HOORAY FOR APHIGIRL!
As a volunteer, I can't TELL you how frustrating it has been for me to watch some fo our really good chapters die/suffer from the "economies of scale" that hurt shrinking membership. The old Quality vs. Quantity argument is fundamentally flawed. MANY HAVE BOTH! Why be concerned with numbers? For me, it comes down to my love of the Order, and wanting to share that with as MANY QUALIFIED men as possible. I have just seen too often the "we want quality" argument used as an excuse for each member putting anything less than a 100% effort into recruitment. If you each put that kind of effort into recruitment and don't grow - fine, but PLEASE give others the benefit of your best work!
As far as a 150 person chapter not knowing each other - same thing, they're just not trying hard enough. I have personal involvement in some HUGE chapters - that REALLY work at creating tons of personal relationships, and yes, they all know each other well. And funny thing, they never have to worry about funds, attendance, attracting leaderhip, etc.
Try it
Brad
Quote:
Originally posted by Aphigal:
I believe in quantity and quality.
I came from a local who wanted to "be small" and we almost died because of it. If we hadn't gone national with A Phi I know my chapter wouldn't be there anymore. Even after going national I do not think my chapter was convinced that being at ceiling/total was the way to go. However they are at ceiling now and not only three times as many members as when I was in school but continue to be cool down to earth women.
Being the largest on campus shouldn't be filled with negative labels. These are successful groups that have long-term viability on a campus. The smallest groups while having successful sisterhood do tend to have issues recruiting and are in danger of dropping off campus (especially when quota's start to decline).
My advice to PM_Mama00 is to grow one class at a time so that in 4 years your chapter will be at ceiling. That way the growth won't seem "all of a sudden" and yet you will be strengthening your chapter.
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