How to Improve Sorority's Chapter?

gingergirlyxo · #1 10-19-2010, 08:19 PM

Hello!

I'm in a sorority at a school where greek life is pretty big (for privacy's sake, I won't mention either the school or sorority!). I LOVE my sorority and all of my sisters!!! But sadly, not everyone on campus does. We're a fairly new sorority at my school, and we've already developed a reputation of partying, poor grades, and bad sisterhood.

Of course not all of our members represent these things (although unfortunately some do, and we do have the lowest overall GPA), and I wouldn't say any of those things about my chapter at all! It's just unfortunate that this is what people perceive my sorority to be, when I know we have the potential to be known as so much better.

What are some ways to improve our reputation around campus? Are their any ways to keep our members more in check and change how people see us? I just want my entire school to be as proud of my sorority as I am!! Any ideas are welcome and extremely appreciated

Thanks!

gingergirlyxo · #2 10-19-2010, 08:22 PM

I'm only a freshman, as well. So I feel like my say in administrative affairs is very limited for now..

KSUViolet06 · #3 10-19-2010, 08:31 PM

Some things to think about: I can understand being new and being motivated to change things, but keep in mind that you are a freshman.

It would be a good idea to sit back, learn, observe, and get a good idea of how the chapter works and such.

It can be a little hurtful to chapter members if a new member were to come in and start stepping on toes trying to change things and criticizing every little aspect of the chapter.

Example: say you don't like a recruitment event. Remember that a sister spent a great deal of time putting that event together. It would potentially hurt that sister's feelings if you just blurted out "well, that event sucks. We should totally do ______."

Just remember that there is a time and place for everything.

33girl · #4 10-19-2010, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gingergirlyxo

I'm only a freshman, as well. So I feel like my say in administrative affairs is very limited for now..

Yep, it sure is.

Quite frankly, those things are far easier to overcome/far less damaging than some other stereotypes (the geeky sorority, the ugly sorority, the invisible sorority) I can think of.

Just concentrate on YOU not embodying those things when YOU interact with other people on campus. Also, the comment on "keeping members in check" (especially when you've been part of this sorority for 3 months at the very most) is way way WAY out of line. You don't know these women well enough or have hung out with them enough to make that judgement call.

DubaiSis · #5 10-20-2010, 04:58 AM

The only thing you can do is work on yourself. Be involved on campus, make sure your grades are good, make sure you're always being a good sister. Positive habits can spread just as easily as negative ones. And reputations will follow habits.

But don't nag your sisters! It will get you nowhere and will ruin your personal reputation within your chapter.

dovelove07 · #6 10-20-2010, 08:28 AM

Have fun, themed (possibly dry if you have a bad partying rep) mixers with frats... co-sponsor philanthropy or sisterhood events with other sororities... do PR activities that get you associated with campus (i.e. pass out water on a hot day or hot chocolate on a cold day in plastic cups with "I *heart* (your sorority)" on them

AOII Angel · #7 10-20-2010, 11:11 AM

It appears that your biggest concern is chapter GPA. Ask your New Member Educator if there is a Scholarship Committee in your chapter. You may be able to join the committee (as a New Member or later after initiation.) This can give you the opportunity to work with the Scholarship Chair to make grades a more important part of your chapter's priorities. I applaud you for wanting to make a difference, but make that difference from inside the mechanism of your chapter.

xomanadaxo · #8 10-20-2010, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Some things to think about: I can understand being new and being motivated to change things, but keep in mind that you are a freshman.

It would be a good idea to sit back, learn, observe, and get a good idea of how the chapter works and such.

It can be a little hurtful to chapter members if a new member were to come in and start stepping on toes trying to change things and criticizing every little aspect of the chapter.

Example: say you don't like a recruitment event. Remember that a sister spent a great deal of time putting that event together. It would potentially hurt that sister's feelings if you just blurted out "well, that event sucks. We should totally do ______."

Just remember that there is a time and place for everything.

Wise words (as usual

). The only thing you can control (regardless of how much "administrative power" you have) is yourself. If you really want to feel like you're doing something positive for your chapter, become your own one-woman PR campaign. Live each and every day in the way outlined by your sorority's values (you should already be doing this, but it doesn't hurt to mention it again!). While you're being this fabulous picture of what you feel an XYZ woman is...WEAR LETTERS! Granted, this works better at smaller schools, but it's surprising how much influence one person can have over the reputation of a group - both positive and negative.

just_peachy06 · #9 10-25-2010, 12:19 AM

You can host informal events to get to know your sisters better - invite them to things you're already doing or want to do like going shopping or some event on campus.

Our chapter started an unofficial "Glee Club" where we would all watch Glee together on Tuesdays in the living room. =)

Having a large present at campus events also gives the impression of a strong sisterhood. I was always impressed when an entire chapter would show up to support one of their sisters or watch a football game together. (and not so impressed at the chapters that would show up to mandatory events hung over)