I think she's saying that her school suggested Tri Sigma because they already have a deaf chapter.

In that case, I doubt Sigma would just take the whole chapter...they'd probably have to rush and get bid, just like all the other PNMs.

Greekgal7 - Just to let you know (cause I wasn't sure if you knew from your post) Sigma is not a deaf sorority on a national level. The chapter at RIT (where I'm assuming you are) just happens to be deaf.

I think the school telling you to merge w/ the Sigma chapter is kind of offensive, just because it sounds like they're saying "well Sigma's deaf and these girls are deaf...sounds like a plan!" If you wanted to join Sigma, you would have joined Sigma to begin with.

I would definitely take steps with your other two chapters to create a national constitution and obtain insurance and such and become national like that. Especially if being part of the deaf community is a big part of your sorority's mission. You don't have to be NPC to be national.

Sigma Sigma Sigma is part of NPC on my campus, and since we are a deaf local sorority, my university wants us to consider to have our chapter to join the Sigma since they have deaf members on the same campus (to clarify, both of the chapters have deaf members)

how does "small national" work? i havent heard of that possibility. is there some small nationals out there and how is it processed? The greek affairs have mentioned a year deadline, but one thing, that lady in charge of greek affairs NEVER told us the deadline, she says we are "safe" but other greek chapters on campus warned us that SHE MENTIONED we have a year left to become national.

the current sorority president is going to question her about this asap because shes hard to get ahold of

[quote=33girl;1333019]Greekgal7 - Just to let you know (cause I wasn't sure if you knew from your post) Sigma is not a deaf sorority on a national level. The chapter at RIT (where I'm assuming you are) just happens to be deaf.

I think the school telling you to merge w/ the Sigma chapter is kind of offensive, just because it sounds like they're saying "well Sigma's deaf and these girls are deaf...sounds like a plan!" If you wanted to join Sigma, you would have joined Sigma to begin with.

I would definitely take steps with your other two chapters to create a national constitution and obtain insurance and such and become national like that. Especially if being part of the deaf community is a big part of your sorority's mission. You don't have to be NPC to be national.[/quote]

how is it possible to become national without NPC? i looked online and couldnt find anything and but came across this forum.

yes the Sigma chapter at my campus is deaf and i know its the only deaf national chapter out of all Sigma chapter out there.

NPC is only a conference, like the Big 10 or SEC. Just because Old Miss is SEC and Illinois is Big 10, doesn't mean they can't play against eachother. Delta Sigma Theta, Alpha Kappa Alpha, and Sigma Gamma Rho (I know I'm missing one, I'm having a brain fart, and apologize to that group) are national sororities, but they are in a difference conference, the Divine 9. And, you don't necessarily have to be in a conference to be national.

ETA: Zeta Phi Beta...I knew it would come to me as soon as I hit the "post" button.

I'm certainly no expert, but it is possible to be a national organization without being a member of the NPC. My sorority, Beta Sigma Phi, is an international sorority, but we are non-collegiate and therefore non-NPC. Kappa Beta Gamma and Phi Beta Chi also come to mind. They are both national sororities (one social, one Christian...not that these are mutually exclusive). They have multiple chapters and are governed by a national executive board. There are many others. Some are catered to a specific interest group (religion, ethnicity, nationality, cause, or common academic field); others are not.

I don't know very much about how a group like yours would become national, but you will certainly need a constitution and board of officers as 33girl suggested.

Other posters will probably have more info.

Erica

Thats new to me, the college didnt mention about not necessarily joining the NPC. Do you have a process how to become a national on our own?

It has to do, mainly, with having a National Board that oversees all the chapters of your sorority, and of course, insurance, which I'm sure is one of your campus' main concerns.

This does raise the valid and rarely addressed question of what actually makes a national sorority a national sorority. Besides having plural chapters. I think, from reading way too many national websites, that it starts with INCORPORATION. Sorry about the caps, years of reading posts in which the D9 members are so very very proud of it have rubbed off on me. ;)

There's a forum on here called "up and coming nationals." Some of the people there could probably give you ideas on where to start.

The Greek advisor may not have told you about this possibility because she may not have known. Some people (even those in authority who should know better) think there's NPC and NPHC and that's it as far as nationals are concerned...so not the truth.

SoCalGirl, pretty much hit it on the head. A key component in becoming “national” is having your business side in order and being a legal entity. It would involve being incorporated according to the laws of your state. Those laws definitely vary from state to state so you may find an attorney helpful. Things to include are national officers and/or a board of directors, a tax ID number, and liability insurance. Your alumnae association can be a valuable asset in getting these things together. Rally them.

Here is a list of some sororities with less than 15 chapters.

Kappa Beta Gamma – www.kappabetagamma.org/
Arethusa (Sigma Gamma Phi) - www.arethusa.org/
Agonian (Alpha Kappa Phi) - www.agonian-kappa.org/
Clio Sorority (Phi Kappa Pi) - www.geneseo.edu/~clio/

Your president and chapter adviser really need to sit with the Greek Adviser. Have the GA outline in writing what is expected of your chapter. Only then can you determine what to do next.

I think you are all going about this the wrong way.

You need to think about the reasons WHY universities are requiring sororities to become national.

-Insurance
-National Affiliation


Insurance is a MUST. No University today will recognize your organization without it. They might ignore the fact that you are not national, but without insurance, it is a liability. But it is very expensive. They only way to afford it is to save, and to have many chapters paying for it.

So if you're planning to try to expand I suggest that you maintain high numbers of membership, continue excelling academically and maintain a good reputation with your own university administrators. You may need your university to back you in the process. If you aren't fulfilling their requirments they wont' put in a good word for you.

You will also want to make sure you have alumnae support in expanding. Undergrad members are busy with classes and work. You will need alumnae to help present to other schools, and also contribute financially. Write a National Constitution to include National Board and expansion process/requirements.

Find out what requirements you are NOT meeting at your university that is causing your organization to go national. Find out the details, and possibly set up a meeting with your active members, alumni association and greek advisor to discuss and explore your options.