Commitment and Retention

[inquisitor52]

I am Gamma Sig sister from Gamma Chi chapter at Texas State University... wondering what to do about building stronger commitment in my girls and retention. It seems like people join then drop just as fast.

[REE1993]

We had this problem at my school. By the time I had graduated, our chapter was closing.

I think part of the problem for us was that as a state school, we had many people who commuted, and therefore, were not readily available to attend events. Meeting attendance became scarcer and scarcer. The other issue, is that as a Service organization, we were viewed differently than other GLOs. We did not throw parties, and were sometimes labled "goody-goodies".

I don't have any real advice for you, except that enthusiasm can be very infectious. Wearing letters, having events and lots of advertising for them, attending campus events in the name of Gamma Sig, all goes a long way. Leadership and participation in student organizations can also increase awareness and commitment.

Many times, people do not see the benefits of their actions until much later. I graduated 10 years ago, and I am just realizing how important Gamma Sig was to me, not in the "being in a sorority" aspect, but in the purpose that our Sisterhood served. We helped so many people in so many ways, and I value those experiences. We created bonds through our actions, not through popularity or "coolness".

I hope that you find some better answers out there. Holding people to their commitments in any aspect is difficult. Doing so in the name of Service is even more difficult.

UIS

[gamma_girl52]

Originally Posted by inquisitor52

I am Gamma Sig sister from Gamma Chi chapter at Texas State University... wondering what to do about building stronger commitment in my girls and retention. It seems like people join then drop just as fast.

Hey Soror,

I've heard some great things about Gamma Chi from your DD so let me put that out there first!

I wish I had a concrete answer for you about how to build up commitment. Being committed to ANYTHING whether it's a sorority or anything else in life, has to come from that individual. That person has to have a genuine love for the sorority, FIRST. Some become our sisters and they have that love from the beginning. Some become our sisters, and need a little "nudge" from the chapter.

Start with your M.I.T. process. These MIT's should first witness firsthand how much YOU love Gamma Sig! Remember, service is key...be sure to have service projects that are fun and really show how important helping others are to you. Talk to them about service--what kinds of service projects do you like? How important is service to you? It's a good way to connect.
Also during that process, I stress to sisters to expose MIT's to some bonding activities. You can get as creative as you want. They need to start getting to know the actives during this time. Ask why they CHOSE us--share why YOU chose GSS.

Afterwards, keep it going! Continue to have those events...continue those fun projects. I would also tell you to KEEP EVERYBODY INVOLVED in the chapter. When people feel as though they are contributing to the chapter's success, they'll want to stay! Make sure everyone's voice is heard in chapter.

I hope this helps you! I'm a DD myself and I get asked this all the time. I hope ya'll are having a blast planning Spirit Day!

[whiterose58]

my chapter has been having HUGE problems with this recently. we think the biggest reason is sheer numbers -- we have huge pledge classes (80+) and the pledges simply can't get the special attention they need to meet sisters and feel comfortable, and feel that sense of belonging.

i guess my suggestions would be to stress that gamma sig is serious, starting with rush. we are NOT a club, we are a sorority. like it says in the pledge handbook, we don't pick the pledges, the pledges pick us, which means we have reason to expect a high level of commitment from them. having the president, service vp(s) and membership vp(s), and maybe a few sisters with special stories speak at rush about what the sorority means to them is not only very touching, but stresses the fact that just because we don't have formal recruitment does not mean it's somehow not a serious decision.

at the first pledge meetings i'd also stress time commitments. it may seem easy to attend chapter and pledge meetings, which would probably be a total of two or less hours a week, but when you add in service, social events, hanging out with sisters, etc you're looking at more like four or five, maybe more. if a pledge hears this they might realize they just won't have the time and decide not to be initiated, so it would cut back on sisters having to drop out because they have time conflicts.

we are planning on trying to use the membership committee more, and dividing the pledge classes into smaller groups with a sister on membership committee as a "leader," so that pledges will be guaranteed to know at least 5 pledge class members and one active sister, aside from their big.

also have the pledge moms stress that they are there for the pledges, and if the pledges are having doubts about going through initiation they should speak with the pledge moms. it would be a shame for a pledge to feel like they "have" to go through initiation when they are already doubting their commitment to the sorority.

all these things won't necessarily help retain sisters once they are initiated, but hopefully will help weed out the members who won't stick around after the fun stuff (big/lil, retreat, rituals) is over.

[Blu-Scholar]

Well let me say this...smilar to what one of the sisters already said, it is important to do social activities as well as service. It is in the social activities that u can positively and affectively promote the idea of community service and community involvement. This way, you can kill multiple birds with one stone...promoting service, promoting gamma sig, retaining members, attracting prospectives, and still having fun in the name of service. "Gamma Sigma Sigma let our tributes echo far, So that all who bear your colors may rejoice in your fame, So that all who hear our voices look for service in your name!"