YAY, Corina! You are on your way! We're so proud of you!
:D :D :D

big things to come
 

we are all so proud.
just take it one step at a time and don't let anything scare you.
you can get this done and done well.
you strike me as a terrific girl and one who can lead and make a difference.
have a terrific tomorrow.
mmcat
:rolleyes: :p :D :D

Not a whole lot to report here, just thought I'd say hi. I kindof had a moment where I lost my motivation when I realized that my neighbor (who I rushed with and who didn't even attend every night and who is, to be completely brutal, kindof....vapid) got into Gamma Phi. In a way it almost makes me feel better, like I see that if this is the way they are then I don't want to be a part of it anyway. I'm waiting to recieve the information packet from NPC, and as soon as I get it I'm going to get right on top of things. I'm not sure if I should start advertising now? I'm kindof scared of Gamma Phi finding out, like they're not going to appreciate competition. I don't know. I have one sorority in particular that I'm REALLY hoping for so I sent some emails to relevant people just in an effort to get my foot in the door. Honestly though, I would be happy with just about any organization. I'll be sure to keep you posted. Anyone have any thoughts on when and how I should go about getting more numbers involved?

Keep your chin up! We are all in support of you!
 

It might be a bit premature to start advertising, I would wait until an NPC sorority says to you, "Yes, we want to come to UCSC and start a colony there".

However, I would definitely make sure that you have the full names, phone numbers and email addresses of the 18 women that you said were extremely interested in being part of a NPC sorority, but they were disappointed not to get a bid from Gamma Phi Beta. Make sure that you keep a list of everyone so that when things start to take shape, you have a way of getting in touch with everyone asap. Also, with those women, ask them if they have friends who might be interested, if a new NPC group should come to campus. (I used to be involved in Youth Politics and we used to say "Underpromise and overdeliver"). Do not say "I am bringing a new sorority to campus" until you actually hear from an NPC sorority that yes, they want to come and set up a colony on your campus. You just don't want to "count your chickens before the eggs have hatched", right?

As for increasing numbers, bear in mind that you want to have women involved who you would be proud to call "sister" (echoing one of the earlier posts on this thread). So try to go for quality over quantity to ensure a strong basis for a colony. As for the 18 women that you said are interested, that sounds like a great start. What you could maybe do, is email the NPC again (or the sorority or sororities that you are interested in) and ask whether they have some supporting materials or ideas in which to get women excited or interested in this to come out!) Surely the NPC must have some P.R. pointers on how to increase interest for a colony?


As for Gamma Phi Beta at UCSC not appreciating another sorority potentially coming to campus, it is basic economics. Supply and Demand! It is not personal, the fact remains, that there were too many rushees for too few bids! So, if Gamma Phi Beta doesn't like it, the only way they can keep a monopoly of NPC sorority life on UCSC campus is to increase their chapter size and take in more rushees. I think it would be unrealistic for the Gamma Phi Beta chapter to think they would be the only NPC chapter on campus for time eternal, so if they don't like it that another group might be coming...tough beans! It is not personal, it is just that 35 extra rushee women were interested in the bonds of sisterhood and Gamma Phi Beta's chapter was full up and were unable, due to chapter size contraints, to extend that opportunity to them.

Good luck, you are doing wonderful so far, and listen to cutiepie-she is very right in everything. Gamma will just have to accept that they can't be the only sorority on campus, and besides, it makes rush more interesting! And don't worry, if they get upset, there isnt a lot they can do about it. So I wish you the best of luck, and keep us posted!!

Which NPC group?
 

You mentioned that there was one group you are really hoping for. Can I ask on what this preference is based? I hope you keep in mind the following:

--Other chapters in the area. You will want and need their support. I know some groups have little, if any, presence on the West Coast, so you may not want one of those.

--Extension plans. Look at the last few chapters that have colonized for a specific group. Were they well-supported by National officers? Were they ultimately successful?

--Personality. I know there is officer turnover in any group, but be sure that you can work with the women who will initially be helping you. Be sure your goals are in line with their goals.

