Opinion about weak chapters...

[irishpipes]

Hi everybody! I am new to this website so bear with me...

I was reading some old threads, and I was wondering what your opinion is about AOII's chapters which close. I think our expansion team does a great job making presentations and getting us on new campuses. In fact, I assisted with the presentation at Chi Theta chapter (Northeastern State University, Tahlequah, Oklahoma) a few years back. I wonder though, if AOII should be allocating more resources to helping chapters from going under. It concerns me that we lose so many! My younger sisters are Kappas and they just rarely if ever close a chapter.

I know that back when I was in college, my chapter was very solid but then later in the mid 90s they had a bad spell and HQ sent a CC to help get them back on track. I don't think they've ever regained the great reputation they once had, but their numbers are good and the house is in no danger at all. I wonder if HQ does this for all endangered chapters? I don't think so because so often members seem shocked to find out a chapter is closing.

[aopirose]

Welcome to Greek Chat! It is always nice to have a new sister join us.

In regard to your OT, I can assure you that AOII does all it can to make sure that our chapters receive the utmost attention. Our revised organizational structure and the new positions created are designed to do just that. The Fraternity is also planning to roll-out some new programs at convention this summer which is very exciting.

The decision to close a chapter is never taken lightly and it’s not like it happens everyday. The chapter in question is generally placed on Special Status to correct the problem and assigned additional Fraternity support to assist them. The length of Special Status depends on the nature of the problem. Only when the problem cannot be resolved is the difficult decision made to put the Charter in Trust. There are very few instances where I can see that chapter members did not know it was coming. However, when the event actually occurs, it is very traumatic for all involved.

I agree that Kappa’s active chapter:closed chapter ratio is very impressive. No other NPC group can compare in that regard. All we or any other organization can do is capitalize on our strengths and work on our weaknesses. I think that we are making great strides.

Roses.

[OleMissGlitter]

Totally agreed aopirose.

I know that AOII works hard to help chapters in need. I think it also is imperative that alumnae (like us) are involved with our nearest chapter and our initiated chapter. I know for Nu Beta not that many alumnae stay in Oxford so it is nice to have alumnae come in for recruitment, initiations, sisterhood events, etc., from other areas like Memphis, New Orleans, Jackson, MS, Atlanta, etc.

It is all about creating a bond early on and keeping the alumnae from your chapter involved and up to date on what's going on. I know if any of our alumnae knew our chapter was not doing well they would be here to help us out. I feel like AOII IHQ does that as well and they do it well. AOII is not about having the biggest chapter, the prettiest girls, etc, but about having the best members during college years and after college.

[AOIIalum]

Originally posted by OleMissGlitter
It is all about creating a bond early on and keeping the alumnae from your chapter involved and up to date on what's going on. I know if any of our alumnae knew our chapter was not doing well they would be here to help us out. I feel like AOII IHQ does that as well and they do it well. AOII is not about having the biggest chapter, the prettiest girls, etc, but about having the best members during college years and after college.

Well said! Especially after college. We're preaching to the choir here, as most of the AOII alums on this site are actively involved alumna volunteers. The key is reaching our current collegiate sisters, to help educate and set the example that AOII is really for a lifetime. When we achieve that, I believe all of our collegiate chapters will shine even brighter than they do now.

I really believe that alumnae relations are crucial for collegiate chapter success. IMHO it would be almost impossible for a collegiate chapter to survive without a strong alumnae support base, no matter how much International support is provided. AOII has made amazing strides in improving our collegiate chapter support options in the past few years and hope this trend continues.

[irishpipes]

I certainly did not mean to ruffle any feathers with my post. One of my very best friends is from Theta chapter which has closed. I am of the opinion that women from struggling chapters are sometimes the best AOIIs because they really appreciate the fraternity values. If they didn't, they wouldn't have stuck it out when things were rough. I was just concerned that we seem to close chapters somewhat frequently.

