[PhoenixAzul]

I come from a small local chapter (from a campus of all locals).

Some things to keep in mind....

1) When you have a smaller number of members, it means each member is carrying her weight plus ten more. Take time out to relax and appreciate each other than isn't dedicated to "recruitment" or even the sorority. Too much work = burnout.

2) Begin to think about a chapter culture that is "recruitment is every day". Being a small chapter, and being local, you have a tremendous amount of agility and flexibility. Think about your networks. Think about the women you already know. Who have you looked at and said, "Damn, she'd be an awesome (insert letters here)." Depending on your relationship with her, ask her if she has ever considered sorority life, and if not, then why (and answer her questions, honestly and respectfully). This isn't the opportunity to say "ZOMB WE WANT YOU TO BE IN OUR SORORITYYYYYYYYYYYYYY". This is laying the groundwork.

3) Each one bring one. Have a movie night (or marshmellow roast, or twinkie roast...) and have each sister invite a friend (be aware of any possible rush infractions, however. You haven't mention what your rush structure is like). Again, this isn't about bidding girls, it is about planting the seeds. Even if the guests don't join, they will hopefully go and tell their friends "Hey, I had an awesome time at XY house last night. I'm not sure greek life is for me, but I know you're interested, check them out"

4) Act big. This means wearing letters often. Wear them and be proud. Wear them while answering questions in class. Wear them while away from campus. Wear them while doing philanthropy. Wear them while being your best. This is a simple branding exercise, really. Name recognition. If a PNM sees your letters enough, they will remember you.

5) Partnerships. With another sorority (note: we usually partnered with another sorority that was comparable in size and in culture as ours...it gave us twice the firepower and we always had a blast with these girls). With fraternities. With other groups on campus (SafeRide, Women's outreach, tutoring club, whatever!). Get together to do campus wide programming. Again, not recruitment straight up, but recruitment by surprise.

6) Avoid focusing on "going national". I don't know if you meant that you want to eventually become an NPC chapter, or if you want your local sorority to have more than one chapter? At any rate...focus on the now. Focus on sisters who will weather the storm with you. Because to be honest, the process of becoming an NPC can be arduous and may, in fact, never come. And I don't say that to be a debbie downer, I say that so that you can plan for the future. You help your case for national transition by having a healthy chapter, with high involvement, high GPA, diversity, and support.