Keep your chin up, wishinhopin!
 

Hey girl,

Just wanted to reiterate what EVERYONE else has said! Don't let anyone get you down or make you feel like you're doing the wrong thing by wanting to organize a new GLO on campus.

The only reason I can think of why your **friend** is being condescending is that perhaps she feels threatened. In addition to you basically doing the same job that she is suppose to be doing, she may also feel that a new group on campus will create strong competition for her sorority, and she may be having some trouble dealing with that fact.

Let me give you something to think about for the future, too... Other Gamma Phi sisters on campus may resent you a little once word gets out that you're planning a new group. After all, Gamma Phi has been the only sorority on campus for a while now, and they are used to having the pick of rushees without any competition at all. Naturally, the sisters may feel a little threatened by new competition. So, my advice is to try and see things from their point of view so that you can be diplomatic when dealing with them.

Please know that I'm not telling you all this to deter you from starting a new group. I personally think it's a wonderful idea, and I'm sure that many girls, Gamma Phis included, will welcome the new addition to the campus and will be glad to help in whatever way possible. But you may have to win over some others with your charm and diplomacy. :) So just be prepared!

Good luck, sweetie! :D

(By the way, in case anyone is wondering, I'm speaking from experience here. When I was a collegiate, a local sorority started up on my campus and it took a while for the other groups, mine included, to accept the new addition. It's human nature for people to fight change at times, but there are definitely ways to win their acceptance and, eventually, their aid! :) )

In the Greek Bond,
Carrie

Re: DZRose
 

I'm just reiterating what my sister Carrie said in the previous post. However, Carrie is much more ladylike and restrained than I am!

These girls are definitely going to be mildly unhappy that you want to bring another NPC group in. Up until now, they have no competition for boys, pledges or anything else. In other words, they now have free reign to be as obnoxious as they want to because they are the only show in town!

Sounds to me like they need a good dose of panhellenic reality; let them sweat a little during bid matching, ya know?

Wishinhopin, you're such a fantastic, brave young woman. I know how hard it is to bring about change! But what you're doing is a great thing that could have a lasting impression on your campus. Big burden on one little pair of shoulders, but I have a feeling that you're going to do just fine! Best of luck to you :)

Hey everyone,

There ended up being a peace rally on my campus (good old UC Santa Cruz for ya) so John had to cancel our meeting today. But that's ok because it gives me more time to get all my stuff together. I officially have all the paperwork I need, so I'm working on filling it out right now. Today has been soooo crazy recently so really this is a good thing. I'm totally over being concerned about my "friend". It's not my fault that she can't get things taken care of, and it really isn't her jurisdiction to decide whether or not I can bring another sorority on campus. The support I have gotten here continues to amaze me- I really couldn't have gotten this far without the help and love I've received from all of you. Thank you again for everything!

you go girl
 

don't blink, wink or draw back.
you are a bright, talented woman and you can succeed.
don't let the fools get to you.
we're proud.
mmcat
:D :) :p :rolleyes:

Just wanted to let you know how very impressed I am with all the actions you've taken thus far... I wish you nothing but the very best of luck with your new organization.

You gots kahunas.

:)

I feel a whole lot better! Again, thank you all for everything. I wrote back to my friend (I'll just call her Mary) and sort of let her know what all was going on. In her emails to me she made it very clear that it was nice what I was doing, and she would be glad to help me. So, in my email back to her, I made it very clear that I didn't actually need her help for anything. I emphasized that things are all under control, and what stage I'm at, and that I'm totally handling my shit on my own. Aside from that, I was super super nice, and I made sure to point out that she already obviously knew all about this process, blah blah blah. Basically stroking her ego so I don't have to deal with any resentment or hostility. Aside from that, my only problem is that of co-founders. Although I have this group of interested girls, only one of them wants to dedicate herself to all the work that comes with signing on as a founder. But, to offically become a new organization, I need four signers. But I'm sure that won't be too much of a problem. I'll keep you all posted!

I am so enthralled with this. I wish I could see you in action. There isn't a single thing I could add to what everyone is saying. I just have to stand up and be counted as backing you all the way. You remind me of myself in so many ways. Different battle, but similar obstacles. Dot your "i's" and cross your "t's". Work through John. The way you handled your friend was excellent.
You maintained control of YOUR process but coated it with a little sugar-excellent! By the end of this process you will be a changed person-formidable, confident, victorious! Don't you feel it already?
YEAH!!!!!

