Hi! I'm the New Member Educator (GM) for my chapter also! Well I know for meetings we usually have them in our living room but the way I arrange the chairs is in a circle for meeting. It is a more close, comfortable environment than row by row. It also depends on how big the pledge class is. Does your nationals have a new member program? Ours does and its very specific and very helpful in ideas and things. At the beginning of pledgeship they have Owl Pals which are like temporary big sisters -the point is for them to get to know as many actives as possible to make a better decision as to whom will be their big sister. I think if you want to build your chapter you need to teach them LEADERSHIP, BEING RESPONSIBLE, and SISTERHOOD. YOU are molding these girls, I am also, and I am so honored to have that privelege! You can play different games with them- similar to jeopardy or who wants to be a millionaire and ask them questions about history. Pair them off into teams - they love it and they get to work together. If you'll have quizzes or learning exercises give them an incentive to pass them like a KAPPA cup or sticker. It usually works. Stress scholarship on them! Make your grades, our girls freak out bc they're so scared of not making them. But I'll tell you one thing 95% (?) of them did. 10 out of 11. Also, for pledge retreat I told them that they were to get into teams (put the ones that don't know each other good enough together), pick out a song from any cd, put a little dance together and dress up in costume (nothing extravagant). They had SO much fun!! And it was hilarious to watch!! We also did a new member car wash in which their pledge class got out there and raised about $500 dollars in 3 hours. We did a lot of things with other fraternity pledge classes also, they cooked dinner for Sigma Chi and had a pledge mixer with them. They also had a pledge mixer with Sigma Nu. The point to all that is to let THEM plan mixers, car washes, make banners, skits, etc. so they can LEARN how to program and all that goes into it. They learn to follow through and if they mess up it is their fault and they learn from their mistakes. We would always play ice breakers and you can make up an interview sheet to give to them to interview each other. It gives them a chance to get to know each other well. Oh, and I don't know if you'll do candlelights, but our candlelights are really special. We share alot with each other. I'm so excited about next semester because now that I did this in the spring I know more and can expand in the fall. For instance, I am currently thinking about planning revelation (Big Sis Revealing) a different way. Usually its at revelation but I am going to plan a family field day where we can go have a picnic at a park, do revealing, then let the games begin...I'm not sure on all the specifics yet bc its still an idea but I think I'm going to pair up all the new big and littles - maybe even families and we can all do field day games like three legged race, etc. Then we'll have the best big little team award or something. Hopefully I'll do that next semester. Also, be really open with the girls and let them know you're there for them. Keep the lines of communication open and guide them. LEAD BY EXAMPLE. I totally understand where you are coming from. Just be happy that you are in the position where you can build great members! And build your chapter at that. Its hard work but TOTALLY worth the effort. I devote countless hours to my office, my sisters and my house. I do it and it doesn't bother me at all because it is totally rewarding for me. I found this quote on GC and it says something like..."I do it because I am a joyful girl. I do it because its the least I can do. I do it because the world owes me nothing and we owe each other the world. I do it because I love to." (or something to that effect...) Anyways I love new member stuff and feel free to post and I'll get back to you
. Chi Omega love.