[MTSUGURL]

Benefits of being in (my) local, as I realize they are not all the same.

1. WE DO NOT HAZE. AT ALL. We take this very seriously, and thankfully, being the only local here, there isn't a reputation that "locals haze".
2. We are able to have a more diverse membership. If we want the 25 year old junior that came back to college, we can take her.
3. We make our own traditions.
4. We set the standards for ourselves.
5. Dues are cheaper.
6. Our smaller size allows us to get to know each other on a deeper level.
7. There are immediate opportunities for leadership.

There are more but here are some cons.

1. We have no national backing to help us enforce policies, fines, or standards. (Academic, personal, conduct, etc.)
2. If just one class messes up ritual or forgets a tradition, there's a large chance that it may be lost due to lack of alumnae participation.
3. There is a very small alumnae base; since there are no real networking opportunities or funding for continued activities for alum, it almost is a "4 years only" Greek experience.
4. Dues may be cheaper, but if we want a nice formal, recrutiment, etc, we have to fork over big bucks out of pocket because we have such a small budget.
5. Our smaller size sometimes prevents us from participating in activities that we would like to take part in, and makes it more difficult to establish name recognition.
6. The attitude does still exist in some instances on my campus that a local sorority is not a real sorority.
7. Because of the need for leadership, sometimes members can find themselves overwhelmed with a position that they might not be ready for.

This is peculiar to MY local. One of the major things to recognize is that ALL locals are individual and unique of each other. It is also important to note whether or not locals were founded for the sake of affiliating with a national sorority. I would love the benefits that come with being a member of a national or international sorority - I would love to move to another town, look up the local alumnae chapter and automaticall have sisters to turn to. Which is why I'm hoping Phi Chi affiliates...