I Need Help- Ultra Important

[ZTAJennyZX]

First, sorry for the long post, but PLEASE READ!!!

Girls, I just don't know what to do!! Five years ago, we were Sorority of the Year, and had been EVERY YEAR before that. Somehow along the way, not only have we lost the title "Sorority of the Year" but also the desire to get it back.

From what I know, a few years ago there was a bit of drama. We had a sister join from another (much larger) university. After being here about a year or two, she was elected to be our President. She was running against a sister who had been here for 4 years, and that sister was really upset she did not get the position of President. The girl who had been here longest made a big deal about not getting the position and she, as well as a good bit of the chapter, turned in her pin.

I believe that was the point where we lost our zest. Now our chapter is the smallest on campus (35 girls as opposed to four other chapters fulfillung quota at 55) and also the least active.

I joined ZTA last semester and now, into my second semester, realize that I am one of about 15 girls who bleed our colors.

Halfway through last semester, I still didn't know who at least 5 of my sisters were, because they were NEVER around. My friend, who we crowned halfway through last semester STILL doesn't know who those girls are.

For example, for the past 3 years we have not fined and last semester (the first I know of) went by a point system. Every event was worth so many points and you must meet 85% of your points per month. You could write a letter to our secretary telling her why you must miss and event (class, work, emergencies) and then you were excused and given the points. Some of my sisters were still not meeting their points!

We just passed new Bylaws, and now we're fining. We have mandatory and priority events. Mandatory events (Crowns, Recruitment, recruitment workshops, our philanthropy stuff, ritual, etc.) are worth about $40 if you miss them. Priority events (Sisterhoods, mixers, meetings, etc.) are worth $5. We are fining for two reasons. 1) Our chapter's participation is low and 2)We need money for our budget. There are sisters who are complaining their butts of about fines. If you ask me, we don't pay enough for what we get out of ZTA!

As a PC officer (Activities), it's embarrassing not having even HALF of my sisters showing up. And it's the SAME girls EVERY time. I've talked to other PC and EC officers and it seems we've come to a wall. I want my sisters to participate. I want my sisters to be around. I want my sisters to ACT like sisters! It seems like all we can do is graduate the less active sisters out of the chapter and just initiate good girls. The problem there is that the less active sisters (who are required to be at Crowns and Recruitment) aren't excited about ZTA. And who wants to join an organization where the people aren't PSYCHED to be member?

I'm so upset about this. My chapter needs help, and I really hope my sisters in other chapters can offer some much needed advice. THANKS SO MUCH GIRLS!