Rush at UCSC - Page 57

SuperSister · #1 09-28-2002, 01:55 PM

My organization went through a period where we had a LOT of internal problems. It also worked out that semester that we didn't take any new members (and we're a small organization to start with). It turned out to be the best thing that could have happened. Not taking a class meant that we could focus on our issues and work to improve our sisterhood. We became a better group for it and when we did take a class we were able to give them the attention and effort that they deserved. I know what it can feel like to wind up not taking any new members but it can be a blessing too if you use it wisely.

Emily

Dianne · #2 09-30-2002, 11:45 AM

Corina, Don't freak out! If nothing else, things could always be worse. But overall, I think things will work out fine. NBO is a relatively new organization, so internal problems are nothing out of the ordinary. I have spent 2 years on executive council in my chapter, and even though our chapter is 30 years old, things still get tough. And rush is ALWAYS stressful - 100% of the time!! You could be the strongest organization on campus and rush will still make you want to rip your hair out!

As far as dealing with the problems, you've got to do it in an organized manner. If you and your sisters just get together and start mouthing off about what's wrong with NBO, the only thing you all will accomplish is hurting people's feelings, getting frustrated, and getting nowhere. It's ok to have an open forum - and I suggest it - but it must be conducted in an organized manner. Have the president make an agenda of issues that need to be addressed, and stick to the agenda. If someone is talking about an issue and gets onto another one, have the president stop her and save it for when you get to that particular issue. Or have everyone write anonymous notes to the president identifying the issues and that person's idea for solving them. Then have the president read them aloud when all of the sisters are present. If there are any questions that could be answered by your constitution, use it. And it may be that you may need to revise it. Being the secretary, I am like the Bylaws Nazi for our chapter. I enforce those things like they're the Bible. And do I catch hell for it? YES! But rules are rules. The main thing, though, is that you all must discuss whatever issues you have without getting too overemotional. I am sure things will work out. They always do. You have come so far. Just keep moving forward!

Good luck!

canadajen · #3 10-03-2002, 02:00 AM

Corina ... just wondering how things are going for you & NBO??have you heard anything from AXiD??

we miss you on here!

breathesgelatin · #4 10-03-2002, 10:31 PM

wow... i just read through this thing for the first time all the way through... it took a couple hours!

corina, let us know what's happening! i hope eveything works out! you and NBO have shown a lot of dedication.

LeslieAGD · #5 10-04-2002, 08:29 AM

Come out, come out, wherever you are...!
Hope everything's okay.

wishinhopin · #6 10-04-2002, 07:40 PM

No news yet....I promise to let you all know as soon as I hear anything good or bad.

theta sig agd · #7 10-05-2002, 01:32 AM

How is your COB ing going?

wishinhopin · #8 10-06-2002, 02:17 AM

Finally got word from AZD. Though they are impressed with us, they don't feel we are strong enough to colonize. They want us to make sure all of our members meet their GPA requirements, as well as stay active in the greek and local community, and raise our numbers up to 35 total members, ideally by April. This is essentially impossible in my mind right now. We can't even get ONE new member, let alone 20 plus. I know I shouldn't be sad about this, but I'm so disapointed. I feel like my whole greek experience has just been a series of setbacks, and I'll never get to what I'm aiming for. Maybe I want things that just aren't possible. I feel that we are completely alienated from the greek community at our school, we have no national support (which would have been a huge help for recruiting) and we are continously plagued with internal problems. Sometimes I don't remember what I'm even getting out of all this, besides tears and frustration. I know we won't be able to get to 35 by April, maybe not even by April of 2004, and then I'll graduate and I will have completely missed out on what I've been wanting for so bad for so long. I'm sorry this sounds so depressed, I'm just sad. More later.
Corina

