[11629] in APO-L
Reactivating Chapters
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Sharon Zohar)
Thu Mar 2 22:37:25 1995
Date: Thu, 2 Mar 1995 22:31:35 EST
Reply-To: Sharon Zohar <75277.620@COMPUSERVE.COM>
From: Sharon Zohar <75277.620@COMPUSERVE.COM>
To: Multiple recipients of list APO-L <APO-L%PURCCVM.BITNET@mitvma.mit.edu>
Hi everybody,
This is about reactivating dormant chapters. I was the staff liaison to the
reactivation of Delta Nu, Yale University (reactivated 4/25/1993). This is
pretty generic advice, not just for Alpha, so I'll post it to all. We had the
motivated student who was the catalyst, which was critical, but we also had
other assets. Some are unique to reactivations, some apply to all petitioning
efforts:
1) A faculty advisor who had been the advisor to the old chapter 20 years
before, and who wanted to see the fraternity come back! You may want to call the
national office to find out who were the last advisors of record to the chapter,
and see if they are still around and would be interested in helping you
reactivate. You never know...
2) A strong tie to BSA. Even though our formally defined relationship to BSA has
changed, the history and heritage are still there. You may want to find out if
there are any former scouts on the campus (e-mail me privately for some ideas on
how to find them). Also, what about alumni of other scouting movements, such as
Girl Scouts or Campfire?
3) A certain uniqueness. I think A Phi O was successful at Yale BECAUSE it was
something different from the many, many, many social greeks (who were
single-sex) and the many, many clubs (which did not have the special combination
of the fraternal bond, variety of service, and leadership opportunities and
training that we do). You can play up the co-ed aspect and the other strengths.
Also, you can emphasize that we were founded by a mix of social greeks and
independents who were scouts, and that membership in other organizations is not
only tolerated, but welcome. People might be more inclined to be supportive
and/or get involved if they realized that we complement other campus
organizations, and that we would rather share members than "steal" members. I
would say that almost every charterer at Yale was active in some other campus
organization.
4) A very supportive sponsor (big brother) chapter who came to visit frequently.
Delta Sigma, University of Connecticut, came often, wearing colors (they did a
GREAT job), and it helped to support the group and to help bolster the presence
and visibility of A Phi O on the campus (since Delta Nu sponsored Delta Sigma,
it seemed only fitting - is Beta near Lafayette?????).
5) One or more dedicated staffers who are willing to come down to weekly
meetings and really support the effort, and then ease themselves away as the
chapter becomes viable. I came on board clueless and inexperienced (no comments
from the peanut gallery...), but I was there once a week or so for the first
year, and once or twice a month the second year, and the founders told me that
it really helped. Enthusiasm and accessibility are as important as knowledge of
A Phi O (if not more so - anyone can read most of our literature...)
6) Conferences. Somehow, someway, someone managed to get some of the petitioners
to sectional, regional, and national conferences. Just getting one or two people
from an interest group to a conference can infuse and maintain the fraternal
spirit!
I've said enough. I'd be glad to continue this thread privately. To anyone
involved in extension anywhere, good luck! You're furthering F. R. Horton's
dream...
Sharon Zohar, Section 96 (Southern New England) Staff
"What's so funny about peace, love, and understanding?" - Elvis Costello
