Struggles?

[ZChi4Life]

Being involved in a up and coming org can definitely have it's ups and downs. I know that as a Founder of my chapter, we've definitely had our share of growing pains. What are some struggles your chapter or org has faced and how did you all get through them? Post whatever you feel comfortable sharing.

For those who are involved in more nationally (been around for eons! ) known orgs, you are also welcomed to share your struggles too!

[This message has been edited by ZChi4Life (edited June 24, 2001).]

[DGPhoney]

greeat post zchi....
I would have to say struggle wise is sometimes commitement, sometimes people want stuff just handed down and want the work to be magically done. But if you work hard it changes it's self around
DGPhoney

[Eirene_DGP]

Yeah, we all know about people who want to get an organization on-campus, but when it comes down to getting work done it seems like times really get tough. Congratulations to all of you out there who have new chapters this semester.

[KSigkid]

I think it's probably that way with every chapter, with every organization. There's going to be people who want things to just get done magically - they're not always willing to put the time/energy into it that's needed, and not willing to admit when something is being done wrong. It goes in cycles - somehow though, if you've got committed people, it all works itself out.

[hilbilymel]

Problems we have are always staying about the same size not really growing (20 members). So people have to pitch in a lot and by the time they work hard all 4 years they are burnt out and don't want to be involved as alumni. Also sometimes people work too hard for a couple of years as members and get burnt out and we don't have any early alumni policy so they quit and are just gone forever.

Also I don't think we have done a very good job expanding to other campuses or taking care of the chapters we do have but I'm not sure what what the international board should do or how it should be set up differently to improve this.

I'm from Ceres Women's Fraternity

[ansturge]

Well i helped found my chapter in 98

and I have seen the cycles -- I guess the problem we have had the last couple of years is Low morale

the founding sisters were so Close - and we didnt have a problem putting the chapter's interests above our own
lately though we have been reduced to power struggles and power trips

It sucks and I am totally burned out

it is sooooo depressing

Instead of closeness and sisterhood -- it just feels like another club on campus

The leaders (and i used to be one) want to fine people for everything instead of trying to figure out why no one wants to come to functions anymore.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH

ok i am gonna cry now

[Tom Earp]

Oh yes It do get Tuff! I am going through a period when the chapter just does not seem to get it! I started it as a local.

I am sometimes ready to dissafiliate with my chapter and affiliate with several I keep in contact with! But my heart is still with mine!

It does take a lot of hard work and sometimes your head gets musshy from beating it against a stone wall! It is the 20 % that do the work and 80 % that ride along!

[SilverTurtle]

This is a really good topic! I don't know that everyone would consider Phi Beta "up & coming", since it's been around since 1912 and had a ton of chapters over the years... but we're down to 4 collegiates and probably about 10 actually active alumni chapters.
Not that size matters, because I love Phi Beta and wouldn't trade it for any other greek experience! Just trying to give a feel for its situation. Anyway..

From a national stand-point, I can say that we (nationals) see a lot of these problems that everyone's listed. The fact is, you can't motivate someone to do something really, they have to motivate themself (whatever their reason). With a small group of dedicated people (even only 4 or 5 of you), you can keep things going and hopefully pass on your enthusiasm and dedication to at least that many underclassmen. All chapters have cycles- from barely active to the best on campus. You really have to stick with it. You also have to know what things to change and what is important to maintain the same as always.

What I really wanted to add, though, is that in my own experience, nationally we've lacked in aiding new chapters. Not because we don't want to, but because we're not always prepared for what they need. It had been about 10 years since our last chapter was chartered when the most recent one came about. Luckily, our current national prez was one of the founders of that last new chapter! She could kind of guide us to give the new chapter what they needed to get off the ground. We're still fine-tuning things, and working out exactly what our new members need from us.

If you're in a new chapter, or an older one, that's struggling, and you have a national... ask for help! Trust me, the reason you're not getting it is probably because they just don't know you need it.

I think the hardest part about being new is you don't have nearly the resources as other organizations that have been around for 100+ years (financial, experience, knowledge, etc.)

[BootyKBG]

As being a founding member this year as well as a VP, we've seen a lot of struggles in people saying they are going to do stuff and then not follow through. One of the biggest problems has been with certain e-board members, who seems to enjoy the title without putting in the effort they need to. We are in the process of putting together new policies for our group too, the biggest right now being academics and study hours for our chapter (well, soon to be official chapter Mar. 23rd) and some people do not understand why they need to participate. "I"m here every sunday, I've come to just about everything else, why do I need to do this??!"
One possible future struggle for us may be in numbers. Our campus doesn't have much of a greek-life focus....we only have two fraternities and three other sororities, and most of them have been having problems keeping numbers up. So far though, we have been doing really good, competing in numbers with the largest of the other three sororities.

[BootyKBG]

Well its the end of the semester, so our biggest struggles are improving for next year. (PS...I was voted in as President for next year last night!) Almost half of our chapter is leaving and we're now down to six girls to start the new semester off. (anyone have advice on working with a tiny chapter and/or helping it seriously grow?) I don't feel like the morale of the group is that great right now and its kind of discouraging, although I have tons of ideas for improvement for next year. We'll also be facing our first official rush (which will be interesting as I never went through rush, being a founding sister). The upcoming semester will pretty much decide how well we survive as a chapter! does anyone else sense the weight on my shoulders? Good thing I love it so much!

[Kevin]

Been there! Sounds very familiar.

Don't worry though.... Plan!

Just be yourselves and you will get lots of nice ladies that compliment your group.

LHT
Kevin
MT #5
University of Central Oklahoma