Are you referring to MCGLOs or all GLOs? And do you mean that we have one international council or are you talking about the MCGLOs merging/absorbing others??

I wonder if that type of merger can ever take place.

Continuing the conversation... :)

While I'm not surprised, I am a bit frustrated. I know it's late, but I just found out that the NMGC just accepted Gamma Eta Sorority as a member. This is a self-proclaimed "Latino-based multicultural sorority." The NMGC also includes Mu Sigma Upsilon which calls itself a "multicultural minority Greek sorority" and it is constitutionally bound to a Latino fraternity.

Another similar organization, Sigma Lambda Gamma is a member of NALFO (which makes more sense to me) as it considers itself a Latina-based multicultural org. Though SLG seems to have three identities rolled into one: some members say purely multicultural; some say purely Latina; and other say a "national sorority" that is neither Latina nor multicultural. But the sorority was undeniably founded by Latinas.

What I'd like to know is why a council (NMGC) specifically founded for multicultural organizations takes culturally-based "multiculturals." It's already hard enough for MCGLOs to explain the difference between a "multicultural GLO" and a "Latina/Asian/AFAM/etc.-based multicultural GLO" because they are different.

It is not an issue of recruitment or publicity because people will be attracted to the org they are attracted to, whatever that may be. It's an issue of identity.

In my opinion, and it is MY opinion, if you want to convert to another type of organization, do it...but drop the single-culture programming focus, single-culture line/pledge names, etc. and state your intentions. It is just creates more confusion in an already confusing Greek world!

Thoughts?

I think this is my biggest confusion about the NMGC. I never understood why it was comprised of multicultural and cultural based organizations. I agree that some organizations have multiple identities based on not only the person, but the campus. I think that it really is confusing to people not of that organization. I would love to see a council of ONLY multicultural greeks because I think that would be of great assistance to multicultural greek organizations. I think that would help with the already confusing identity of multicultural greeks in today's greek world.

I agree with your opinion 100% Jeni. It is also my personal opinion that organizations that are of a cultural base should state their intentions and be clear. I have seen organizations that say they are multicultural, yet a quick look at the webpage tells of their true identity. I think it is unfortunate that being multicultural is used as a ploy for membership on some campuses instead of a true identity. To me, in order to be honestly multicultural, it has to be reflected in everything, names, purpose/missions/mottos, programming, everything. I sometimes wonder what the Founders of the organizations that claim multicultural in the face of all things looking single cultural base would say. Even more than that, I wonder how people who pursue a single culture organization that is claiming to be multicultural feel when they realize that it is not multicultural.

Girl, you and me both. I am personally against Theta Nu Xi joining the NMGC because of the reasons stated previously. But, a TRUE multicultural council that has solid foundations would get an audience with me.

I agree 100%. I never understood this flip-flopping of some LGLOs. In my opinion, when it's done, it's strictly to attract higher numbers, and well....no further comment! :D

Does Gamma Eta have a website? I know they were founded as a latina sorority but I don't know much about them.

I can't seem to find anything. But, I did find an article that backs up what I was saying about them being a Latino-based MCGLO, just as I said. I can't search right now but it should be easy to find.

That is a situation which truly dismays me, and was recently discussed on a national level. The proper term, which is what I personally, and my home chapter, use, is Historically Latina with Multicultural Membership. It has just taken some education, apparently, to keep everyone on the same page.

It's not really my business but I'd say that's a fair assessment. It honors your founders while reflecting the present circumstances.

Based upon what I've seen from chapters of your sorority, sounds like a great way to put it. I do have a question - why is it necessary to add that you have multicultural membership? I am not doubting that you have a multicultural membership, I've seen it at several schools. But I think in today's society, all groups have a multicultural membership. I think that is where the split occurs - some people emphasize the Historically Latina part while others are emphasizing the Multicultural Membership part. Both may be right, but by emphasizing one over the other, it can indicate two different directions.

You know, I was thinking about that. I see NPCs claiming their diversity/multiculturalism but we don't confuse who they are. Perhaps the difference is in the type of group. When culture-based orgs say that they have "multicultural membership," especially when it's true, it can be tempting to swing to far into the other direction. There must be a good solution.

Well, our membership has been multicultural since the 1st line of Alpha Chapter, so it is something which we have recognized for nearly ALL of our history. The other fact is, if you read our mission statement/vision, we are for the service of ALL WOMEN, which can get lost under the title Latina Sorority.

Gamma Eta site