Like I said before, I've met so many great women from such a variety of houses that I'm not really worried about which org we're going to affiliate with. I love how all of you are plugging your GLOs though, it's so cute! Knowing that there are so many members who are that proud of their sorority definitely speaks favorably. Update! I got a call from Kelly (John's secretary) and she told me that she spoke with NPC today. She's going to have all of our info sent out to NPC by tomorrow at the latest, and we're going to be in the February NPC newsletter! I'm soooo excited because this means that things are definitely underway and now are going to be in the hands of people who know more about this than my school does. I will be so incredibly happy when we get the list of sororities that are interested in us! I think that will be one of the most fun parts of all of this. I found a pin that we're going to use as our local's pin, it's really cute and I'm happy about that. If anyone happens to have the most recent issue of Teen magazine, it's featured in there. It's light blue and dark blue flowers (three little jeweled flowers) with a ribbon around the bottom. Hard to explain but cute. I'm so happy!!

I am so excited for you! Keep us updated on what sororities wish to colonize at your school! Best of luck! :D

Interesting new development: Kelly called me again, and told me that NPC is requesting some information from Gamma Phi Beta, like their opinion of us or something. So tomorrow I'm meeting with Mary and some of my sisters for an informal meeting at the cafe on campus. I'm nervous. We have to be like a real sorority and make sure she's impressed with us or else our chances could be ruined! Any advice?

I think that NPC wants to know not only what GPB thinks of you, but see their release figures, things like that. Especially since they are the only NPC on campus. Obviously it will help you that they do have to turn so many women away - NPC will see that there is a need for another sorority. Also NPC might want to hear from the Greeks themselves (as opposed to the admin) about campus perception of Greeks, etc.

Just be as sweet and charming as you always are on here. :D They're not going to say anything catty, it would just make them look bad.

Good luck! :)

I think if you guys hold your heads high and keep up the great motivation that you all have right now, it will shine through. The fact that you guys want to start a new sorority on a campus that doesn't seem very Greek friendly shows how mature and industrious women you are. It takes a lot to start a new chapter, but you guys can do it. Be confident and remember you want this and just think how cool it would be to be the chartering(?) members of a chapter. Definitely something to be proud of if you ask me...

I noticed you started referring to the rest of your core group as "my sisters". That's a big part of being "like a real sorority" - you *are* a real sorority. :)

And ok, I can't resist suggesting AEPhi ;)

My advice would be to make sure that you are very organized. If you haven't already, you should each have a binder of the information you have been working on, a page of contact numbers, a calendar, etc. If you meet with an extension person or NPC or someone of that nature, be ready to answer questions about why you want to do this and what you think the goals of an organization should be. Be polite (duh!) and also remember to write thank yous to people who you interview with and people who make the process easier for you.

Also, remember to be nice to GPB. Support their activities, say friendly "hello" to their members, etc. You want to give them every reason to like you because you will be in a better position to build a group if you have the other sorority on campus cheering you on!

I sincerely hope this works out for you. It is very exciting to read about your hard work and dedication. Should you stay local or should you have a national group take you in, I am sure that the rewards will be great for the effort you have put forth.

Thank you all so much. I'm still really nervous...now I'm starting to wonder, what if no NPC groups want to affiliate with us? I don't see how they couldn't.....we're in a location that obviously needs another org, there's already an NPC presence on campus that's doing well, and we've put so much effort into all of this. But we don't have very many girls, and we don't have a whole lot to show for ourselves because we're so new. I hope we stand a chance. I made an agenda of things to discuss in our informal meeting with Mary, so I feel a little better- somewhat like I have a plan to fall back on or something. Other than that, nothing new!

YOU GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WE'RE ALL BEHIND YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WOOHOOOOO I'm sure you'll do fine. Just like with your meeting with John. :) Just use the nervous energy to your advantage by turning it into excitment. :D

I'm sure your meeting will go well. If you speak well of the other orgs on campus, you will portray yourself as mature and organized and a positive potential part (say that 3 times fast!) of your campus. There are 26 NPC sororities and only one is on your campus so I believe you have an excellent chance of being a colony this year!
Of course, I have to give a shameless plug to Delta Phi Epsilon Sorority. You can check us out at www.dphie.org . If you want to get some NPC info, you can go to www.npcwomen.org to do some research.

just be yourself...
 

you have come so far...
just calmly be yourself and professional and positive.
you will knock them dead.
you've already shown that to all of us.
mmcat
:D

How did today's meeting go? We are anxious to know.

