Quote:
Originally posted by shadokat:
Gizmo--
I agree with you, but the problem is that the chapter is on probation with national, and I have been advised by national to deal with them by visiting and working with them. It's not that either of us is asking for help or offering. It's national wanting the probation to be dealt with.
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Hi Shadokat -
I have been in your shoes (not as a regional advisor) but as a member of the advisory board to a chapter on probation. We have heard the chapter go from blaming us as alums for not supporting them, to having them blame us for always being nosey (even though the regular alums aren't involved with chapter business - just the alum advisors) back to them saying we don't support them. It is just so ridiculous sometimes. BUT - when you say the word PROBATION then we have a whole new ballgame -- we have dealt with this too and you know what -- too bad -- the collegians got themselves into a bind, and we as alums are responsible for stepping in and helping repair things whether they like it or not. The only other alternative is what, losing a charter? I worked too hard for that charter on the wall to lose it over a bunch of girls who think they run the world. Yes, they need to make their chapter run, and yes, they need to make mistakes and learn how to deal with them, but when those "mistakes" are so severe that it puts MY charter in danger, then I am so sorry charlie. What I have experienced too is that these girls that are generally responsible for the "mistakes" (whether it be alcohol policy infraction, grades, whatever) don't even stick with the sorority. They don't like being on social probation (no parties for one whole year) so they quit. And even if they do stick it out, they don't remain active as alums - and never had any intentions to do so. So I guess what I'm saying is that its worth it for me and the alums that I work with to help them "clean up" their mistakes for the sake of the chapter as a whole. For the sake of that charter on the wall that means the world to me. (You can tell that I am pissed because we just went through this with them and their whining that we want to run their chapter) -- we have no desire to run their chapter, and when they get off probation (*hopefully*) they should learn what not to do next time, and how to grow from this mistake. Alum advisor involvement during this time is crucial in making sure that the chapter regains its foothold and comes back stronger than before.
I'm sorry you are in this position from the standpoint that it really does leave you in a Catch22 -- I just know that the moment I graduated, that charter on the wall became 100 times more important to me -- I helped build that chapter, and I don't want to lose it.