Optimist Prime · #9 10-06-2002, 02:50 AM

Glitter650 · #10 10-06-2002, 03:06 AM

AWWWWW HANG IN THERE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I know you can do it you've come this far, and they haven't completely thrown you by the wayside... so I say take the challenge and see what you can do because so far I believe you've done some pretty unbelieveable things !!!!! I think if you tell people what your goal is and be open and upfront then you will be able to do it !!! Is it possible to get the list of woman who dropped out of G-Phis rush and invite them to some events and let them know what's going on ? Also just plaster where ever you can with fliers about your events and tell any one you see... if every sister brings in at least 1 girl (which isn't hard to do, so anyone who can't do that I think just hasn't been trying) then you can possibly double if you all like them and feel they fit !!

aephi alum · #11 10-06-2002, 08:56 AM

I'm sorry to hear it.

Keep in touch with your contacts at AZD... it sounds like they are interested in colonizing, just not quite yet.

Things can turn around more quickly than you think. My AEPhi colony doubled from 11 to 22 members in a single rush - and it was formal rush, when we were there alongside 4 well-established national sororities, each with 70+ members. So, it can be done.

I'm curious - what happened to AZD's plan to do a colonization from the ground up, hold interviews, and take in most if not all of NBO's members along with however many unaffiliated women they'd need for a viable chapter?

After reading leilanimoon's rush thread, I'm wondering if it seems to the unaffiliated women at your school that you'll just take anyone for "body count" rather than being selective, and they're getting turned off by that perception. I haven't really gotten a sense for how selective NBO is... it's just something to keep in mind. Nor should you cut women just for the sake of cutting... it's a fine line to walk, especially when you're small.

Try having a COB rush week later this semester, and maybe another one after the holidays, and see where that gets you. It may also be time to reopen the search and look at sororities other than AZD again. Just a thought.

Take care.

LeslieAGD · #12 10-06-2002, 10:16 AM

Corina, I am so sorry you are frustrated.

It's an extremely long thread, and I haven't read through the majority of it, but if someone could update me...Is AZD the only organization Corina is interested in, or the only one that was invited to campus, etc?

Pi Kapp 142 · #13 10-06-2002, 11:10 AM

Pin #1 in my chapter did not see our fraternity become chartered until after he graduated. Work on your rush. Take the fact that you gus are small and not well established and turn that into an advantage. Tell girls that they get to bein on the start of something, they get to start all of the traditions. Use he fact that everyone knows everyone. Try to show all of your enthusiasm, because that gets really contagious and al ot of girls ill want to be around when they see how gung ho you are. Look for girls in places you would otherwise not think to look. One of the best placesi rushed this year was in the library. I studied every night in there for a week (and still am) and looked for which guys kept soming back. By the end of the week I had found guys that were super into school and left them rush flyers with a hand written note on the back. Keep trying, I beleive that AZD would like to see you succeed, show them that it is woorth their time and effort.

theta sig agd · #14 10-06-2002, 11:21 AM

Corina,

Dont give up!!!! This is not a rejection!!! I can understand what they are saying. They acknowledge your hard work so far so just keep working hard.

First, Set standards!!! Try to set standards equal or better than AZD. Set standards such as GPA. Set standards and keep to them!!

Get organized! Organizing rush two days prior is going to show to the Potential new members....Plan NOW for your rush for next semester. Try to get your members parents involved. Also, maybe you could request help from AZD alums in the area. Let them know what AZD said about the requirements needed to colonize and when they hear about your hard work , the possiblity of expansion, and your enthusiasim they would be more likely to help.

I really think you can do this!!! Please PM me if you need more info on how to model yourself as a national to compete.

aopinthesky · #15 10-06-2002, 01:59 PM

Corrina,
I have been a lurker on this thread for some months and I can't tell you how impressed I am with what you have done and how far you have come in one year. I could never have achieved what you have. Because you have done so much, I have the feeling that you can go the distance, and I hope you will. It sounds like Alpha Xi Delta is very interested in you, and I KNOW that you can get those new members and convince AXD that you are ready to be national. Good luck, and please keep working at it.

Anna