Too fat to recruit: or, DePauw, the Sequel

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

I totally agree with this part, but I think what you may not realize is that every chapter we'd be talking about needing to worry about image is likely already doing those three things.

Officially, first round a lot of places is all about the benefits of going Greek generally. Within the official panhellenic circle, everyone wants to see each group take quota. But that doesn't have any effect about what people hear at parties or what fraternity boys or sorority girls say when telling their little biological sisters which groups they should try to join which then gets repeated to all her friends. We'd love for them to simply say "join the group that makes you happy" and leave it at that, but they don't always.

And you could see Tippiechicks post about chapter consultants and advice from nations for more about that.

As far as the talking as a chapter and resolving as a chapter to make certain efforts, I think it varies in it's implementation. I think the officers always put out the official word, but that at the big chapters, you may sometime run into people who disagree with the official word and kind of have their own recruitment plans.

I don't mean this in a condescending way at all (although I've been schooled in PM about disclaimers like that): but It's honestly sweet to me how idealistic you are. I'd really prefer to live in the world of your Greek Life.

That's unfortunate that people decide to just go their own route with reference to recruitment. But if they go their own route, they have no authority as to who can and cannot be involved in recruitment, ie deciding who can and cannot be talking to women.

[dgdramadawg]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

That's unfortunate that people decide to just go their own route with reference to recruitment. But if they go their own route, they have no authority as to who can and cannot be involved in recruitment, ie deciding who can and cannot be talking to women.

It really is unfortunate. As alphagamugaalum said, I'd love to be on a campus like yours where it seems that every chapter can really go its own way.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by SECdomination

My fraternity actually does this sort of thing already. The ridiculously obnoxious sweaty guy and the creepy transfer are kept busy with food duties and setup and stuff. It's nothing official, but every brother knows that we shouldn't let them talk to rushees. Not because they're not good brothers, but because they're not good for recruitment purposes.

I am so picturing Stork from "Animal House".

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

That's unfortunate that people decide to just go their own route with reference to recruitment. But if they go their own route, they have no authority as to who can and cannot be involved in recruitment, ie deciding who can and cannot be talking to women.

Oh, yeah, totally, they don't officially have any power to tell other people what to do, but they get the same voting in membership about cuts as anyone and if they aren't on the same page. . .

And just to be absolutely clear, I'm not advocating going renegade against the official goals for your chapter; I'm just pointing out why the particular "discuss as a chapter strategies to improve" doesn't end up being as empowering to the chapter as you and I would like it to be.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by dgdramadawg

It really is unfortunate. As alphagamugaalum said, I'd love to be on a campus like yours where it seems that every chapter can really go its own way.

It's disheartening that so many campuses are not like the one where I initiated. However, I do have to point out that there were definitely a fair share of negative stereotypes that many (if not all) of the groups had to overcome, and it was difficult for all of them.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by TSteven

I am so picturing Stork from "Animal House".

Earlier I was imagining using Bluto as the guy who probably didn't mind being told not to talk to rushees.

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

It's disheartening that so many campuses are not like the one where I initiated. However, I do have to point out that there were definitely a fair share of negative stereotypes that many (if not all) of the groups had to overcome, and it was difficult for all of them.

DramaDawg and I are from the same campus (although separated by ten+ years and not from the same chapter) so it may not really be as many campuses as you fear.

But it doesn't change the situation for the groups where it is true and it doesn't offer much hope that overall situation changes much over time (although the particular struggling groups may vary a little from decade to decade.)

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

DramaDawg and I are from the same campus (although separated by ten+ years and not from the same chapter) so it may not really be as many campuses as you fear.

But it doesn't change the situation for the groups where it is true and it doesn't offer much hope that overall situation changes much over time (although the particular struggling groups may vary a little from decade to decade.)

Well, it's not altogether hopeless, either. I have seen chapters on many campuses completely change and overcome stereotypes to become the best on a certain campus in a few short years. Again, I stand by my statement that sacrificing sisterhood for more members should not be an option. But I digress. . .

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

Well, it's not altogether hopeless, either. I have seen chapters on many campuses completely change and overcome stereotypes to become the best on a certain campus in a few short years. Again, I stand by my statement that sacrificing sisterhood for more members should not be an option. But I digress. . .

When the chapters overcame the stereotype, did another chapter get stuck with it or did it go away completely?

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

When the chapters overcame the stereotype, did another chapter get stuck with it or did it go away completely?

Actually, one went away completely, because it was a ridiculous stereotype regarding sexual orientation. Several of the other stereotypes also disappeared, but of course, people are always going to talk trash, especially when people are petty and jealous of certain accomplishments. Sisters just need to remain dedicated to their chapters and hold on to their ideals.

[Tom Earp]

Actually, I cannot remember Storks real name but he grew up and is a good looking Dude!

Go figure! Hypocrates!

Oh, Storks biggest statement, "You Morons"!

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by Tom Earp

Actually, I cannot remember Storks real name but he grew up and is a good looking Dude!

Oh, Storks biggest statement, "You Morons"!

Douglas "Stork" Kenny

(December 10, 1947 – August 27, 1980)
Cofounder of National Lampoon (the magazine)
Co-writer of National Lampoon's Animal House (movie)

Storks' full quote: "Well, whut the hell we s'posed to do, yuh mo-ron?"

[UGAalum94]

Originally Posted by TSteven

Douglas "Stork" Kenny
:
(December 10, 1947 – August 27, 1980)
Cofounder of National Lampoon (the magazine)
Co-writer of National Lampoon's Animal House (movie)

Storks' full quote: "Well, whut the hell we s'posed to do, yuh mo-ron?"

I need to re-watch that movie. I saw Revenge of the Nerds recently. But I need to see Animal House again.

[kathykd2005]

Originally Posted by AlphaGamUGAAlum

I need to re-watch that movie. I saw Revenge of the Nerds recently. But I need to see Animal House again.

Animal House was on the other day

[DZRose]

Originally Posted by kathykd2005

First: Hold an emergency meeting with the chapter to discuss low return rates and what we, together, can do to improve those rates.

Second: Contact National Headquarters to see if they could have a Chapter Development Consultant come help with recruitment and attend recruitment itself.

Third: Meet with the other chapters of Panhellenic Council and discuss the issue of image "problems," and ask them to be supportive.

Overcoming a negative stereotype is a serious issue, but alienating your fellow group members to do so defeats the purpose of sisterhood and brotherhood.

Speaking from personal experience from someone from a Large SEC school who was in a chapter that struggled for a number of years with "image problems" on campus. Your suggestions, while in theory are wonderful, typically just don't work. We did exactly what you listed above, and the only way we became a successful chapter was to close it, make all the remaining members alumnae, sit recruitment out for a year, then re-colonize. Now we are one of the largest/strongest chapters on campus. If have found, that once a specific chapter reputation has been established on campus, it's near impossible to fight/counteract it.