From my own experience, I moved far away from my collegiate chapter, and I would NEVER have guessed that it would EVER run into problems because it was one of the tops on campus (by the typical "outsider" ideas - we had big numbers and very successful, popular girls - please don't take that to mean that I think this is all that matters...) Anyway, one of my pledge sisters has a younger sister who pledged several years after us and she was there for the "trouble." If she hadn't told us, I would never have known that apparently we came close to going off campus. I wish I had been notified that there was trouble because I would have certainly tried to assist in any way I could, and considering I live hundreds of miles away, that would have been financially... Anyway, I am just saying that maybe things should be more up front. The only way we really know that a chapter has closed (or is having its charter held in trust) is that it falls off the directory listing the next year. I think alumnae might be willing to help aid an ailing chapter if they knew about it before it is too late. Maybe that is wishful thinking... if they really cared the chapter probably wouldn't be in trouble to begin with!

I guess the fraternity doesn't want to advertise any problems it is having, but I just feel awful for women whose chapters have closed. I was just hoping there was a way to avoid it as much as possible.

[aopirose]

My feathers aren’t ruffled. I just don’t share your opinion about the Fraternity because my perspective is different. I have worked with Ruby chapters and those that need extra attention and still do. My alumnae chapter also has ten other International Volunteers, a couple are from closed chapters, who work with both alumnae and collegiate chapters. For some of these ladies, you would swear that AOII is a full-time job because they travel so much.

Glitter and AOIIAlum hit it on the head when they infer that alumnae should remember and keep their vows. Alumnae shouldn’t wait for the collegiate chapter to make the first move. Call up the CA and see what’s going on. My collegiate chapter puts out excellent newsletters to keep us informed. If they have a specific request, believe me, it’s in the newsletter and we respond. They couldn’t be a Ruby chapter if we didn’t provide the extras so that they could work on their goals. We give them less to worry about.

In regard to Special Status chapters, you are right. Some of their problems could have been resolved by informing their alumnae much earlier. However, they didn’t think that they had a problem until the bottom fell out. The problem was years in the making and it wasn’t going to be resolved overnight. Once an action plan is created and the chapter sticks to it, they can get out. It may take some time but the Fraternity is willing to provide the extra support. However, there comes a point where it is no longer feasible to do so. We do close chapters and it’s terribly painful. It’s not everyday but it needs to be done.

If you would like to discuss this further, you can PM or e-mail me.

[irishpipes]

Thanks for your reply. I sent you a pm.

[AOIIalum]

Originally posted by aopirose
Once an action plan is created and the chapter sticks to it, they can get out. It may take some time but the Fraternity is willing to provide the extra support. However, there comes a point where it is no longer feasible to do so. We do close chapters and it’s terribly painful. It’s not everyday but it needs to be done.

My feathers weren't ruffled, either. To be quite honest, I'm really enjoying everyone's thoughts.

I've seen what can be achieved when a collegiate chapter who has been on various "Special status" designations creates an action plan, implements it, and regularly reviews it. It takes time, like aopirose said, they didn't get there overnight and they won't resolve it overnight either.

When a collegiate chapter implements an action plan--and keeps the lines of communication open with its AAC, area alumnae (as needed and as appropriate) and their Network and International support personnel--I'd bet that 9+ times out of 10 the chapter achieves their goals. If a collegiate chapter in this situation does not implement and follow through on an appropriate action plan, I'd guess they would not be as successful.

[aoiikristi]

Originally posted by irishpipes
I don't think so because so often members seem shocked to find out a chapter is closing.

If alums are shocked to find out that their chapter is closing, it's usually because they weren't involved, which in many cases is why they close in the first place.
I really believe that the #1 reason that chapters close is lack of alumnae support. Someone mentioned Kappa--they have a VERY strong alum base.
Of course there are other reasons, such as bad judgements on the part of the campus, but if the alumnae support is strong, they can usually head this off.

[AOIIgirl04]

Hi everyone, I am new to this but I was reading this post about weak chapters and I am currently a member of what you might call a "weak AOII chapter" We have had a lot of trouble the past few years, and each year the pledge class gets smaller and smaller (way below quota) and many of us are really worried about whether our chapter will still be around when we are alumni.

