Can one girl ruin a new sororities reputation?

[excelblue]

Yep -- people on the outside will associate the actions of any member (or even imposter) with the organization. It's like how if you receive bad service at a restaurant, you blame it on the restaurant instead of just the individual waiter/waitress.

Accountability is very important in the overall health of an organization, so if there's a member who's not living up to your organization's standards, the issue better be addressed before the damage spirals out of control.

Do you have some sort of colony adviser? Have you spoken with her?

[LouisaMay]

One member can influence public opinion, sure. But don't you think dozens of strong, intelligent women who possess qualities that were obviously admired and desired by the colonization team can influence one woman?

Instead of refusing to associate with this troubled new member, embrace her. Show her some love. Lead by example. Help her to be too busy with building friendships, finding her niche, and making good grades to have time for making trouble with the fraternities. I have often thought that some women are selected for membership based upon what they can give to the chapter and the organization at large, but some women should be brought into the sisterhood for what the chapter can give to them. You are new to Greek life, but many, many women will attest that the sorority experience made them better people. The structure and the support brought out the best in them.

In this case, I would advise you to set aside your concerns about reputation and remember why you are there--to form meaningful relationships among women. Despite the differences among GLOs, every sorority was build--to some extent--on that very concept. Consider talking to an advisor. I hope that you or someone associated with the standards process can speak to this woman with compassion and help her to find her way. She sounds a little lost.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by LouisaMay

One member can influence public opinion, sure. But don't you think dozens of strong, intelligent women who possess qualities that were obviously admired and desired by the colonization team can influence one woman?

Instead of refusing to associate with this troubled new member, embrace her. Show her some love. Lead by example. Help her to be too busy with building friendships, finding her niche, and making good grades to have time for making trouble with the fraternities. I have often thought that some women are selected for membership based upon what they can give to the chapter and the organization at large, but some women should be brought into the sisterhood for what the chapter can give to them. You are new to Greek life, but many, many women will attest that the sorority experience made them better people. The structure and the support brought out the best in them.

In this case, I would advise you to set aside your concerns about reputation and remember why you are there--to form meaningful relationships among women. Despite the differences among GLOs, every sorority was build--to some extent--on that very concept. Consider talking to an advisor. I hope that you or someone associated with the standards process can speak to this woman with compassion and help her to find her way. She sounds a little lost.

I agree with this. If the sorority adviser/support staff have no idea about this girl, they don't know to sit her down and chat about her behavior and she won't change. Given a chance, she might. EVERY chapter has a wild child, so expecting everyone to be a church mouse isn't reasonable and holding her past against her isn't either. If she continues to behave in the manner described after being warned by the powers that be, then there are likely procedures to deal with her. The key, however, is to let the advisers know the colony's concerns.