Today's meeting was.....interesting. It was sort of a downer becase Mary basically told us all kinds of things about how we have so much work to do before nationals will want us. I mean, it was good advice, but I just feel sortof pessimistic now. She didn't sound like she thought we would have much appeal. She was really supportive though, and she had lots of good tips...so it was good. I got kinda discouraged because apparently the local sorority on campus (Alpha Psi) has been around for ten years, and they're trying to affiliate with Alpha Phi, and it's a long and laborous process for them. I could have just joined their sorority! I wish I would have known about this sooner. I guess I was excited about being the newest national sorority someday....I'm just feeling a little discouraged. She also told us that we aren't allowed to fundraise on campus at all, which severally limits what we can do. She did, however, say that she would write us a "glowing letter of recommendation" to NPC. Any thoughts on any of this?

Corina,

Take what Mary says with a grain of salt. This is not to say that she is lying, but something doesn't add up here. Wouldn't your Greek Affairs office have let you know if another local was attempting to affiliate with an NPC? If I remember correctly, even if a local petitions one NPC directly, that sorority is still required to pass along the local sorority's information to the extension committee at NPC.

Even assuming what she says is true, times and circumstances change. You and the other founders have taken enormous initiative. I feel strongly that NPC will stand up and take notice. Don't be discouraged! This is not your first setback, and there will be many more to come until you reach your goals. The key is to pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and keep on going!

You have all our support and good wishes behind you!

(PS: Our circle of sisters is always growing in Alpha Gamma Delta. I'd be thrilled if you took a closer look at us. :) )

what's the deal
 

I agree with greeklawgirl, why didn't anyone tell you that Alpha Psi was trying to affiliate with a national? I know from experience that administrators would mention those things up front (they'd want you to have the best chance possible - that means suggesting that you join forces with another group).

Furthermore, what's with this, "they've been around for ten years"? Does that mean that Alpha Psi has been trying to affiliate for ten years?? Or is it that they've been around that long, but are "just now" trying to affiliate. You gotta be careful on that one. Since "Alpha Psi" sounds a lot like "Alpha Phi," I can guess that they intended to affiliate with APhi from the get go. Sooo...if they haven't done that in the last 10 years, then my logic tells me that there's a reason why APhi has not or is not moving forward with that. I'm not trying to imply that they're a "bad" group - but rather that APhi maybe doesn't think the local's values or goals match the national's values and goals or whatever.

I think I'm confused though, who is Mary? Is she a member of GPhiB? I wasn't at the meeting [obviously] so I wouldn't know if she was being shady. Perhaps she just wants to make sure that you ladies aren't going into this with incorrect expectation about the work involved?

As far as the "glowing letter of recommendation" goes - I think I've beaten her to the punch on that one. ;)

......Kelly :)

Hello all,

I'm confused too. I don't understand what the deal is with Alpha Psi, or what their actual relationship is to Alpha Phi, and I don't really know of any way to find out. But Mary made it sound like they had been trying for quite some time (at least a year) to affiliate with Alpha Phi, and it hadn't happened yet. If they've been established for ten years, wouldn't they presumably have it together enough to at least be making some progress? But Mary did say that people from nationals are going to deal with interviewing us, and keeping an eye on us, etc, because they don't just give their name and rituals to anyone. I'm really hoping that this whole process doesn't take a whole year, that's a long time. To clear up any confusion: Mary is a member of GPhiB, but she's also the Greek life intern at my schooll. So, since we don't have a Panhellenic to approve our desire to go national, NPC asked her for her thoughts on us doing this. Obviously I won't know for sure what she said, but I can't imagine that she would say anything mean. I know she takes her job seriously. I think right now our main concern is money and number of members. Money is going to be more of an issue than we originally thought, in large because of a new rule that Mary told us about. Since we aren't a registered student organization (which, once again, was not my fault!), we can't fundraise on campus. So, anything we do will have to be in the city, which severally limits our options. The other problem is not having enough members. I don't think NPC is going to be particularly impressed with the five girls we have now. But, we do have about four prospects right now, and we're just now getting the word out. We're printing up our recruitment flyers this weekend (we're using the slogan suggested by y'all (wanna be part of something nu?- isnt that just too cute?!) and from there I'm hoping we'll get some interested women together. We're also working on the website, with extensive help from yet another greekchat friend I've made, and that will be handy to have. I'm thinking that I'm going to have all the sisters (myself included) make announcements in each of their classes. It's pretty liberal and casual up here, so that's a somewhat standard procedure. It's a scary thought, though, considering how little many people think of Greek life here. But, when I was telling my mom about all this, her advice was exactly this: F-ck em! My mom is a pretty cool woman. So, that's where things stand right now. Do you think I should have my friend in DG (she's an officer but I don't remember her position right now) write us a letter of recommendation to DG? And maybe Gail's mom (from AOPi) could write something to them? Or do you think that's too much? As always, advice and thoughts are much appreciated!
love, Corina

