How to help a struggling chapter

[andrea981]

Originally Posted by 33girl

Well, if your chapter dies, then one of them will probably be next.

Do you have formal rush in fall or spring? If it's in spring, use the fall to recruit all the upperclassmen possible - use COB - for the women who might like being in a sorority but don't necessarily like the idea of going through formal rush.

Formal recruitment is in the fall and the chapter COBs the weeks after fall recruitment and again in the spring -- really exhausting for the girls. The chapter tends to do better with COB events if enough members feel motivated to invite a lot of people. Usually there are a lot of girls that think it isn't their responsibility to invite because "they live off campus" or they are seniors and don't have classes with freshmen... the list goes on. Last spring they had a good COB semester and initiated a good handful of girls, but then there was a huge class that graduated that spring and that evened things out.

[ZTA zetahunny]

I just returned from visiting my collegiate chapter which is experiencing some of the same. Eight members from my 1977 pledge class showed up to help inspire them. Our National office has somehow provided them with a fantastic mentor who was there during the week on a volunteer basis and will be there as needed. It's not every day that you see a 50 year old fashion designer (their mentor) clap, sing, and act silly in a circle of 18 college women. I have never experienced sisterhood like I did during the three days I was there. We expect it will take about 5 years to rebuild, but if the sisterhood stays strong, it will be fun and will give these women experiences they would never have after umpeen years of academics. I wish the workshops, and personal stories could be on film so I could share it all with you. We alums are going to be sort of alum chums so the girls will have another sister looking out for them throughout the years. The little President doesn't even realize how much she has done. During a mock party, she mentioned an event in a string of events that they participate in, but it wasn't until I asked what exactly it was that we found out it was her original idea and she put it into action. Eighteen girls took 300 dollars and turned it into 1800 almost overnight, donated all of it, and didn't think to brag about it. She said she didn't get to completely get to finish it because she had to be the Vice President. I never quite understood what people meant when they talked about leadership potential in small chapters. It was a fantastic week.

[melaxid]

You are so right that you don't want to micromanage, but want to help them succeed.

Here is what I have found works:
* Inspire them with stories, other alumnae etc.
* Bribes. The chapter I advise would do anything for any little prize.
* set high standards, and help them set realistic goals to attain.
* let them have FUN together... if a chapter morale is low, pnms can tell!

I would also recommend reading I Heart Recruitment from www.phiredup.com. It is a great read, and has some great ideas on recruitment and finding quality members in great quantity!

good luck!!!! if you stay positive and committed, they will catch on. It takes time, but is totally possible!

[andrea981]

I Heart Recruitment looks like a great read! I am totally ordering this TODAY...

[KSUViolet06]

This is a good thread to read with some ideas:

http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showth...chapter+chosen

[AOII Angel]

I think one problem with trying to "turn around" a chapter is that members feel like they are "not good enough." If you try to identify what they want for the chapter, i.e. more sisters but retain an image of the "average girls" or the "smart girls" or the "good girls",etc. You might get farther. Collegiate members may get defensive if you talk about getting the top rushees. They probably weren't the top girls, but who cares! They have worth too! I'm sure you understand and agree with all of this, but they may not see it that way.

[andrea981]

Angel - I definitely recognize that hurting the girls feelings is a concern. The entire situation is touchy because the chapter has been "burned" by a few overzealous advisers in the past. I think the chapter, as a whole, is especially nervous about members of our specific chapter coming back as advisors because they feel like the advisors want to control the chapter's direction too much. I certainly don't want to be that kind of advisor, but it is hard to motivate the older members to put themself out there socially and recruit. I remember feeling that way, myself, my senior year. It is hard to go out and meet PNMs, but so necessary in a chapter that could shut down if the chapter doesn't step up recruitment this year.