Perfecto
 

keep up the good work..
the response was perfect.
i'm sure finding the other two founders won't be hard at all.
but you keep a smile on.
we are all super prooud.
mmcat
:p ;) :D :cool:

wishinhopin,
Just get your four signers for now. Once things really begin to fall into place and the extension process becomes more and more of "a reality," your enthusiasm will be contagious! Girls will be falling all over themselves to join. And by then, YOU will be the one helping to pick who gets to be a member! ;)
Keep up the good work.

I am sure you can find four signers. Explain to them that WHEN this takes off, (not IF) that they will have a place in history that means so much to so many. And that if it weren't for them some girls will never have an opportunity to do this. And by not signing they are letting Gamma Phi have rule over the female greek population!

Hey sweetie, I just wanna let you know that I'm so proud of you! I've been reading since the beginning and I just wanna let you know that I totally support you and think you're doing a great job, keep up the good work! you're doing great so far :-)

Wow!
 

May I just say how thoroughly impressed I am with your progress, wishinhopin?

You are truly a young woman of determination, intelligence, and class.

Gosh, I hope you get an NPC chapter going.... NPC will thrive for years to come with women like you in its fold!

You go get 'em girl, and as mmc said, "Don't let the fools get you down."

You really do my heart good! I am rooting for you!!!!

With Panhellenic Love,
imsohappythatiama

Ok, I am totally blown away!!!! Corina, you are one of the few individuals I have seen who took a less-than-ideal situation and actually channeled the disappointment into something wonderful!!!! A lot of us get "inspired" by things that upset us at the moment, and then as we cool off we let it go. You have pushed forward with something that obviously means a great deal to you. Have you thought about what you are really doing? You aren't just creating a home for yourself and the other 18 girls....you are building a legacy for a virtually unlimited number of young women for years to come. If this works out as you wish, you are going to be one of the most dynamic leaders.....the Gamma Phi Betas better look out if any "friendly" competition gets going between the two chapters!!!! You would definitely have my vote for president of the new chapter.

One word of advice.....don't get too stuck on a particular chapter. DG is a fantastic sorority, but they are only one of many. It isn't always as easy to get a chapter on campus as you might think. Although I must say, if there are a lot of DG chapters nearby it would be extremely helpful should DG decide to colonize at your campus....the other chapters could help a lot with training, initiating, and recruitment. I have noticed that some of the "newer" chapters and some of the chapters that have smaller numbers nationally are often very eager to colonize and will go to extreme lengths to make a new colony "go."

BEST of luck and please keep us posted!!!!!!!!!!!

So many of you have written to tell ask me if I realize what an amazing person I am. To all of you, I pose the same question. I absolutely could not have done this without each and every one of you who has written here and encouraged me. When I began writing here I was so full of excitement and hope; I couldn't see anything beyond Gamma Phi in my future. And at that point when I realized that this wasn't going to happen for me, I was crushed beyond all belief. When I expressed all of these feelings to everyone here, I received nothing but support. Not only were you there to cheer me on when I was doing well, but you also were there to help pick me up when I was completely down. I expect that much from my friends, but not from perfect strangers. For you to offer that without even really knowing me means more than I can ever express. Now I'm at a new stage in my life, one that is scary and full of unknowns. But it's also a stage that's going to be on my terms, and one that I can use to make me happy and to make everyone else involved happy. With all of your support, friendly words, and encouragement, I have faith that I can do this. My self esteem was at a horrible low when I got cut from Gamma Phi, and I never would have comprehended that I could do anything like this. Hearing these words over and over on this forum have helped me to start to believe all of it. I don't think I'm really going to believe that any of this is happening until it actually does! Again, I want to thank everyone. Now, enough of the sentiment for now. As much as I'm hoping for DG, I'm hoping just as much for any organization. I strongly feel that things work out like they're supposed to, and I'm sure this will be the case also. I'm going to find a home among the sisters who are right for me. Thanks for the advice!

Right on!
 

You are definitely ready to take on the world and win.
We are all so proud of you.
Keep in touch so we can celebrate with you.
marianne
mmcat
:p :cool: