[naraht]

These are sort of directed at various people's previous comments.

First for the idea of tougher pledging requirements, I find that to be completely alien to Alpha Phi Omega historically.

I have seen sectional staff give opinions on growing too quickly when the chapter is at a relatively small level (say 5 brothers with 11 or 12 who want to pledge), but this growth is still at a *percentage* level that isn't too out of line. With ~140 pledges and expectations of being at 400 brothers after this is over, that means ~260 brothers coming into the semester. If both numbers were a tenth of what they are (14 pledges coming into a chapter of 26, I don't think anyone would bat an eyelash).

I didn't know about the "spring pledging only if they vote to do so". If they choose to do so, that means a year to get to know them and actually could lead to a drop in size going into next fall with more than 140 graduating.

As best as I can tell, some of the larger west coast chapters and St. Louis University have the concept of 3-5 families within the chapter and most social activities tend to be within the individual family.

Also, if anything, the rules in Alpha Phi Omega recently have supported *smaller* chapters rather than larger. Chartering has a minimum of 15 brothers, historically the numbers have been larger than than or varies by size of school with 15 being the amount for the smallest school. In 1957, for example 25 brothers were necessary to charter.

Also, while I can't reference which T&T it was in right now, I do know that there was a quote from H Roe Bartle indicating that given the amount of service at a school like Ohio State, that the chapter there should be at least 100 men. (I'm pretty sure it was in the 1930s)


As for starting up additional organizations, William & Mary have 15 IFC Social Greeks, 10 NPC Social Sororities, 5 Historically Black F&S, and over 30 other community service groups including Circle K, Rotoract and another national fraternity in the community service group "Sigma Mu Sigma". Other than starting GSS or OPA, I'm having trouble coming up with anything off the top of my head.