saving my sorority?

[greekgirlie05]

hi, I've been reading the greekchat boards off and on since I decided to rush last year. anyways, I'm now in a sorority, and I love it, but I need some advice. here's the deal.

first of all, I love my GLO. and my pledge class is an awesome bunch of sweet, kind, funny girls. in fact, several older girls have told my friends and I that our pledge class is going to "save" the chapter.

you see, unfortunatly there are some not-so-good points about my chapter. -our house is one of the smallest, both the building and in numbers. there isn't much that can be done about the actual house right now (it's nice, just on the small side, relatively speaking). however, we have fewer members than the rest of the chapters (most chapter at my school have around 140-150, we have around 100, including 42 in my pledge class after formal recruitment and 2 informal rush periods [quota was 48 this year]), which even I admit made me wonder during recruitment, "gee, what's wrong with them that they are so small?".

-there is also an unfair, untrue stereotype that our chapter has a number of "larger" girls (and even if that were true, what's so bad about that? it's total prejudice). I know several friends dropped the house during rush for this reason.

-third, our gpa is on the lower side compared to other houses on campus. academics just aren't taken seriously. the "study room" is a joke. test files are ancient. we have mandatory study hours, but the proctors will often lie and sign off hours that people never actually did.

-four, there is a high drop out rate. I think we only have around 10-15 seniors because half their pledge class dropped out a few years ago after a silly fight. around 5-10 girls dropped out of my pledge class between bid day and initiation. unfortunately, several good girls dropped after the bid day party because they don't drink and didn't like the drunkenness (sp) of the older girls. which brings me to my last point...

-lastly, there is a certain group of girls that are giving the chapter a bad name. while only a small fraction of the group, they are very vocal, loud, "slutty" (i'm sorry to have to use this word, but it's true), drunken party-girls. they ARE the stereotype sorority girls portrayed in the media, and it's sad because they make all of us look bad.

I have spoken to many members of my pledge class, and we've agreed that it is our job to improve the chapter. I truly believe that we can do it, but I'm just not sure how. Our goal is to improve our sorority, both in image and reality, if that makes sense. I think if we pick quality girls during rush next fall (as was done with my class), a turnaround can occur. but this school year is far from over, and we want to start now. we want to give our sorority a good name. this is easier said than done, though.

so, my main reason for this post. I'm not just b*chin' about my sorority...in fact, it saddens me to have to say some of the things I said, but it's the truth. i'm looking for advice on how to improve a GLO. does anyone have an experience with this type of issue? any success stories? any insight would be much appreciated!!!

thank you for your time.

greekgirlie05
university freshman

[dreamvilla]

wow! good for you for taking the initiative to motivate your pledge class to improve your chapter.
we have a chapter on my campus who faces many of the same problems. i have strongly admired their determination in turning their chapter around. one good pledge class (especially such a large one) can really help.
it's important for you to feel like you have say in what goes on in your chapter. just because you are fairly new does not mean you can't step up immediately and take a leadership role. all of the things you say that are not really happening in your chapter (like study hours and such) you should really point this out and give suggestions to your exec, and convince them that you're ready to help.
when elections come around, if they have not already passed, run for office and encourage your pledge class to do the same.
if your school does fall recruitment, try to snap a few spring girls to get to cap. if you can. girls in your pledge class should hunt down quality girls who you know will stick out pledge period.
try to make positive light of this, and think about how much you can change your chapter to the potential it could be at.
hope this helps and good luck. you'll find lots of good resources on GC, I have.

[SigkapAlumWSU]

Personally, I think that it's wonderful that you are trying to improve on something you obviously love and hold dear. It's hard when not everyone in your GLO feels the same way or represents the way you wish they would.
1- being a small house isn't always a bad thing. You can form a closer bond with the women you have, so play that up during rush activities.
2- Preconcieved notions about what your "entire" house is are just stupid, and only stupid people perpetuate them. Good for you on your way of looking at it!
3- Talk to the Scholarship chair and see if there is a way to improve the existing program. Make the study hours and GPA count for something more, like lower grades= loss of social prevlidges (sp?) Get new proctors who whon't just sign off someone's study hours. The grades will show the real result of studying.
4-as far as retetion goes, most houses will always have people who will drop for one reason or another. Find out the reason's why they drop and see if you can do anything to change things so it doesn't happen for the same reason.
5-As far as that group of sisters goes, try sending them to standards for unsisterly conduct. Talk to you standards board and explain why you think action needs to be taken. It's a sad fact, but few can bring the many down. If they know they will get punished for negative conduct, they will be less likely to do it.

The fact that you want to change what is happening makes you a superstar right off the bat! It sounds like you have the right get-go you will need to do whatever it takes! Good luck, I hope this helped. Keep us posted!

[skip101]

I think the key is to get a couple of more good pledge classes with the type of girls that you are looking for.


ps.. please send me the numbers of the slutty girls.

