Non-NPC???
 

Hi, everyone.

I hope I do not offend anyone. I have a serious question. Please bear with me- it is a long story.

I am a freshman at a big state university. My mother and sister are both Greek and went to schools with big emphasis on greek life.

I went through recruitment in the fall. I really didn't fit in with any of the groups. I will admit that I did have a favorite (my mother's sorority) which is a top chapter here and I was dropped by it. I went through until pref and only recieved one invitation, to a group that is pretty popular but just not for me. I attended pref and did not sign my bid card.

I contacted the Greek Life Office about COB and found three groups doing it. All are members of PHC but one is not a member of the NPC.

I attended several events for all three, and fell in love with the non-NPC. (They are a part of a national organization however. They are not a local.). I loved the girls and they have such a strong sisterhood! I love what the Sorority stands for and their programming. I spent about one hour on their website learning all I could about this sorority.

I was so excited when they offered me a bid! I called my mother and sister right away. My mother was very excited for me. (She is driving up this weekend to take me shopping for a dress for initiation.:D)

My sister, on the other hand, told me to turn it down. She said by joining a non-NPC, I'm throwing away all the opportunities a sorority should provide. She said it was a stupid choice and I'd regret it. Her sorority is not here, so I do not believe she is biased in that manner.

The only thing I can see I am missing out on is living in a house, which isn't the end of the world for me. I would like to live in a sorority house, but it is not the deciding factor for me. In fact, I really wanted to be an RA so this may be a great opportunity for me!

They even have a strong alumnae program and the area alumnae chapter is very active and helped out at one of the COB events I attended.

Is my sister right? Should I turn down the bid because they are not part of the NPC? :confused:

Right now, my instinct is to accept the bid, because I really adore this group, both on a locally and international level. However, I don't want to be regretting my choice because I missed what my sister is talking about.

Any advice would be helpful. I have a bit to accept the bid, but I don't want to keep them waiting because I feel like that is rude and I don't want to hurt their feelings, especially because I really like them!!!:D

Thank you in advance for your advice.

You've just explained that you want to join this organization and listed a few valuable experiences and benefits of membership...Do what you want, your sister will get over it.

Yeah I agree with Gusteau. Also your sister only has experience with a NPC sorority, so how can she really know what you will experience with this one?

ETA: We also have many people on GC that are members of non-NPC sororities and they seemed to all get a great experience from it. What opportunities was she talking about?

Take the bid. Your sister made her own decisions going through recruitment and you get to make your own.

On and aside, I wasn't aware that a sorority could be national/international but not be affiliated with NPC...unless it's an NPHC/multicultural...but I could just be missing something....

Alpha Omega Epsilon is a perfect example of a national non NPC/NPHC/MCGC/NALFO sorority.

By all means join! I am in an NPC, but I knew it was right for me right away, just as you knew this was right for you. Join and enjoy your experience. This is YOUR CHOICE, not you sister's. She did what was right for her, but you need to do what's right for you.

You should absolutely join the sorority you fell in love with! It's not like you are unaware of the other sororities on campus. You investigated all your choices, and you found the one that you feel is the right fit with you. That's the very best outcome that recruitment could have.

Just remember -- in a few years, it will be your turn to come back as an alumna and help make a COB event special for a future PNM. :)

Hugs.
Ginger

Aahh, touche.
I knew I was overlooking something!
Thanks.

You found a home! Go for it!!

You have to do what makes you happy. I would accept the bid. You sound so excited about it. The NPC is not the end-all, be-all of Greek life.

If they're a national organization then there will be alumnae associations around the country so you won't be missing out there. You love the national organization. You love the girls in the chapter. And you love the programming. NPCs are unhoused at many schools so what's the difference? As long as you can accept that you won't have a house (and it seems like you do) then there isn't any reason not to grab that bid and start enjoying this new chapter of your life!

Good luck to you!

Keep in mind, any sorority will give you valuable experiences that will carry over into your professional life (time management, delegation, obligations and responsibilities, dealing with difficult people and committees). You're also going to have nationwide alumni to connect with, just like an NPC woman would. Go for it, be happy, and tell your sister she needs to put her panhellenic socks on.

