any locals going or trying to go national?
 

I was just curious to know if any local orgs. were trying to go national or are in the process of going national and i mean affiliate with a national org.. It has been a goal of ours since we were started 2 1/2 years ago. Last week we were offered assosciate memebership of panhellenic which is the biggest first step since our presentations last spring so we are extrememly excited. Good luck to all going through this process or are trying to.

we're trying to go national. We need 3 more members to petition to become apart of TKE.

Could someone explain the basic process of going national? If I understand the local concept correctly, a fraternity is local, regardless of how many campuses it is located at, until it is recognized by a national association - NIC, et al. So, what are the hoops that need to be jumped through.

I think if a fratnerity/sorority has more than one chapter, it may be considered "regional".

National can mean you affiliate with an already established inter/national organization, or create your own, which is very hard to do.

Hi - I'm in a local sorority in GA and we're going national!!

We have seen three presentations and you can read all about it. I don't know how to set up a link to the page so go to the main greek chat page and go into the RUSH forum... inside that there is a very popular thread called "Nationals coming to my college" and it's all about our situation!

Good luck. PM me if you need to know more!

Requirments vary between national organizations. Some expansion policies are much more aggressive than others (TKE for example).

So the process totally depends on which organization you are petitioning. I'd recommend that groups check as many organizations as they can -- at a national level NIC groups are all VERY different!

Forgive my naiveté. If I understand you correctly, in order for a GLO to become national it must petition the auspices of a GLO that is already national?

Is there a stated reason why this is so? Weren't all of these organizations founded somewhere 'local' and did they not then autonomously migrated to national status based on their having established chapters at more than one university, in more than one region?

What purpose then is served by making a GLO come in under the wing of a national fraternity, if their reach is itself national?

I'm not really sure what you mean by this?

There are many benefits to being "taken under the wing" of a national organization. 2 local sororities on my first university have since colonized with national organizations and there are so many benefits that the locals otherwise would not have been able to have. For example there are traveling consultants who can visit the chapters if they are having problems, there is a much larger alumni base nationwide, and so much more. The two groups couldn't be happier right now.

Texas, Do they have to change their name?

ABSOLUTELY.

IF, say, Xi Omicron at State U becomes a colony of Nat'l Org Kappa Delta, it would then change its name to the XX (chapter designation) of Kappa Delta.

To be national you can do one of two things:

-become part of an existing national, which means the local must change their name to that of the national and often things like colors, motto, ritual etc.

-If a local GLO starts from the ground up at University A and opens chapters at Universities B, C, D, E, F etc that follow the same model, it is a national GLO. You don't have to belong to a conference to be national.

Thank you for clearing that up! For a second there all the little egalitarian hairs were standing up on the back of my neck. The latter model being the one we hope to follow in ASC. For a fraternity that is bent on changing a couple of things, ASC is not about changing squat when it comes to our business, branding, ritual, etc. A lot of things I've noted while surfing the net make more sense to me now.

Assuming that a local GLO starts from the ground up at the U of A, and opens those chapters you mentioned, they historically have their own letters, correct? Like Tau Chi chapter or something. One thing we had decided early on was to opt for a name - like a Greek reference, for example: ASC, Phalanx Chapter... well, maybe not, that one's rather vulnerable to derison now that I look at it... How about Troy, something like that... Hmmm, there it is again! Maybe we'll scrap that idea! Go with one letter, like Zeta.

Sorry, thinking out loud.

As a side note, a lot of groups then take on the old org. name as their chapter name.

EX, AB becomes a chapter of Phi Mu, they may be the AB chapter if that name is not already taken.

Yep this is correct!

When the ladies I knew at my first university were thinking of going national and they met with the nationals that were presenting, they made sure they would be able to teach their 'chapter history' which included being part of a local sorority, so that history wouldn't be lost :)

my sorority was founded in 1998 and we have been approched a couple times to become a part of the national organization. we continually decline the offers because what makes us original is that we make our own rules. we know, we know, our letters are "XXX" but we are a good group of girls and have gone through A LOT to get where we are today...

so what i'm trying to say is: do what you feel is the most comforatable for you and your organization! don't be pressured...

I read something about XXX in a post someplace else. It doesn't strike me as meaning XXX in the search engine sense: not that I would know anything about that sort of thing, you understand. You're in VA. I'm from Alexandria. T.C. Williams, class of 73, a Titan. I came over from Hammond, just like in the movie, in 71. We had fraternities at Hammond that had been there since the 40s. Kappa Psi Kappa had their own house in Seminary Valley.

