Help with COB issues.

[KiteChick]

As an advisor, here is my 2 cents, for whatever it is worth. You do need to address the apathy of members. Not in a punishment way, but come up with a way to present members why it is important to be at total, how it benefits the chapter (every member), the future of the chapter and the overall experience of membership. If you can get buy in from actives and get them excited about sharing their membership experience with PNM's, that message will help get PNM's excited about joining.

I would check with your district officers related to recruitment. See if there are any other chapters that maybe have been in a similar situation that they can get you in touch with and what they did to grow.

The ideas listed are great so far! I really liked the one about getting members involved in other groups on campus. Be proud, wear your letters, do PR events on campus. For example this is breast cancer awareness month...do a booth and hand out buttons with the pink ribbon and have your letters on them. Have weekly lunch and letters on campus. Make sure you are socially interacting with all groups on campus and show PNM's how being a member is a benefit to their college experience.

Other ideas to get PNM's involved is invite them to play intramurals with your team, do a service project and include friends. There are so many ideas. But again, I think you need to start internally with getting the actives on board and excited about the growth of your chapter. It starts there...I would NOT want to be a part of a group where the members didn't really care if I was there or not.

Do you have good relationships with any other Greek groups? If there is good Panhellenic spirit on campus, maybe the other groups might know some girls who want to be Greek and would be interested in getting to know you. What about the Greek Life office? Any suggestions or help there?

Good luck and I hope you all get some amazing new members. You can make changes and change mindsets and share your great chapter with others.

[greekdee]

Originally Posted by Phiesty

Some really successful COBs in my experience are mocktails, casino nights, and ice cream socials. However, at the casino nights, it is actually 'get to know you' games. the girls pick a card, then the 'dealer' has a list of questions for each card (i.e. 3 words to describe you; most prized possession; if you could go anywhere, where & why; etc.). Even better, some of the cards are 'sister exchanges' where a sister at the table has to go to a different table and send over a girl she replaced, so that the PNMs meet new girls. It's really fun, I just went through and that was a big hit. Good luck!

Love this!

[DeltaBetaBaby]

Originally Posted by KiteChick

As an advisor, here is my 2 cents, for whatever it is worth. You do need to address the apathy of members. Not in a punishment way, but come up with a way to present members why it is important to be at total, how it benefits the chapter (every member), the future of the chapter and the overall experience of membership. If you can get buy in from actives and get them excited about sharing their membership experience with PNM's, that message will help get PNM's excited about joining.

I would check with your district officers related to recruitment. See if there are any other chapters that maybe have been in a similar situation that they can get you in touch with and what they did to grow.

This is good advice, but I also think it is demoralizing to say "We have to get to total" if the chapter can see that isn't a realistic goal. "We have to pledge five more women this semester" or something like that may be much easier for women to swallow. Chapter turn-arounds don't happen all at once, and as someone mentioned upthread, retention is also an issue. Beating women over the heads all the time about how they aren't doing enough is not a way to keep members happy and engaged.

I know KSUViolet has mentioned before how Sigma tries to set realistic goals for chapter growth each year, and I wish all of our orgs would follow their lead on this one.

[KiteChick]

Agreed DeltaBetaBaby. I didn't say it well. Understanding what total is and how it can be beneficial to the chapter and the Greek community on campus and getting members used to the idea of the positive side to build their chapter with good members is where I was going with it. Force feeding a number to "hit" doesn't work and turns people off. Celebrating the experience and sharing that to make a strong chapter is a much better option. Just wanted to clarify.

I will look up what you mentioned with Sigma and goals for chapter growth! Sounds like some good information.

I am loving some of the ideas for COB activities!

[33girl]

Originally Posted by crescent&pearls

33 are you being a bit harsh on the advisors there? Sometimes when we try to apply a cookie cutter solution from a...dare I say it..."binder" the people we're trying to help get the wrong message, and ultimately we don't end up solving the problem. Advisors usually have good intentions. The "national" absolutely has the chapter's best interest at heart- they want their chapters to be successful!

No, I'm not. If these advisors can't do a little research about the chapter and figure out that giant events aren't working and that all the pressure is demoralizing, then they shouldn't be advisors. Just plopping someone in a role and thinking "problem solved as long as they listen to this person" doesn't solve the problem.

Not being at total can a chapter, especially if you have housing to worry about. But what hurts WORSE is BEING TOLD EVERY SINGLE MINUTE OF EVERY SINGLE DAY THAT YOU SUCK BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT AT TOTAL. I mean, having people on your back is awful. If these girls could get the 30 new members they need as easily as the advisors and national seem to think it could be done, don't you think they would have done it just to get everyone to STFU? It's really hard to "sell" your sorority when you're in effect being told that all the good experiences you have had don't mean dick to TPTB because you don't have the numbers.

rushchair799 - You no doubt have some members in your chapter who like the fact that the chapter is smaller and don't want it to grow to the same size as the others. That's fine, that's their prerogative. That's probably part of why they joined. Don't push them. Concentrate on the sisters who do want to be more sociable and seen by the campus community. Make sure they have positions like social chair, PR, intramural chair.