p.s. I really love all of you so much for helping me with this.

Corina,

Keep your chin up! I have been reading the posts - GPhiB doesn't have a clue what an awesome member they missed out on!!! NPC won't steer you wrong. I am so impressed! Keep up the great work and hang in there, membership in an NPC group is worth the effort and the wait. Take Care, Martha (Kappa Kappa Gamma).

Hey Corina!

I've been following your story from day one and I just want to say that you have inspired me to follow in your footsteps and form a local sorrority although I dont plan to affilitate. I am really impressed by your determination to go after what you want. I have been talking about you to my friends, I feel like I know you even though we have never chatted, and they all think you are just the bomb! Well as far as money issues, don't worry, you found a way to be greek the way you wanted and you will find the money. As far as the shirts issue, what if your sisters, isn't that cool you have sisters!, but what if they paid you for just thier shirts alone. Wouldn't it be like 10 dollars a piece, I know they can afford that if they can't help out with the whole 250. Also have you all started collecting dues yet? Even between the 5 of you I am sure that if you all start saving your pennies now it will add up so that in the future things like para won't be such a problem. Another advantage of wearing para now or when you recieve the order is that it will further get the word out about your brand nu sorrority, love that! And also about collecting dues now, you can set the protocol for how much future rushee's will pay for dues and you have a big advantage against GphiB because pledging is expensive as heck and if you are only collecting like 50 dollars a year per person instead of 1000 or however much it is then you have an important tool against rushing against a national org. Another advantage is that NPC doesn't regulate everything you do yet so you can do things that other groups couldn't do like bond with interest before rush. ( I might be wrong on that particular exampe, somebody help me out here, but the point is that you dont have NPC breating down your neck so there is a breathing room that most orgs having enjoyed since the craze haze.) Not that NBO would haze or anything. But I have another question. Have you and your sisters thought of any iniation process that the rushees would go through once accepted into the sorrority? Have you and your sisters bonded and took a break from this hectic time to just get to know each other on a sisterly level? If not I suggest that you take some time out and go some where, cheap preferebly, and just have fun. I mean sisterhood is what its all about not whether or not your school recognizes you as a RSO. It will happen but while you wait, take this time to bond with your sisters and when its time to rush interest and get interviewed by NPC sorrorities, they will see that NBO represents what being sisters is all about. You have so much just waiting to happen. Well sorry about the long post and all but I just had to say something to the person who has encourage me to be my own "trailblazer" Thanks. And I would say good luch but, guess what? You don't need it because you have so much potential. And your sisters in NBO and in the Greek CHat Chapter help out alot too,lol.:)

I might be wrong too, but I think that in order for local GLOs to be formed on a campus with a Panhellenic, you have to agree to follow the NPC guidelines.....

How could they tell a group that they couldn't exist??

Whether or not you have to comply with NPC's unanimous agreements depends upon whether you want to be a member of the Panhellenic Council at your school. If you join Panhellenic then you have to comply with the UA's. Some schools have Independent Greek Councils or other organizations for multi-cultural or service organizations. They have different bylaws.

Just FYI: NPC doesn't regulate sorority life on different campuses. That is the job of your college panhellenic. If your college panhellenic has NPC chapters, then you have to follow the UA's, and NPC recommends that you follow its other recommendations.

But there isn't a college Panhellenic there - there's only one NPC sorority.

That said, Corina, while you wouldn't have to obey every little rule that NPC lays down (because you're not part of an NPC sorority yet), you shouldn't be doing anything blatantly against them or the spirit in which those rules were created. For instance, badmouthing the other sororities on campus (not that you'd do that - it's just an example).

