How to get new members to respect chapter?

[chords1423]

psusue, I completely agree with you about cracking down on the participation. However I do have some questions -simply out of curiosity. When you said that during your first chapter meeting, you were in awe of the formality and respect? How do you think that can be brought to a chapter where a large part of the girls simply do not seem to take the chapter seriously.

Also, for your big/little program, are there requirements for a big in order to take a little? Because I find that in my chapter, a problem is that some of the girls who really don't care at all end up receiving a little. Then the bad attitude rubs off on the little.

[psusue]

Originally Posted by chords1423

psusue, I completely agree with you about cracking down on the participation. However I do have some questions -simply out of curiosity. When you said that during your first chapter meeting, you were in awe of the formality and respect? How do you think that can be brought to a chapter where a large part of the girls simply do not seem to take the chapter seriously.

Also, for your big/little program, are there requirements for a big in order to take a little? Because I find that in my chapter, a problem is that some of the girls who really don't care at all end up receiving a little. Then the bad attitude rubs off on the little.

It was simply that our chapter followed Robert's Rules of Order while conducting meetings, that our parliamentarian and president were good at nipping side chatter in the bud, and because of that the tone it set for our chapter meetings. We as NMs knew it was something to be respected, so we did so.

I would contact your chapter adviser/regional support team if you have questions about this. Like the other posters have said, there is no reaosn to reinvent the wheel.

In terms of who gets a little, that is up to our big/little chairperson. But they've never prevented anyone from getting a little because of their lack of participation. It just usually happens that those people are not as interested in taking a little because of their disinterest in the sorority. Our vice president though (NM educator) is in charge of pearl sisters, and those are seen as more of a privilege, typically given to sisters who are active, involved, and contributing. Your sorority may already have a similar mentoring program in place.

[ThetaPrincess24]

Originally Posted by chords1423

psusue, I completely agree with you about cracking down on the participation. However I do have some questions -simply out of curiosity. When you said that during your first chapter meeting, you were in awe of the formality and respect? How do you think that can be brought to a chapter where a large part of the girls simply do not seem to take the chapter seriously.

How are things in the ritual department? I am chapter advisor and I can tell you from personal experience that if ritual is not appreciated/taken seriously you will continue to have sisterhood issues.

Do you have local advisors or regional/district ones? they may be a good resource for you in terms of ritual appreciation activities. For us at the national level we have an entire committee dedicated to ritual. You can do a little bit at a time like small 2-3 minute deals in your chapter meetings or tie some of it in at sisterhood activities.

Please note that knowing how to perform ritual is not the same thing as appreciating it, striving to live by it, etc.

[DZTurtle11]

If one of the big problems is people not coming to things does this mean you don't have a fine system set up? I know that at the Chapter here in my city the girls are given two "passes" to chose/use to not come to something (not the two big fundraisers), but after that they get fined. They even have dates set up before an absence that you have to submit your not attending or they would still get fined. Of course there are always exceptions, but they are submitted and reviewed so girls can't just say, "I don't wanna." Well they can but they are charged for it.

This school is very tough, the chapter cumulative is very impressive, and they still make it in droves to events and chapter. If this is indeed something others see besides you then it might be time to set in place more structure.

Also like everyone else has said, if you are NPC then there are definitely resources for you and your chapter to use.