JAYBEE-
The internet is a wonderful source of information and research. I do not, however, believe that a public message board that is subject to the poster's opinions and own misinformation is the best source for this type of quatifiable information. I beleive you yourself said you have seen these various staements through out the board- why would you think you would get a different answer to ask the question in Greek Life? The same initial posters could easily come in here and give you the SAME CONFLICTING ANSWERS! I believe this not only for this question but for any specific infomration about any org. Look at the source. While I know I have many wonderful Sorrs on this board, YOU do not know many of us and therefore are seeking information form an unknown source. All of these posts are annonymous and not the place to put all your reliance. I mean would you quote "I read it on Greekchat" in a paper, article work memo, etc. as your reliable, credible source? Not that i believe that we generally give misinformation on purpse here on GC, but really now, not the basket wehre I am putting my egs. Furhter, many of the responses came form people who were not members of neither DST or XO. Again, answers certainly not coming rorm the source. If knowing this particular truth is of that much importance, the best place to resolve your dilema would have been through the websites of the organizations and their chapters.
Beyond that, I think this question is difficult for anyone to answer outside of National Headquarters. A simple web search will reveal that
1. DST and XO are not the only Sororities to have themselves listed as the largest on thier websites; and
2. Often, these claims come with subtle distinctions.
DST is called "the larget NPHC Sorority" or "the largest Sororirty founded by and comprised of predominantl African-American women" This, is everyday conversation, particularly amongst Balck Greeks may be reduced to simply "the largest Sorority" in ther relevant frame of reference. DST has also been hailed as the "largest service Sorority" as we were specifically founded for that purpose and have excelled as a private, non-profit service Sorority for the last 88 years.
Another distinction I have found has been that of National v. International and members v. chapters. I have found references to DZ as the largest Sorority internationally and the 2nd largest Nationally. I have found references to XYZ having the most chpaters and ABC having the most members.
I do not think, given the body of data and possible, credible interpretations of your query that the question was sufficiently crafted to yeild the answer you were seeking.
If you are that concerned with diseminating misinformation- don't give any at all. No one needs you to be their Greek org encyclopedia and no answer is definitely better than the wrong one.
TO the rest_
I think many of you have misread and misinterpreted my SOrors reactions. We hold our beloved Sorority VERY dear to our hearts. We do not see the need for the comparison at all and find that comparisons between NPC and NPHC orgs are frequently not based on the same frame of reference. To see a post that thoroughly mis-states information about our orginization b a non-mmeber is ironic since the point of this entire thread was to stop the disemination of misinformation. I mean when we talk about he fear of telling someone a lie- PLEASE! We are not talking national security here. No one is maliciaously calling DST or XO the largest Sorority. The lying aspect is realy not that deep.
BTW- I am not jumping down anyone's throat. Just likeit may be your opinion that Iam, what I have written here is my opinion. Accept my opinion as that and I will do the smae for you. You have give respect to get respect.
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