[erica812]

What I'm reading here is clearly the result of a lot of frustration. As long as we use it to create change, it's a good thing!

I am working my butt off to bring young chapters/sisters into Beta. With 15 awesome members, Delta Pi is going strong, so we are to a Friendly Venture at a nearby college this fall. That's what needs to happen if Beta is going to get the young women it needs.

When I first looked into Beta, I saw an organization in need of new energy, new enthusiasm, a new approach. Maybe that's a bad reason to join a sorority, but I saw a fantastic organization that could possibly use my help...a sorority that might die if SOMEONE didn't do SOMETHING. I have a lot of experience in "jump-starting dead batteries," and I've seen what a bit of hope and a dose of enthusiasm can do. I know it is difficult, and I've given this same speech a hundred times. BETA CAN WORK FOR YOUNG PEOPLE. My chapter was up and running in no time, with no help from anyone except ourselves. If you keep talking, people will listen. The only reason I have been in touch with International so much is because I e-mailed them constantly during our first few months, always asking questions, always telling them what we were up to, sharing what problems and triumphs we had. I'll admit that some of their suggestions for young chapters are kind of lame (a spa party is not the answer to the world's problems), but the main message of the Friendly Venture kit is really all you need. TELL EVERYONE ABOUT BETA...even people that you don't think will care/be interested/understand. Yeah, you might look like an idiot, but who cares? Take a risk.

Alison, I agree that we need to get the word out. We need to advertise. We need to display our letters. And I TOTALLY agreed about the Torch. I'm going to write up every activity we do just to get some young faces in that magazine. I've also given a lot of thought to some kind of "young chapter newsletter." Something aside from the Torch.