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Hi, everyone.
Well, my sorority is not quite a local since we do have a national organization. But since we only have three collegiate chapters currently, I figured my response was not completely inaccurate. In addition, I was a founder of the first colony which could experience many of the same situations as a local.
I am a member of the Beta Chapter, the first interest group that caused the original chapter to become incorporated as a national organziation. The OU chapter had a lot more difficulty getting established than the original MN chapter. The University of Oklahoma has a very strong greek culture. At the beginning, the other Greek organizations felt that we would be a threat to them. However, when we demonstrated from our founding class that we were not (90% of our members never rushed or seriously considered pledging), they decided to tolerate our presence. Today, the attitude is improving.
As of today, we are still not a part of "Greek Affairs" but more and more people on campus are becoming aware that we do exist. We do not rush in the same manner. Our rush is simply multiple events during the first 3 weeks of classes. Any woman attending three events within that time may pledge if she is pursuing a technical degree. Our membership numbers don't even hit the same ballpark as the other sororities on campus (20 compared to 200, a conservative estimate). We have no house whereas they have mansions. But we do find quality members who believe in our goals and the relationships between sisters is very strong.
Good luck to you all.
Gizmo
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