Unmotivated Seniors...

kdizzy · #1 10-29-2008, 06:42 PM

Does anyone have any great ideas to keep seniors motivated until they graduate? I feel like they get to their last year and have a sense of entitlement and don't think they should be held accountable for anything. I would love any suggestions and I am sure a lot of chapters struggle with this.

norcal aephi · #2 10-30-2008, 12:34 PM

I think that the best thing to do would be to encourage a new tradition where the Seniors would give back to chapter their senior year. They could teach ritual and what it meant to the freshmen class, they could plan a sisterhood mirroring one from their freshman year, if you do a seniors week (where the sorority does things in honor of the Seniors) they could have a night where they give things back to the members/chapter (such as a crafts night to create something that chapter needs, or a "giving back" ceremony where they talk about members who are staying, and give their merchandise to members who are still going to be in chapter).
All of these can become meaningful traditions for your chapter. PM me for specific event questions!
Panhellenically yours.
norcal aephi

AnchorAlumna · #3 10-30-2008, 02:22 PM

Those are great ideas!
Certainly in your current new member training, emphasize how members should be active ALL four years.
In the meantime, involving and emphasizing your senior members' worth to the chapter is a good way to keep them involved. One of my chapters had a "senior queen of the week" that they announced at each chapter meeting. They purchased an inexpensive tiara and sceptor and made a banner and "crowned" a new senior queen each week, complete with a recounting of her offices, activities and funny moments.
The seniors LOVED it!
The queen was a surprise each week, so that boosted attendance. Although the tiara and sceptor passed to the next person, the "queen" got to keep the banner (it was a wearable one, like a beauty queen wears).
Also, I would suggest cutting them a little slack on attendance, especially after, say, February.
Senior year is very busy, with interviews, bridal showers etc. It doesn't have to be anything formalized in the rules - just maybe your executive board can be a little more liberal in approving absences.
You may also have suggestions in your sorority manuals - be sure to check them, too.r

DoubleTDG · #4 10-31-2008, 05:19 AM

Having graduated in May, I remember it was very difficult after officer transitions to stay involved with the chapter. The entire senior class felt that we were not needed/wanted at chapter activities anymore. I would suggest find something that the seniors can do because chances are they were probably very involved in the chapter and are now feeling like they are not needed.

speedsters · #5 10-31-2008, 06:38 AM

Luckily for us, spring semester of senior year is recruitment. So we get back in January and 2 weeks later is recruitment, so most seniors are quite excited about our new girls and getting to know them, so that keeps a lot of seniors active.
Also as we know seniors are crazy trying to finish their thesis when you hand it in, you get a little congratulations present from scholarship. At each meeting in the spring 2-3 senior sisters are highlighted and they are presented with a big poster, a poem, funny stories and flowers. And then the last week of classes is senior ceremony where there is a big slideshow, each family speaks about their senior and lots of presents, and it is a nice way to end the year. We are slightly liberal with seniors on attendance with fun things, but chapter meetings or any ceremonies are mandatory. So if they don't go to the sisterhood activity it is their loss, but most seniors do.

RaggedyAnn · #6 10-31-2008, 06:55 AM

I wish I could have found the thread about this from last year. There was some really good discussion.

One of the important things to realize is that seniors are going to start seperating themselves from the group as a part of a mourning process. It is a natural defense mechanism. I would get your local alumnae group/s involved with giving senior geared presentations on life as an alumna. Maybe help get them in contact with their local alumnae chapter, so they know KD life is not going to end, just change.