feeling welcome

alphaiota · #1 09-13-2002, 07:37 PM

i just wanted to put up this thread to let yall know how much i do love this site.
i come from a greek system where i was sometimes embarassed to wear my letters b/c of how my chapter was looked at, but i still did. after looking at some of the threads on this site, i know that i'm not alone on so many of the issues that my sisters and my greek system had to deal with and that makes me feel so relieved.
i thought i was the only person who came from a small troubled chapter. i also thought that all the other frats and soror. on my campus had to be the same way all over. so for me to hear that a chapter of axo, pi phi, or dg isn't doing well, i empathize with them and realize i'm not alone. it's encouraging in a sadistic sort of way.

so i just want to say thank you to everyone who i'm talked to and everyone who has been willing to bear their chapters problems regardless of letters. it has encouraged me to pursue a job at my sorority nationals or any NHQ for that matter just so i can help.
so thanks everyone!

shelley j
sigma k

DU_KD_924 · #2 09-13-2002, 07:48 PM

Wow... you said something that made me register to post instead of just lurking & reading!

My chapter at my school sounds MUCH like what you experienced. I was ashamed to wear my letters on campus much of the time because of our chapter's lack of participation in anything. It's kinda embarassing on the Monday after bid day, 3 huge signs in the dining hall of the other 3 sororities huge new pledge classes (~25'ish each year), and then seeing our puny one boasting we got 3 or 7.... We survived, but just barely.

What is important to remember is that sorority membership isn't something that is limited to college, it's something that you live for a lifetime. I've met more amazing sisters since becoming alum that I never would have had that connection to.

Keep smiling and wear your letters proudly!

Melissa

Tom Earp · #3 09-14-2002, 03:18 PM

Never, never give up!

We have been on Campus since I started the Local in 1965!

We went through a very troubled period and almost lost Our Charter!

I have along with many other Alums have been working out collective butts off to keep the Chapter not only going but to help it grow!

We challenged them to get 30 new Associates and they are working on 40 as have gotten 22 as last report!

Yep it is hard, but you must work hard to attain your goals for yourself and your Org!

The Very Best of Luck and Hard Work to get there!

Optimist Prime · #4 09-14-2002, 04:21 PM

I'm glad you feel welcome here!

alphaiota · #5 09-14-2002, 04:38 PM

actually, tom, my chapter had to close about a year and a half ago while i was still an active b/c we were unable to keep up functional numbers. i had to vote with the rest of my chapter to close down and become dormant at least for a time. so we did and i had to go through my entire senior year without a sorority to physically go to and call home.
our greek system didn't do anything to try and help us survive on campus, in fact they saw that we were dying and pushed us out. our nationals helped a great deal, but finally had to give us a the hard decision to try to keep functioning and allow us to do so as long as we got a certain number of girls within one year or simply cut our loses and close. we chose the latter.
that's why i find this sight to be so encouraging. we aren't alone in anything we do as greeks. some other chapter somewhere is going through just as much termoil as we are. misery loves company. at least now i fee like i can help others not close and instead flourish as a chapter regardless of letters.

shelley j
sigma k

33girl · #6 09-14-2002, 05:38 PM

Shelley -

if you are happy that the sisters you have are your sisters and proud of what they stand for, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER be embarrassed to wear your letters - in fact, shove 'em in everyone's face and say "yes, this is what I am. Deal with it."

I know that when you are in school, esp a school with a big competitive Greek system, the image of your chapter means a lot, but trust me, when you get out of school it is SO nothing. Go back to homecoming wearing those letters and hold your head high!

Iris · #7 09-14-2002, 10:43 PM

AlphaIota,

Yes, your chapter closed and it was a hard thing. You're out of college now, right??? Volunteer for your HQs!!! Give back to a chapter, give to a region, go to conventions and conferences!

You will meet new and wonderful sisters with the motivation, enthusiasm and pride in their letters that you are looking for. You'll fall in love with sorority life all over again, and it might be ten times better than your collegiate experience.

The more you give, the more you'll receive. Volunteering is wonderful!

Iris

alphaiota · #8 09-15-2002, 12:32 PM

thanks,
actually right now i'm in a position that i am able to apply to work at NHQ. i'd really love to work for any frat or sorority NHQ in fact, but especially my own. i'll let you know if it works out.