As we are so small, everyone is really close and all the members are amazing in that they have stuck with the sorority through the tough times and I really feel that they are dedicated and we have been working really hard to try and get more members. We have pretty good alumni relations and have already appealed to our alumni who have been AMAZING in help and donations etc. My question to all of you then is what other suggestions do you have for us to become a more "competitive sorority" against the many other sororities on campus in recruiting new members?

Thanks!

[AOIIalum]

Originally posted by AOIIgirl04
My question to all of you then is what other suggestions do you have for us to become a more "competitive sorority" against the many other sororities on campus in recruiting new members?

Thanks!

Hi and welcome to GC!

I'm sure you'll get plenty of ideas. If your chapter hasn't already asked your CA/AAC and NS for help please do so. There's no reason to reinvent the wheel! Conducting a brutally honest chapter assessment can help show your chapter what you are doing and what you are doing well--along with what you need to focus upon.

1. Set goals and make sure they are REALISTIC and measurable. Chapters do not become "weak" overnight, therefore, they do not grow to be "strong" overnight either.

Other general ideas that might help:

1. Get actively involved with your local Panhellenic and within the greek system. The more people you know, the more people who will know about AOII.

2. Encourage each sister to get actively involved with at least one other non-AOII/Greek activity on campus. Again, the more people you know...also, this is an outstanding way to meet women who may be interested in learning more about sororities.

3. Spend time together doing "non-mandatory" things. Go as a group to campus events, to dinner or the movies, etc. Truly getting to know each other will help to strengthen the chapter.

4. Invite your non-AOII friends to join you whenever appropriate. Study hours, intramural events, coffee breaks, whatever. The whole "make a friend, introduce them to your friends, introduce them to AOII" plan in action. It's a beautiful thing.

5. Invite your non-AOII friends to join AOII.

6. Repeat as necessary

[OleMissGlitter]

Also, you might want to go over the International Membership Selection Process, are you setting your goals and what you want in a new member too high or too low?

I also think something what works is to have a good PR program. Get AOII's name out there by having members involved in campus organizations, church organizations, and local community organziations.

At Nu Beta, we do something called, Women of Excellence banquet each spring. It is a simple banquet that honors women of the community, university, athlete, church, Greek life, etc. and you put ads in your school newspaper advertising the banquet and to come and pick up applications at the AOII house (or whatever type of housing you have) and then your LC or Chapter decides on the women they want to honor. Have a simple banquet, we have our's during a sit down chapter dinner, and honor these womens with a rose and a simple plaque. Nu Beta has been doing this for about 7 years now and it works well. I have also seen some of the recipients put this on their resume like it says, Alpha Omicron Pi Woman of Excellence Winner. How amazing is that?

Also, is your chapter receiving help from a MRC from Headquarters? If not talk to your chapter adviser because those women are highly tranined in recruitment and after recruitment plans for COR and they are amazing tools for chapters.

[aopirose]

Excellent suggestions! I also want to add that PR is important at home too. Besides wearing your letters and such, talk up AOII's accomplishments with family, friends and neighbors. If your local paper allows, submit a photo and/or article. As an example, Suzie is Chairman of this year's Strike Out Arthritis! Send a picture and short write up to Suzie's hometown paper about SOA and Suzie's involvement. When Family Day rolls around, take pictures of everyone from "Their Town." Submit pictures with no more than eight or so people to "Their Town" paper. Don't forget to include a write up about the day and AOII.

Another aspect to remember is that membership retension is just as important as new member recruitment. Sometimes we tend to forget that.

[Beryana]

(Welcome back Tania!!)

Having been an advisor for a chapter that went through a VERY successful reorganization (Beta Gamma), my advice is to work with your advisors, CNS, local alumnae, etc. I heartily agree with Christin that you need to get involved outside the chapter as a chapter. Get REALLY involved in you Panhel - the other chapters on campus ARE going to support and help you!!

Another thing to remember is that with recruitment is that smaller chapters can be intimidating to rushees and being seen involved with other chapters and such is ALWAYS a good thing - as opposed to JUST doing things as a chapter with the chapter.

Sarah

[aopirose]

Thanks Sarah!