[aephi alum]

Let me weigh in in favor of smaller chapters. I actually dropped out of formal rush and joined my local because the national sororities on my campus were quite large (around 100 members each) and I felt I'd never be able to truly call all of them "sister". It's true that more members = more money and more manpower (woman-power?) for fundraisers, events, intramural sports, etc., but with fewer members you get a much stronger bond of sisterhood. I knew the full names of all the members of my sorority (12 in all, counting my pledge class) before I even received my bid.

That said, I'd say the "ideal" chapter size is between 40 and 60. Large enough that you have enough people to field intramural teams, pull off a large-scale fundraiser, possibly maintain a small house, etc., but small enough that you can get to know at least everyone's names and not find yourself looking at someone in your GLO's letters and thinking "I don't know this person, is she in my chapter or just visiting?"