The one group that I was particularly hoping for was Delta Gamma. This is based on a variety of reasons:
- one of my best friends is a DG and so I've spent alot of time with her and her sisters, and I've learned alot about DG. I was really impressed with everything they stand for and support.
-They have an excellent and longstanding reputation within NPC.
-There are several DG chapters nearby, all of whom have had tons of support from nationals and alumni.
Etc Etc Etc. There's more but it isn't as interesting as that. I am hoping for DG, but it's really not a huge deal. I promised myself I would go into this being completely openminded about all the groups we were considering and all the girls who would eventually be my sisters. I think it's important to be selective but I don't want to judge anyone or any organization on the superficial reasons that some people consider to be standard for sororities. Maybe that's just me being idealistic but I'm going to do what I can to make this work. I think alot of this stems from the fact that I feel I was cut from Gamma Phi for the wrong reasons. So, hopefully all will work out. If I end up becoming a DG, that will be amazing. If not, I'm sure I will find my home with another equally qualified and amazing organization. I'll keep you all posted!

Thanks for keeping us posted and I wish you the best of luck!! I hope everything works out for you.

Nichole

Hang in there
 

Sweetie! Be brave, keep an open mind and enjoy this marvelous adventure. You know you have a lot of friends here who are with you.
cheers
mmcat
:p :cool: ;)

I have loved reading your story! I am SO impressed with your determination and sincerity...you have the makings of a an AMAZING sorority sister. Good luck and way to go!

Once again, I just want to thank everyone here for their support. It means so much to me. I got my paperwork from NPC today, but I'm a little confused about the process. I can't figure out if it makes more sense to form a local sorority with the immediate intent to affiliate, or if I should just start as an interest group. Should I start recruiting people right now? How do I even advertize for that? I know that many women on my campus have little interest in only being a local, so I guess I would have to specify that we were going NPC on the flyers or whatever. I'm a little overwhelmed with this process right now. Any advice? I'll post more soon with all the details, I'm sort of sick right now and so I'm not thinking completely straight!

I am so impressed with you! Keep up the hard work and, my goodness, what a legacy you could leave! I'd be happy to chat with you anytime you're feeling overwhelmed. Feel free to PM me!

I admire you and what you are doing. Stay strong--you can do this!!!

Jen

I've got another long post for all of you....here's a little more detail on the info I got from NPC:

There are several plans detailed for creating an NPC extension chapter. Plan one doesn't apply to me, because it involves the campus already having a panhellenic. Plan two is for local sororities, also with panhellenic. Plan three is "Affiliation of a local sorority where no college panhellenic exists" which might be applicable if we decide to register as a local sorority. Here are the steps for Plan three:

1. Campus administration designates appropriate personnel to coordinate extension procedure.
2. Coordinator notifies NPC of campus interest in extension.
3. NPC sends packet of extension info.
4. Local sorority can either:
A. ask NPC to notify all NPC groups of interest in affiliation.
or
B. select sororities it wishes and ask NPC to notify them.
5. local sorority prepares informational data for sororities.
6. To NPC sororities that express interest, NPC sends data about campus and local sorority.
7. Limited number of sororities selected to visit campus.
8. Presentations scheduled with sororities.
9. Local sorority selects and petitions NPC sorority of choice.

Plan four is for "establishing NPC sororities or affiliation of a local sorority where no college panhellenic exists". It's exactly the same as plan three except that there are two extra steps:

10. NPC sororities that made presentations but were not selected are notified of the decision, and info on those sororities are filed for future reference.
11. Coordinator meets with reps of selected sorority to establish colonization plans.

So I guess I'm going to call the student activities office and let them know what's going on? Everything is all complicated, this packet of info they sent me has about a billion appendixs that coordinate to another billion things and I'm overwhelmed! I'll let you all know if anything develops. Thanks for the support!

Corina,
Just wanted to re-iterate that we are all behind you! Again, you said that you have 18 girls who were really interested and I am sure that by word of mouth, that number will grow. Do you have a friend who is as keen as you are, who can help you out a bit (don't neglect your school work....a good GPA is important to sororities)

18 girls seems like a great start because I had a look at the 1999-2000 Gamma Phi Beta composite at UCSC (it is here and from the composite, there only appears to be 25 members. Even if, say 10 girls missed that day, that is still a chapter of 35 women. So, you are off to a great start if you have 18 serious interests and if that number is growing!

wishinhopin,

It looks as if your next move is to notify Student Activities that you are interested in getting someone from administration appointed to oversee the extension process.

