the picnic!!

OneKeyThatBindsUs