[AchtungBaby80]

Wow, you rock! Seriously. You're halfway there already because you realize the problem and you want to do something about it. That said, it's definitely possible (in my opinion) to turn a chapter around. Even though my chapter reorganized, us new girls were left with the reputation that the old group had had, which wasn't too good. I don't blame those girls, because sometimes things just happen where a chapter's numbers just fall and by the time anyone does anything drastic to help it's just too late. Don't let that happen to your chapter. Being a small house is the least of your worries--you can still make a HUGE impression on the Greek community at your school if you and your sisters are dedicated. Make a good showing at campus Greek events and do everything you possibly can to spread your sorority's name around in a positive light. Trust me, word will get around and it will be easier to attract a quality group the next time you recruit new members. I think one of the biggest mistakes sororities make is giving preference to the beautiful girls...I'm not saying that a good-looking girl can't be a great person, but looks aren't everything. Of course you want members that have good grooming habits and all, but look at girls who you think would really be good for your chapter. Remember--those are the girls who are going to be keeping the chapter going when you're al alum!

[MoxieGrrl]

greekgirlie05: Wow...sounds like you have a lot on your plate! Seriously, I think I could have written your message about 2 years ago. If you PM me, I can give you some more info because I went though the exact same situation. Keep your chin up!

[AXO Alum]

Greekgirlie05 - you are AWESOME! It is so nice and refreshing to hear about a new member who wants to change things for the better -- usually all we hear about are the ones who gripe and complain because they don't want to work for their badge. So kudos to you!

The chapter I advise has events called Sisterhoods. And they can be anything from the girls getting together to go bowling, to them working at a soup kitchen. And when they do community events like that, they send their calendar info to panhell so that OTHER chapters on campus know what they are doing. Therefore, they end up with a good rep in our community, as well as with panhell. I would strongly advise that you implement these sisterhood type events. You could go to your exec, and tell them your concerns regarding the chapter, and that this would be a good way to not only boost your chapter's self-esteem, but to also start working on your rep.

Also, ANY member of our sorority, new or initiated sister, can bring another sister before standards. If a sister is doing something to hurt the image of the chapter, then she needs to be brought to standards (of course after you or others talk to her and try to remind her what this behavior can do to the chapter). If that doesn't work, then she needs to go before standards. The sooner her behind gets in check, the better it will be for everyone involved!

Finally, you guys NEED an advisory board. If you don't already have a chapter advisor and/or an advisory board, then call your regional chairperson (we call ours Province Chairs) and talk with her about some ideas you had (I wouldn't necessarily be too quick to tell her all the bad stuff as sometimes this worries the heck out of national folks!) and ask if there are any local alums that would be interested in helping out. It is MUCH easier if local alums can help out since they will not only be concerned for you guys, but also won't be in such a rush to try to bring nationals in for "assistance" (ie, your charter is in trouble!)

Good luck to you and your chapter -- sounds like your class is on a roll!

[LexiKD]

First: Thank you for taking on this job!

Second: I suggest focusing on what is more important at your campus. At my school it was image and how you were percived socially. Work on little goals with attainable results. Don't try to be the top dog first year out. Work slowly and recruit older members of your group by showing how this work is helping!

Good luck and keep up posted!

It would be interesting to hear from members of a really strong group how they percive the weaker on campus and how they have fought these same issues and stayed strong.

[GammaPhiBabe]

Greekgirlie,
I just tried to send you a message, but it said that you wouldn't allow PM's.
I just wanted to say that I *totally* understand where you're coming from and if you'd like to discuss it sometime, send me a PM.

[aephi alum]

Good luck, and remember that it only takes one or two new member classes to turn a chapter around if it's got problems.

[aggieAXO]

You cannot change a chapter overnight, it is a slow process sometimes takes 3-5 years and sometimes longer. Quality over quantity is the most important thing to remember. Yes, you will be small for a few years but eventually the rushees will see the quality of your house and then choose you not for the size you are but for the bond and quality of girls you have. I have much experience with this and if you would like to PM me I can give you some ideas.

I think though one of the most important thing to do is-get your name out-join offices in student government, make lots of T-shirts and wear them proudly all over campus (remember always wear your lipstick-sorry had to say that as that was drilled into our heads). Have as many functions as your panhellenic will allow you to have and make a T-shirt for that function for both the guys and girls. Guys are a geat way to advertise. When you get a new pledge class in take a huge ad out in the school newspaper congratulating all the new members.
ADVERTISEMENT is the name of the game.

again if you would like more info. PM me.

Karen

[Peaches-n-Cream]

I posted something on a similar subject earlier at: http://130.94.21.174/gcforums/showth...275#post143275
Sorry about the bad rep. That can really be a problem for both fraternities and sororities. I have a few ideas on the subject which might be able to help you. The best thing you and your sisters can do is be at your best all of the time. Be courteous and friendly ladies to everyone. You can win your campus over one person at a time. Participate in all campus-wide and greek-wide events in order to get your name out. When you have a philanthropic or charitable event, get your campus paper to cover it. Once a week your sisters should all wear letters and have dinner on campus. The key is visibility. You aren't going to change people's opinions by staying in your house and hanging out. So go out and meet people and your rep will change.