However, if it's gotten to the point where some girls would rather pay fines than put on a letter sweatshirt, you might want to talk to them individually and ask them if they really still want to be members. It might just be senior burnout, it might be years of being nagged about numbers burnout, it might be no one tells me what to do syndrome, but if we're talking sophomores and women who have just joined, you may have to do some terminating. I know it sounds counterproductive, but ridding yourself of negativity is just as important as recruiting new members.

[DubaiSis]

another thing to consider is using the 10% rule to your advantage. We all know that in every organization there is (more or less) 10% of the group who does 90% of the work. Instead of fighting with the 90% who just want to be members and not much more, work with the 10%. Maybe you can set up COB teams of 4 or 5 girls who are really good at it and enjoy the process (they do exist ;0). Now, don't beat them up and burn them out, but 5 girls who are enthusiastic can do a lot more when working together than 100 can who don't feel motivated or compelled to participate. And if you can find 2 teams of 5 girls who can maybe go after different segments of the population or focus on different aspects of recruitment, all the better. And hopefully your new members will be interested in being part of that team since they are your strongest resource for recruitment. Does your sorority have any regional or national training? Maybe as a reward to these girls who put in the extra effort, you can send them to this training. It would work as an incentive AND they learn more about how it is done most successfully from their sisters at other schools.

[adpiucf]

You need to focus on sisterhood. Sounds like everyone is burned out from constant COB. You're not going to attract new members if the current ones don't want to be there. It may help morale to have a sisterhood retreat where you get back to basics. In this spirit, it may also be helpful to institute a semesterly/quarterly "town hall" style chapter meeting where members can air concerns and the chapter can brainstorm constructive solutions. Bring in your alumnae for a sisterhood evening. They can share stories and help the collegians feel more connected.

Next, do you have a plan? Or is it just COB event after COB event? Are your members trained in recruitment? It would also be helpful to hold a membership workshop where you explain things like total and quota and their importance, so the chapter understands WHY they are having to recruit so much, in addition to hosting a workshop on how to recruit new members, practicing conversation, etc.


Public relations is a big aspect of recruitment. The women on campus need to see you in your letters, hosting events with Greeks and non-Greeks, etc. Everyone in your chapter should be actively involved with 2 non-Greek organizations on your campus. This is a great way to become more rounded as individuals, brings bragging rights to the chapter, and helps you to meet more PNMs. Form a PR committee, and have the chapter brainstorm ways to foster a strong campus presence. Celebrate as you meet your goals.

Next, consider the events you already host. Consider inviting non-affiliated women to these events-- sisterhood picnics, chapter dinner, field games, your signature philanthropy, etc. Great way to meet new people who may become members later on. Anything you do (other than ritual events) can be a COB event and it kills two birds with one stone.

Finally, ask your nationals to bring in some recruitment support. These teams can do workshops with you, come on site to better understand your campus and your chapter, and create an individualized plan to improve chapter morale, perception, and recruitment. But remember, part of recruitment is retention. So make it a priority to focus on who you have now and keeping them there, in addition to bringing in new members!

[flirt5721]

From experience I can tell you that pushing just COB on the current members gets old and many just get disillusioned after a while. Sisterhood and retention are very important. Let the chapter know the importance of being at total but don't make it out to be like it is the only important thing that the chapter will be doing.

Like others have stated have the current members bring friends that are not Greek come to events that the girls are doing. Invite them to have dinner, lunch, coffee, invite them to hang out at the house. But the chapter as a whole has to work at it. Some girls will not feel comfortable inviting other because they don't know how to approach them.

But remember that retention of the current membership is more important than COB.

[DGTess]

One of my favorite recruiting posts is this one from Fraternal Musings. (Here's the link - for some reason the linking function won't work for me today: http://www.jessekoch.com/blog/?p=147)

[crescent&pearls]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

another thing to consider is using the 10% rule to your advantage. We all know that in every organization there is (more or less) 10% of the group who does 90% of the work. Instead of fighting with the 90% who just want to be members and not much more, work with the 10%. Maybe you can set up COB teams of 4 or 5 girls who are really good at it and enjoy the process (they do exist ;0). Now, don't beat them up and burn them out, but 5 girls who are enthusiastic can do a lot more when working together than 100 can who don't feel motivated or compelled to participate.

I think you hit on something that the OP is learning as she tries to be the be the most effective recruitment chair she can be: she's the sales manager of her chapter, and she needs to select, train and motivate her primary sales team to help her chapter recruit new members. I don't want to divulge any big secret recruitment stragerie here but even in the biggest most exclusive and competitive chapters there is a small percentage of super rushers that you put out there in front and use to your maximum advantage to close the "sale" on your key prospects. Smaller struggling chapters can use the same strategy to put the most effective front women (with the best attitudes) on the task.

