New Colonies or Re-establishments?

[amanda6035]

I'm doing some dirty work on here...for a friend....

Ya'll dont have to answer in public if you dont want to....but what are the chances of a colony never getting installed? Has that ever happened before? where the colony just...fell apart? I know some colonies take much longer than others, and HQ would probably keep info on the down-lo if that ever happened....but what are the chances of that actually happening?

[SoProud2BeAnAlphaXi]

Amanda,

Thinking through our colonizations in recent years, none spring to mind as just having "fallen apart." I can think of an interest group that approached us that unfortunately could not get to what we felt was a viable size to allow us to pledge them, but when we do decide to colonize somewhere, that generally has gone very well -- as I said, can't think of an exception. Hope that helps your friend!

[AXiDTrish]

AZD, well all sororities for that matter, does an incredible amount of research and preparation prior to colonizing a chapter, so they rarely fail. If its a large school, such as AOII at Univ of Arkansas where the investment for the the house alone is $4-5 million....it took/will take many many thousands to colonize and get that group off the ground. God knows your chapter took thousands and you were small!

I'd think if you are going to lose a chapter, it would be in the first few years. You have to build a strong base and hope they "stay alive" and passionate after the newness wears off. And pray you get NM's who are just as passonate. A good rule of thumb....it takes a minimum of 5 years for a chapter to really get off their feet, no matter the size or the school...some can take longer than that. What I think is important is you not only have a strong chapter, but also a strong alumnae and advisor base who will stick with the chapter for more than the regular 1-2 year term. New chapters need to have consistancy from an advisor level.

I know when I took on Iota Theta, I made a personal commitment of 4-5 years...to graduate that first class and make sure the chapter was strong. We're in year 3, but I don't see myself going anywhere anytime soon. LOL! I know you're thrilled right Amanda? HA, maybe I should ask how thrilled your new members are!

Sorry I rambled....I'm getting tired.

[amanda6035]

My new members think I'm the bomb, thank you very much. The thing that worries me, is that these new members dont have the exposure to the alumnae and advisors like I did, or our current president, since we were still "babies" back then. And even when elections roll around, the only ones who are "probably" going to develop a good relationship with the advisors are those on exec.

I'm suffering hard core from not only senior-itis, but colony member syndrome. I'm terrified of graduating. I'm terrified that I've done so much, picked up so much slack for things that weren't necessarily my job, (but then again whose job was it - for example, who's supposed to place T-shirt orders? I've always done it cause I'm the one with the check book!) that if someone doesnt come step up to the plate, that what I've worked so hard for is suddenly going to fall to hell. I'm not trying to sound snooty, or stuck up, so I really dont need any of the cattier members of GC coming in here and blasting me for these concerns - because that's all they are - are concerns. I just....I dont want my chapter to fall to pieces. And I know that's colony member anxiety. I wish I knew how to get over it.

Should be interesting when elections results come out. At least I know that this year I wont have to the heartbreak from last year. One of my last official duties to my chapter - I am on NomCom. No surprises.

But yeah - totally off track......then again, I cant really say anything else about the situation I was referring to above. I think they'll be just fine...

[AXiDTrish]

Your chapter will be fine....it's the best it has been in 3 years. Don't worry, I always call for alumnae and advisor support.

[AXiDGrl]

I see that happening in the sisters of our chapter right now too. We have been a chapter for only a year and a half and twenty of our colony members are graduating, leaving only a few left. It seems as though it has been hard on them and they are having the same concerns as you. But there is no need to worry because things will turn out fine, whether it seems it will now or not.

[ForeverRoses]

But I just wanted to say that when I was initiated into my sorority, I was a member of the 6th new member class (2 years removed from the last of the colony members graduating). Did our chapter struggle? Yes-- we were no longer the "newest" chapter so we didn't have as much help from HQ (help yes, someone around all the time, no), and we also didn't have an established alumnae base to draw from for help. So what helped? We had a WONDERFUL alumna who stepped up to the plate even though she herself was only 24. Without her, who knows? So if you are worried, stay involved. Be an advisor, or write encouraging notes. Send $ (even if it is only $10). Volunteer to write an alumna newsletter to keep other alumnae up to date. Make sure the new women know they are apreciated and loved. End crash.

[flirt5721]

Any one hear anything about the WPI recruitment?

and

How is the Monmouths colony doing?