Hello,
I am startng an interest group for a national organization that I'm hoping to bring to my school. I encountered some of the same issues with member retention because I had no membership process and jut let anyone who wanted to join. Now, I have a process that is 3-5 weeks long. It include, a social, a week of events that have to do with our organization's principles..we had our first event today which was the principle of Friendship..we had a Brunch by the pool, everyone brought food, and since it is Mom's day some ladies brought their mom. There was no alcohol and we had a good time just bonding and getting to know each other.
events later this week include a tour of a local historic district, a leadership development workshop, a time management workshop, group study hours, and a community service event. All alcohol and party free, BUT pnm's and members are still with each other learning about each other and pnm's see what it will take to be in the organization. Also it gives me time to evaluate the girls that say they want to join, I have already had 2 drop and that helps me know the process if working because I'm not asking anyone to do anything I wouldn't expect of them as a member.
So I said all that to say, that you do have to take in account the advice of people here. If you want to have more interest, you will have to give people something to be interested in, from what you have said here your interests are alcohol, parties, and frats. The first thing I asked all interest when they came to their first informational (which is also a required part of the process) was Why they were interested in joining. If they couldn't give me a clear cut answer or said something like "oh my friend told me about it" I was a little weary about it. I know I have worked hard to let our principles and purpose be known when I advertise for interest and I want women who identify with that.
Meetings should follow Robert's Rules of Order. period. The fact that your chapter doesn't have a organize way of running meeting suggests that leadership somewhere down the line has dropped the ball in training new pledges. I would think Robert's Rules is one of the first things you pick up as a new member of any successful GLO.
I don't thnk having a house has anything to do with anythng. Many organization (non-NPC) do not have houses and have dozens of interests each semester. It's all about public relations and not just having the parts that make up a sorority.
Lastly, why do you feel you need to rewrite the constitution. That is a VERY big decision as you are really altering the guideline of the entire organization. It shouldn't be done without a damn near unanimous vote and a very good reason...even then it should be completely rewritten just amended where necessary.
Now I am not in any sorority, never been through Rush or pledging, I've been in interest group for a non-npc organization and now I am trying to start this colony, so you feel the way you want about my advice. But I think if you even bothered to try some of these suggestions you might see results. When I asked for advice here and I got suggestions and many were things I had realized on my own so I knew I was on the right track. Furthermore I took an elective class in Organizational Theory, class was mad boring sometimes, but very helpful for the most part. Might not be bad idea to take a similar class if it's offered at your school.
Good Luck
WannaB3
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