I wish we had locals on my campus because you all make them sound so great! In fact, my stepdad was a member of a local frat and he had a blast. I probably would have joined a local if we'd had them here, because I never really considered myself the "sorority type" and all the sororities at this school are more or less the same (all of them will tell you different, but honestly, folks, none are very "diverse"). Last year I decided to rush and chose to join a sorority which had just recolonized, but now that I see what being part of a national is like I wish even more that there were locals here! No offense to my sisters--I like them a lot--but had I known then what I know now I may not have joined.
When I first pledged my sorority, things were cool because we were still a colony and didn't have to follow every rule to a T, but now that we are a full chapter the national organization is watching us like a hawk. I see their point of view, but we have to answer to them for everything. Also, money is a big issue for me--shelling out sixty dollars a month in dues in addition to other fees is making my bank account look very ill indeed!
Plus, I was not informed of many little rules and regulations of this organization before I initiated, which isn't really the fault of the older sisters because I'm sure they didn't know themselves. The bottom line is, in my opinion national organizations act more like a business than a sisterhood. So what if it gives me "connections" and we have a house on campus and we can say we have sisters all over the country? I wish just for once we could all focus on being friends and sharing memories instead of wading through all this red tape. I can't say I really regret joining my sorority, but I want all of you all local members out there to know that being national isn't the only way to go and I'm sort of envious of what you all have.