Quote:
Originally Posted by adpiucf
Chapters on probation don't get there overnight. These issues existed on some level well before your time and, unfortunately, you are the one stuck doing the cleanup. Everyone is feeling unmotivated because they are angry about being punished. Open up communication and air the dirty laundry within the four walls of your chapter meeting room. Celebrate as a chapter as you meet probation goals and terms.
Things won't improve overnight, but allow everyone a voice and problem solve as a team.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by IrishLake
In my chapter, new members were doted upon, spoiled, loved. From the beginning, were knew how much we were loved and valued. We were treated as equals, with the exception being not being allowed to wear letters until initiation. We had a very strong, love and respect based sisterhood. New members never had to do anything to "earn" respect from older sister. It was freely given with the faith that it would be returned, and it was. I witnessed friends in other groups experience discord like yours, Alphaprez. There were cliques, and way too many girls who did not like each other. New members in that group weren't allowed to sit on the furniture in the house. They were told to do house chores, even though they didn't live there. They did NOT feel loved and valued. If you recognize yourselves in the latter, it's time to change your new member tactics.
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Exactly! You get what you give. You don't think your probation has anything to do with your situation, but probations are a sign of an underlying problem. It may not be the exact issue you are dealing with currently, but I bet you that they are tangentially related. Is it alcohol related? Chapter culture and cliques do not change overnight and teach members how to behave towards each other. You CANNOT blame your new members for their behavior when your members have modeled to them how you wish for them to behave. Underlying sisterhood issues have more to do with communication problems than anything else. It takes more than just playing fun games to have a good sisterhood. I agree with adpiucf, having more people involved will get more people to engage in the chapter and feel like they have a voice. Are you actively using a committee system? If not, start. Every member needs to feel like they get a say in the working of the chapter, not just your Leaders' Council/Executive Board or whatever you call it. Most organizations function with a committee system and smart chapters use them. Also, sisters should avoid judging each other. Maybe take a second and give that NM that you think was rude the benefit of the doubt, ignore the comment from the member that you've never gotten along with that well, take the time to find out why one of your sisters is in a bad mood. It's part of being a friend and a sister. You have to learn to get along with all types of people and learn to accept that people are not always happy go lucky.