Chapter Morale

wsulindz · #1 02-21-2006, 08:24 PM

My chapter isn't one of the best on campus. (Not the worst either though.) Lately we've been having a huge problem with morale in the chapter. People are constantly bad-mouthing each other. I mean, it's gotten to the point where many people are thinking of this as more of a place to live than a sisterhood. It's depressing and many people want to drop. Activity involvement is also dropping. No one ever wants to go to Chapter or anything like that. Ridiculous excuses are made. Does anyone have any ideas on how to get us to want to be more involved, treat each other better and just improve our chapter overall? It's getting to be just depressing.

Coramoor · #2 02-21-2006, 08:32 PM

Most orgs have something along the lines of a ceremony or ritual that is sort of a way to constructively critisize and get problems out in the air.

Also, you probably know who most problems are stemming from. There is usually just a small group or click that causes them, so get them out. Drop them or tell them to leave or whatever.

grizzlyWG · #3 02-21-2006, 08:33 PM

First I need to tell you that on GreekChat they dont like to talk about good/bad.

But in all actuality, be more selective in recruitment, so instead of taking whoever wants a bid, take people who deserve bids. Also, its my opinion that if theres lots of drama in your chapter, then yall need to start taking things less seriously. I know being greek is for life and what you do effects your rep, etc, but i dont think if you were to laugh with the people bad mouthing you and others, instead of getting mad, that might help. As far as chapter involvement, fine them out the ass if they dont show, then take that money, donate some to a charity, and then take some and have a band party. That will usually raise interest, if only for that one night.

Erik P Conard · #4 02-21-2006, 08:47 PM

disband

Kevin · #5 02-21-2006, 11:04 PM

lindz, are you a first year member?

It's spring, and this stuff happens.

Wait it out and see how things are after Fall rush. My guess is that they'll be different.

KSUViolet06 · #6 02-21-2006, 11:04 PM

It's teambuilding workshop time. See if you can put together a day of activities for you guys to sort of reconnect (I couldn't think of a better word, sorry) with each other. To be clear, it doesn't involve focus on the problems, but more on looking at what you DO have. If you aren't sure what to include, talk to your advisors. I'm sure your HQ has some programs to use during teambuilding/retreats. We had one in Jan. and it was really helpful in getting the morale back up after the holiday break.

Some things you can do immediately to help:

*DO NOT feed into the drama. If someone tells you some gossip about another sister, IGNORE IT. Don't even bother passing it on. It won't help.

*Schedule some neat sisterhoods. If those aren't usually well attended in your chapter, then ask the chapter for suggestions. We did a 'Death by Chocolate' sisterhood that was suggested by the chapter and it was a big hit.

*Really think about the types of women you're letting into your chapter. That's important.

KDMafia · #7 02-21-2006, 11:13 PM

I think the best course of action depends on what the real problems our.

My chapter was in a rough spot when i first joined. We were in the middle of active change and teh sorority was divided between the girls who would go out and drink and had sex(not slutty but just in general) vs the girls who viewed that anyone who did that was irresponsible and could never be an assest.

We had chapter meeting where we all got to talk things out. Things started to change more when certain points, such as some of the biggest partiers in the house had the highest GPAs. There were still some people who refused to pen their eyes and accept everyone but eventually through work and understanding we bonded and learned how to not recruit judgemental people.

33girl · #8 02-22-2006, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by grizzlyWG
First I need to tell you that on GreekChat they dont like to talk about good/bad.

But in all actuality, be more selective in recruitment, so instead of taking whoever wants a bid, take people who deserve bids. Also, its my opinion that if theres lots of drama in your chapter, then yall need to start taking things less seriously. I know being greek is for life and what you do effects your rep, etc, but i dont think if you were to laugh with the people bad mouthing you and others, instead of getting mad, that might help. As far as chapter involvement, fine them out the ass if they dont show, then take that money, donate some to a charity, and then take some and have a band party. That will usually raise interest, if only for that one night.

no mensa, we don't like unfounded opinions of who's "best" on campus.

Your answer makes a lot of sense, actually, except if they had a "band party" they'd get their charter yanked.

And Erik...don't be a jerk.

HotDamnImAPhiMu · #9 02-22-2006, 09:00 AM

Maybe they should haze each other. That would fix the problems they're having with sisterhood!

SydneyK · #10 02-22-2006, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 33girl
...except if they had a "band party" they'd get their charter yanked.

Really? Why?

We never had a band party, but that's because we never had the $$. We couldn't fine sisters for not attending events, so we couldn't use money from that. But, if we had been able to fine, then I imagine we might have been able to afford it. Maybe I'm just out of the loop regarding what's acceptable to purchase with fining funds since that was never an option.

AlphaFrog · #11 02-22-2006, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SydneyK
Really? Why?

We never had a band party, but that's because we never had the $$. We couldn't fine sisters for not attending events, so we couldn't use money from that. But, if we had been able to fine, then I imagine we might have been able to afford it. Maybe I'm just out of the loop regarding what's acceptable to purchase with fining funds since that was never an option.

I don't know if they're thinking about the same thing you are.

georgewallace3 · #12 02-22-2006, 09:45 AM

Yeah, why would they get yanked for having a band party? a band party is when you hire a good band or a good cover band to come and play at your house. They are standard here at Bama, usually only in the Fall, the night before a football game, and the night after the game is over.

Also, I agree with GrizzlyWG on the fines.....If they aren't comeing to chapter....fine the sh*t out of them.

Firehouse · #13 02-22-2006, 10:02 AM

This may help.
Chapters run on momentum. Gather a couple of your friends together who feel the same way you do, and lay out a plan. If you'll orchestrate a series of small wins for the chapter, it will effect morale dramatically.
A series of small wins might include, for instance: focusing on a competitive sport that the women can play well and enjoy supporting the chapter; choosing one girl and slotting her in a spot for student government elections; identify a fraternity philanthropy competition and win it. The point is to expose the chapter to winning, even small things, on a regular basis. It distracts the members from turning inward and sniping at each other.
"Wins" can come in a lot of different forms. They don't have to be significant at all, but they have to be frequent enough to indicate a trend and to keep the members pre-occupied. Your promotion of these things adds to the "value" of memebrship.
Don't tell anyone what you're doing, outside your close circle of friends who are on board. You'll notice a fairly quick turnaround. My experience has been that the problems you describe begin to develop as soon as a chapter starts to ignore the external world and focus on their own small irritations. You gave it away with your opening line "My chapter isn't one of the best on campus". The mindset inside a chapter where members think that way is often self-destructive. They don't compete and they don't win. Instead of "what am I proud of?" the question is, "What am I unhappy about?"
Give them a series of little wins and they'll come right out of it.

33girl · #14 02-22-2006, 10:20 AM

I'm guessing that the band parties usually have alcohol served at them. That's the issue, not the band itself.

georgewallace3 · #15 02-22-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 33girl
I'm guessing that the band parties usually have alcohol served at them. That's the issue, not the band itself.

For ours at Alabama, they are at our Fraternity House, and you can bring your own cooler, or you can get beer from one of our pledge vendors in the house, which is not open and you must go up and request one. Open beer troughs are illegal. We also have an officer that checks ID's for those bringing coolers.

But if a sorority was to have a band party, or any party for that matter, at a private location with security, whats wrong with serving alcohol?