[ASTalumna06]

My campus has always had a problem dealing with this total situation.

When it came to a discussion about total, my chapter would abstain.

The problem for us was that there are three NPC chapters. The first chapter was near, or at, total year after year. The second chapter was probably about halfway there. The problem rested in the fact that chapter #2 has to pay national dues based on what total is. So even if they had 20 girls, and total was at 40, they would have to pay national dues as if there were 40 girls in their chapter. The first chapter wanted more girls, the second one didn't want to spend any more money, and for us, neither was really a concern because we were nowhere near total, and we paid dues per sister. We never wanted to vote with one chapter or another, because to do that would be like taking sides, as there was really no basis for us to make a decision either way.


But in recent years, the chapters have been more than 10 girls below the total of 40, so it hasn't really been a concern. But everyone eventually realized that the only way it could be discussed and voted on would be if all of the chapters grew to the point where total needed to be raised.

And as has been mentioned, in order for discussion about total to be productive, both of the chapters have to be at a level playing ground. Encourage them to work together. If the smaller chapter proposes, in a very nice (and logical) way, that in order for this to come to a conclusion, their chapter has to be larger, the other chapter might make more of an effort to help them. You help me, I help you.

Be realistic, though. Change takes a long time. I know that they probably want to see this whole debate end soon, but it might even take a few years before the chapters have about the same number of members, depending on how many more that second chapter needs in order to catch up with the first one.