under total, negative stereotypes, not sure what to do?

[DGTess]

It saddens me sometimes to see women whose sense of self-worth is set by what others think, but I recognize it happens.

In addition to suggestions you've been given, I'd encourage you to reach out to those for whom the "ideal" isn't 150 picture-perfect women. Many women may be avoiding rush, or greek life in general, because they see the group rather than the individuals. If your sisters relish their individuality, don't try to hide it.


And please don't push your sisters to an exercise routine. Making it available is wonderful; making it required takes all the motivation out of it.

Why do you feel the need to be at total? Is it pressure from a headquarters? Filling a house? Other financial concerns? It may or may not make a difference, but you have to understand the motivators among yourselves before you can change things.

[WCsweet<3]

Originally Posted by DGTess

It saddens me sometimes to see women whose sense of self-worth is set by what others think, but I recognize it happens.

In addition to suggestions you've been given, I'd encourage you to reach out to those for whom the "ideal" isn't 150 picture-perfect women. Many women may be avoiding rush, or greek life in general, because they see the group rather than the individuals. If your sisters relish their individuality, don't try to hide it.

Why do you feel the need to be at total? Is it pressure from a headquarters? Filling a house? Other financial concerns? It may or may not make a difference, but you have to understand the motivators among yourselves before you can change things.

All of the bolded.

Originally Posted by WellWhatever729

Because of this (and a few past internal problems that have since been resolved), we are now left under campus total - and we're having trouble getting girls in the door for COR events.

I guess what I'm asking is, how can we get rid of the "stereotypes" and awesome women in our door?

Noticing the issue of getting members, I realize that some women who go through recruitment tend to be a certain type. Most have an idea of a sorority and if the real thing doesn't match, they won't stay.

My chapter was one of the smaller chapters on campus, but the members who recruited me turned those "bad" characteristics into advantages.
You are smaller? Better sisterhood, easier to get to know the sisters, closer bonds, whatever.

If PNMs bring up bad reputations turn it into something good! There is a plus to every negative.

We didn't have a bad reputation per say, but just didn't have much of one. So my chapter had mandatory letters day. Letters meaning the stitched bold letters on T-shirts or sweatshirts. We also required girls to look polished (hair touched by some tool or product used no matter how straight/curly/whatever your hair was) and some make up. Not every woman wears make up, but you couldn't look like you had just rolled out of bed. The sisters who didn't wear make up usually put on some mascara and a little concealer, maybe lip gloss. This got our letters out there and had us look amazing. We were really noticed, especially when there were multiples of us in class or walking together.

[33girl]

Also, in the words of Wayne: YOU'RE WORTHY! Go out to different fraternities besides the old reliables. Of-age sisters, be visible at the popular nightclubs or bars. Participate in campus activities - including those that are bordering on beauty contests. Fat used as a stereotype often doesn't truly mean "fat" but rather "dumpy, shy and boring." Get out of your comfort zones and take risks. It makes ALL the difference in the world.

You mentioned the same girls doing everything all the time. If you have dead weight in your chapter, CUT IT. If girls aren't showing up for sisterhood events, meetings, or mixers, bring them in front of standards board and tell them they either need to show up or get out. If it's not that, but just girls who are shy and need a push - push them. Again, get out of that comfort zone.

If the school is having a problem getting girls to rush in general, probably what is happening is that most of the girls rushing ARE the stereotypical type. You need to reach out to other girls through COB and through meeting them in other activities. Once you have the members, ask your HQ for help in conducting formal rush (as in sending another chapter to help you practice). Too many groups get their numbers up through COB, then don't know how to formal rush, suck at formal rush, confidence plummets, and have to scramble and COB again. You need to be skilled at BOTH types of rush to succeed.

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by 33girl

You mentioned the same girls doing everything all the time. If you have dead weight in your chapter, CUT IT.

YES. Times a million.

Chapters are always SO afraid to hold girls accountable for not participating.

DO IT.

When they joined, they agreed to do ______ with the cosequence of {insert your orgs consequence here: standards/honor council/whatever} if they didn't.

Hold them to that.

Chapters always say "but if we do that, we'll be even smaller!"

Here's the thing though, the dead weight isn't SHOWING UP ANYWAY. So that extra number isn't even benefitting you guys. Cut them out and replace them with someone who will be a number AND show up.

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Fat used as a stereotype often doesn't truly mean "fat" but rather "dumpy, shy and boring."

This is a good point. You could encourage women to sleep around a bit, so that you'd be known as the slutty chapter instead.

(kidding, of course)