question about smaller chapters...

[thindy86]

I was just wondering...

How many of you lovelies are from smaller chapters, relative to other chapters on your campus?

The maximum number of women a house can have here is 85 and our AOII chapter has *about* 40 women. We are one of the smallest chapters on campus and therefore not very well known around campus.

Some of my sisters are feeling...low about this but I rather like it. I feel I know the girls better (one of my friends from the largest chapter here doesn't even know all of the girls!) and I just feel more of a bond.

What are some things you like/dislike about being in a smaller chapter (if you are in one!). I'm trying to cheer my sisters up about this and the whole "you know your sisters better" comment is losing its value (though it's still so true!)

Alpha love and roses!

[AOIIalum]

I've worked with chapters with "smaller" numbers relative to campus total, and know it really can be tough at times. It takes every member of a smaller chapter to ensure that the business of the sorority is accomplished. The same thing goes for grades, if you've got 35 members and two blow their GPA it can hurt. If you have 85, those two might not have as serious of an effect on that overall chapter GPA. Same for chapter budgeting, as you can do a lot more with more members!

Yes, you definitely have the opportunity to get to know everyone. It's a lot easier to get everyone together on the spur of the moment for an intramurals event, or girls night out, or whatever with a smaller group. It's also harder to have enough available women to actively participate in greek system events, intramurals, campus activities and so on with a smaller membership.

You say that some people are feeling "low" because you're a smaller chapter. That's okay, and don't be afraid of setting goals to increase your membership if that's what the chapter wants to do! Just think, you'll have even more sisters to get to know and to share AOII with the closer you get to total.

[AOIIBrandi]

I have been in a large chapter that was at total of 125 women, and I have advised a chapter that was considerably under total.

I probably don't have to tell you that being under total is difficult. Every sister has to take on more responsibility and spend more hours than they should working on sorority stuff. It is really easy to burn out quickly - especially if you are on LC. Also, if you are not on LC you probably don't see the behind the scenes stuff. The treasurer has nightmares about where the funds are coming from for the rush budget, let alone the social budget. If you have a house it was bought with a plan of the chapter being at total when it's not you have to worry about how you are going to fill the vacancies and other such things. The advisors are pulling their hair out trying to figure out how to help you to get to total (while trying not to push and letting ya'll make the decisions), and IHQ is wanting to know why you're not at total and what your plan to get there is.

I know you are trying to keep moral up, but I have to say that almost all smaller chapters say something to the effect of "you know your sisters better" or "quality over quantity". I know because I have seen it first hand. The truth is you can still know every woman's name and something about them in a large chapter, and you can still get a pledge class of quality women while still making quota. I have seen this first hand as well.

You may not want to increase your chapter size, but it sounds as if your other sisters do. I have read a lot of good advice in other threads concerning how to do this I suggest reading some of them, but I will give some advice, some of which I will probably get flamed for... Remember that this is the real world and looks do matter to an extent. Make sure that you all are putting your best face forward and consider especially the public faces of the chapter. Wear your letters as much as possible. I know my campus put up sheet signs, if yours does this get one of the artists in the chapter to be in charge of making them, people will talk about how awesome they are. Make it madatory to attend the all greek events on campus. Everyday is a recruitment opportunity, every non-greek woman you meet on campus is a possible sister. Think of your chapter as a product or a business. You must market that product or business in order to sell it. You just need to put some work into the marketing campaign.

[SnowLady]

Been a member of a smaller chapter and worked as an alum of a smaller chapter.

And I can tell you if you WANT to be bigger you will be. It's a lot of work - but I know the ladies I worked with are stronger women and excel in their chosen fields due to the work they did. I also think that any officer gets that exposure but when you need all 35 to participate and all 35 show you know you reached today's goal!

If you believe it you will achieve it!