Retention is definitely the key!
My chapter never had an issue with retention. I don't recall more than 2 new members depledging and the number of girls who deactivated or were expelled was within what National statistically expected.
I think that's the reason why my chapter was able to go from low numbers and constant campus rumors that we were getting shut down to campus total in four years. There was another chapter who I believe had the same number when I pledged. But a lot of their sisters bailed instead of fighting it out. Their charter was pulled the next quarter.
While I was in the chapter Formal rush was this huge thing because if you make quota during formal, even if your under total, you get less heat from National. But our National has learned this is not the best mind set. I will always remember when our National VPM said "Bid Day is not your recruitment report card. It's the kickoff to recruitment." It just showed that she understood that some chapters can kick ass at COB while blowing at Formal. But of course making quota and total at the same time is still the goal. Chapters can't function with constant recruiting year round. You get way too burnt out.
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