[lunalovegood]

This was an issue that came up in my chapter as well, especially with our most recently initiated new member class, as well as participation within the house. We have a "point" system for showing up to campus related events and you must get a certain amount of points each semester or you are either fined/on probation. (Is it good or bad that I don't know, but because this hasn't been an issue for me? Lol!) Girls who show up to everything and don't use any of their excuses get acknowledged and then an extra excuse for the next semester. I'm sure most orgs have some variation of this (sorry! not familiar with everyone's policies!) but enforcing this issue could definitely bring participation up.

Did your (inter)nationals give you requirements to get off probation? Work on implementing those as soon as possible. I don't know if your probation prohibits you from having sisterhood events, or having them approved by an adviser or director. We've done movie nights, but you could also do a "lock in" on a Friday or Saturday night and make it mandatory for all sisters to stay in and hang out with each other. We do this the night before initiation and they're some of my favorite nights ever.

As for your new member class, I think it might help if their NM educator/coordinator/whatever your org calls it sat down and say that they have to be respectful to all sisters, not because "Patty and Sally are seniors and you have to respect them because they earned their place before you did" or whatever equivalent BS message you can come up with, but because they are your sisters, regardless of age, and I'm sure that all sororities want their members to feel welcome and loved by ALL members of the chapter.