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Maybe this deserves a discussion

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Originally Posted by elip...sis (Post 2401802)

There's this petition I've been trying to promote (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/npc-time-to-change )

I know it's really taboo and it's frowned upon, but I witnessed a lot of young women dropping or staying and feeling "stuck" because they wouldn't get a second chance some place else. Every chapter has issues, totally get it, but sometimes it's too much to overcome. For me, that line was crossed after watching girls get harassed for speaking up about wrong doings, getting harassed and bullied for doing what they were told to do, watching girls get ignored, and having concerns ignored. I spoke up as a new member and an active and was constantly told "it gets better" or "it's getting handled" with none of the mistreatment ever really rectified. I think nationally, my former organization does great things (as all orgs do), but I can't be a part of it knowing that they knew about the treatment and took the word of one over the word of many.

I disaffiliated because of my experience as a whole, even with the good memories I had during three semesters. I had always wanted a group of girlfriends because I moved around a lot as a kid and the idea of having that bond seemed incredible. It killed that I had a bad experience and that I witnessed what I did because I KNOW that Greek Life is an amazing time. It's beneficial to our lives. I'm doing this because everyone who transfers to a school without their organization or who drops for whatever reason deserves a second chance at finding a sisterhood.

Lets be honest, disgruntled members have posted ritual and other secrets online already. Truthfully, other than our word, there's nothing stopping women from sharing secrets anyways (if they want to), but there could be an electronic form signed before a young woman goes through recruitment again. It's not costing the NPC anything, no monies in dues would be refunded BECAUSE going through recruitment and initiating was voluntary.

Some schools don't have a long new membership period, my school had recruitment in Feb. and we were initiated in April, and if we're being real here we know new members get treated differently than active members. We're asking lifelong commitments in a short period of time and sometimes who we are no longer matches up with the organization.

Please, before responding in anger or incredulous disbelief someone would even suggest this, take a moment and read the petition and the comments. In my mind, if we have women who actually want to be a part of the greek community why are we stopping them? They are/were our sisters and we should want to help them.

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/npc-time-to-change

QFP. This is so full of mierda that I don't know where to start.

What exactly is wrong with this?

I'm not saying it's a large number of women compared to those who are happy within their organization the first go 'round.
I'm saying that those who aren't happy deserve a second opportunity

No, they don't.

What a self-serving petition.

:rolleyes:

I'm no longer able to do this as a grad. student.

It's okay that you don't understand because that means you had a great experience. That's great for you. Unfortunately there are those who don't get to experience that.

Even those who transfer aren't that blessed.

A second opportunity does exist if the new member chooses not to intiate after 6 weeks (give or take) and go through recruitment the following year. And even if the NPC were to change this rule, that doesn't mean organizations would be required to issue a bid to someone who was a former initiated member of another organization.

Entitled much? Do you think everyone should get do-overs for everything?

The chaos that would ensue would be phenomenal.

The member GLOs have, over the course of over a century, come together and created a system which, while not perfect, insures a quality experience for the vast majority of those who wish to join. I do not see all 26 chucking it for the kind of free for all which existed in sorority recruitment before the Agreements.

Correct. Just because they change the rule doesn't require a bid be issued, they'd still be going through recruitment again and all the same risks apply.

For those that I know and myself, our new member period was VASTLY different than our active membership treatment.

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Originally Posted by carnation (Post 2401811)

Entitled much? Do you think everyone should get do-overs for everything?

I'm not entitled, no you don't get do overs for everything in life, but this is still in the confines of the college experience and it's not as far fetched as you make it seem. Personally attacking someone isn't the correct way to go about this. I respect your opinion.

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Originally Posted by SWTXBelle (Post 2401812)

There would be some initial chaos, I agree, but only because I think there are that many women who are unhappy with their organization. Just think of all the active alumnae organizations would have should this actually happen.

I simply think this warrants a serious discussion.

Since you aren't Greek--since you turned your back--this is not your kuleana. Sorry.

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Originally Posted by carnation (Post 2401816)

Since you aren't Greek--since you turned your back--this is not your kuleana. Sorry.

That's fair, given your stance. However, I'd suggest coming from a place of more understanding and compassion. I made friends during my time as an active member and should you have had witnessed your friends tears or what have you I'm sure you'd feel just as passionately. There are hundreds of young women who want this and although we don't always get what we want simply questioning why can't this be done isn't a crazy thing to do.

As of right now, without much promotion other than a few Facebook posts and one feature on a blog I have 116 signatures on that petition. 21 comments saying that they agree and 1 saying the rules should stand.

