Hey GreekChat,
I think this is my first post. I have been lurking and searching the boards like you guys always tell people to do when they post a question that has been asked over and over. I have learned a lot from the past threads but I still have a specific issue I'd like to pose for your assistance...
...I am in the process of forming an interest group for a national non-NPC organization. In the 6 months or so I have been carrying out this mission I have:

Had my vp resign;she joined another organization

Encountered numerous struggles with the office for student organizations. We finally got recognized as a registered student organization just last week!

Been shut out by the council that we need to get accepted into in order to proceed with any expansion plans. The council recently expanded and will not even
consider expanding again until the orgs the let in become full members.

Tried my best to motivate others in the group to stay the course but slowly one by one people started dropping out of the group...some for legitimate reasons some a little more ambiguous reasons (how is it that you can't make a 30-45 minute meeting , but you got pictures at the university yacht party the same weekend?)...Anyway out of the 6 girls we started with at the beginning of the semester ...we are now down to 4 ladies and 1 is graduating this summer. The other two ladies do not really respond to me when I send out notices for meetings the and will RSVP they can't make it...but this is the time we all agreed upon at the start.
So..I've pretty much thrown my hands up and said fine! I started this on my own so I can surely start OVER on my own. I arranged my own informations, made a PP presentation and sent out invitations to classmates, other student organization and womens' groups, and posted on public bulletin boards. I gotten a response from 3 main girls and have met with 1. I have a formal membership process mapped out which I hope will help them to fully understand all the work that will be involved both as student org and a potential colony.
So I've said all that to ask this...once I do...hopefully..rebuild this interest group how do I ensure that people will not drop out as we continue to wait the 1-1.5 years it may take for the council to open

It's a long tough job and I want to be certain that I find women that are up for the challenge and support each other through the struggles. Is this an unreasonable expectation? GreekChat, I look forward to your feedback.
WannaB3