Which is the lesser of 2 evils?

[SWTXBelle]

There just isn't an easy answer. Once a chapter gets noticeably smaller than the other chapters, they immediately have an obstacle to overcome. PNMs think something must be "wrong" with the chapter, even if it is filled with wonderful women. It's hard to avoid the death spiral - the chapter is small, takes in fewer members through formal recruitment, is unable to cob to get the numbers up . . . I've lived through it, and it's the pits. I was able to help another chapter as an alumna adviser avoid it - but it took a lot of work on the part of the actives, and massive cobbing.