It's a small number, true, but this is without constant promotion and those are only people who are willing to sign. At the very least these comments show that the conversation has been had between greek members. There are more who have seen this absolutely, but not everyone who agrees will sign. I just think this deserves consideration.

And those may be fake people too.

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Originally Posted by elip...sis (Post 2401813)

New member activities and time frame vary between organizations and college campuses. This sounds more like a organizational issue or campus problem, not an NPC problem.
As I understand it, the NPC is the governing body made up of the member organizations. The member organizations propose and agree on rules such as a the one you are petitioning against. You essentially would need to get the majority of organizations to agree with you before such a change could be made.

Some could, nothing on the internet is perfect, but prior to starting this petition and reading those comments I never even thought about the transfer students not being able to be a part of their sisterhood.

It opened my own mind on how I was so focused just on those dropping that I didn't think about those losing their sisters for another school.

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Originally Posted by MaggieXi (Post 2401822)

I've tried talking to my former organization about such an idea and they directed me to the NPC. I understand that, it's not that I expect the change to happen quickly, I just want the organizations to be aware that this is something that they could benefit from. Not only would they have happier members, higher alumnae involvement, they could make money. Imagine if it was only 300 young women who transferred or dropped- they go through recruitment again and pay dues again versus no dues coming in from them at all.

Um, benefits? No. Here's what would go down.

New member 1: "Crap! I got my second choice and was initiated and now there's a space in the org I wanted! I'll claim harassment, quit, and join them."

New member 2: "I didn't realize there are so many dogs in my sorority. They must've been in the kitchen during recruitment. I want to join a better group!"

New member 3: "My sorority at this college isn't the best of the best. I will rush again at another college and get into the best one."

Etc.

And you think that the NPC members would rush to okay this and pick up a bunch of women like my examples?

I'm not saying that these women have to do anything other than choose to disaffiliate.

They sign an agreement barring them from disclosing ritual secrets and go about their recruitment a second and last time.

There are "bad eggs" in every organization that's just what happens. Even with going through recruitment one time.

Sometimes being a part of the wrong organization can bring out the worst in people. All it takes is being around the right people showing support to cultivate young women into the best and brightest that the Greek System demands.

I feel like it's necessary to say that disaffiliating and dropping isn't easy for someone who WANTS to be a part of a sisterhood. I feel like the women who WANT to be a part of a sisterhood would happily and respectfully take the second chance and make the best of it. It's not easy being one of the vocal people about this either.

NPC or really. most organizations:"Hey! Let's jump on this petition right away! Yes, let's actually listen to what a bunch of imaginary people and a few non-members have to say even though it'll create a ton of drama and maybe even a few suits if we pass it!"

Did you really think this all the way through before you started the petition business (which is a whole other bucket of worms, FWIW. It seems like there are more and more online petitions popping up every.single.day that have little or no impact on any given issue, so what is the point, anyway?)?

I don't actually understand what it is that you're after here. You don't need greek letters to "find a sisterhood".

I don't understand why you're so aggressive and suggesting that the people who signed the petition are fake?

I know for a fact at least half are active in their organization.

To be perfectly honest, there could be suits without it should the women who drop and disaffiliate due to mistreatment feel that strongly about it.

Anybody think she was the kind of kid who whined until her parents gave in?

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Originally Posted by elip...sis (Post 2401834)

To be perfectly honest, there could be suits without it should the women who drop and disaffiliate due to mistreatment feel that strongly about it.

Uh, no - wrong. Wrong wrong wrong. Membership is VOLUNTARY in a private organization. You really need to do a whole lot more research before you going spouting off about "mistreatment".

My gosh, time for popcorn?

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZTheta (Post 2401833)

The petition is more of a visual manifestation to show organizations and the NPC that this is something that warrants a discussion. I understand that letters aren't necessary, but this is for those who want those letters and the bond even after dropping, disaffiliating, or transferring schools.

Then they shouldn't have dropped, disaffiliated, etc.

And of course I feel that most of your signees are fake!

I don't understand why there is so much aggression. It's incredibly rude and disrespectful. Lawsuits against an org or chapter are actually possible.
It really doesn't require any of this hostility, having adult conversations with opposing viewpoints is possible.

Why are you posting something directed to the NPC in the Locals forum? Did you realize that as long as a NPC sorority new member drops her membership before initiation, she will be eligible to rush again? If she becomes dissatisfied after initiation she should try to work out her differences with the organization she promised to cherish. It's called being a responsible adult.

