pantal,
Becoming a national can take some time. Like 33girl said, it could take at least 10 years if not longer. My sorority is trying to establish itself as a national org. We have been around for 10 years and we only have 5 chapters. So as you can see, we still have a ways to go to considered be truly national. I think if you are trying to be considered national in the eyes of the NIC, you will need 13 chapters (someone correct me if I'm wrong) as well as some other criteria. But otherwise, you will need more than one chapter to be national.
I say go for becoming national. You've got too much history behind your org to affiliate with someone else. I mean, it's possible I'm sure to find another org that has your same principles and all, but it just seems like you'd be compromising a lot of history that you guys had (have) as a local. I would talk to people in your Greek Life office on more info about going national. Or if you'd like to hear from other sororities personally, I, or anyone else on this board, would be happy to help. Email me if you'd like to talk further. Good luck!
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A Radiant Lady of
Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc.
http://www.umich.edu/~zchi
[This message has been edited by ZChi4Life (edited December 09, 2000).]