What do you think?

[SweetestDiva]

Okay... all this is, of course, completely hypothetical.

Say you were interested in a particular org, and at the suggestion of a friend who is a member, you begin attending their service projects each week. At every informational, the importance of community service is highly stressed - it is after all, a service organization. So suppose that over the three months you've been participating in this project, the only people showing up every week are you and maybe 4 or 5 members. And you know the chapter is somewhere between 30-40 people... what would you think? Any advice for someone who might be feeling a little discouraged? IF this happened, I mean.

Seriously though, I saw a topic in the DST forum called "No Projects, No Membership?" and started thinking of my own experiences. I totally agree that it's important, vital even, for interests to attend programs and do community service, but isn't it just as important once you're a member? What do you think?

[amycat412]

Its absolutely important to attend-- but, speaking from my own experience--

I've tried to arrange different social groups and different service groups amongst women I know, friends, co-workers, friends and co-workers of those friends and co-workers, and what I've found is this:

Interest and enthusiasm is huge. But participation, not so much. MY book club for example boasts a roster of 15. 4 or 5 show up consistently. I find that most people have a hard time or are unwilling to work these extracirriculars into their already busy lives. Other people have the best intentions but are plain flaky.

Make sense?

Amy

[This message has been edited by amycat412 (edited March 24, 2001).]

[NUPE4LIFE]

This all comes down to what you are looking for in an organization. If you've gone to service projects held by this organization and the majority of it's chapter members are not present, then you have a problem. It shows you how much they hold service as an intrigal part of their philanthropic efforts. Most if not all GLOs were founded on a principle of giving back to it's community and helping those in need. So you would think that service would be an important aspect of the chapter programs. It also tells me that they are not living up to the dream and standards set by it's founders and members that came before them. So if you strongly see things this way, you can choose to seek membership in other ways. Is this an NPHC organization? If so, you could go the graduate route. The downside to this is that this could be your best chance for membership. In saying that, there's is the option of sticking with the way things are now and not worry that the members don't support their own projects. I mean if this is your best chance for membership, and you feel confident that you could be invited for membership you might want to go for it. The downside to this is, if you get offered membership it seems like you'll be in a small minority of sorors who are doing all the work in chapter. Let me tell you, that can be stressful as hell. I mean you can't make the organization your whole life. You have school, possibly work, and other friends and family. Let's not forget about you. You don't want to get stuck with all the work. You will get real tired, real quick. If I were in your shoes, trust me I'd finda another way into the organization. These girls don't sound like they care much about what the organization is really about. They sound like a bunch of t-shirt wearers. And believe me, other greeks on the yard know. I wouldn't want to be associated with the likes of those types. Trust me, anything good is worth waiting for. You want to have a positive experience in greek life. I don't think you'll find it with this chapter. In closing remember this: The organization is bigger, and much greater than one little chapter. Nationally, the organzation I'm sure is living it's purpose. I hope I was of some help.

------------------
KAPPA ALPHA PSI FRATERNITY, INC.
SPR 97
XI LAMBDA

[This message has been edited by NUPE4LIFE (edited March 24, 2001).]

[SweetestDiva]

Originally posted by amycat412:
MY book club for example boasts a roster of 15. 4 or 5 show up consistently. I find that most people have a hard time or are unwilling to work these extracirriculars into their already busy lives. Other people have the best intentions but are plain flaky.

Make sense?

Amy

[This message has been edited by amycat412 (edited March 24, 2001).]

Amycat... I appreciate your response and understand what you're saying. However, I think there's a little bit of a difference between participation in a book club and in BGLO service projects, for the basic reason that service is the underlying purpose of ALL BGLOs, regardless of their individual targets/thrusts. And as Nupe4Life said, I'm sure the other greeks know about it - I'd heard it but refused to believe it! If you know you have a lot of conflicts and a hectic schedule, maybe joining a BGLO isn't for you. I have a job, a 16 hour course load, and belong to a lot of organizations.. but I make time for the service because:
1. This org is in my heart, no doubt about it.
2. I have come to love everything and everyone involved in the service project we do!
For these girls to encourage interests to participate in the projects and then not show up themselves just seems a little shady to me.

Edited because I forgot to thank you, N4L... yes, you were of help! I realize that the org is bigger than one chapter, and if things don't look up, I will just have to patient and wait for a grad chapter. I just always have these visions of going in and making a huge difference in this particular chapter, but I know it takes more than just a few people. I guess that's why I'm feeling so dejected about it... I'll admit that I went initially to substantiate my interest, but I REALLY REALLY love the kids we work with, so I guess all I can keep doing is what I'm doing now. Sorry for the long post, y'all.


[This message has been edited by SweetestDiva (edited March 24, 2001).]

[AKA2D '91]

Sweetest Diva...

Are you participating in other projects this chapter sponsors?

The reason why I am asking is because this chapter could have more than one project going on AND those "other" members could participate there. I am just playing devil's advocate, cause I don't know what is actually happening.

I know since I have joined my chapter, I found that only certain ones have participated in certain activities. I mean you cannot really participate in EVERYTHING and expect to keep "home" together (family, friends, "friends", relatives, etc). That is not necessarily a bad thing. Maybe this is the case with these members.

If you attended EVERY project that the chapter has and STILL only 4 or 5 showed up THEN, flags should go up.

Let's just hope that those members are out there doing their service.

[SweetestDiva]

AKA2D, There are only 2 service projects that are ongoing and consistent, and some that are announced randomly ever so often. There's the one I participate in, and then another that was given as an option if you couldn't make it to the first. One week when that was the case for me, I attended the 2nd option... and only 1 member was there - according to her, she's the only one there pretty much every week. Since it's been known that I'm interested, I've made some great friends within the chapter and they're all really nice girls, but it's just disheartening when the ones who suggest I go never show up themselves. Maybe I'm overreacting (it ain't all that uncommon ).. I don't know.

[onesavvydiva]

Originally posted by SweetestDiva:
AKA2D, There are only 2 service projects that are ongoing and consistent, and some that are announced randomly ever so often. There's the one I participate in, and then another that was given as an option if you couldn't make it to the first. One week when that was the case for me, I attended the 2nd option... and only 1 member was there - according to her, she's the only one there pretty much every week. Since it's been known that I'm interested, I've made some great friends within the chapter and they're all really nice girls, but it's just disheartening when the ones who suggest I go never show up themselves. Maybe I'm overreacting (it ain't all that uncommon ).. I don't know.

LOL @ my sistafriend...I thought it was a 'HYPOTHETICAL' situation?!?!? LOL, it's all love though! But I think that N4L gave some wonderful advice to you, and if you think about it and you aren't totally comfortable...or see the 'flags go up', then maybe you should wait and try to pursue grad membership. However, I also wanted to present another aspect, maybe if you are a motivater, and you DO decide to go ahead and pursue undergrad...maybe if/when you are extended membership, you could use your skills and love to help get the chapter more active as far as service projects go. Just a thought!

Diva


[This message has been edited by onesavvydiva (edited March 24, 2001).]