I'm from a small chapter. We only have 7 active member, one marginal member, and 2 inactive members. Next semester we are going to have 14 Members-in-Training so our numbers will finally be up.

I cannot even IMAGINE having 150+ members. I agree with some people in saying that I just can't see that as a true sisterhood; if you don't know some of your sisters, that's a real shame, as where I know all my sisters VERY well. I even know most of their class scedules, what other campus things they're involved in, etc. We're VERY close.

Granted, it's harder to have socials/sisterhood nites when you only have 7 girls, because you have to plan it to where EVERYONE can come. But, if we plan ahead, we're fine. We recently had a Date Night where all our members brought a date to go bowling and to dinner, and it went very well.

A piece of advice for small chapters, especially specialized groups like Sigma Alpha Iota, Tau Beta Sigma, Phi Mu Alpha, etc: why not co-sponsor events with another GLO? We hosted a Halloween Ball with TBS and PMA; we've co-sponsored things with TBS, as well as PMA. It also helps inter-fraternity/sorority relations! :)

Small chapters aren't too bad. You get to be superclose with your sisters (or brothers), and I think that's the most important thing. I will admit, when we have 20+ members next semester with these new Members-in-Training, it will be great. :)

Browneyedgirl,
Thank you so much for the encouragement! I truly appreciate it!!!

Much Greek love,
Blaire:D

Great spirit
 

Blaire, it's so cool to hear from someone who loves her chapter because, numbers be d****d, it makes her happy. I wish every PNM looked for friendship ahead of prestige; they'd end up having a wonderful experience like yours.

Ivy

at miami u of ohio, each sorority usually boasts about 150-200 per chapter after formal rush. my chapter closed with 30 members still active. it's quite sad though cuz most girls don't know most of their sisters, even their pledge sisters cuz they are too big. i at least knew every single sister by name, face, and even laugh. but i guess that didn't cut it at miami. oh well.

as for frats, i'm not sure of size.

shelley j
sigma k

as far as questions go about how many is too many that is a chapter by chapter thing and noone else can help... if you wanna take a good shot at it look at the avg chapter sizes on your campus... i go to a school of about 5500-6000 students and we have around 70 actives.. quite larger than most .. we also have no housees and our last rush was 17th highest of all PKA chapters .
You will know if you were too big .. you will see things get really clicky people hanging out together instead of coming to chapter events .. Just watch for warning signs of what seems to be too big..
my own personal philosophy as new member educator is to give a bid to every man on campus that exemplifies the ideals that Pi Kappa Alpha portrays.. we aren't panhell (not downing your quotas) and i love my brotherhood as im sure that everyone else does. so i dont see a reason to deny someone the friendships/brothers my chapter has to offer just because we think that 85 is the magic number instead of 86...

Re: Largest Chapter You've Ever Heard Of
 

I wonder which chapter has the most alumni. If a chapter is initiating 50 pledges a semester and the chapter is 150 years old they would have 15,000 alumni.

Anyone know which chapter has the most initiated members?
How many does your chapter have?

Re: Re: Largest Chapter You've Ever Heard Of
 

Some of our larger and older chapters have their roll numbers into the 3,000's.

Remember, recruiting "back in the day" was not 50 man pledge classes like it can be today. Which explains why Fraternity and Sorority founding Fathers/Mothers were usually 5-10 or so people....not 50.

Geez, imagine having to rattle off all 50 founding fathers at the strike of a match! j/k

with chapters reaching past 100, especially the sororities, the university's greek system needs to think about expanding. usually, the fraternities outnumber the sororities and expansion can really help balance things out.

Re: Re: Re: Largest Chapter You've Ever Heard Of
 

rofl that aint no shit...12 was enuff for me :D

I think the Kappa Sigs at U of A..have 200 members..or around ther..i could be wrong tho

Thats Arkansas btw..