Starting a Sorority..Diff than local, I think
 

Hello everyone! I am sorry if I've posted this in the wrong section, but I just came here for some insight. I'm very interested in starting a sorority in my area, that would serve a need not yet met. I've tried researching for an organization which may already be in place and I can't find one in my immediate area, or even in neighboring states. I am not in college anymore and I am a member of an NPHC org already, which I adore. This org however, will serve a secondary, more professional purpose. How would I even begin?

I know that I can reach out to some of my BGLO family for insight, but I also know that starting a new chapter can be overwhelming, much less founding an ENTIRELY new org! I have a group of interested women, and I'm just wondering where to take off, I suppose. I've worked out the motto, colors, name, by laws and constitution, etc., but how do I make this thing real? Surely we must be deemed a 501 3c in order to collect dues (this is an assumption), in the name of the org, also what governing bodies are out there to assist us, because we wont be joining the NPC or NPHC. And I saw a few "suspect" councils being advertised online. I'd rather steer clear, thank ya very much :)

Well. Thanks for reading. I know my situation is a bit different from a local formation. It's pretty much a group of like minded gals, most out of college, that want to turn their group into an actual sorority.

Thanks!

PS...I do NOT have founderitis, lol!

What is the need not being met???

Is this a professional (career-based) sorority?

An LGBT sorority?

You're very unclear as to what the "need not being met" is.

You mentioned something about a more professional purpose... what do you mean by that?

Do you mean you want a professional sorority for say, nurses, or pre-law students, or business students? or some other major???

There are a ton of professional GLOs... do some research - start out by googling "Professional Fraternal Association" which is the umbrella group for many of the professional GLOs out there.

Hi again everyone.

I can TOTALLY assure you that this org is serving a need not met. It's primarily for women in interracial relationships. Is that racist? Not really, because it's also open to the women who support them. I can't really get into it much, but please trust that I'm not another wanna be founder who just wants to create something to have something to do.

Someone asked how my NPHC sisters feel about this. I've not yet shared this with any of them. Primarily because I've found myself somewhat dismayed at the sheer and utter disdain within my own org, for the work and importance of other orgs. I am not here to knock my org, and for that reason, I won't name it, but I'm saddened by the inter-racism, elitist attitutudes, and the notion that there "really are only TWO AA sororities that matter, you know", nonsense that I've had to deal with. It was shocking when I crossed, and even worse now that I'm an adult. There are some Sorors who are close to me, who I will eventually share this with, but for the most part, I'm steering clear of sharing this with the whole chapter. I do, thankfully, have women within my org that I can seek help from with this possible sorority formation.

Any further advice would be much appreciated!

-Thanks

I'm not sure I understand how a sorority is the appropriate type of group for this "cause". Not sure if that is the right word to call it, maybe "platform"?

I agree with kddani -- not everything HAS to be a fraternity/sorority. I'm sure that there are groups out there to support interracial couples.

If you do end up creating this organization, what else would your organization do? I'm not sure what kind of philanthropy or programming you could participate in.

What happens if a member breaks up with her boyfriend and starts dating a guy who's the same race? Does she get kicked out?

THIS IS NOT SOMETHING YOU NEED A SORORITY FOR. Find a support group if your interracial thang is causing issues in your life.

This is the most ridiculous concept for a sorority that I've ever heard.

Um... are you for real? :confused:

And you want to start a sorority for this? It really doesn't make any sense to have a or organization for "interracial relationships." This sounds like more of a self-help group or yeah, just a self-help group, not a sorority need.

Yup, sounds like founderitis to me. Focus on making your own org better and being the change that you seek and start a support group instead of a sorority.

Personally, I've never really "gotten" GLOs based on who you do or don't date. To each their own on that, I suppose, but in your particular situation, already being a member of a social sorority, how would that work anyway? From what I've seen, others of these types of orgs (membership centered around who's kissing who) count as social GLOs rather than professional, etc. How would yours be different?

My own sorority only allows me to pledge loyalty to one sisterhood at a time. It does allow honor and professional glos. I know each org is different and mine is only local, but would your sisters ask you to resign your membership if you went and founded another glo ?

You mean there already are GLOs like this?! :eek::confused:

The LBGT groups and all the variations thereof. (Is a sorority for girls who tend to date outside their race than a sorority specifically for girls who are "manly" lesbians? I mean, if that's what you feel you need sorority-wise, whatever. It's still social, IMO.)

GOOD LORD :::rolleyes:::

I think that this statement sums it up. I agree 100% with this statement. Try to find ways to improve your organization or search out your sorority sisters that are in similar relationships and get support from them.

I agree it's a crazy idea. But it seems different to me from a LBGT-specific org.

Reminds me of a sorority my high school friends and I started Gamma Alpha Sigma - Guys are $hit. Hey, we were in HS and went out with idiots. As each of us found good guys to date, we no longer had any reason to be in GAS. So, it went up in smoke ;)

Yes, the essential crash and burn!

Ours was Mu Alpha Delta - Men Are Dicks.

LOL

As someone who's been in an IR for 5 years as of this week, I really would not pay money and spend time to initiate into something like this. It's too much effort.
What I DO do is spend time with my friends who are supportive (which all of them are). None of my sisters have ever publicly made an issue about the fact that my bf is white hispanic and i am black. But then again...most of them are hispanic. I have found that there are blogs out there which meet my "supportive" (if you could call it that) needs. But I was doing just fine without them. Stank eye in the mall from a hater is THE HATER'S problem, not mine.

I read that as "someone who's been in IR" and was wondering what International Relations had to do with sororities.

I'm pretty sure watching So You Think You Can Dance on Fox makes me dumb.

hahah!

That's way funny.

I might have to start up a chapter of Gamma Alpha Sigma here in Texas :p