Then get your core group of girls who weren't offered a bid ready (maybe a mass email) and let them know that you're calling a meeting about the NPC extension process. Make that meeting informational/organizational, so that everyone knows what the process is. You can start getting your constitution and committees in order. I would suggest having all your ducks in a row before advertising on the general campus.

Hope this helps, and if anyone can add on this, please do so! Let's help Corina out! :D

(PS: I know that you already have one particular sorority in mind, but I would urge you to let NPC notify all groups of the extension opportunity. IMO, its best to keep your options as wide open as possible. You never know what will happen!)

keep on
 

Hiya...
Sure it looks complicated, but don't let it get you.
I totally agree that you need to build your base of folks interested.
Then do the procedural stuff. Then the promo stuff.
Take it one step...
AND stay in touch. we're with you.
mmcat
:p :D :rolleyes:

So here's the deal for right now. I am definitely definitely definitely going to ask NPC to get in touch with all the sororities. I am hoping for a couple in particular, but I want to be completely open minded (as much as I can be) until the very end. Here is the only real problem I have. Due to lack of organization on my part, and general shit that has been going on, my contact with the previously mentioned 18 girls has been somewhat limited. As in, I don't actually know how to get in touch with some of them anymore. I know for sure that they are interested, I just need a way to get in touch with them. I don't think anyone at Gamma Phi will be particularly enamored with the idea of giving me some info on the girls that got cut- I don't even know if that's ethical at all. So the only way I can think of to get in touch with them is to post flyers and do all of that. I'm going to be SO angry with myself if I screw this up! Maybe I can ask the student organizations office to get in touch with Gamma Phi and get info on potentially interested girls? I don't even know. This is stressing me out. But I definitely am still one hundred percent into this plan, and I know I can do it. If anyone has any advice, please please please let me know!

Corina,

Contact the girls that you do have information for. More likely than not, they will have the contact info of the girls that you are missing.

Either way, I don't think you need all 18 girls right now. What you need is a core group of about 10 who are willing to do the "heavy lifting." Once the group gets organized, you can start advertising and the rest will come--plus others you may not even know about!

Don't stress out! You're doing fine. :)

Amen
 

Do not worry...
Get your core together, get the basics put together, and then follow the trail.
You one tough and special lady...you will be fine.
At least I so believe.
But don't give up.
Mmcat

:) ;) :p :D :rolleyes:

If you are doing flyers, do not discount your Student Newspaper either. You could do kind of an announcement and ask the Student Newspaper to print it for you.

(I know that Student Newspaper can be a bit...err...."leftist"sometimes, but if you are just doing a general announcement, they can't really crow about that). Have some contact information in there, and hopefully some of the disappointed rushees will see it in the paper. Try to get it to run more than once. Or you can have a Letter to the Editor, just letting people know that you are wanting to contact women who are interested in bringing a new NPC sorority to UCSC and have your email address given there....that shouldn't offend anyone.

To be honest, I don't know how cooperative Gamma Phi Beta will be in providing you with contact information of girls who were not extended bids.......with the 10 that you do have, see if they know of any others.

If any of the rushees has unusual names, you could try to track them down through the UCSC Email Directory (you can use first name or last name, or both):


Also, does UCSC have residence? Don't forget to advertise (when the time is right) around the res halls too

wishin--

The Greek Life office should have a list of women who went through recruitment, and also a list of those who did not get bids with Gamma Phi Beta. Have you contacted them with your ideas yet? If you have, I would suggest scheduling a meeting with the greek advisor and getting the information from her. They keep all of that on record. I know that in a normal greek system with more than one sorority, sororities know what women went bidless, and thus, can have the opportunity to snap bid or invite them to COB. By starting a new group, I would think you'd have a real need for this information.

E-mail me if you have any questions...as I've been through this!

Heather

Heather,

thanks for the advice. Unfortunately, we don't have a greek life office or a greek advisor or anything here. My campus basically hates greeks- they believe very strongly in the stereotypes, so this is just one more obstacle I'm going to need to overcome if I want to do this successfully. But thank you so much for trying to help!

Wishin,
You are doing a great job, and I really admire how much you believe in bringing another organization to your campus. You would be a valuable asset to any NPC group.