Regarding GPA: There is a minimum GPA standard that all students must meet to be in good standing and graduate. You need to set a minimum GPA in order to be a sister in good standing, such as the campus wide average GPA. You can match up sisters who have the same majors as study partners. You can even have those with higher GPA's tutor those with lower ones. My sorority gave awards every semester to sisters with the highest GPA or the Most Improved. An incentive/reward can be that the sisters who receive these distinctions get first choice of rooms in the house. The study hours need to be enforced just like any other mandatory event. If a sister misses 3 study sessions, she must pay a fine. Personally, I hated study hours because I preferred studying alone in the library so you need to take personal idiosyncracies into account, especially if she has a solid GPA. Just a few suggestion to consider. Good luck!

[aephi alum]

OK, when I posted before, I was in the middle of something, so I didn't say everything I wanted to...

1. Low numbers are *not* a bad thing. When I joined my sorority, we had 12 members; all other sororities were over total, which was 80. Talk about an uphill battle! But we pulled together and now there are about 40 active members in my chapter. So what if we're not at total... we take quality over quantity... and that is the key.

2. "Size" shouldn't matter. You have good quality members - does it really matter that people think some of your sisters might have a few pounds to lose? Does it really matter what "people think" at all? What matters is what lies within.

3. For chapter GPA, I suggest rewards for those sisters with the highest GPA. Reward anyone with an A average - this will encourage sisters to devote more time to their studies.

4. Retention... will hopefully take care of itself, as other problems get fixed.

5. If you have a few drunken sluts as sisters (excuse my being blunt here), haul them before standards. They are bringing your sorority's rep down. Give them a warning, and if necessary, get them out - this will send a clear message to everyone that most of your sisters are not that type of woman.

Like I said... a new member class or two full of good quality women will turn your chapter around.

[carnation]

Get some sisters into some very visible and desirable activities, whatever they may be on your campus! Maybe it's student government or certain clubs; find out what they are and make a careful plan.

[33girl]

One pledge class CAN turn a chapter around. My big big's class did it, when they came in there were only 13 sisters and by the time they left we were at total, 50. And there were only 9 of them - just think what you can do with 42 of you!

Stereotypes - If there are people who buy into the "large" stereotype, and cut the house because of it, screw them. They're immature and shallow and probably not people you would want as sisters anyway.

GPA - GPA is always going to be harder when you're smaller, just due to law of averages. To get the sisters more motivated, start giving little rewards for different things related to scholarship each week - like who didn't miss any classes, who got an A on a test, who has the highest GPA in their major etc. Just little stuff like notepads and pencils. That might work better than having mandatory study hours. Everyone has their own ways/times of
studying and 7-9 every Tuesday might not be conducive to some people's way of doing things. However, if you are required to have the mandatory hours, go to the QUIET ROOM in the campus library - not the sorority house. If it's always full, go to the public library in town if it's nearby. And have people sign in when they enter. The key is to have it be about studying & not socializing, and in an appropriate atmosphere. The way my sorority house was set up, I wouldn't have wanted to go to study hours there either - they would have been a waste of time. We didn't have proper lighting or enough space to fit us all in there.

Sisters behaving badly - have someone close to them mention to them that a lot of sisters are concerned about their behavior. If they don't respond, bring them up in front of standards. However, before you do that, look at the stage they are at in their lives first. If everyone you are talking about is a senior, and the sorority is now composed primarily of freshmen and sophomores, it is going to cause a LOT of bad blood. Not to mention it might severely upset your younger alums who are most likely good friends with these girls. If it's something you can put up with for 5 months, it might be best to hold your tongue. Maybe now you see these girls as being drunken pains, but you have known them for 5 months, and they have been members in the sorority for 3-4 years. Look at what they did those years too, not just their actions since you have known them. Plus it would look really bad to the rest of the campus - "did you hear about XYZ? They kicked all the seniors out." It wouldn't have been there for you to join if they hadn't held it together. I am not saying give girls carte blanche because they are seniors, but I had to see one of my good friends get raked over the coals because her values didn't jibe with those of the newer sisters...no one was right or wrong, and someone who would bleed for her sorority was prosecuted needlessly.

Don't wait till next fall to get more girls in the chapter!! Open bid, open bid, open bid. There are a LOT of wonderful women out there who would be great additions to any chapter, but they don't want to put up with formal rush. This includes your "non-greek" friends, there are a lot of people out there who say they are anti-greek when really they are just anti-formal rush. Try having informal open rush parties once or twice a month. It's early enough in the semester to have a pledge class. Plus, if your school and nationals allows it, you can give a woman a bid in March or April and then she can begin pledging in the fall.