No not absolutely. There was a local on my campus that associated with a national fraternity but continued to wear it's local letters and never wore the national letters.

Later the group split from the national.

Locals going National
 

We're in the same boat, actually. We started Epsilon Tau Pi, a fraternity of Eagle Scouts, at the University of Dayton in 1999. Since then, we have a colony at Ohio State and inquiries from other schools. When we explored the possibility of going national, we decided to form an alumni advisory board to oversee the expansion. The biggest challenge is to make sure that the core ideals and principles that caused your brother/sisterhood to form can be translated accurately from school to school. Having a national fraternity of any sort is worthless unless each and every member knows that, no matter where he was initiated, he went through the same experience as every other member.

Whatever process you do choose, it must be in writing. We used the Alpha Chapter to lay out a framework for Beta and future chapters, so that they had ready-made bylaws, scripts, materials for training, etc... and their job was simply getting to the business of operating a chapter. Alumni are also excellent resources.

Good luck, I know it's tough, but the rewards are worth it.

We were formed specifically for the purpose of having a NPC sorority colonize us. Nothing else much than that :)

Expansion
 

I'm glad you got that opportunity. Our situation has been quite different. We formed earlier this year and our campus has refused to acknowledge us. As a matter of fact they told us we need to form a chapter a chapter at another campus before they will do so. Never mind the fact that our members wrote the constitution and organized what is now the Multicultural Greek Coucil on the campus. This occurred when we were members of another sorority that took our money and hazed us. We decided to move on and form our own thing that was positive.

The administration constantly harrass our members and intimidate them by asking them to remove their shirts that display our greek letters. We have made several attempts to meet with them to resolve these issues but they refuse to. We really need some support and advice, we are a cultural group and an awesome group of girls. The relentless attacks becomes very difficult to bear at times.

Re: Expansion
 

Don't try to set up a sorority or fraternity. See if there are rules that govern the establishment of clubs or professional organizations (or service clubs, for that matter), and follow those. Many such clubs have national organizations with chapters on campus - being recognized as such shouldn't preclude your future expansion. When Epsilon Tau Pi formed, we were recognized not as a fraternity (which we most certainly were), but as an honor society for Eagle Scouts. Thus, we were not bound to the IFC system or the Greek Rush regulations, and could do our own thing. Talk to groups like Key Club, Habitat for Humanity, or French Club and see how they organized - then proceed as if you were a club. It might work.



Unless your campus has some sort of dress code, you should be able to wear pretty much what you like - whether it's an on-campus activity or not. Further, if there is actually harassment taking place, there should be some sort of recourse for you and your fellow sisters to take against the offending office or officers. If there is a written university policy for the creaton of extracurricular organizations, dress code, greek life, or harassment, and officials of the university are acting in direct contravention of these policies (particular harassment), then you may have legal recourse as well (though I am not a Lawyer).

We are trying to expand to other campuses. We are trying to get our Beta Chapter off the ground.

If you checked out the thread I started in Up & Coming National GLOs, you probably know the story of how I tried in vain to bring a chapter of my sorority to Arkansas. If not, the link to the thread is below.

http://www.greekchat.com/gcforums/sh...threadid=33463

http://burns.thefinaldimension.org/c...tever_anim.gif

dfran, while your usage of the American Language and punctuation are very strong, your understanding of the Greek System is not.

It is very simple:

1. You start a Local to affiliate with a National

2. You start a Local to be either a Local or try to grow to become a National. That is that you have Chapters in and at other Schools and States.

To affiliate with a National, it gives you a stronger Name, Sisterhood, Recognition around the country instead of your own little back yard. AB a Local has maybe 35 Alums, but by affiliation with ABC National, you have 1,000's of Alums from all over the world.:)

We helped a Local Soroity start at PSU, D R. They had an offer to go P M. They said NO, they were happy! Delta Rho lasted 3 years and have been gone for 32. No one remembers them but the maybe 50 ladies that were D R!:(

I started a Local wanting to affiliate with a Major National, but still ahve thoughts of what could I have done to maybe start a new National. It is Very , Very tough in this day and age.

I dont really know what other information you need or want, and if you do not understand what has been given you here, I suggest that you dont even try!:eek:

Re: Expansion
 

Thank you for those gret feedback. We are registered on our campus as a cultural and community service group that takes both greek and non-greek members. Members of this group may elected to pursue membership into our sorority. We conduct sorority business off campus and our organizatiuon is currently city-wide so any college student from any campus in the area my also pursue membership.

