I'm from a chapter that hasn't made quota in a while; we COB a lot. Most of the women we bid through informal recruitment dropped out of formal recruitment for whatever reason, and we're always ecstatic when we see that they're doing COB. Don't worry about a chapter COB-ing you to "make numbers." We haven't been at total for years, and we don't bid everyone around. Just because they're smaller doesn't mean they're any less selective. They wouldn't be inviting you to these events unless they wanted to get to know you better and possibly make you a sister.

Good luck!

They contacted you for who you are - not because of numbers.

Go for it, have fun, good luck and keep us posted! :D

When a prospective employer is filling a job position, he advertises the position and asks his friends to recommend folks. He is innundated with resumes and must cull them to a manageable group that he would like to move to the next step: an interview. After one or two interviews with this select group, the employer is able to see both who looked great "on paper" and who he got along well with in the interviews. Based on these things, he can extend an offer to a prospective employer who will take it or turn it down (that prospective employee needs to feel it is a good workplace where they will enjoy the people and the work, and be compensated fairly).

The moral of the story is: you're a prospective member of an organization looking for few good (wo)men. They liked you on paper, they liked you in formal recruitment party interviews, and you dropped out of the interview process in dropping formal recruitment. They still have spots open, you have realized you do like this group-- so... they have expressed a preference in you, just as you have come to realize you have interest in them. I think they have two goals: 1) They want to reach chapter total/quota and 2) they want quality women who will be a credit to the organization. So yes, they want to reach their numbers, but they also want good sisters. Go to the event with an open mind and an open heart. They like you.

Yes girl, if you are feeling it, do it! Like the others have said, just going to some COR events to meet more people doesn't obligate you to signing an invitation to membership. And while I certainly don't advocate this except in extreme cases, you aren't obligated to initiation either if you get in and find that it just isn't for you.

And another note: This year there are many campuses who are trying out new methods of release figures and numbers of invitations to extend. Most of the time it has been working nicely, but there are several instances where historically strong, capable chapters with good numbers did not make quota this year due to the new procedures. I think there are a few threads on GC relating to this as well. Of course I am not at UF and can't speak to their procedures from the recent recruitment, but it is a possibility.

Bottom line is that you signed up for recruitment for a reason, and at a very competitive school. There must be something about greek life that appeals to you. I know for a fact that you have TONS to offer to a chapter, and this particular group must see those things in you too. Give it a try! And best wishes to you!

Re: *nodding in agreement*
 

What she said! (nods!) Also Shadokat rocks!

i am crossing my fingers for you!! see how things can turn around for the good?:)

Chapters can also COB even if they met quota, they can COB to total. The chapter I'm from is one of the larger ones on our campus and they intend on COB simply because they can as long as they are under total.

This is kind of what I was thinking. Just because a chapter is COBing, that doesn't mean they're a "small chapter desperate to get numbers up". I've seen plenty of situations where a chapter came in just 3-4 below quota and they're only looking to fill up those couple extra spaces with girls they may have missed.

As a matter of fact, when I went through COB, all seven of the sororities on my campus participated in COB. ALL SEVEN. Surely that was not a case of ALL sororities being in "trouble". :)

HappyGoLucky, you yourself said that there was something you liked about this chapter. Go, go, go to the informal recruitment parties! You may just find what you've been looking for!

.....Kelly :)

Dude! They already contacted you-- that's great! :D

If you liked them, and they liked you enough to contact you, then get your butt over there and check it out!

You'll never know if it's a good fit if you don't try it out. If you go and get a bad vibe, then you might want to proceed more slowly. But you won't know until/unless you go.

[This is like going to a 7th grade dance, isn't it? "Does he really like me or does he just want someone to go with so he doesn't look like a dork?" A great relationship can happen either way... so give it a try and see how you feel, and how they respond, after the first event.]

i think everyone has already given you great advice! go to the parties and meet the women again. also meet the women in the new member class. just relax and have fun!! you might just find your home.

Re: happy go LUCKY
 

Couldn't have said it better myself!!

You liked this house before, you'll probably like it better with the other New Members! My own chapter (I'm an alum) came back in the fall with only 12 members about 4 years ago. Last year, they hit quota/total - because they are very relaxed during COB. IMHO, those who pledge during COB probably see the chapter in a more realistic light than those who do so during Formal Recruitment.

Good luck, and hope you end up Happy!

They like you, silly
 

I can't imagine *any* chapter would ever take someone just for numbers. If anything, it's important for smaller chapters to really make sure that the people they invite to COB fit in with the rest of the chapter, a bad fit tends to manifest itself in a larger way because smaller chapters are likely to need a little more out of their members.

They wouldn't contact you if they didn't like you! Trust me on that one.
Members taken just from a numbers perspective never turn out well. Chapters that do it learn fast never to try again.

Re: Re: happy go LUCKY