ok- i am so mad i didn't find this thread sooner... but i know EXACTLY what you are going through- my local chapter was down to 4 girls last fall.... and we were completely dying off.... then slowly but surely.... word started to spread about us- i pledged last spring with a pledge class of 11- the largest they had had in 7 years..... we are up to 23 now.... and still working on it. We have been around for 75 years- with our own house and we were the strongest sorority on campus for quite a long time. however, around the mid 90's and recent years we got a bad rep for having "fat, ugly lesbians" no lie- it was so mean... The stereotype is so bad- and on our campus with about 5000- its pretty small and there are 4 national sororities.. no other locals. Honestly- Rush is the biggest- most important thing to focus on. and as a local COB is usually the way you get your numbers- from one sisters roommate getting like 7 girls- thats how it happens- start participating in everything- and wear letters! i don't know how the rules on your campus go- but if you wear letters- i'm serious- do it every possibly chance you can--- make shirts- order sweatshirts- its advertising in every way possible- get involved- do dinners with sisters and sit in front of everyone wearing letters- during rush ( like us- you might not of had a big budget for decorations) but use pictures- symbols (we have a big banner with our crest on it) we used old composites- paddles- everything- celebrate your history..... All of the sororities on our campus are unique and have their own nitch.... we are fun but you ahve to get to know us- so draw in girls by playing games (board games- name games- ice breakers) have sisters "assigned" to each pnm and make them feel welcome- invite them out later for parties- wahtever.... wehn you see them on campus- make a note to go up to them and see how they are- introduce them to your friends- i'm ALWAYS recruiting- when you go to a party- talk the girls up- just go up and introduce yourself- its daunting at first but you get used to it-
alumni is also a big huge help- and sometimes you get 2 alums at first- but its soemthing! lol so have them come- teach traditions- help get stuff set up- our alumni have been a huge help....
also GET THE FRATS INVOLVED i know i'm playing a little dirty here some may say- but if you get really close to a frat- and they start talking you up- its even more great advertising- hanging out at their parties- seeing htem at the bars- they tell their friends etc etc- TKE was a big party in our comeback- soo i'm just rambling at this point- but PLEASE pm me b/c you are really determined- and you can do this
i have advice up the wazzoo (i was rush chair and part informal social chair) good luck and i hope to hear from you
p.s. i prob repeated myself and other people like a million times- sorry for being redundant