Okay, S___, I win the bet on this one! You owe me 5 bucks.

Quote:

Originally Posted by elip...sis (Post 2401837)

The petition is more of a visual manifestation to show organizations and the NPC that this is something that warrants a discussion. I understand that letters aren't necessary, but this is for those who want those letters and the bond even after dropping, disaffiliating, or transferring schools.

Look - that's your opinion, fine. It is based on evidence that you've not presented, so I'm not willing to consider it as having any merit. You just started a petition, good for you. Who needs evidence anyway?

NPC GLOs are not in the business of regulating friendships, in case you weren't aware of that fact. You can remain friends with the women in the chapter; I've seen this happen, regardless of status. You don't need the letters and the bond is up to you.

It sounds to me like you want all the privileges of membership with none of the responsibilities. Because guess what? Sometimes it is really hard to be a member and *newsflash* the problem may have been YOU, not the rest of the chapter. I am willing to bet that many other alumnae who've served as advisors to college chapters can name members (former members) who were/are just like you. The problem isn't with everyone else, those big meanies - trust me.

And again you need to do research before you spout off about lawsuits against private membership organizations. Further, this isn't hostility. It's what it sounds like when people don't blow rainbows up your ***, and tell you the truth instead of what you want to hear.

Lawsuits? Of course, anyone can attempt to sue for anything, but really, what would the basis be - "I don't like the rules of the group I joined voluntarily and whose rules I agreed to follow, so please make them do what I want" doesn't seem to have much legal merit.

Okay ladies,

It's understood, you don't agree, you think I'm entitled. You don't know me so there's no reason for me to have to defend myself. I have a father who has served for 30 years, a mother who served for 22 years and taught me to stand up for myself and others. This is what I'm doing. The lawsuits I was referring to would be due to the treatment of members not in order to become a member, that would be stupid. Obviously. Lawsuits against organizations do happen, we've seen them. I don't owe anyone an explanation. I enjoy having conversations where people disagree with me because it allows me to interact with people who don't share my point of view and allows for growth. I have been for the majority attacked personally for no reason other than you disagree with me. I came here ready to interact respectfully with members of the greek community, unfortunately that's not what occurred. If this thread is so obscene please feel free to delete it along with my account I have no desire to interact further. I didn't/don't intend or mean to offend anyone with this. I hope you all have blessed days.

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Originally Posted by elip...sis (Post 2401845)

Man I just felt like QFPing the entire hot mess just because. ETA: I don't see hostility. What I see is you not getting your way, we're not telling you what you want to hear.

This makes my brain hurt.

Awwww . . . incomprehensible flounce. Entitled, petulant toddler is entitled and petulant. She should be glad she wasn't in my freshman comp class - her attitude and failure to write in a coherent way would not have resulted in the grade she wanted, and then I'm sure she'd appeal, and threaten to sue . . . I'm glad to have dodged THAT bullet, and also grateful that is no longer a member of a NPC group. Can you just imagine her as an alumna?

My own tuppence: We each made a vow to our sorority. Yes, there are good times, and yes, there are bad times. During the college years, the drama level can get much too high, but guess what? That happens in every sorority. Even the one you wish you had joined.

The real proof of the value of sorority and fraternity comes not while in college, but afterwards. Your friend base will go from all members of XYZ, with a few exceptions, to a more panhellenic base. You've probably heard, "no matter what the letter, we're all Greek together." That becomes so much more pronounced as alumnae. When I think of my closest Greek friends, I guarantee you that I'm thinking about wonderful women in several different sororities, not just of my own!

The option to cut and run from sorority to sorority in the NPC negates the chance to discover amazing sisters of your own sorority in your alumnae group, and also to meet some wonderful alumnae of other sororities. I wouldn't have that happen for the world.

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Originally Posted by elip...sis (Post 2401813)

For those that I know and myself, our new member period was VASTLY different than our active membership treatment.

Then you need to sit down and write a letter to your former sorority that says:

Dear XYZ:

I am a former member of your sorority. I disaffiliated because the new member program did not adequately prepare me for membership. My NM period was filled with {insert fun stuff here} and nothing else. Once I was initiated, it was all {insert crap here} which I was completely shielded from as a NM.

In my opinion NM period should be less fun and more work and reality.

You'll find those sentiments all over this board. Shortened and easier pledge periods have not worked for our organizations. But that should be your focus, not changing the rules so you can get a bid from another NPC who does the same thing.

Well, this got interesting!