Keeping Locals Motivated

[GreekFlame]

Help. I don't know if there is already a thread out there on this, so please bear with me. I have been advising a group of young ladies who formed a local sorority with the hopes of going national in the near future...they contacted my national sorority because of their exposure to us on other campuses (many of their members are upper classmen who felt too old to rush when they transferred--and liked what they saw in our national organization--they have done alot of research to their credit). To give you some idea of the situation the campus is in, last year a national sorority closed, and approx. 250 women were cross-cut in formal this past fall. We obviously need another national group (total is 125 here). From the numbers alone, we thought the vote to expand would be a go. The women knew it was possible that PC would not honor their wishes by allowing them to affiliate with the national organization of their choice--rather they could have chosen to required presentations...and they were prepared for that possibility.

Unfortunately, the campus' Panhellenic Council voted NOT to expand by allowing this group to go national at the beginning of next semester, rather they are going to revisit it again after Fall formal recruitment (so another 250-300 women can have their hearts broken). This school has a very strong Greek system. Everyone is at or very near total, some are creeping up to 200 members. I understand that one of the reasons the vote failed was because they felt rushed in making their decision. Fine.

I am heartbroken for these young ladies who have put their blood, sweat & tears into this endeavor...I don't particularly care that this means I will not have a collegiate chapter of my sorority to advise in the near future--but I do care that they may be left with a bad taste in their mouths about NPC in general. So here's my dilemma. I want to keep these ladies motivated, because I am certain that after NPC comes in the fall, they will decide to expand in some way. Even if they don't go with my national organization, I want these women to have what they so deeply want--lifetime sisterhood.

Any ideas? These ladies have been playing the waiting game for a long time, and I think now I will advise them to just dive right in & become a killer local group, with by-laws, unique ritual, and events like all the other sororities. They will request to be allowed to become non-voting members of Panhellenic...and I suppose they will have to plan a killer recruitment in the fall after PH rush is over (I have been reading the other thread & think that structure will work). What other thoughts do you all have?

Also, do you think it is a conflict for me to continue to work with these women? I do not want there to be any appearance of impropriety toward Panhellenic expansion rules...again, this group contacted us (which they are allowed to do via NPC rules). We have been open and honest with the school's Greek advisors about our intentions, and have done nothing more than provide information and moral support-no promises have been made. Obviously I want my sorority on this campus, but I am a big GLO supporter, and absolutely HATE the thought of women going through rush and having to taste the bitter disappointment of not getting a bid.

I have been impressed with the insight of the GC users, and could really use a little morale boost myself. Thanks in advance!

-Greek Flame (AKA dzandiloo who has gotten her ID's and passwords straightened out, and does not want to be known as Greek Flame!)