Retention

[33girl]

I completely agree w/ SBGPhiB & adpiucf...

I worked my butt off when I was pledging. I was NOT hazed, I was commended for the good job I was doing, I was given something I had to achieve and help to achieve it. I definitely understood "Aspire, Seek, Attain." On my bid night I didn't get a goody bag full of expensive gifts - just our pledge t-shirts. The first thing we did was sit down with our pledge mom who explained the program to us and the commitment we were making. After we were all very clear on that it was time for fun.

We've all had so much "sell yourself" stuffed down our throats and I just think it has backfired. There is such a thing as putting your best foot forward but I think we try to shield the pledges from so many things that after they initiate, it's like Dorothy stepping from technicolor Oz back into b&w Kansas.

I think that deferred prevents burnout because (for the most part) the people you pledge already have lives, and this isn't their whole life. Of course if deferred is cost prohibitive (i.e. giant house to fill) there are ways to stop women from "majoring in sorority" - like everyone having to be involved in outside activities. And I mean REAL stuff, not the honorary you go to once a year.

[adpiucf]

33, that's such a great argument for deferred recruitment! I never even thought about that!! It really makes sense. You want members who WANT to be there, women of strong character, who have proven they can handle themselves outside of the house from mom and dad. They've already made grades that first semester, etc. Yes, you might lose some people here or there who may have established what they feel are their peer group, but you really only want members who are strong, dedicated and really want to be there!

As far as proving yourself, I can understand the arguments for the "olden days," but truly, I was never hazed, and I'm a very involved alum... As a collegian, if you even said the word "haze" or "paddle" in our house, people's faces would go white. We just didn't do it. We had strong retention because our chapter was very competitive and had a strong external reputation. I think there are always going to be little internal challenges, but I think one of the biggest things that contributed to chapter retention was that we included our members in everything.

This meant that at chapter, every officer was encouraged to give 1-2 little awards, or we'd take a spririt break, etc. Also, everyone joined a committee in the chapter and they were responsible for helping that committee (we had an alum relations committee, scholarship, spirit committee, and many many more!) We really utilized small group interaction (ADPi's Pride Program) and made it a point to communicate. This is so silly and small, but we kept a large tupperware tub full of manila file folders-- each with a sister's name on it. This was your house mailbox, and sisters would leave you notes, a classmate could drop off homework and it could be put here, fee invoices, standards, etc. I come from a pretty large chapter, and the only time I ever felt unincluded was when I intentionally isolated myself as a senior (PX re-entry was always rough for our Greeks, and I was also focused on full time interning and work.) I think living in really helped me feel very included.

Just some ideas. I love this feedback! Keep it coming!

[33girl]

Originally posted by adpiucf
This is so silly and small, but we kept a large tupperware tub full of manila file folders-- each with a sister's name on it. This was your house mailbox, and sisters would leave you notes, a classmate could drop off homework and it could be put here, fee invoices, standards, etc.

This is one of the best ideas, if not the best idea I've EVER heard. Not only does it help sisters keep in touch, but it encourages everyone to come and visit the house - thus helping to get rid of the "house sisters vs. non-house sisters" gap that comes up so often.

Abbey, I don't think we have ever agreed this much. It must be the full moon.

[adpiucf]

Originally posted by 33girl
Abbey, I don't think we have ever agreed this much. It must be the full moon.

Shoot, it MUST be the morphine. Doctor!!!

I rather like agreeing though. I think I've finally accepted that I'm not always going to please everyone on this board, even though I may try, and that it's ok! And that I won't disgrace the human race by calling someone out when it's deserved!

What can I say? I learned from the best!