And, of course, once you do affiliate with a national sorority, you will have to adopt the NPC UAs and form a college Panhellenic.

The point is that right now, you have some leeway that you may not have once you affiliate.

Hi everyone,

In response to what everyone is saying....I think our general plan right now is to be very careful to respect all standard rules and regulations for sororities, except that we may fundraise for ourselves. We need the money desperately, so it might be a necessity. Sidenote- this is what my horoscope says today:
"Team efforts are blessed, so assemble your friends, and get to work"
It's just something for me to keep in mind. (Scorpio, in case anyone was wondering if this applied to them :)
Anyway, one of my sisters got our macot all drawn out- two dolphins sort of intertwined in front of a moon. It's really cute, and we have some symbolism behind it that I think we'll be incorporating into our rituals. More later, I just woke up and need food!
love, Corina

Good choice for the mascot, that's TriDelt's also........the things you are essential steps to becoming a recognized org., keep it up!!!!! I'm also a beleiver in astrology and horoscopes, I think they're very inspirational.....

Which org?
 

Corina,
I know that some of you already have some feelings about which inter/national organization would be the best match for NBO. I gather that most of it is from individuals that you know in each org. However, I would recommend that you take a special look at organizations that have previously been on your campus. I don't know how a GLO would feel about recolonizing somewhere where it didn't work out the first time, but I imagine it would depend on the circumstances causing the chapter to fold. For example, if XYZ was on campus for fifty years before pulling a charter due to hazing in 1990, there would be fifty years of alum support that was ended by a few misdirected women. The older alums would be crushed that their chapter is gone, and would probably help it come back. Just something to consider...

Hello everyone,

I don't think we've ever had a GLO on campus, or else that would be a good thing to look into. We have officially organized our cabinet- we have a president (me!), a vp of internal affairs, a vp of external affairs, a secretary, a treasurer, and a social chair. So we're making some progress. Mary is apparently sending out her letter of recommendation relatively soon, so thats good. Here's the problem: ok, we really need members. So two of my sisters, who I love dearly and who I know only want the best for us, found another girl. The thing is, they accepted this girl and made her social chair before I had even ever met her, which really irritated me. Do I have a right to be irritated? I talked to them and expressed that in the future such decisions need to be discussed by all of us first, and they apologized. I'm still a little irritated though. Another thing: so far our plan is to do re-elections every quarter, but now I'm thinking that this plan might be more trouble than it's worth. It just seems like a lot of uneccesary effort. Any thoughts?

Elections every quarter would be too much - you would lose consistency in leadership. Yearly elections are best, IMO. And yes, you should be a little ticked that they 'elected' this other person as social chair. First thing you need to do is set up a constitution and by-laws that spell out, among other things, membership requirements, requirements for initiation, requirements and procedure for election of officers.

Barbara

My suggestion would be to borrow a good example of bylaws from another organization and use them as a guide.

Also, I don't know that you currently need a social chair, but what you most certainly need is a recruitment chair! That should probably go to your most responsible member at this point in the game since you NEED people.

Just a suggestion though :)

Corina, I know I haven't commented much since the beginning, but I have been following this and hoping and praying for you along the way. I am so amazed by all you have done.

Remember, even if you do not affiliate with a national right away, you are building your own special sisterhood and ritual right now, and that is something that no one can take away.

I know you have your preferences, but I have to put my plug in for Chi Omega. We have a lot of chapters with really awesome websites, if you just search under "Chi Omega" and our offical website is a good source of info too.....it would give you a good idea of what we are all about. I for one would be more than happy to write a letter to our nationals about you, and I am sure AmyCat would do the same. Another path you might consider is to do a little research on the various nationals and see who is is more of a building stage, and who might be anxious to get a new colony out there in a relatively short period of time. This may mean deviating from some of your top choices, as I know that DG, DDD and Theta are all extremely well-established and may not be in an immediate need to colonize.....actually I can't say I know that Chi O is actively seeking to colonize but I am sure that any inquiry would be acknowledged and at least considered.

