help with attendance!!!

[texas*princess]

I've found that positive reinforcement helps out tremendously with attendance.

My last active year, we had what we called "Pi Points" (I think that is what it was called?) and every woman in our chapter had a designated row with her name in it.

For every meeting (each one was dated), every Philanthropy event, social and other sisterhood event, each sister earned "points". We even had points for completing designated study hours.

There was a cut off day for all of the points to be calculated and you had to have a certain number of points to attend formal at the end of the year.

Granted, if you are in a NPC sorority, I believe meetings are mandatory, so if meetings were missed, in addition to missing out on the points, you were assigned the penalty that was designated in the chapter bylaws or wherever your sorority keeps those.

[PhiMuGoddess]

We had the same problem last semester. We implemented door prizes, a point system, etc. We also handed out calendars and assessed small responsibilities to various people so they'd have a piece in the success of the event.

[AGDee]

I think the key is to look at WHY they don't want to attend. Are the activities fun and inviting? Did they vote to agree on doing those activities or did someone just plan it and say "show up"? Is sisterhood lacking? Is the chapter over programming?

[ohdollface]

I second the calender. I am in different organizations, so when i recieve the calender with the chapter minutes it makes my life a lot easier to plan things.

My chapter also fines girls who don't give an excuse notices but it's mostly for really important events like ritual...

Good luck!

[lbk_kpd]

Within my organization, we consider all events mandatory, whether they're fundraising, philanthropy, academic, or social. Our policy is that any time a sister cannot attend an event or is going to be late/need to leave early, she must notify either the chair running the event or the president no less than 24 hours in advance. After that point (unless there's some kind of unforeseen emergency, of course), we give out demerits, which come with a small fine; if the fines are not paid in a timely manner, the sister may be put on probation. This can also happen if the number of absences becomes significant enough, even if she is paying the fines.
Unfortunately, sometimes, you're just not going to be able to entice someone to attend. It's a shame, and you sort of wonder why someone would join a GLO if they don't have the time or desire to commit to it, but it happens. With our system, it basically puts the responsibility on the sisters themselves; they know the rules, and if they choose to break them, that's their perogative. Hope some of this helped- I know it's frustrating, but keep your chin up!

[guardedbystars]

Originally Posted by texas*princess

I've found that positive reinforcement helps out tremendously with attendance.

My last active year, we had what we called "Pi Points" (I think that is what it was called?) and every woman in our chapter had a designated row with her name in it.

For every meeting (each one was dated), every Philanthropy event, social and other sisterhood event, each sister earned "points". We even had points for completing designated study hours.

There was a cut off day for all of the points to be calculated and you had to have a certain number of points to attend formal at the end of the year.

Granted, if you are in a NPC sorority, I believe meetings are mandatory, so if meetings were missed, in addition to missing out on the points, you were assigned the penalty that was designated in the chapter bylaws or wherever your sorority keeps those.

We also have a points system almost exactly like this.

Fines for missing other things too unless you had an excuse (i.e. illness, class, other organization meeting, sports event, etc). These excuses had to be legit and before the scheduled event. Example: you can't just say "Oh I didn't go because something came up" five days after the event.

[Laak 315]

point system sounds like a good idea...my fraternity doesn't do that, but we'll be looking into doing something like it in the fall I'm sure...

[Tom Earp]

point system is only as good as it it is enforced!

If meetings and other things are mandatory, it boils down to either be envolved or not!

If they cannot attend meetings or events then they cannot attend social functions.

No Dime, No Dance! Before inflation!

Enforce the Rules!