[seraphimsprite]

I think the issue of chapter size is a little different for sororities than it is for fraternities. I came from a chapter that was medium size when I first joined, but after a huge graduating class and internal issues we became the smallest chapter on campus. Now I advise a chapter that is a larger one and while there are certain advantages to a smaller chapter, they are far outweighed by the detriments.

A smaller chapter does generally allow you to get to know your sisters better and give your members more leadership opportunities within the chapter than they would have in a larger chapter. But particularly with sororities, there tends to be a lot of pressure from the National to be at a competitive size for the chapter and that can mean you're stuck recruiting 24/7 and that grows tiring. Not to mention that you don't have the budget of the larger chapters and don't have nearly the same ability to plan events.

I'm not trying to be discouraging, and I think it's admirable that you're trying to cheer up your sisters, but I wouldn't try to do it for the purpose of maintaining your current size. You absolutely should focus on the great things that you have in your smaller chapter, and then when your members have a good feeling about your chapter, it will be easier to recruit new members. I'm not saying you need to get up to the same size as all of the other chapters on campus (although your National org. might have a different opinion on that) but operating at half the size just isn't feasible in the long term.