your input on panhellenic problem

[PrincessHeather]

I couldn't decide if this belonged in Rush, here, or somewhere else... (its gonna be long. sorry!)

Anyway, Here is what is going on:

I attend a smaller school with only two national sororities. We have had our problems with panhellenic because a lot of our problems are approached as 'us against them' situations. We are really trying to work with the other national, but the two groups are very different. One of our biggest differences deals with recruitment. We are trying really hard but here is some background:

ABC always takes quota. And with a campus total of 35, the chapter hits that number either through formal or with COB in the spring. XYZ has never taken quota. This last fall was the largest group of women they have taken during formal. They are also very close to total for the first time. (which is awesome!)

Our Panhel's Constitution and Bylaws were edited and given to the chapters at the end of the fall semester. It was passed by one group and then not passed by the other (due to one section). That section is in our Bylaws regarding COB. Since Panhellenic's inception at my school COB has started the second Monday after formal recruitment. Well the change was to move it up to the Monday directly following formal recruitment in the fall. The reason it was not passed by ABC chapter was because of various reasons.

ABC feels the other does not fully devote themselves to recruitment. ABC works really hard at formal recruitment. In the past it has been so bad that PNMs didn't understand what ABC meant when ABC would to talk about XYZ while recruiting out in the quad (as in: their philanthropy is this, their meetings are on mondays, and etc.) Then at rush parties the PNMs would state, "I didn't even know that their were two national sororities".

One year XYZ was not out in the quad during formal recruitment but in the same year two weeks later, XYZ went all out with COB. They work really hard at COB. They had matching shirts, flyers, posters, and sisters constantly in the quad during the start of COB. This wouldn't be a problem if the same approach was used during formal recruitment. XYZ says that they hate doing COB, but the way they present themselves to ABC makes the other group think otherwise.

By ABC voting no on the change in COB, they are being accused of inhibiting XYZ's recruitment. Is this true? This has been stated by the XYZ chapter and by the panhellenic advisor.
But...Wouldn't XYZ be hurting ABC also, by not helping during formal recruitment?

XYZ's main argument is that their rules are really strict on who they can give bids to, so they can't take many people during formal recruitment.

Along with the new changes, there was a proposition to impose a fine to any chapter that does not have members at the panhellenic tables during informal and formal recruitment. It was passed by both groups. Now, that there is this huge discussion (that has been going on since Feb.) about COB, XYZ decided they want to change their vote for the fining. They don't think it is right, because their chapter does not fine. (yet they passed this a month earlier)

So my questions are:
When does your school's COBing start? (the green book says it can occur anywhere after the week and no later than the 3 weeks after formal recruitment. I am almost 100% positive on that)

What ideas do you have to get the other national involved with formal recruitment?

And do you think it is right for the other national to change their mind on changes they have already passed? What can panhellenic do to fix this problem?

Both groups Nationals have been contacted on the issue. Both Nationals have talked together about the issue. Most likely it looks like ABC is going to have to let COB be moved up by a week. Which, in spirit is fine, because you want all groups to grow and have members but you want things to be fair.