MTG's,Frustrations,How much work do you do?

[UKDaisy]

Okay girls and guys, here's the deal. My sorority thinks we do a lot of heavy work all the time. By that I mean meetings, service, and random social activities. Meetings normally run an hour after band practice, so I understand why some girls are very anti-meeting. And this week is Homecoming, and for the first time we are participating in the "WildCat Cup" (which involves painting a window, service project, 5K walk/run, gala, etc). But when I look at the schedule on some of the greeks websites I get floored! Some of you kick butt!!! And do it all the time!!! So my question to all of you is - how on earth do I get my girls excited, and not so frustrated?

[AchtungBaby80]

Do you have enough members so that you could just divide them up and have each group attend a different event? That's sort of what we did...of course, most people wanted to go anyway just because it was fun so we always had a pretty good turnout (especially to paint the windows), but for the things that were a little less exciting, we just designated a group of members to go. Maybe your sisters aren't really excited because this is the first year you're participating and they don't realize that it's more fun than work.

Oh, and the meetings...everyone always gripes about meetings, no matter what. That's just how it goes. We could miss 2 meetings a semester, but after that we got fined...that did a pretty good job of keeping meeting attendance up.

[GeekyPenguin]

One thing that my chapter did for Homecoming Week and Greek Week was have a sign-up sheet for events. Once you put your name down there, you were committed to going, and not showing up meant getting scolded at minimum and a standards hearing at worse. One thing they really worked on this year that is helping them is making things fun. Instead of saying "We have to have at least 12 girls show up to Games" they'll say "OK, 12 girls get to participate in Games! Who wants to do it?" It's amazing how much a little change in attitude like that can help.

[Starlet]

I agree with GeekyPenguin. For all big events, esp. Homecoming and Greek Week, we always just post sign-up sheets for events and sisters sign up for whatever they want to participate in. However, everyone always wants to come out and support those sisters in the events, so participation was never really a problem.

I know that didn't help much with how to get your sisters motivated, but I'm sure once you start participating in all the events, everyone will see how much fun it is and will want to attend everything. Good luck!!!

[DGMarie]

UKDaisy,

I remember TBS meetings after band practice and I remember the feeling of "I wish this was over bec I'm pooped and I have homework to do." Also, in the summer, we really felt and looked gross after practice (it was South Carolina after all and hotter than you know what).

One thing we tried to do was really limit what we covered as a group at chapter meetings. We had about 50 members when I was active and key groups would break off and report back. Now in the age of the internet (didn't have it when I was an active) you can post updates on a website and avoid discussions that are mostly FYI in nature.

Maybe schedule some meetings at lunch time during the week instead of after practice. Most people could come, probably (don't make it mandatory for those with class obviously). Wear jerseys and meet somewhere in the cafeteria on campus and show spirit.

As for sign ups and getting people motivated. Well, we didn't do any activity outside of band stuff bec band was huge for us (we had like 300 people in band). Oh, wait, we did do crop walk for hunger but that was one time per year. Otherwise we were swamped. You might have to either split up your group or cut back on non band activities, especially during marching season. Or maybe recruit some non TBS sisters to attend fun functions and activities with you. It will allow you to participate without stretching yourself thin and maybe do a little good PR for recruitment purposes. One of the things that hurts a group is when non members only see you working your butt off.

my two cents.

Marie
TBS: EX 1988-1990
"We come together one and all with music in our hearts...."

[UKDaisy]

Thanks girls for your helpful input! It makes me feel a lot better to know these issues aren't just in my chapter.