A Bad Advisor!

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

Do chapter "founders" get any more respect/perks than "regular" chapter alumnae? I know they signed the charter and all, but I don't remember ever having to go above and beyond just because someone was a founder. Since this woman is no longer an advisor, can the "actives only" card be played? She can't show up for an event and expect to go, because it is for actives only. Same with Chapter, etc. And the voicemails and text messages need to be ignored.

Depends on your particular NPC group, but generally speaking chapter "founders" do NOT get special privileges, ESPECIALLY when it involves breaking the law in buying alcohol for underage individuals.
YES, use the actives only card!! Excellent idea!
Get your adult advisors on board with this - they need to go to bat for you with the university AND your executive offices AND your regional officers. If she shows up uninvited, then she can be charged with trespassing. This could go for both the university and the sorority.
And yes, it takes a lot, but alumnae CAN be called before a standards board and alumnae CAN be...ah..."fired" but that's not the right word.
But you REALLY need your adult advisors to step in here. This is an extreme situation!
Good luck, dear!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

YES, use the actives only card!! Excellent idea!

No, bad idea.

What if one of the alums you DO like and who is awesome wants to come to this or that event? Once you say "actives only" or do anything to give it teeth, like putting it in your chapter bylaws, you have to apply it across the board. You can't just use it for people you don't like. That will lead to lots of resentment. NPC groups have BIG differences in this as I've seen on GC - some groups welcome their alums to anything, some groups the alums have to go thru the paperwork equivalent of a metal detector.

If your national org says that only alums can come to meetings or formals - start enforcing it - but you must enforce it for EVERYONE. But I would not make a special chapter bylaw just to keep one person out. Because what happens is 10 years down the road, the alums don't feel welcome because of this bylaw, and no one remembers why.

You guys, read the posts from the OP. Calling the other advisors hasn't done anything. Contacting nationals hasn't done anything. THIS is the issue:

Originally Posted by Froggy11

The bigger problem really is that there are a bunch of girls who idolize this alumna. This group is getting smaller and smaller, but it is causing division and a lack of respect for each other and especially our executive board.

Most of the seniors and juniors want nothing to do with her, but some of our younger girls like this alumna alot -- mostly because she buys them alcohol, food and sorority gifts.

She is getting the attention and affection she wants - even if it appears to be somewhat hollow - so why would words from anyone make her stop what she's doing??

The thing to do is let the actives know that her "founder" status doesn't make her special, and that if the only reason they like her is because she buys them booze & stuff, they're really being unsisterly to take advantage of someone in that manner.

I mean - if they like her so much that they want to go visit her and party - then that's their business. But what happens on campus is a different story.

There are TWO guilty parties here: the alum who is showing no respect for the rules and putting the chapter at risk with the school, and the sisters who are enabling her because they can get something from her.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by 33girl

No, bad idea.

What if one of the alums you DO like and who is awesome wants to come to this or that event? Once you say "actives only" or do anything to give it teeth, like putting it in your chapter bylaws, you have to apply it across the board. You can't just use it for people you don't like. That will lead to lots of resentment. NPC groups have BIG differences in this as I've seen on GC - some groups welcome their alums to anything, some groups the alums have to go thru the paperwork equivalent of a metal detector.

If your national org says that only alums can come to meetings or formals - start enforcing it - but you must enforce it for EVERYONE. But I would not make a special chapter bylaw just to keep one person out. Because what happens is 10 years down the road, the alums don't feel welcome because of this bylaw, and no one remembers why.

You guys, read the posts from the OP. Calling the other advisors hasn't done anything. Contacting nationals hasn't done anything. THIS is the issue:



She is getting the attention and affection she wants - even if it appears to be somewhat hollow - so why would words from anyone make her stop what she's doing??

The thing to do is let the actives know that her "founder" status doesn't make her special, and that if the only reason they like her is because she buys them booze & stuff, they're really being unsisterly to take advantage of someone in that manner.

I mean - if they like her so much that they want to go visit her and party - then that's their business. But what happens on campus is a different story.

There are TWO guilty parties here: the alum who is showing no respect for the rules and putting the chapter at risk with the school, and the sisters who are enabling her.

I completely agree. That's why it needs to be made clear to these younger sisters that this behaviour will not be tolerated. If they want to hang out with her...fine, but any bad behaviour witnessed will not be excused because a chapter "founder" said it was okay. These women have the right of free association, but they are still responsible for obeying the by-laws in order to remain in good standing.

[RaggedyAnn]

Follow the chain of command. Have your chapter president and e-board contact your advisors. If the advisors can't do anything, go to your regional director. If she can't do anything, go to your council or whoever is the next higher up. You said they got her removed as an advisor, but do they know she is still causing problems? Don't assume anyone/everyone knows. They may think removing her solved the problem.

[gee_ess]

I agree with having a chapter meeting with this woman as the only item on the agenda. BUT, you need a few advisors there for backup. I realize that your advisors are feeling as if their hands are tied, but they can and should provide some legitimacy during this chapter discussion and help keep it on track. Lay down the law and explain that no one is to associate with her. Have the adults explain the liability issues, Greek life sanctions, abuse of power situations, etc. They might even be able to try and explain some of the psychological reasons behind her behavior.
Give the members some examples of ways to handle her when she calls, arrives, etc. Some of the members who are being led down the "primrose path" by her may not have the strength of character to stand up to an advisor/alum and will need specific ways to deal with her (similar to the things we tell actives to say when alums call during rush.)

[Zillini]

I know that our liability insurance will not cover any alum present at a social function that is not specifically designated as an alum event. The only exceptions are advisors, Inat'l officers and approved/invited alums who are acting in a chaperone/advisor capacity.

This whole situation goes beyond the actives ability to deal with. To some extent even beyond your advisors since they have tried and failed to get through to her. It should now be dealt with on the Inat'l level. But the chapter needs to be told point blank that this woman is threatening their chapter's very existance.

This woman is guilty of breaking the law by giving alcohol to minors. She is jeopordizing the chapter's charter at the Univ as well as with your GLO. Being a founder doesn't mean squat in this situation nor does it matter what was considered acceptable 10+ years. (Though I sincerely doubt any of this was ok back then, merely that she & her active sisters didn't get busted for drinking in the house, etc. back then.) She is a lawsuit waiting to happen.

She can still have her pin pulled by Inat'ls despite her status as an alum or founder or her age. She can be charged legally with contributing to the delequency of minors. She can be banned from stepping foot inside the house and then charged with trespassing if she violates that. But at this point all this needs to be handled by your Inat'ls and more specifically their lawyers.

My 2 cents

[gee_ess]

I was just wondering how this situation is...also, I re-read the thread and for the first time I noticed that this particular alum is the Risk Management Advisor! Wow, that just doubles their problems!

[ComradesTrue]

*bump*

Just wondering if the OP has any update...