help with attendance!!!

[macallan25]

Originally Posted by curlyque5000

My sorority is having a really hard time getting girls to show up to philanthropy and just regular sisterhood events because of laziness. Do you have any ideas of how to get girls to want to show up. I was thinking of some kind of points system but I really need some better ideas.

Thanks!

Do you not have fines for missing things? I know a ton of chapters that do that.

[ISUKappa]

Originally Posted by macallan25

Do you not have fines for missing things? I know a ton of chapters that do that.

Some organizations cannot fine. We cannot fine or assess members for anything. At all. Ever.

I like the idea of a points system. The chapter I advise has a very difficult time getting women to attend mandatory events. Less than half the chapter was at initiation last weekend, yet almost the entire chapter will be at their semi formal this weekend. Go figure.

[ForeverRoses]

In addition to a points system that has already been mentioned, if people are falling into the "I'm not going because my friend isn't going" mode, then maybe you could consider additional "buddies" during the year. For example, if you notice that Seniors are starting to slack off, maybe have "secret Senior sis's" or something. Where more active members are paired with those who are slacking and encourage them to come to the manditory events. If your chapter has families, maybe one family could be paired with another. Then they could sit together during meetings (rather than everyone sitting with thier clique).
I know when you are a new member attendance isn't even an issue- but then you have a big (or some equivalent) and maybe a rose sis/panda pal/heart sis (you get the point). Maybe try to bring back that enthusiasm to the actives.

Feel free to trash my ideas!

[kk_bama]

When I was VP of my chapter in 04, I made monthly calendars. I also sent out e-mails with important announcements from each exec member and upcoming events after every chapter meeting. It seemed to help as far as communication goes. If they at least know when everything is, there's really no excuse if they just plain don't show up.

As far as merit points go, we've come up with several different methods over the years, but none of them really seemed to stick.

[AGDee]

I also remembered that when I was a collegian, we started having trouble with attendance, especially at socials with fraternities. What we ended up doing was this:
Since every event required a majority vote, we set it up so you voted by signing up to go to the party. If you signed up for the party, it was mandatory for you to go or else you were fined. If you didn't sign up, it was a "no" vote and you weren't required to go. If not enough women signed up to make the party feasible, then we didn't have it. It worked pretty well from what I can recall because people only voted yes if they really planned on attending rather than just raising their hand without thinking about it.

[1908Revelations]

Eventhough we can not force people to do the service they signed up for (by joing the sorority) like Tom Said about the parties. If a member does not attend X amount of service events then they will not get into the party for free. When my chapter used that people began completing service more often. It is sad that those type tactice have to be used. I am not sure what all is intailed with social probation, but maybe that would be an idea.

[vickitoria]

We're thinking about going back to our points system as well. The new girls coming in won't know the different, but I'm worried about the older members complaining.

Will adding a points system make events (even the fun ones) almost a chore that has to be done in order to attend the social events??

[agdkati]

Philanthropy on our calendar is red on our calendar. Do you use the red, yellow and green system (red is mandatory, yellow is optional but becomes red if you sign up for it, green is completely optional)? Going to a philanthropy event is about as important as recruitment in my chapter. As far as sisterhoods, they are all yellow but it's required that each sister go to at least 1/2 of the scheduled sisterhoods. We used to have a big problem with lack of attendance to sisterhood events, but once we got bigger, it doesn't seem to be as much of a problem. I still don't understand why there are always the ones who only come to the mandatory events. Why wouldn't you want to go to the fun stuff too?

[joliebelle]

im the standards chair for our chapter and we utilize a points system.
at the beginning of the month, all sisters receive everything that is mandatory and they are expected to meet 90% of all of the points.
sisters are also allowed to turn in 'extra' points to make up for points that they may have lost, and for the chance to win a prize by having the most extra points.

we also fine 5.00/point for events like founder's day, initiation, recruitment, and retreats.

[Tom Earp]

Idea, use the KISS principle. "Keep it simple stupid."

Make it plain and easy.

If you cannot do the work then you do not party!

[GreekRowRewards]

I think Bluefish81 hit the nail on the head. Chances are the chapter is overprogramming. When membership doesn't want to participate, that shows that leadership is not in touch with the membership. Leadership need to refocus their efforts on making events fun which will increase participation. No point system or penalty system is going to work if people truely are not interested. The key is making them interested by re-recruiting your chapter.