[33girl]

^^^Concur completely. The best COB "events" are, like Seinfeld, about nothing. Don't try to think up themes and decorations and all that, the effect is just of having constant formal rush which drains the members and results in a very visible "FML" thought balloon over their heads. Just get to know unaffiliated women in ordinary, everyday settings, like class or extracurriculars or fraternity parties. When you have enough of them, have a party and invite them so the rest of the sisters can meet them.

Also, whatever you do, no matter how much your national might push it, do NOT have COB parties with open invites. No chalking, flyers or facebook/twittter posts. The effect is exactly what everyone is saying - that you will take anyone. No one should be at these parties who doesn't have a prior personal connection to at least one sister.