I'm not convinced that fines or nagging or making a chapter feel like s@#! when they've got a challenge (whether it is recruitment, or scholarship or any other issue) is ever effective. But sometimes when TPTB haul out the standard protocol and try to stay on message with the "you need to be at total" it does start to feel like that's all you hear and nothing else matters, which isn't IMO ever really the case. It's the subtle difference between hearing "This sucks" vs "You suck" when really everyone needs to be focusing on not sucking anymore.

Maybe it's a little like dating- when you're not getting the results you want from your efforts, it's time to focus inward and start making yourself the person that others want to date, not just throwing yourself at every available prospect and hoping something works out. Make your chapter the one that's having the most fun, is the proudest to be sisters together, and spends the most effort on celebrating your sisterhood and building each other up. When the experience is positive and the feelings are genuine you absolutely can turn things around!

[rushchair799]

Originally Posted by XOcarnation

Just to get a sense, what is total (you can give a ballpark, maybe 10-20 ppl off so we can't ID ur school) and is Greek life a big part of campus culture at your school?

Our campus total is between 70-100. Not huge, but not small, either. Greek life is big on our campus, but not the be-all end-all. There are many other organizations that offer similar perks to being greek - the sisterly bond, the socials, etc - without the money and dues and rules. Many women on our campus choose this option instead of NPC life, because they don't have to worry about being called to standards or anything - while I agree these may not be the type of women we want to attract, it's discouraging that women can't see what a great organization I'm a part of because all they see is "rules rules rules."

[DubaiSis]

If chapter total is 90 and you are off by 20, that is not a huge amount. I mean, I'm sure it still sucks, but one good formal and 2 or 3 good informals, and you could be in fighting shape in no time. A problem, where you really have to mix things up, is chapter total is 90 and you're at 40. When a quota pledge class doubles your membership, that sort of thing. I would really focus on getting a handful of awesome, motivated girls and quit worrying about rush parties and all the pressure. If you're off by 20, try to get 5 girls in a late pledge class this semester, and 5 girls in a pledge class in the spring. Then you're only off by 10, presuming you can hold onto your members. Then, if you tell your rush team to really target 5 or 10 AWESOME girls and not inviting any girl who isn't, then your new members will feel special and it will (hopefully) cascade.

[rushchair799]

Thank you all for your help so far! It has been very encouraging and I'm definitely taking it all into consideration when it comes to figuring out how to change things for the better!!

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

If chapter total is 90 and you are off by 20, that is not a huge amount. I mean, I'm sure it still sucks, but one good formal and 2 or 3 good informals, and you could be in fighting shape in no time. A problem, where you really have to mix things up, is chapter total is 90 and you're at 40. When a quota pledge class doubles your membership, that sort of thing.

Unfortunately, our chapter is in a situation closer to your second example. The past couple pledge classes have helped immensely, but when it comes to women going alum and graduating, we're practically in the same spot we were just a few years ago, numbers wise. That is why we're being pressured to get our numbers up so quickly - we've been so far under total for so long, it's now put us in a 'dire' situation, apparently.



As far as the concerns expressed with the recruitment groups - I agree with everyone saying they probably aren't working the way we had hoped they would. I actually got a chance to sit down and have a nice long conversation with one of our advisors that assists with recruitment, and she's agreed to look at some of my ideas for changes to the groups. My question is, I know we won't be allowed to do away with the groups themselves, so do you all think it would be better to do larger groups (6 or 7 women), stay where we are (2, 3, or 4 women) or do it individually (perhaps with an accountability partner?) the way it is set up now, a majority of the group has to do one of the things on the list we've given out per week - this allows for if someone is having a super busy week, etc. that they can sit out one week, as long as the same person isn't sitting out each week. I like the idea of setting personal goals for each woman, but can't decide what to suggest beyond that.

[adpiucf]

Originally Posted by rushchair799

My question is, I know we won't be allowed to do away with the groups themselves, so do you all think it would be better to do larger groups (6 or 7 women), stay where we are (2, 3, or 4 women) or do it individually (perhaps with an accountability partner?) the way it is set up now, a majority of the group has to do one of the things on the list we've given out per week - this allows for if someone is having a super busy week, etc. that they can sit out one week, as long as the same person isn't sitting out each week. I like the idea of setting personal goals for each woman, but can't decide what to suggest beyond that.

I think it would be a great idea to present these suggestions to the chapter and have them vote on it. Make them feel like they are a part of the process, and they will be less resentful.

[HQWest]

If you really are in a "dire" situation - you may also try talking to the chapter about being a little more open to whom they invite. On the one hand, you do want to make those close connections, on the other, you could use more than a little help. You don't know where you might find it. You cannot afford to hold out for Susie Perfect. You have a couple of bids to take a chance on Fun Amy or Quirky Jenny. There might be that shy girl in your physics class or the transfer student from New Jersey? They might be lots of fun and great friends - but you won't know until you figure out how to make some new friends? You are in a place where you can afford to take some risks. A senior or a transfer that is only in for a year can still make a contribution.