Something that I thought about that may help, if you know of any faculty that are greek at your campus, they may be able to help you, and be somewhat of a sponsor to your organization...even if you don't choose that group. At least they would be there as somewhat of a mentor. But I have no suggestions of how you would even go about finding out things like that.

As for getting the word out, I agree: flyers, newspaper, and if you have student access tv and they run bulletins, put up a "greek organization interest meeting for women only", but i would watch out for the Gamma Phi's. Some may want another organization, some may not and they may try and put up some barriers for you. However, with the number of women who rushed vs. the number who got bids, there really should be a new organization on your campus. My old college just did an extension for that reason.

Let us know, and we are here for ya!!!!

-Maggie

Gamma Phi's
 

I am not exactly sure why we are assuming that Gamma Phi will be so hostile. I, for one, think that you are much better off approaching them early to let them know what you are doing. If you go to their president and chapter advisor and ask them to pass the information along to their chapter, I believe they will act in the Panhellenic spirit. This is much better than rumors flying all over the place.

Re: Gamma Phi's
 

No, you're right. It was wrong of me to assume that the Gamma Phi Betas would not be cooperative. :o

I believe in the "everything should be out in the open" philosophy, to fend off rumours flying all over the place.

OK, without a Greek Advisor or Greek Life office, you are going to have to rely on Gamma Phi Beta to help you out. I think it's the only way. Gamma Phi Beta should welcome the fact that you want to bring more Greek Life to campus. I mean, being greek is not only about belonging to your organization, but to the greek community as well.

With that said, I would approach one of the Gamma Phi Beta sisters that you know well and are friendly with, and tell her what your plan is. I mean, they cut how many girls from their own group, and in true panhellenic fashion, should want as many women to succeed at joining a sorority. Ask them for a list of women who went through recruitment but did not receive a bid from them.

I wish I knew more about the campus, but unfortunately, if I were in your shoes based on the information you're providing, this seems to be the way to get interested women. Approach Gamma Phi Beta. They should welcome the opportunity to expand :)

I think I have sort of a personal block against talking with Gamma Phi. Even though I know it's dumb, I still feel lame and.....rejected in reference to them. So I can't help but think that if I try to talk to them, they're going to be sitting there thinking about how I'm so pathetic that I couldn't get into their organization, and I have to try to make my own. Ugh. I know that's unreasonable but it's hard to control what you feel deep down inside. Another problem is that I have one friend from Gamma Phi who I was pretty close with. She gave me lots of advice and help, and we emailed eachother back and forth all last quarter last year through the beginning of rush this year. She gave me all kinds of encouraging comments, and I really thought (in large part because of her) that there was no doubt that I would get in GPhiB. I wrote to her last right before rush started, and she never wrote back. I didn't expect her to write during rush, but I thought maybe after I got cut, she would have said something. Especially since she was so confident that I would be in. Anyway. So my feelings are hurt because I think it really sucks that she didn't even take the time to attempt to maintain our friendship. But she's the only person in Gamma Phi I would feel comfy talking to, so I don't know. I should email her or something but it feels so akward. But if I want this to work I guess I kinda have to talk to her. The whole thing just makes me nervous! I'm getting ready to call the student organizations office as soon as I'm done with this post, more soon!

Corina-
If you feel so uncomfortable talking to the Gamma Phis, why not get together the group of women you have contacts for and start dividing the duties of getting your new sorority off the ground? Someone who does not feel uncomfortable can be in charge of relations with Gamma Phi.

Good luck!
Amy

Hi Corina! amycat has a great idea (which is par for the course! :)) I know even in good circumstances, there were women uncomfortable about doing "panhellenic relations." And there were some women who loved it.

I've seen campuses where the other sororities welcomed a new group with open arms and some where they were downright vicious. You never know until you try. I'm sure the Gamma Phi's will be somewhat uneasy, but on the other hand, they might welcome having another NPC around since the rest of the groups are local.

GOOD LUCK!!

From what I saw on their website, GPhi started as a local w/ the intention to affiliate. So that could be a great way to start. :)


I would post fliers EVERYWHERE on campus. Especially the Res Halls. But remember, great sisters come from all walks of lives. So even the girls you think won't be interested at all could be your biggest assets!

Definitely get an advisor. Preferably a Greek one, male OR female. They'll have great advice and good conections. ;)

I would email the girl you know in GPhi just to let her know what your up to. Just keep it to the point. An FYI. But, I wouldn't count on them for names. If they want to help; they'll come to you.

