starting a local on a non-greek campus

[MsDGP007]

Originally Posted by lemons232

I realized I hadn't posted on here in awhile because I've just been so busy. But I wanted everyone to know that, despite all the problems we went through, our organization was officially recognized on January 16th!!! Though it feels like the end of a really big struggle, I know there is still so much we have to do. It's just really awesome to feel like I've accomplished a huge goal.
What we're working on right now is getting our numbers up. And on a campus that has a lot of girls, we're focusing all of our attention on recruiting them. Because of the way our campus club organization is run, nobody really has any control over our chapter operations besides us. So I have interpreted it as we are open to everyone, including guys, but our focus is bringing women into our group.
I just wanted to let anyone who wanted to know that Alpha Mu Sigma is up and running and we're prepared to show our school how awesome greek life can be!

Congratulations to you and your sisters! I'm glad you stuck to your guns and was able to save the sorority...good for you!

[lemons232]

Thanks for all the amazing comments! It's nice to feel like I've got a greater community backing me up!
I'm not out of the clear yet though, naturally. First we've been having some more problems with the fraternity. I had been talking to their newly elected president who is actually a friend of mine. He agreed that he wanted to bring Greek life to our campus and was willing to help us Alpha Mus out when we needed it. Two nights ago one of my sisters ims me after hanging out with some of the fraternity brothers and they've decided that, because we are recognized on our campus, we're "just a club with Greek letters." AH I was very angry but thankfully I slept on it and composed a firm but polite e-mail asking the president to talk to his members and to basically stop trash talking our org (but in nicer terms obviously ) I have also asked my sisters to refrain from talking to the brothers about sorority business. I basically told them that they can confirm that they are in our fraternity but any other questions should be directed to me. I feel like this is the best way to maintain our integrity as an organization, if that makes any sense. I also don't want any of the girls saying anything that all Alpha Mus might regret.

The second issue is commitment. I'm trying really hard to get everyone involved and keep this from being "my" sorority. But one of our girls is being difficult and not showing up to meetings and just isn't following the standards that we've set as a group for how we are going to conduct ourselves in this early stage. I don't want to single her out since our group is so small. I'm thinking that I will give a general talk about responsibility at our next chapter. Any advice at all is welcome!

Lastly there's recruitment. It's kind of a headache and kind of a mess. We're going to do COB but the thing is I am kind of handling this on top of everything else so it's going slowly. Because two of our members missed chapter and letter lunch this week, we haven't been able to set a date for COB and we don't even know what we're going to do for it. I would love some cheap and easy ideas that I can throw together myself and then get my sisters to help carry it out which is a whole lot easier.

Besides the headaches and chaos and being utterly consumed by sorority life, I am totally in love with it. I've got tons more questions I'd like to ask and advice I'd like to get but I've procrastinated enough tonight. Again thanks for the support!

[MsDGP007]

Well as far as the fraternity; it sounds like they are just jealous. You mentioned before that they are underground -- and you guys are not (from my understanding). So maybe it will just blow over. Being friends with the President is definitely to your favor. Perhaps he can work with you guys and have a mixer or joint community service event. I mean there is no real competition, so I don't really understand the ill-will. Again, hopefully it will just blow over.

As far as recruitment -- think about what your campus can offer you as far as facilities and advertise a pizza night or something similar. College kids love free food! Make sure to make it RSVP or something just so that it won't get too crazy.

As far as committment, it's natural to get frustrated with low involvement -- but sometimes you have to give a bit in order to get anything back. For example, you can require attendance at an informational event -- but then afterwards leave to all go out together. Or offer incentives such as a 100% participation award at an annual formal. However, in the vary least, your sorority should set standards where if too many events are missed, the sister must go on some sort of probation period. Or maybe pay a fine (which is nice for the sorority's coffers ultimately )

Also, as a group, try to be overachievers among campus organizations. Be active and visable with student activities and events for the general campus population. This will help instill a sense of pride and wanting to belong to your sorority. Although there's no easy recipe to get it, this unwavering pride is absolutely key to the success of any Greek organization.

Good luck to you!

[OmegaPDPrez]

I would suggest that before you do COB, that you try and uplift your current chapter as it is right now. I dont know how big your chapter is but a mistake I almost made as president was pressing to hard about getting up numbers before making sure the group had solid ground to build from. In the end the group is steadily growing, not quickly but big enough to fulfill the ideals that our group was founded for, and thats what is important. Having members that will committ to the goals, and ideals, of what you the founder, wanted to accomplish as an organization. If you should happen to find other women and men who are willing, truly willing to do things that benefit the organization, then those are the people that you want to be apart of the organization.
I can relate to having other greek members bring animosity onto campus. And at first I too, told my group to keep to themselves... but in the end the group as a whole decided that it was best for the organization to go out and let others know on campus the positive things that we have been doing for the community. To kind of 'prove' or demonstrate that our group was more than just a made up club or fake sorority. And on our campus we are still viewed negatively but we have even more pride than before! What matters is that we continue to accomplish the goals that were set during our founding semester. Hopefully your members will remember why they genuinely became members.
If everything begins to pan out for the betterment of the group you should definitely COB. I went to a couple of COB's before i founded my org. The girls had parties at different frat houses, but you can do these things without merging with other fraternities if you dont want to; each night the sorority had themes in which members, pledge classes, and women who COB'd got together and dressed up according to the theme. While these were at house parties, you can simply get a stero and play some music. make it a social event among all of you, to get to know others. Include the free food, and do it on campus property to keep it a dry event.
As far as committment, remind the members that they took an oath to be a part of the group. Activities are a part of being in the organization. If members aren't willing to follow the rules, take the advice of MsDGP, and set up a monetary system. Anything thing that would motivate members to get involved. Sometimes it takes you, one person, to say hey this is something we are doing and if you don't want to, please rethink about why you are in this group. Afterall, you have a purpose and you only need members who want to commit to that purpose.
Good luck and keep us posted.

[lemons232]

Okay, so again I've been really super busy. Actually I don't know why I'm posting this message on Greek chat when I should be writing a five page paper. But I just thought I'd write a little update for anyone who's wondering.
This week is Alpha Mu Sigma's first formal recruitment!!! After lots and lots of work, we had a good turnout for what is the first info night. We're just familiarizing all PNMs what we're all about since we're the first greek org on campus. Tomorrow's the same thing in case someone couldn't make it. Wednesday's our social night and we're going to play a game for the girls to get to know more about us and us about them. Thursday is our pref night and Friday we're going to surprise them with bids. It's all very exciting; we had five interested girls show up for the meeting! So far everything's been positive, which is great after all the headaches of last week
Also tomorrow after the meeting, my VP and I are being interviewed by the school newspaper. I'm kinda nervous but it's an amazing and positive step towards being recognized by the greater student body.
Just thought I'd let everyone know what we're doing and basically, I love being a fraternity sister!