Sigma Kappa Epsilon Pi
 

Hi! My friend and I are starting a local sorority at our campus. We are naming it Sigma Kappa Epsilon Pi. I am almost positive that this name is not being used by another organization, but how can I double check??

** As of Tuesday, July 15 at 707pm Eastern Time, the group I am trying to create is a social women's group, unaffiliated. In the future, maybe the women of the group would want to be a local.

There is no greek life on our campus. Whatever we choose as our name, whether we choose words in English and translate them to Greek that represent our group, or simply use English, that is our decision.

I am not ripping off Sigma K. I clearly understand that all mascots, colors, history, etc are copywrited to Sigma and may not be used in any shape way or form. **

I think I may have caught one of your other threads and did you mention something about finding a list of taken names???? What did you decide?

http://www.geocities.com/localsororities

I believe that's the link and there's another link within "starting a local sorority" and some link called "aries" something or other that brings you to a list of what names are taken.

Sigma Kappa Epsilon Pi is not taken.

are you starting the sorority and hoping to go national?

At some point... National, but for now local. And I'm getting worried that my school won't approve of it since it's social while the other ones are academic---

But since I'm not trying to create a sorority that is affilated with NPC, as a local sorority we wouldn't have to follow their rules and guidlines (correct?).

I e.mailed NPC and I already heard back from them. They wrote:

Cristina - I am sorry but we have no information regarding local sororities.
Certainly you would be unaffiliated with NPC since your chapter is not
affiliated with one of the inter/national member groups. Good luck with
your project!

So I'm "safe" with SKEPi.

Since it's four letters you're probably safe with SKEP. Read wishinhopin's thread about rush at UCSC. It'll give you an idea of some of the things you'll need to do to establish a local sorority. I know that on another thread you mentioned maybe being a social organization and not a sorority because you don't think the school will allow it. I'd analyze what types of things you want your group to do. If it's mostly things that would fall under "sorority life", then why fight it? If you don't want to have a local sorority but strictly a woman's social group; that's cool. Just make sure that your group conforms to university rules and state laws regarding discrimination based on sex. Otherwords, make sure that it's clear this is a social organization primarily. My understanding is that should allow you to be women only. Good luck with everything!

What would "sorority life" things include? I watched the show a few times, but I didn't catch every episode. My intention when going to create a social sorority would be to 1) plan programs/activitites on the Mount Ida campus
2) community service
3) plan programs/activities amongst the Sisters

I want to create a local sorority. I already e.mailed NPC and I know that SKEPi is not affifilated with NPC or any other chapter. We'd be the only SKEPi around, which is very special and unique. I really fell into love reading about SK's history and what they stand for.

My school has 4 honor socities, all with Greek names. I am worried that because it's a social not academic (like the honor socities) that it will be rejected. But I want this to work. I am wondering if I go on the basis of what the local sororities website has, as far as choosing a name, mascot, color, and that stuff... but I think their (Mount Ida) weary of the Greek attachment, but I really don't know.

I thought of e.mailing the student activities and seeing maybe what their take is, but without saying "hey I want to create Sigma Kappa Epsilon Pi"... but I'd like to know what the school would think.

If I go for more of the women's group, that might pass.. But I want to use SKEPi as the name.

What I meant about falling under "sorority life" is secrets, rituals, intiaitions...that sort of thing. I know my school had quite a few co-ed social organizations that were popular, your school may just go for it. You'll really need to do your research about what you need to do to become a recognized student organization. Are there any groups on campus that are primarily social? I know you want to do community service too, you could try to get classified as a service sorority. They also have plenty of social aspects too. Off the top of my head, Gamma Sigma Sigma and Omega Phi Alpha are two such sororities.

SKEPi is being started basically from scratch. I like what Sigma Kappa stands for, etc and represents. Our history may be taken off of Sigma, but also the history of the women at Mount ida. There were probably women's clubs back then... in the 1800's.

