wow, what a hard place to be. If you think about how frustrating this is as a new member, imagine what it must be like for the officers, who might feel like they are about to see four years slip down the drain with their collegiate chapter. If they were intentionally deceiving, it was surely with good intentions...
That doesn't mean that what is happening in your chapter is "right" or "normal". It just means that the sorority is in a tough place at the moment and is searching for ways to pull out of it - the active sisters of the chapter are just the path of least resistance right now. I am assuming you are a member of a national - otherwise the following suggestions might not be relevant.
I would say that the best way to handle your irritation with the sorority would be to get involved by making suggestions and supporting productive and PRO-ACTIVE strategies to get numbers up... those might include:
- strong and innovative COB efforts
- bringing regional or local alumnae groups in to help - maybe through fund-raising or a dues booster
- suggest a policy change allowing fifth-year seniors to be active (additional source of $$)
- call nationals and ask for a traveling consultant! I know for sure that most of the NPC chapters have a national officer, usually a new graduate, that travels to all the different campuses and advises one-on-one on serious chapter issues and how to strengthen the weak spots.
- make living in the house more attractive - more incentives, etc.
These are just the random thoughts I had at 12:30 am... but hopefully they might get the wheels turning! remember that it is always in the hardest times that you will need to rely on each other the most... sisterhood is at its strongest when we are called upon to really love and support one another.
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