I was actually thinking she may be talking about Omega Phi Alpha or Gamma Sigma Sigma. If that is the case-then go for it! I have to admit that I am partial to NPC sororities, myself. I do think, however, that Gamma Sigma Sigma and Omega Phi Alpha are great organizations! Since they are both National/ International-you would have a great experience.

While you don't always get the same benefits of joining a local sorority-joining one of those Service Sororities would be very beneficial. They are very respected, as well.

Good Luck! Besides, if you choose to join one of those organizations, you are able to (at some campuses-so, KSUViolet or OTW, please correct me if I am wrong-I know you both are always up on that stuff) usually also join an NPC later on. I'm pretty sure at my school you were able to do that.

Go for it! Good Luck!

I don't think you can if the organization is a member of the campus panhellenic, which is the case here, but its not my lane so I may be wrong.

^^If the group is a member of PHC on her campus she could not join an NPC at her campus later.

That being said - your sister is being very narrow minded and bigoted. It sounds like you love this group, and that this will be the perfect fit for you and what you want to do on campus (i.e. being an RA). Also, you've already seen that the group has a strong alum chapter. That's more than some of the NPCs at your school can show you, I'm sure.

You've already shown you don't just want the shallow things like popularity out of being Greek - if that was the case you would have signed your bid card after formal. You want a chapter you truly connect with and it sounds like you've found it.

So go for it!! Sign your bid ASAP!!! :)

Sounds to me that your sister just wants you to have the same positive Greek experience that she had and she probably has a lot of positive memories around living in a house. You will find tons of members on this board that never lived in a house for one reason or another and had just as gratifying of an experience as those house dwellers. You know what is right for you and your sister will eventually get over whatever her hang-ups are.

It is your life, not your sister's. Follow your heart.

I encourage you to take the bid. Your post shows that you have found a place that is right for you - which is exactly what we all want for anyone choosing to join a GLO.

Your sister is displaying a typical, uninformed reaction to something different than her Greek experience. At her age, I doubt she really has as much knowledge of Greeks across the country as she thinks. (no offense to your sister, many newbies on GC sometimes make the same mistake) The Greek experience can be very different from campus to campus or from region to region. There is not a right group and a wrong group. Don't let her lack of information sway you.

Simply put, there is no reason to NOT join this group based on their NPC affiliation or lack thereof.

I hope you will let us know what you decide!

Just to add my voice to the chorus:
No.

Good luck, and after initiation, come back and tell us who the fortunate sorority is!

I'm proof that you can be a member of both. Neither organization, on a national level, has a prohibition to cross-membership. A few of GSS's founders were in NPCs already.

ree-Xi, thank you for clarifying that for me. I actually contemplated joining GSS, even though I am an NPC member, because I am VERY involved with the Alumnae Chapters of Phi Mu and love community service. I'm still thinking about it. :)

I'm guessing that GSS or OPA is not the sorority in question, rather one of the agricultural or engineering sororities. GSS and OPA usually are not full PHC members, as it sounds like this one is. (They shouldn't even be associate members, although some schools are stupid and bollocks that up, but that's another thread.)

Again: if a group is a member of Panhellenic Council at State U, you cannot join another group that is a member of PHC at State U while you are at State U, regardless of any national policies.

It is a member of PHC, so I cannot join two. Which is my sister's concern. I know she is just looking out for me.

I think, however, that you all confirmed my decision. I'll sign the bid on Monday. :D

(P.S. My mother is going to take me shopping for an initiation dress tomorrow!)

Yay!!! You sound so happy and excited - congrats!! I'm glad we were able to help you out.

The first one that came to my mind was SAI... another strong national organization whose sisters seem to get a very similar experience to NPC sorority groups.

I am in an international, non-NPC sorority that is a member of our school's Panhellenic. I cannot join an NPC sorority, per both the Panhellenic's rules and the bylaws of our international organization.

I love it. I don't feel like anything (except living in a house. I would have loved, loved, loved to do that) is missing from my experience.

We have mixers. We do Homecoming and Greek Week. (We also get E-Week, which is just like Greek Week for the Engineering Campus!). We get study tables and formals. We do trips and sisterhood events.

I don't feel like anything is missing from my experience and I adore each and every second of it.

Most importantly, these are sisters I'll be friends with for life. I can be myself around them.

