This is a really good topic! I don't know that everyone would consider Phi Beta "up & coming", since it's been around since 1912 and had a ton of chapters over the years... but we're down to 4 collegiates and probably about 10 actually active alumni chapters.
Not that size matters, because I love Phi Beta and wouldn't trade it for any other greek experience! Just trying to give a feel for its situation. Anyway..
From a national stand-point, I can say that we (nationals) see a lot of these problems that everyone's listed. The fact is, you can't motivate someone to do something really, they have to motivate themself (whatever their reason). With a small group of dedicated people (even only 4 or 5 of you), you can keep things going and hopefully pass on your enthusiasm and dedication to at least that many underclassmen. All chapters have cycles- from barely active to the best on campus. You really have to stick with it. You also have to know what things to change and what is important to maintain the same as always.
What I really wanted to add, though, is that in my own experience, nationally we've lacked in aiding new chapters. Not because we don't want to, but because we're not always prepared for what they need. It had been about 10 years since our last chapter was chartered when the most recent one came about. Luckily, our current national prez was one of the founders of that last new chapter! She could kind of guide us to give the new chapter what they needed to get off the ground. We're still fine-tuning things, and working out exactly what our new members need from us.
If you're in a new chapter, or an older one, that's struggling, and you have a national... ask for help! Trust me, the reason you're not getting it is probably because they just don't know you need it.
I think the hardest part about being new is you don't have nearly the resources as other organizations that have been around for 100+ years (financial, experience, knowledge, etc.)
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