As a member of Delta Xi Phi Multicultural Sorority, Inc., I am a part of one of the smallest chapters on Mississippi State’s campus. We have ten members on our campus. Nine of the ten are undergraduate students, and one is a graduate student. We have 57 total alumni for our chapter alone. 

Being in a small organization comes with its rewards and benefits. However, being in a small Greek letter organization can also come with its many struggles and pitfalls.

PROS:

1. Our recruitment week is relatively smaller, more informal, and less intimidating. If a woman likes smaller crowds and a more relaxed environment, then our recruitment is perfect. 

2. A new member will literally get to know every single member on campus. They will know each other’s quirks, secrets, pet peeves, and life stories.  

3. Active members will also get to know most of their alumni while getting the opportunity to meet and hang out with chapter founders.  

4. The lifetime friendships are just as solid as they are in a 200-member organization. Because of the size and familiarity of a small chapter, bonds end up being closer in a shorter period of time. 

5. Alumni are as active as the current active members on campus. They will show up and help out with events, forums, recruitment, workshops, and even open chapter meetings.  

6. Each member faithfully supports their sisters and the other organizations on campus. 

7. Having so little members makes shadowing a previous position holder and obtaining a leadership position easier than in larger organizations. 

8. Cliques do not exist and the bonds between smaller organizations are very easy to see and feel. A member may have a best friend in their organization but the organization is just too small to have cliques.  

CONS:

1. A small chapter is usually unable to compete in big Greek organizational events since we do not have enough members to cheer and compete. However, you will see us doing our best during Derby Days and, sometimes, Watermelon Fest. 

2. Recognition and exposure is very hard to achieve. Each member has to pull the weight of ten or twenty people and take on a lot more responsibility in order complete tasks. 

3. Along with recognition and exposure, it is also very hard for a small chapter to recruit PNMs. Our recruitment resources are also quite limited due to our size. 

4. We cannot have a house. We just do not have enough members to fill up a house and that are willing to pay the house fees.  

5. Our financial budget is also very small due to the amount of members that we have, which can also hinder our participation in many events.  

6. Once a person knows one member of a small chapter, that person is liable to know all of the members of that chapter. Like a big chapter, a small chapter has to stay classy, but the weight of their reputation is much higher due to the smaller size of that organization.  

7. To follow up from number six, if a small chapter does something really good or really bad, publicity is greatly amplified. 

8. It is very easy for a small organization to get ignored while surrounded by bigger and more recognized organizations. 

As a member of a small organization, there are many benefits and difficulties, but ultimately the benefits outweigh the struggles. We may not be able to compete in Limelight or enjoy a swap party with another organization like bigger organizations. 

However, if you pay close attention, you may see at least one or two of us at a late night philanthropy event. You may see one or two of us at the BYX Island Party. You may see one or two of us cheering each chapter on at Limelight. Our chapter may be small, but we are ten members strong and counting.