Numbers Determine Top Houses?

[Senusret I]

Although nobody asked, for an NPHC-oriented opinion.....

I'm of the mindset that numbers=success among NPHC fraternities. (Not really for sororities, though)

I know of one fraternity on my undergrad campus that went from no members to about 20 members over the course of a few years. During the same period, one fraternity which consistently had about one member dropped off to none, though they're coming back.

I don't think, in the case of this fraternity, they take everyone. I think they had some real hard workers who made the effort to be enthusiastic about their fraternity, wear letters frequently, cultivated positive relationships with sorority women and independent women, and oh yes, they could step their asses off. Along with all this, they had strong alumni support (both recent and older, including a local news personality) which has recently translated into a foundation being established for the chapter.

In terms of programming and service...well, since i'm in a frat, I don't really notice what they do. But I assume that because of the numbers, their programming and service is as tight as their brotherhood.

The key, for NPHC orgs, is to not sit back and assume that the interest will come to you. That's a trap that many of our orgs fall into. You have to actively cultivate brotherhood and goodwill among all men. Be a brother to get a brother.

[LaneSig]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

Although nobody asked, for an NPHC-oriented opinion.....

The key, for NPHC orgs, is to not sit back and assume that the interest will come to you. That's a trap that many of our orgs fall into. You have to actively cultivate brotherhood and goodwill among all men. Be a brother to get a brother.

Hopefully everybody's opinion is welcome, whether NPHC or IFC. And, a lot of IFC chapters fall into the trap also. They think that because they were the largest chapter that everybody will come to them. Then, one bad rush following another - you won't know what hit you.

"Be a brother to get a brother" - That's one of the best ways that I've heard it put.

[TSteven]

What may be as or more important is how well a chapter does with retention of those pledges. While some chapters might pull in a lot of pledges, they can have a significant number drop and that can be indicative of failure as well.