Little Chapter, Big Recruitment: Spring 2009

[BBelleADPi]

Silverpearls:

Thank you so much for posting your chapter's story. There isn't a single sorority that doesn't have a chapter on campus somewhere that isn't now, or has been, in your situation. While we'd all like to think "our" group is always the most wanted chapter everywhere during recruitment, it simply isn't so. We all have chapters that are the best, in the middle, and struggling-and often for similar reasons. I think many of us who have been around for awhile have also seen the turnaround on campuses-where the lofty fall, and the others rise. I actually know of one campus where that is happening right now; a chapter that has always been the most desired has finally succumbed to internal strife, graduating many seniors, and other issues. They have had to COB for the first time in years, and the girls they have taken are ones they would previously have not given a second glance. They have also done their share of dirty rushing in years past with their main competitor. Things can change, both for the bad and the good.

Your story is so heartwarming, and an excellent example of not letting the naysayers get the best of you. I can tell that you and your sisters will "keep on keeping on." Something else to think about-often the "top" chapters aren't as close on the inside as those who are pulling together for the common cause. Stay invigorated, keep the enthusiasm, and enjoy the adventure. And please pass on our congratulations to your girls on a job well done!

[Katmandu]

Originally Posted by BBelleADPi

Silverpearls:

There isn't a single sorority that doesn't have a chapter on campus somewhere that isn't now, or has been, in your situation. While we'd all like to think "our" group is always the most wanted chapter everywhere during recruitment, it simply isn't so. We all have chapters that are the best, in the middle, and struggling-and often for similar reasons. I think many of us who have been around for awhile have also seen the turnaround on campuses-where the lofty fall, and the others rise.

This is so true, and that is why hearing about how a chapter worked to turn it around is such a good object lesson.

Recently, I was shocked to hear about the struggles of a group on my old campus. Twenty years ago, they were very competitive, always attracting their share of top new members, active on campus with a good solid reputation, always at full quota and total.

But, take a little internal strife, mix it with a year or two of poor choices for officers, a couple of shaky formal recruitments, and suddenly they were way down in numbers as frustrated members de-activated and new members quit prior to initiation. Following that, several difficult years of struggling to make quota, fill a large house and turn around campus perceptions and stereotypes. One situation leads to another in a cascade effect, and it takes hard work and the cooperation of a lot of people plus maybe a little luck to turn it around.

Perhaps this thread has received such a response because so many of us realize it could happen to any chapter, given the right kindling.

[axoalum]

Congrats! Ya'll rock!!! I was out of town overnight and away from my computer. The first thing I did when I got back was run to check your thread. I can't wait to hear how COB goes.