Emotional Dilemma Advice

[dzandiloo]

I have a question for the locals who do their own rush out there. I am working with a local organization that just completed their first rush. They had some very outstanding women come to their parties, and made the tough decision to limit their pledge class so that they would only double their current membership (they started with 20 members, and extended 23 bids).

Here's the problem. How do you deal with (a) the natural emotions that come with having to turn someone away, and (b) phone calls and e-mails from those women (and their mothers) asking why?

This is a brand new group, and they are trying to build a strong foundation-hopefully for national expansion in the future. They don't want to be overwhelmed in their infancy (either administratively or emotionally)--and are just learning the ropes of this sort of recruitment. But somehow, when the decision is made not to extend a bid to someone, it seems a little more personal for them than it does for the nationals who can vote, and "select" so many more women, and then rely on bid matching to ensure an equitable result.

Anyway, I'm just trying to help them cope, while assuring them that it is OK to celebrate the 23 wonderful new women who have joined them (and they are thrilled, but I am sensing some understandable guilt). I'm not really familiar with this problem, since I have only been involved with panhellenic rush before, so I'm hoping my trusty GC Local Sisters can give me some insight. Thanks in advance for your input...