We were faced with this same problem 5 years ago and we simply rushed what we wanted. We activly seeked out members who were leaders in other student orgs and rushed them. our first success was when we convinced the student government president elect to sign with us. Many more followed after that. Its a continuing cycle, you have prominent members, people hear about it and buddy up to your org. you then get more prominent people interested in rushing, the cycle continues. Since the SG president we have had 2 more SG presidents since then, 2 presidents of the Campus Programming Council, 1 president of the Student Org. council, 2 student commanders of ROTC, 4 or 5 presidents of honor societies, and have elected 2 presidents of IFC and I cant even count how many VP's of student orgs we have recruited or had as brothers.
It didn't happen for us overninght, but it did happen. We went from a 50 man chapter with 10 percent involvement to a 50 man chapter with 90 percent involvment in chapter activitis and 90% involvement in at least 1 other student org. We are now at the position where we can cut new members if they do not fufill their obligations of time.
Yeah, we had our rocky spots, but it paid off.
As for apathy of older members, a good year of leadership recruitment and the new guys can take over. The latent leaders in the active chapter who care will step up and take respon, once they see what is happening and will want a part again in chapter ops. they will feel like their terretory is being userped, but what the hell, in a situation like tht a certain amount of pragmatism never hurt.
It rocks to be an alum at a chapter event and see everyone there without having to horass/guilt them into showing up.
Also a tip: Have your new pledges (ones with leadership potential) run for the freshman delegate spots in student govm't or student senate, (or other large powerful sudent group) (most schools have these SG special elections in the fall after the freshman arrive to campus, in addition to upperclass spots for those that were elected, but are no longer eligable due to grades, or have moved.) Since they are greek, that is a pretty good voting block there, then let the SG do the leadership training for you.
Good luck!
[This message has been edited by lifesaver (edited December 05, 2000).]
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