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I am happy see the topic of membership retention being discussed on GC.
Although, I mention large chapters with retention, I also see similar numbers with small to mid sized chapters; eg. 30-50 new member classes. Losing 25% is still an issue no matter what size you are. For struggling chapters, it become so much more important. Those members are toward chapter total. And if you are nearer to total, your nationals will not be on your back so much.
I think that part of it is membership selection; we need to select who we think is going to stay. At the same time, so much goes on between Freshman and Senior year. That gung-ho freshman is now trying to be make her future after college and may not identify with the rest of the chapter. There is life outside of the chapter and she knows it.
Sure it is great that a chapter can recruit way above quota. But, it means little if you can't keep them around through initiation and graduation.
Yes, I realize life will happen; women will drop out out of college, move, etc. I know of women whose fathers lost their jobs and had to move back home miles away.
When I hear of chapters putting women before standards just paying their dues and not being involved, I am somewhat saddened. I am sure that anyone of the small chapters would love that woman just for paying her dues. It is one more tick toward the every popular chapter total. I know it is wrong but for a chapter needing money, they might not care much. At the same time, I can't stress how important why members aren't involved. Some of it can be the drama in the chapter, let alone at the physical house. Just because there is a chapter adviser, does not mean that she will be able to police the situation.
I love what chapters are doing for Seniors. To this day I still remember one of my Senior pledge buddies. She introduced herself to me. No biggie. That was it. I looked up to her. We have connected after all of these years.
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