Quote:
Originally posted by G8Ralphaxi
Go back and read my post. Our situation was not as black-and-white as you try to put it - you have oversimplified. One of our major concerns was the last pledge class that joined in our last year as an active chapter. The problems with the chapter were not their fault and we did not want them punished for it by losing the chance to enjoy Greek life at UF for the next 2-3 of their years in college. We were told that the younger sisters would be able to rejoin, no problem.
Nationals also asked us for our help. They especially wanted the help of sisters who had been very active on campus and positive influences in the house - that's what they said, anyway. Anyone who was bitter or apathetic about our chapter's situation was not going to be bothered, but those of us who were dedicated to Alpha Xi Delta and had tried so hard to make the chapter succeed were recruited that Spring to assist with the recolonization in the Fall.
We even took the steps of forming a Zeta Omicron (our chapter) Alumnae Association as a way to be organized in our efforts to assist the colony. The executive officers were members who were active when we voted to close the chapter. We did all this with National's blessing.
When Fall came, there was a core group of a little more than a dozen older sisters who were committed to helping the house succeed and about that many of the younger sisters who also wanted to help and then rejoin the colony chapter. It should not surprise anyone that the stress of the chapter closing and recolonizing meant that the only sisters still around were the loyal, energetic, high-GPA, active on campus types - the best representatives for which any sorority could ask. We were the ones who had been the heart of the chapter, and we showed up, ready for hard work.
We were given a schedule of events. We helped tidy up the chapter house. We offered advice about UF's Greek system and what we thought was needed to succeed here.
Then, the recolonization process started. Suddenly and completely unexpectedly, sisters who showed up at events - events that they had been asked to attend - were told that they were not welcome and should leave. The representatives from Nationals told us to tell everyone to stay away from the chapter house, we were not welcome inside, and not to wear letters.  No explanation, just suddenly wanting to pretend we didn't exist.
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My intention was to oversimplify as I didn't intend my post to be specifically about your chapter. I even put {I'm talking in a general sense and not referring to any particular school or org.}
With 26 National sororities ran mostly by volunteers I am confident your situation is not unique.
I know I would have been devastated in that situation and would probably have cut all ties. I hope one day that AXiD will be able to successfully recolonize at UF and that all chapters at UF will be considered strong in their own right no matter how many sisters they may have or what the chapter "image" may be.