You'll do great!

So here's an interesting development. I got in touch with John, a guy who is in charge of student affairs or something. I'm not sure what his title is but he's the guy I need to be in touch with. And he thought this whole process was great and he wants to meet with me and blah blah blah, so I'm happy. And then he wants to meet tomorrow, because tomorrow he has a meeting with his intern for Greek life on campus- a new position that just opened up this year, which is why I totally forgot about it until now. And then I remember that- ironically enough- the girl who holds that position is the very same girl I was talking about earlier, the one who was my friend but hasn't been in touch with me. So now I have to be in touch with her. I have class tomorrow at two, so I can't make the meeting at three, which is unfortunate. It would help me out alot if I could be there. Maybe I could skip the second half of class? Things are so complicated! If I decide not to go in tomorrow it doesn't matter so much because I have a meeting with him on Tuesday morning. But this is really the time that I need to go. I'm nervous. Please someone help me out here, if I'm going to go I need to get in touch with him soon!!!

Skip the second half of class, its to the benefit of your goal!
:)
Amy

Most people will tell you that academics are the most important thing, and they are. But if the class is something that it won't really affect you to miss half the class I say go for it!

Good luck with this, and know that we are with you all the way:)

I'd skip the second half too. Arrive early so that you can get a seat right next to the door. That way you won't make too much commotion when you leave. Also, try to get in touch with that teacher before class to see what assignments you will need for the next class. It shows the teacher that at least you are thinking a head. If not make sure there is someone who can tell you what the next assignment is.

Good Luck!!!!!

Corina,
Is you class of a type if you miss the last half, you won't be too far behind? If you are on good terms with your professor, I would tell him that you have an on-campus meeting that is very important and would need to leave class early. Sit in the back of the room so you don't disturb anyone when you leave.

Hope it works out for you - it really sounds like things are going great!

Barbara

I totally think you should skip part of the class if you can....and go for it. I would just come with all your information and write down a mission statement or a statement of purpose so they both know why you are there.

I'm skipping class, and I just called him and left a message with his secretary making sure it was alright that I met with him tomorrow. He's going to call me back. New question: should I email my (ex) friend and let her know what I'm doing ahead of time? I'm going to be seeing her tomorrow, so maybe it would be good to give her a heads up and let her know why I'm doing this? It's very complicated at this point, I'm freaking out I'm sure for no reason! I need to calm down, I'm sure this isn't as big of a deal to her as it is to me. Whatever. Any advice?

If I were in you shoes I would be freaking out too. I'm not sure your relationship with this girl either, its possible she feels really bad and thats why she hasn't gotten in touch with you....in that case, i think you should drop her an email. If not, and she is doesn't care if you got in or not and she was "dirty rushing" you or something (and i am not saying she was!!!) then just show up with your plan in hand.

Wait!
 

Wishinhopin-

Be honest! The Gamma Phi girls really have no good reason to be miffed with you for trying to bring a great experience to the women who were not selected to join their group. Be sincere and let them know how much you admired their group and actually wished to be a part of something that you thought was wonderful. (a real compliment) And let them know that now you've realized there are many other girls who feel the same way abt. missing out on such an opportunity and would like to invite them to share in creating a new org.that would allow more women to share the joy of sisterhood. In all honesty, they should be flattered that you had been so disappointed to not be selected to join their group and should understand the feeling of wanting to belong to something so amazingly special. Remember to let your heart be your true guide. Don't allow the passion and virtue with which you started this endeavor to be swayed by petty power-plays and ignorance. You are doing a powerful thing. Be strong, be filled with love, be honest.

I'm still freaking out. I emailed her and was nice but a little distant- I don't see the point in either of us pretending that everything is just all wonderful and friendly still. But I'm glad I sent it, just so I feel like I have all bases covered. I'm now working on gathering names of interested women so I can bring it to the meeting, and I'm also writing up a list of goals. Today I'm going to pick up the rest of the paperwork for making a new student organization, and I'm also going to talk to my friend in DG about some of her higher ups (that I know) writing some kind of letter of recomendation or something. So I feel like I'm going to go into this meeting with alot of information and everything. Maybe I'll also print up copies of all the correspondence between NPC and DG and I. Hopefully all of this will work out!!