Uncooperative Girls...

[BlueEyedButrfly]

Thanks everyone, this issue has been resolved!

[Xidelt]

From what you've said, these girls sound like they are in the sorority for the recogntion of wearing the letters (ordering merchandise) and the power trip that they are getting from dominating others (causing drama at your meetings to force a compromise, looking forward to paddling pledges, etc.) They are also a definite liability to your organization because of how they want to treat future pledges (And honestly, who paddles pledges these days? Fraternity guys in movies?). It really might be for the best if they leave the sorority, whether it is their own decision or more of a "mutual" decision. Perhaps everyone could sit down (or you could just sit down) with these 2 girls and discuss everyone's real reason for founding/joining the sorority. Emphasize your motto/creed and the non-hazing aspect of it. Remind everyone that if these are not the reasons that they are involved or dedicated to the organization, they may want to rethink their involvement. This will hopefully make it clear to these girls that if they are not in it for the right reasons, they need to leave.

[Xidelt]

I don't think you neccessarily need a sorority manual. I'm an alumna of a local sorority and our main guiding document was our constitution. (We were required by the Student Activities office of our university to have this before we could be recognized by our university.) You also need to start running meetings according to Robert's Rules of Order. Don't change anything for ONE person--you need at least a 2/3 majority! That's setting a bad precedent. This is not ONE person's sorority--it is a sisterhood that is being crafted by all of you! You are allowing yourself to be manipulated by one girl just so she will agree to stuff. She's using you to get her way. That's not sisterhood.

[Xidelt]

Yes, I would scratch the contract you have with that girl and have everyone vote on the changes according to Roberts Rules. Once the changes have been agreed to according to 2/3 majority, everyone can sign them. (This could be a temporary working document you all agree to abide by until you have a constitution in place. ) Then my next project would be a constitution. Or maybe you could just scratch these "contracts" altogether (if that's okay with everybody), run the meetings according to Robert's Rules, and just get to work on a constitution for your sorority.

It's okay to have bumps in the road! You've never founded a sorority before.
Feel free to pm me if you want.

[Jimmy Choo]

Originally Posted by BlueEyedButrfly

I had to come here and post this...

So, one of the uncooperative girls (UCG) called another member (we'll call her J)to see how she was feeling b/c she is not feeling well. So, J answered the phone and asked who was calling and UCG told her. J could not understand her so she asked again and UCG responded with:

"UCG, you know, from Sigma Iota whatever it's called"

Imagine how po'd I am right now.

That is all I can say about that!!!

[Xidelt]

I'm with ecupidelta on this one!!!! UCG just showed her a$$ and needs to leave!!!!

[Jimmy Choo]

Originally Posted by Xidelt

I'm with ecupidelta on this one!!!! UCG just showed her a$$ and needs to leave!!!!

It's one thing to be a pain in the a$$ and what not.....but to NOT know the name of your own sorority!!!???? Goodbye and have a nice life!!

[FSUZeta]

get rid of the troublemakers.

i would imagine that it is not unusual for new groups to try something, find it is not working as they had hoped, scratching that, and trying something different. you are in a growing process. explain that to your members-the reasonable ones will understand. roberts rules will help tremendously.

[BootyKBG]

Clarify the expectations of your sorority in the constitution and bylaws. I CANNOT say enough about the value of this. Although KBG is not a local, we are a small national and have had to rely on these documents regularly. What is the purpose of your sorority? What are the rules as far as procedure? Do you have classifications on member standing? What are the official roles of the officers? Do you have penalties for not meeting expectations? Also, don't be afraid to make rules on wearing the letters. Someone who is so poisonous to your group should have to prove she is worthy of the letters before being allowed to wear them (and I DEFINITELY don't mean by hazing!) If she can't even get your letters right, what right does she have to wear them? She should first understand the meaning behind the choice of letters, the rituals and traditions you are forming, and the TRUE meaning of sisterhood.

[jojapeach]

Originally Posted by BootyKBG

Clarify the expectations of your sorority in the constitution and bylaws. I CANNOT say enough about the value of this. Although KBG is not a local, we are a small national and have had to rely on these documents regularly. What is the purpose of your sorority? What are the rules as far as procedure? Do you have classifications on member standing? What are the official roles of the officers? Do you have penalties for not meeting expectations? Also, don't be afraid to make rules on wearing the letters. Someone who is so poisonous to your group should have to prove she is worthy of the letters before being allowed to wear them (and I DEFINITELY don't mean by hazing!) If she can't even get your letters right, what right does she have to wear them? She should first understand the meaning behind the choice of letters, the rituals and traditions you are forming, and the TRUE meaning of sisterhood.

Co-sign

I still also agree that those two should be removed. Some organizations actually have it in their history that they started with X number of founders, but the organization was officially founded by Y. If those two weak links are as "poisonous" as you stated, then they will probably have your organization disbanded and nothing but dust by November 2007. You know what you have to do, and I believe you'd get a great start by mutually or forcibly removing those UCGs.

[SigmaPezY60]

Perhaps these women do not share the same vision as some of you as far as the purpose of your sorority etc. goes. If they really want to be part of your organization, perhaps, they should wait and join as part of the Alpha or Beta class and go through New Membership.

But by the sounds of things, they don't sound like women you want to call your friends let alone sister.

[jojapeach]

Originally Posted by BlueEyedButrfly

You will all be happy to know that one of the UCGs has quit!!!! I knew it wouldn't take very long. We are now deciding what to do with the other one!!!! BTW, the girl who quit is the one who said "Sigma Iota whatever it's called" so you know I was happy to see her leave, lol.

Very happy! It wasn't for her, so she did the right thing. Maybe the other will recognize the same very soon.

[amanda6035]

Originally Posted by BlueEyedButrfly

You will all be happy to know that one of the UCGs has quit!!!! I knew it wouldn't take very long. We are now deciding what to do with the other one!!!! BTW, the girl who quit is the one who said "Sigma Iota whatever it's called" so you know I was happy to see her leave, lol.

You never know, maybe UCG #1 was just a bad influence on UCG #2. Either she'll leave, as you are predicting, or she might turn her attitude around.. without a sidekick there to be a meanie with, she may just suck it up and do the right thing anyway.

[Jimmy Choo]

Originally Posted by BlueEyedButrfly

ucg #2 has quit! so, now we're down 2 girls, leaving 4, but everyone is relieved and excited to continue this journey with girls who REALLY want to be a part of sigma iota theta.

What a good Holiday gift for you! Now you and your other sisters can move foward and create a strong sisterhood without so many distractions.

[reverie]

Theta only had four founders, and it's still here almost 137 years later!!