The chairman of our community service group was to told by the Greek Advisor that no-one was allowed to wear shirts depicting our sorority letters on campus. She also stated that our community service group discriminates because men were not members. The chairman told her that although the name of our group is 'Ladies For Diversity', men are also welcomed to participate although the purpose is largely for the enhancement of women.

We attend a state university and there are no dress code rules in the university handbook that forbids students from wearing certain types of shirts. As long as the clothing is not vulgar or obscene. You are right, this is a freedom of Speech issue as well. I never thought starting a sorority would become so political. Goodness, this is only college.

going national
 

My sorority was founded in Febuary of this year. We have already received recognition from our Greek Life Office and have done mixers with some of the national fraternities. We, however, are now in the process of going national. We don't know which sorority will fit us best or whether we want to be number 27. But anyone who has advice or anything would be greatly appreciated!! :)

LOY maybe going Nat'l now..teehee..

That would be cool
 

I think it would be great and good for my sisters left on campus if some how they could go national to go for it. If I remember right at one time we tried being national for a few years, but I don't know what happened. I think if they want to try it and do it I will support them either way as I do now. Lambda Omicron Psi and the University of Rio Grande # 1. Make me proud girls!

Re: That would be cool
 

Jen! Yeah, keep this on the down low, but yeah, Chris asked me about it (since my girls and I were in the process of going Nat'l). They had previously tried Theta Phi Alpha, but I don't know what happened, we have an activity sunday, I'll have to ask. :) And yes..we will make you proud..hehe, that is..if we don't continue to be the renegade pledge class..LOL! :D

Hey everyone! This is my first post cause i just found this forum. Anyway, my sorority is a local, Sigma Lambda Epsilon, at Sam Houston State University, in Huntsville, Texas. We are in the process of starting two colonies, hopefully next fall. I am so excited. We tried to merge with a national, but things didn't work out right, so we decided to stay independent, and are now working on getting our 13 colonies so we can become national. Anyway, i'm just excited about that. So if anyone knows any women who are looking to start a sorority, have them PM me.

thanks, have a great thanksgiving break,
stevy

hehe I started this thread in february and have a lil news to add. Our Panhellenic will be voting on December 1st....And i cant wait to hear the outcome! hopefully its all good and finally all of our 411 will be sent to the 23 other NPC sororities



WISH US LUCK!

Can anyone give me any advice about starting other chapters at other schools? We have talked about it and have about 4 schools in mind. The problem is we don't know how to go about it. I need help........:D thanks

Hello Zetagymnist,

First let me say that expanding to other campuses is a very long and difficult process. You will want to first contact the colloege or university and see what their requirements are. Then you want to go about getting interest on the campus, maybe posting up flyers or something, that is what my organization is currently doing. Be ready to come across a lot of schools that do not accept smaller organizations as well. Good luck in your journey.


Jessica

There is a frat on my campus that started as a local frat and later affiliated with Kappa Alpha Order. To this day they use still use the original letters on t-shirts and stuff, along with the KA. It is actually kinda confusing for people who don't know.

It is so hard to be national, we are trying but I feel that the school/greek adviser/PNC is against us and trying to block our efforts........ :(

What I've gathered is that this a SLOW process. You can begin to work toward it, and if it has already begun, you can continue. However, people should prepare themselves for the probability that they will not see the fruits of their labors while they are active in the chapter. Don't give up, and don't get frustrated at the long process. What good and lasting things ever happen quickly?

WOW Its been almost a year since i started this thread so i thought i would give a lil update.

We are still associate members. YUP, Its been tough! Our panhellenic has voted twice to pass on on to extension and we keep getting shot down. Suposedly its because of NPC not the the other 3 National Orgs. And to be honest i dont know what to believe. So we are taking it day by day, but its frustrating because we feel that we are being strung along and not getting anywhere.

they will be voting again, and hopefully when that happens things will start to pick up and be a little better, frustrating still but at least to the next step.

Good luck to all locals! DONT GIVE UP!

hey everyone!! my sorority Sigma Lambda Epsilon, which was founded in 1993 at Sam Houston State University, TX just started a Beta chapter at Aurora University, Illinois. We are so excited!! Just 12 more to go to become national. We are doing great, and our colony is doing awesome.