Starting a sorority- help!!!

[bianca131]

Hey I'm hoping to start a local sorority at my college, but I think I need more information on how to get it start it. I have been reading a few sites that explain how to start a sorority and what you need. My college doesn't recognize Sororities or Fraternities. So this would be an off-campus sorority which has been done. A lot of the sorority here seem to be only basing themselves on how cool they are and how they run the campus. We need something different, and I'm taking matters into my own hands by starting one! So if someone can e-mail or reply back with a little more information then that would be great. My biggest problem seems to be the pledge process. I understand it takes about 8-10 weeks and this is when the girls learn about the sorority, do some events, but what else? How do you end the process of a pledging and how do the girls become sisters. Other then that I understand everything else.

e-mail; unbr0kenlove@aol.com

[AlexMack]

Do a search for 'starting a local' on here. Also search for 'Rush at UCSC' because it's a great account of the ups and downs of starting a chapter.

[LPIDelta]

Question--do you know why your college doesn't recognize sororities and fraternities? Is that something you could work to change?

As suggested, the Locals forum here is great.

[texas*princess]

Originally Posted by LPIDelta

Question--do you know why your college doesn't recognize sororities and fraternities? Is that something you could work to change?

That's a good call

If you have campus support, it is much easier to operate. You could gain permission to use campus facilicites for events, advertise your group (campus newspaper? flyers?), and so much more.

[bianca131]

Originally Posted by LPIDelta

Question--do you know why your college doesn't recognize sororities and fraternities? Is that something you could work to change?

As suggested, the Locals forum here is great.

Well our campus just changed President and it seems that this president use to be in a Fraternity. So there might actually be some changes done, but I would probably try to change that of course. So I think it was because of the old President that Greek Life was no recognized

[LPIDelta]

hmm... well in that case, I think I would consider talking with other students to see if there is an interest in changing the "policy". From there, you might come up with a proposal that you can forward to the SGA or the Dean of Students or President's Office for consideration. I wouldn't rely entirely on the fact that the President is Greek, simply because he may leave such decisions up to the dean or director level people, but its definitely a positive. If your college is trying to enhance student life or grow enrollment, you can make a case that Greek life is on way to help do that. I suggest this because it is easier to start a new group if you have support.

Otherwise, you can't do this alone. Do you have friends who would be interested in starting this group with you? Think about what will make your group different from other such opportunities around campus. What values do you want your members to cherish? What will be your mission? Good luck!

[bianca131]

Truly understand, and yes I actually have a few girls who want to start one up as well. We did some research online, and gotten a pretty good amount of info. Now another question actually came to mind. Now I know in order to start one you need to pick a name that isn't taken already. Which I already did. I had a few names in mind, but my concern is now do I need to contact someone and tell them I'm start a sorority. I don't mean to contact the campus, but like the NPC. Or can I just start one without making any contact's. We have two local sororities already on campus like I said, but I rushed for both and I just didn't like the group of girls. They were just rude, and didn't care for much but popularity. I would ask for advice from them, but then I really doubt they would bother to help me. So how would this work? Do I just start it pick my name and such, or do I contact the NPC to let them know? I'm still reading on about the 'Rush at UCSC'.

[SigKapAngel767]

How did Beta Epsilon/Delta Xi Omega rip of Sigma Kappa?

Originally Posted by SigKapAngel767

How did Beta Epsilon/Delta Xi Omega rip of Sigma Kappa?

The link is in here: http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=89984

[cuteASAbug]

Originally Posted by OTW

The link is in here: http://greekchat.com/gcforums/showthread.php?t=89984

thank you

[bianca131]

Oh no none of them. No this sorority looks pretty good. I just dont know if I should say which sorority. I posted a post before asking if anyone wanted to open a chapter. Because I wasn't sure if i wanted to start my own, but then I did. She saw my post and asked if I still wanted to.

[Leslie Anne]

Originally Posted by bianca131

I just dont know if I should say which sorority. .

No, you shouldn't!


I'd like to be supportive of new local sororities but it seems these days that everyone and their mother wants to start one or quickly join a regional one. I often wonder how many of these women have taken the time to really consider what they are doing. Greek letters on a sweatshirt don't make a sorority. As someone else has pointed out, you're putting the cart before the horse.

Reviewing the history of the founding any of the NPCs or the long-standing locals might help put some things into perspective. There's a reason why these organizations have flourished and why so many others have not.

It seems these days that everyone wants instant gratification; grab some letters and insta-sorority!

To the OP, I wish you success but I hope you'll slow down a bit and give the whole thing some serious thought. (And do some research.)

[bianca131]

Originally Posted by Leslie Anne

No, you shouldn't!


I'd like to be supportive of new local sororities but it seems these days that everyone and their mother wants to start one or quickly join a regional one. I often wonder how many of these women have taken the time to really consider what they are doing. Greek letters on a sweatshirt don't make a sorority. As someone else has pointed out, you're putting the cart before the horse.

Reviewing the history of the founding any of the NPCs or the long-standing locals might help put some things into perspective. There's a reason why these organizations have flourished and why so many others have not.

It seems these days that everyone wants instant gratification; grab some letters and insta-sorority!

To the OP, I wish you success but I hope you'll slow down a bit and give the whole thing some serious thought. (And do some research.)

I understand this completely and I have given this a lot of thought. I'm not rushing, I just wanted some advice and help on what I should do. I was planning to take this whole semester to do more research. I also was planning to set a meeting with few girls who share my idea and come up with a reason as to why. Although I know myself as to why, and it has nothing to do with the other sororities I didn't like. But thank you.

[adpiucf]

I think it is a very honorable intention to start a women's organization, but there are national sisterhood groups out there that don't fall into the traditional social sorority scene that your campus currently prohibits. Why not look at one of these instead? You can possibly receive student gov't funding and university recognition, as well as traditional, history and guidance from alumnae members.

Some friendly advice: You're in school to get an education. Please remember that. Too many people allow the running of their organization to consume their lives. It is a great thing to be involved in an activity, but that's not going to do much for you when it comes time to apply to grad school or get a job if you barely scraped by with the bare minimum GPA and no internships or networking contacts. A sorority can "help" with the networking, but it doesn't guarantee you an interview or a job.

While I whole-heartedly endorse joining locals, I don't recommend starting a local. It is a lot of work, and you have no guidance or assurance to fall back on if something goes wrong with the group, or if something happens to endanger the group. A local that has more history has alumnae support and its history to guide it. A national that is just colonizing has local and national alumnae support to guide it, as well as the history. But I think, after reading "Rush at UCSC," you should think twice about taking on this task. 4 years goes by very quickly-- take advantage of the campus resources that will help you move into a career.

A sorority, local or national, will help you develop excellent planning and interview skills, poise and self-discipline, as well as teach you how to work well with women. But starting one is a huge endeavor.

[SigKapAngel767]

Thanks, OTW