Do you ever wish you joined a National org?

[billington89]

hey everyone.
this is my first post, but I've been reading this site religiously for the past few days. it's so interesting to hear everyone else's stories and opinions!

so, I obviously have a purpose for posting on this thread. I am part of a local at a small, private college where greek life is not huge, although present. we are the only local here, with the rest being NPC sororities. going though recruitment, I didn't truly identify myself with any of the other houses. yes, one or two mesmerized me with their glamor, looks, etc, but none were really me. I also hated rush, which surprised me, because I am a pretty social person and tried to put my best foot forward. anyway, to get to the point, my best friend was part of this local sorority and I knew some of her friends in it, who I liked. so, I got a bid and pledged. let me say that I absolutely LOVE my pledge class. we are a great group, and the more I researched and took part in events, the more I loved greek life. I was chomping at the bit to move into the house, get a position, and make myself a presence in the greek life here, even speak out about expanding the sororities and frats on campus.
however, I have lingering thoughts about my school as well as my sorority at times. perhaps some people aren't aware, but local sororities get the short end of the stick when it comes to recruitment, the house, special events because of the lack of money flowing in from a national organization, which puts a limit on what we can do. also, it's hard to not have that international connection that others feel through their national connection. I envy that a little. I feel that not having a national lets us skimp on our values or traditions a little, seeing as the only ones enforcing our rules are other active sisters--alumnae don't take too much of an active role in the house. as I look into being greek, I want that sense of tradition and sisterhood to foster as I get older, but many juniors and seniors seem to let things slide, which worries me. moreover, my sorority is known as the booze bags, a name I don't like to flaunt. it's not that I don't like to party, I really can enjoy it, but drinking every night of the week and being known as what I can only refer to as 'hot messes' isn't the label I desired when joining an organization.
now, I'm not trying to complain or undo my decision. but I am curious to see if I could, in the future, join an NPC organization at another school, say grad school or if I transferred, while still being part of my local? in case anyone is wondering, my local broke away from a prominent national a while ago and there is almost no chance that we will apply for any national status. my local is also part of the panhellenic council at my school and follows all NPC rules, so would I need to deactivate from my chapter to join an NPC? I'm sure this doesn't look to great to the new sororities I would be interested in. what is everyone's take on this issue?
again, I want to say that I'm just asking if this is possible and some opinions. I know some people might think I'm not loyal to my group or that I regret my decision, but I don't. I'm just interested in knowing the facts, as well as potential options. I apologize for this being so long!

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by billington89

now, I'm not trying to complain or undo my decision. but

I am curious to see if I could, in the future, join an NPC organization at another school, say grad school or if I transferred, while still being part of my local? in case anyone is wondering, my local broke away from a prominent national a while ago and there is almost no chance that we will apply for any national status. my local is also part of the panhellenic council at my school and follows all NPC rules, so would I need to deactivate from my chapter to join an NPC? I'm sure this doesn't look to great to the new sororities I would be interested in. what is everyone's take on this issue?

You asked alot of questions and I'm going to try and address them all:

Women from locals are permitted to join NPC sororities (per NPC policy). However, just because they are allowed to, does not mean that every woman from a local organization who goes through recruitment is going to get a bid.

As far as going through recruitment again at your current school and trying to join an NPC, I honestly can't say whether you'll get a bid.

Every school has a different attitude toward this kind of thing. Depending on where you go to school, it may raise a few eyebrows and you'd have no chance at getting a bid, because girls would be like "wtf, she was in the local last year!" Then there are some schools at which this wouldn't matter at all.

Also, depending on your school, you may not be eligible to receive a bid from one of the other sororities. I know that at my school, the women who were in the local sorority were listed on that sororities' membership roster, and were therefore not eligible to get bids from other sororities because they were already in one(per campus policy). So it also depends on your campus policies as well.

About transferring: You could transfer schools and rush, but there are no guarantees that you will get a bid at your new school. I also don't really advocate switching schools JUST for that (especially if you are doing well at the school you're in).

Also, as far as rushing in grad school, not every NPC sorority accepts grad students.

As you can see, there is alot that goes into leaving a local and rushing again, so think it over because there really aren't any guarantees that you will get into another sorority (be it at your current school or another).

[33girl]

Originally Posted by billington89

perhaps some people aren't aware, but local sororities get the short end of the stick when it comes to recruitment, the house, special events because of the lack of money flowing in from a national organization, which puts a limit on what we can do.

This absolutely, positively is NOT the truth everywhere. There are schools where the locals rule rush and the NPCs are the bottom of the totem pole. And money doesn't "flow in" from the national organization - the members are paying dues that are probably several times what yours are.

Do you have an active alumnae corporation/chapter? This is absolutely essential for a strong collegiate chapter when you're local amongst NPCs.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by 33girl

This absolutely, positively is NOT the truth everywhere. There are schools where the locals rule rush and the NPCs are the bottom of the totem pole. And money doesn't "flow in" from the national organization - the members are paying dues that are probably several times what yours are.

Do you have an active alumnae corporation/chapter? This is absolutely essential for a strong collegiate chapter when you're local amongst NPCs.

I'm so glad you said this, 33girl! In truth, money in NPCs flows the other direction towards nationals. Nationals only spends money on a chapter when they are colonizing, at least in AOII. (And, as has been pointed out to me, AOII helps financially when working to rehabilitate chapters in trouble.)

[KSUViolet06]

Originally Posted by AOII Angel

I'm so glad you said this, 33girl! In truth, money in NPCs flows the other direction towards nationals. Nationals only spends money on a chapter when they are colonizing, at least in AOII.

Right. Being part of an NPC sorority does not = having tons of money at your disposal for recruitment and such. Our respective HQs don't provide us with funds for recruitment (unless the chapter is a new colony or a redeveloping chapter). They can assist us in other ways like sending in a consultant when a chapter is having difficulty with recruitment, but they don't give chapters money.

Generally, a chapter's recruitment budget is generated from the dues paid by active members. Some chapters do receive help in the form of donations from area alumnae (they donate food, decorations, balloons, etc.) but HQ does not supply chapters with money to spend for recruitment.