Candidate Class Out-numbering Active Chapter

SnuKnight172 · #1 10-11-2007, 05:48 PM

So this year our active chapter has gone above and beyond during recruitment. The chapter is about 30 Actives (largest on campus, don't laugh our greek system is small but mighty : ) ). Pref Dinner is this evening and they have invited over 40 Potential Candidates. All of which have passed grade check, etc. All of those invited to Pref Dinner accepted the invite.

Now my question, does anyone have an experience like this and if so how did your chapter handle it? The largest class we had when I was active was 20 and at the time actives numbers were near 60 Brothers.

Let me know what you guys think. By the way all 40 may not get bids but just in case they do what advice do you guys have?

Senusret I · #2 10-11-2007, 06:05 PM

I have no advice specific to Sigma Nu, but I just wanted to say CONGRATULATIONS!!!! That is an awesome feat.

skylark · #3 10-11-2007, 06:21 PM

Congrats! This happened to the chapter of my sorority about 2-3 years before I joined, although it was less grand. We had 7 actives and had a new member class of about 10. The sorority made sure everyone in the chapter got at least one "little sis" and gave more than one to the sisters that were most involved (and so could be counted on to provide support to more than one little). Also, take advantage of being able to have a really exciting, large & fun new member retreat within the first couple of weeks! This will help the new members get to know eachother and form bonds with eachother. The better the class community is, the less chance that any will drop after feeling lost in the mix (which is part of the danger of having an unusually large new member class).

Kevin · #4 10-11-2007, 06:25 PM

I'd say take whoever is worthy. Don't be discouraged just because of the large number. I guarantee you -- in the end, there won't be 40 guys. Just realize that this will require the whole chapter to give a 100% commitment. Exec needs to give the Marshal 100% support.

ARSigmaNu · #5 10-11-2007, 06:46 PM

This obviously has happened to us here at AR here the last couple of years. There's really not a problem with the right set of pledge trainers. We have switched to using two marshals and two assistant pledge trainers. These 4 guys are the main people that tell them what to do, where to be, run the pledge meetings ect. Some people get two little brothers. Other than that there really is no difference. Just make sure they know their place, and that each potential member is up to snuff. Don't let anybody sneak in that you will regret later. Congrats!

banditone · #6 10-11-2007, 07:03 PM

I like the two marshals and two assistant pledge trainers idea. It guarantees you will always have a younger member learning the system inside and out to take over when the Marshal's move on.

For a large class, 1 pledge marshal can become overwhelmed with keeping up with all the young'uns.

ARSigmaNu · #7 10-11-2007, 09:04 PM

Exactly. We use the assistants as apprentices for pledge marshal the year after.

SNBullet · #8 10-12-2007, 03:33 AM

im a pledge class larger then the active, and we run it with two of everything. Our oral quizes are trimmed down and made to be quicker, but its a lot faster this time around then last year. Just double up on all the positions and get a good PCP and PCVep

SnuKnight172 · #9 10-12-2007, 12:10 PM

A little update!!!

Today is bid day and there will be 33 bids extended. Of the 33 I suspect 31 will except.

The chapter has mixed feelings, these are the best 33 guys on campus however there are some of the guys that feel the number should have been lower and we should have only bid the best 15 or 20. Getting the best of the best.

It is what it is and I will keep you all up dated on the goings on.

KyleMcGuire1983 · #10 10-13-2007, 04:46 PM

When I pledged my candidate class started with 14.....and there were also only 14 actives.

Somehow it worked out and the guys who just wanted to party or had other priorities were weeded out. The Marshal wasn't really overwhelmed by all of it, but maybe 14 and 14 works about better than 31 and 30.

Today we have about 30 actives and candidate classes of 12,13,14,15 are average for us (which is good for our school).

Anyway...what's a Pledge Trainer?

banditone · #11 10-14-2007, 01:40 AM

Pledge trainer = Marshal.

ealymc · #12 10-15-2007, 11:23 AM

My only caution for you to consider is that maybe you shouldn't put as much focus on it becoming "their fraternity" and the like... they may remember that, band together, and pass some hellified legislation next semester...

Good problem to have. Congratulations, men!

Kevin · #13 10-15-2007, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ealymc

My only caution for you to consider is that maybe you shouldn't put as much focus on it becoming "their fraternity" and the like... they may remember that, band together, and pass some hellified legislation next semester...

Good problem to have. Congratulations, men!

That's why a strong big/little program is so important. It helps to break up pledge classes as far as being factions within the organization.

ARSigmaNu · #14 10-17-2007, 12:06 AM

In all honesty, we didnt' know that we really outnumbered the actives til we got big bros and some got members got two. It just never crossed our minds. The right feeling was set up between the members and pledges.

modorney · #15 10-17-2007, 09:25 AM

Talk with your national and stay in close touch with your field rep and the headquarters guy who handles brotherhood development. And your local faculty advisor. A few years ago, we got a new house and doubled overnight. At the same time, our faculty advisor got divorced, our field rep quit, and the head of our national education foundation was embezzling. So, we got no outside guidance. Our house was three years of civil war, but, nowadays, nationals step in long before that.

As Kevin wisely says, Have a strong big/little brother program. Each faction/cohort has to work to make sure it's part of the brotherhood, and not just committed to a clique.

PM me if you want more details.