Joining a Different NPC?

[clemsongirl]

While I agree that the lifelong membership is not emphasized enough throughout the NPC, I think some of the dissatisfaction we see on this site about women wanting to change NPC affiliation is a selection effect. Women who are happy about their membership and wouldn't change it for the world or are even somewhat satisfied don't come on here to complain about it and tell us, so we only hear from those who are unhappy and want to do something about it.

I think it's also frustrating that IFC fraternity members can, in some cases, drop their old affiliation and join a new chapter. Women might see that happen and think, why can't we do that? I don't think it's right that fraternity members can do this, but it doesn't set the greatest precedent for maintaining Greek membership across the board.

I've said it on here before, but my chapter was part of a 10-week pilot new member period in ADPi and I was miserable. There wasn't enough planned for us in each meeting so we would watch a brief PowerPoint and that was pretty much it. I don't know if this is the fault of the person leading the meetings or ADPi nationals but I would have much rather done six weeks, been initiated, and then had more meetings afterwards than wait 10 and be done entirely.

[IndianaSigKap]

Originally Posted by clemsongirl

I've said it on here before, but my chapter was part of a 10-week pilot new member period in ADPi and I was miserable. There wasn't enough planned for us in each meeting so we would watch a brief PowerPoint and that was pretty much it. I don't know if this is the fault of the person leading the meetings or ADPi nationals but I would have much rather done six weeks, been initiated, and then had more meetings afterwards than wait 10 and be done entirely.

I cannot believe that with pledge classes as large as yours that there weren't ice breakers or get to know you activities planned during each meeting. Or that each of the other classes (sophomores, juniors, seniors) didn't come to different meetings so you could get to know them. We did that way back when I was in school. At one meeting the seniors would plan a get to know you activity with the pledges, then another week it would be the juniors, etc.

[33girl]

If you would have been doing sister interviews or at the very least icebreakers with the classes as Indiana SigKap described I don't think you would have been bored. Power points would have me snoozing after two weeks lol.

This is another problem with the standardized pledge programs nowadays. Some membership directors can turn them into something awesome but many cannot and they aren't given permission to teach in a way that would better fit them and the chapter. There's a feeling of ownership lacking.

[Titchou]

Originally Posted by 33girl

If you would have been doing sister interviews or at the very least icebreakers with the classes as Indiana SigKap described I don't think you would have been bored. Power points would have me snoozing after two weeks lol.

This is another problem with the standardized pledge programs nowadays. Some membership directors can turn them into something awesome but many cannot and they aren't given permission to teach in a way that would better fit them and the chapter. There's a feeling of ownership lacking.

I don't think that applies to all groups, 33. Ours has a lot of latitude as long as the material is covered.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Titchou

I don't think that applies to all groups, 33. Ours has a lot of latitude as long as the material is covered.

That's EXTREMELY good to hear. Some are crazy rigid.

[navane]

Originally Posted by 33girl

If you would have been doing sister interviews or at the very least icebreakers with the classes as Indiana SigKap described I don't think you would have been bored. Power points would have me snoozing after two weeks lol.

And just to make a point....PowerPoint or lecture formats aren't always the issue in and of themselves. A good presenter can make any topic interesting. If I had to sit though some girl going, "Uhm......so....like....this slide....uhm....our national wanted to show you some pictures of our founders." Then, yeah, I'd be bored too.

But, I've been "volun-told" to do presentations on boring stuff and, by golly, I sell it to my audience like "THIS IS TEH BEST TOPIC EVAR!!!1!!!" and my audience buys it every time. I can make a PowerPoint on the history brown paper bags seem like the raddest topic ever. Maybe our new member educators ought to learn how to present, instruct and mentor?

Edited to add: 33, I am also agreeing with the suggestions for icebreakers and such. Audience participation and application ("You should care about today's topic because...") are key to winning your audience's attention and assisting in them retaining the information.