GOOD LUCK and keep up the amazing work......I hope that in your moments of frustration you are able to at least step back and see how far you have come and what a wonderful job you have done. So few people would have had the fortitude and dedication to make it this far....in my opinion I think you are the cream of the crop and any national would be greatly enhanced to have you and your girls as sisters.
Erika

Corina,
I wouldn't be too upset about the new sister/social chair. I hope that you are now having weekly meetings, and you can discuss the issue there. I agree that you should definitely write a constitution with bylaws clearly outlining your rights and responsibilities as a sister such as paying dues on time and attending meetings and events. I agree that you should hold your elections annually rather than quarterly. Now is the time for your sorority to focus on recruitment. You can find potential new members in your dorms, classes, and in other clubs.
Congratulations on becoming the president! You are so hard working and that is going to serve you well in your new job. You are doing great and will go far in life!

Thank you all for the ideas and support. Apparently the girl who we just got (social chair) can't be in our sorority because her parents severally objected. We have the basics of our flyer down, and as soon as I find a scanner I'm going to scan the mascot onto the background and go make mass copies. We're having an informational meeting this Friday at 6pm, so hopefully we'll have a good turnout! We also got some t shirts, they're navy blue with white embroidary thats says NBO and then light blue embroidary going through that says Nu Beta Omicron. When I saw all of us wearing our shirts I was so excited!!! Anyway, that's all for now. I'm trying to figure out if I should skip math class to go to the Greek Council meeting on Friday. So many decisions.......

Our colonization story
 

Hi Wishinhopin! I've been following your saga for a few days. Quite excited to see you choose DG- great choice for exactly those reasons you listed. I am an adviser for the newly installed DG chapter(since April 2001) at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Alabama. First , DG came down and met with alumnae to gauge interest. We probably had 15 alumnae (out of 114)come. Then we had to wait 2 years because DG decided to back off. There were only two chapters, Phi Mu & Tri Delta ,on campus. I've been so impressed with DG & their executive offices. I'm more proud to be DG than I ever was! I think that DG will be interested in your school.
Meanwhile, interested girls formed a local sorority, like you are, called Beta Chi , and waited. They did things just as you are doing-great start! After they had formed( maybe a year?) and got an okay from DG, they held a reception for area alumnae. We came and were very impressed... a few months later they colonized! We have 13 advisers, but alumnae support could be better, much better. It's so fun- they are missing out!!! I encourage all Greeks to be more involved in their alumni groups.
I thought that you might want to email me at cgustin9@home.com and I can connect you with the DG's chapter president, Michelle. She is an awesome person who was one of the original Beta Chis. Their first semester, they had the highest GPA!! We just had recruitment- the girls were so polished in their presentation. I was so proud! we got 10 great girls. Have a great day, Christy

Hi everyone,

Just thought I'd fill you in on some progress. We have our flyers designed and I'm taking them to be copied today, we'll be posting them repeatedly for the next three weeks. Our website is in the works, thanks to the marvelous help of Sarah (round of applause for everyone!) and we're going to the Greek Council meeting on Friday. I'm planning events like a mad woman, I'm on a motivated streak here! Christy, thanks for the info, I'll be emailing you soon!
love, Corina

let us know when your website is up so that we can visit :)

Im working fast - and we are still piecing things together - so hopefully it will be soon :)

Just thought I'd share with you the letter that my school sent out to UCSC, I just got emailed with a copy of it. Here ya go!

January 9, 2002
NPC Extension Chairman
806 Timbercrest Court
Southlake, TX. 76092


Dear Ms. Mrasek,

The University of California at Santa Cruz would like to offer this letter of support for the local sorority Nu Beta Omicron, to affiliate with a chapter of a national sorority within the National Panhellenic Conference. There is currently one national sorority on campus, Gamma Phi Beta. Their president, Mary _____, attended a Nu Beta Omicron meeting to assess their interest level and discuss their intention of becoming an NPC sorority. Mary speaks for Gamma Phi Beta in lending her full support to Nu Beta Omicron’s pursual of national affiliation.

Please inform of us any next steps that we as a university can do to help Nu Beta Omicron in this process.


Sincerely,


John Holloway
Executive Director
Student Development & Community Service

YAY!!!!

That's wonderful Corina! I am so excited for you and the other ladies of Nu Beta Omicron!!!!!

Corina,

That is wonderful!!! We're all pulling for you!! Sincerely, Martha

How exciting! Keep us updated!

yay Corina!! That's stupendous! See, I knew Mary wouldn't screw you over. ;) Let us know as soon as you hear anything.

Hugs,
"33"