If you've found a group with that, take it. I'm happy you are excited! Let us know how everything goes....

Thanks again for the support everyone.

I did accept my bid and I am very happy! Since it is so late in the semester, I will not begin my new member period until next semester, but I have not been treated as if I am an "outsider" or on a wait-list!

There is something to do with the chapter every night this week (thank goodness three of them were study nights! :p ). There is a "Letter B" mixer on Friday with SAE that I am very much excited about. I just need to find a clever costume. There is a formal in a few weeks, too, so I am scrambling to find a date and a dress.

They are such fun girls to hang out with, I am--even though it has only been two days--very pleased with my decision and think it is for the best.

My sister was disappointed to hear my decision, but she did send me a bouquet of the Sorority's flower today, so I am happy she is trying. She was glad to hear how busy I am going to be. I think she worried, because the Sorority is for people of certain majors, that I wouldn't get to do anything social or fun. It seems this is not the case!

I do worry a little bit, because they are a smaller group of girls, that it's going to be hard for me to worm my way in. They are very welcoming, but they have so much history with each other and inside jokes and things that I sometimes feel left out. My mother warned me that this is a normal feeling at first and that I have to work to make friendships. My new sisters are making this easy. I am going out to lunch with one of them today and have a coffee date for tomorrow!

Once my new member period begins next semester, I will stop back and let you all know how it goes.

Thank you again for the advice.

--RubberDuckie

Yea! Enjoy this fun time in your life!


(and listen to your mom, she give good advice!! )

Hi, everyone.

School has begun again and I just completed my new member initiation! I am so excited to be a new member of this sorority. I have 5 other women in my class, which is very exciting. One of them even lives on the floor above me so we have been walking to meetings and socials together.

I have three classes with women from my chapter, which is really exciting. I am feeling very much at home and am very pleased with my decision.

My sister, seeing all my photos and Bid Day presents, has recanted her statement that I will be unhappy. She is very happy that I am happy, so I am glad that everything worked out.

Thank you again for all the advice you gave me. It was reassuring to hear knowledgeable people agree with the decision I wanted to make.

I would really like to let you know what Sorority I am a new member of. Do you think I can say so now or should I wait until Active Initiation?

Thank you again everyone.

--RubberDuckie

You may get the OMGLOLPRETTY PLEASE TELL US NOW response from a few GCers, but I think you should do whatever you feel comfortable doing. Some GCers reveal their affiliation during their NM period and some never tell (well, at least in recruitment stories and such...)--but regardless, it's up to you!

I'm glad to hear your experience is going well so far! :)

I'm glad to hear everything has worked out so well! It sounds like your sister has come around. :)

I think it would be safe to let us know.... after all, you haven't said anything terrible and I can't see why revealing your group would be damaging. You asked for honest advice in a classy way. (I'm a member of a non-NPC and I was not offended by anything you said.) However, if you feel like revealing it would somehow prevent you from being initiated, I guess you are better safe than sorry....

Thank you for your advice. I really do not want that response (I have looked through recruitment stories and that is quite annoying) so I think I'll just let you all know, but I will not reveal my school for safe-keeping.

I was initiated as a new member (well, a candidate) of Alpha Omega Epsilon sorority. Someone mentioned that initially and I was very pleased. I really love the international organization, and, as a Biomedical Engineering Major, it is 100% perfect for me.

Thanks for your advice. I am assuming from both your screen name and previous post that we are sisters. Am I correct?

Hey, another Alpha Ep woman! Congrats on following your heart and making the choice that was best for you. You sound so excited!

Congratulations!!! I had a feeling it was AOE from the beginning.

woot! a sister! i had a feeling but i didn't want to jinx it. :) Welcome to Alpha Ep!
White Carnations to you doll! :D
Do you mind PM'ing me as to what chapter your with?
BTW: AOEforme is a also sister. (her chapter is starting recruitment so idk when she'll be able to respond, and I thought it might make you happy that you have more sisters on here :) )

ETA: oops, i just re-read that you wouldn't reveal your school. my bad :)

Hurrah! Welcome to Alpha Omega Epsilon.

I'm sending a bouquet of white carnations your way!

Yup. Welcome to the sisterhood. :D