Well, its as good a time for my 2 cents as anyone else's.
I agree 100% with what rushqueen said. But, as I'm from a northern chapter with quota at 60, I think 50+ is a lovely size.
But, if you are a third of the size of other sororities on your campus, it is time to examine your image to your campus and how you examplify the ideals of your sorority. It has been my experience that no matter what your size in comparison with the other sororities on campus, if you really are that tight and strong as a chapter, you will have your pick of interested, quality women. We doubled in size this term, taking 19 new members with quota at 17, and some days we had just 17 sisters recruiting while most other chapters on campus had over 50. And we still cut usually a 20- 40% every day with the support of our nationals, even as small as we were.
I truly question people's perceptions of what they believe their nationals want as far as numbers and recruitment go. As a freshmen and sophomore, the attitude of everyone in my chapter was Nationals only wants us to get numbers and warm bodies in the door. They really didn't care about the integrity of my chapter and the need for quality women. And it is hard as a collegiate to remember that Nationals really does want the best for your chapter, whether its total, a kickass new member program or a strong financial plan. However, and my Nationals is the only one I know about, my chapter was dying and when the poo hit the fan, they actually stood by us. They've pushed us to examine the qualities of women we want in our chapter, how we can find these qualities during recruitment, and how to market our small chapter effectively to retain these magnificent (sp?) women during recruitment through to initation. Basically, they used every one of their resources of the behind-the-scenes rush stuff to help us realize our job. IT WAS SO MUCH FREAKING WORK!!!!! But we did it - and now our small chapter is growing and that is the biggest compliment ever. (All but four women in my chapter took littles!) However, if your Nationals is not providing these resources, and just ignoring your pleas for help with recruitment, then try having your rush chair talk to your Greek Advisor about getting help from National Panhel.
Oh, and COB COB COB COB COB. Dude, you already know quality women or they aren't worth your time as friends. If you have 2 or 3 spots from formal recruitment open, you should try to fill them with people. Waiting two or three months just means competition for women rushing is that much more desparate with other chapters whose Nationals are forcing them to total.
From a national org or a campus standpoint, 10 vacancies in total is ten women on campus that could be Greek that haven't been offered the opportunity. If you can't find ten women at your school who you think could offer something unique and valuable to your chapter, then please tell me where you go to school. I'll put it on my "don't ever let any friend or relative go there" list.
Amen to that.
This has been, like, my longest post ever. WHEW!
Edited by James to make the Color Orange come out