There aren't any groups on campus that are primarily social.. none come to mind. We have a cheerleading team, 4 Greek honor socities, baseball club, AIGA (I'm apart of the student chapter), Dance club, Psychology club, but no social clubs come to mind.

If we call SKEPi a service sorority, maybe they'd take that. I don't know if there's a community service type of club. Can't think of one. We'd plan events for the Mount Ida campus, for the Sisters, and for the community of Newton.

I'll look up Gamma Sigma Sigma and Omega Phi Alpha and see what kinds of things they do.

YAY!!! Im so glad you came here to look for advice! I hope the girls can help you ... if i find anymore info ill let you know!
<3

I'm kind of getting stuck.. as in what direction I'm headed in. I contacted NPC and Sigma Kappa Epsilon Pi is unaffilated with NPC or any other NPC chapter. We would be the only one. I'm not trying to get SKEPi as a national sorority, just a local one (until SKEPi grows, and grows and then maybe...)

Some have said that because our sorority (the one we are creating) is Sigma Kappa Epsilon Pi, someone said that I'm creating a chapter of Sigma Kappa called Epsilon Pi... but I'm not creating a national. I already got the OK from NPC. There's not an already existing SKEPi chapter.

I'm wondering as for a history, etc.. if I use SK's or Mount Ida's history... or how that is detemined. Same with colors. Our colors are green and white, while SK's are violet and white. Common is white. Does violet, white and green go together? Combing the colors of Mount Ida (white and green) with SK (violet)? Do sororites have three colors or just two? I think having the colors be violet, white and green would be special. Representing SK and Mount Ida.

OK ill try to help you out with that ...

1) Sigma Kappa colors are maroon and lavander

but anyway

2) the history of your chapter isnt written ... it occurs as you form your chapter ... in 20 year girls who pledge SKEPi are going to learn about the history which is YOU seeing a need at Mount Ida for a womans social group and creating SKEPi.

i know you seem to really like the letters you picked, but you want to make sure that these letters are going to be meaningful.

Im glad you identify with sigmakappa, but you want to base rules, bylaws, standards, and other such stuff on what your group believes in and wants to stand for, not to just copy them from another groups ...

btw i live pretty close ... im in somerville ... id be happy to help you if you needed advice or further explination of things

gl
<3

I think that maybe I am misunderstanding what you are trying to do. Are you trying to start a Sigma Kappa colony? Or are you trying to start a local organization?

I'm confused because you say that you want to use SK history, but for what? The history of your Org is based on what he founders of the org did. Who they were, where they were from, how your org started, those kind of things. Also, maybe how you developed your symbols, colors, motto, anything that you would want your future members to know about how your organization started.

Alright... the rules, bylaws and standards come from what those starting the sorority believes in, not from what another existing sorority believes in. Gotcha.

There's not a Sigma Kappa Epsilon Pi chapter. Whether we change or name, or keep Sigma Kappa... and add something to it- that will be determined by the group.

Sorry about the colors. Maroon and white.

I'd like to IM you if you have a screen name. I think I could post and post and post.

maroon and lavander hun ...
and yea ... you can IM me at Carapinata
lol things will get straightend out im sure
<3

Trying to start a LOCAL sorority. And I was informed how the history forms.

Ladies, I am very sorry to be crashing your forum, but maybe I can clarify a few things. Cristinasmile, I think some of the confusion is lying in the fact that that you are calling Sigma Kappa Epsilon Pi a local sorority, yet you want to use Sigma Kappa's history, their colors, and new member manual. To many people, that sounds like you are developing an interest group to become a local chapter of Sigma Kappa.

While I'm sure that the Sigma Kappas are very flattered that you admire them so much (after all, who wouldn't be? :)), if you are truly looking to establish a local sorority with no intention of affiliating with any NPC sorority, it is not in good form to appropriate Sigma Kappa's history, colors, mascot, symbols, or ask to use their new member manual.

You are starting on a wonderful new adventure--creating a new local sorority! Why don't you take all the things which you admire about Sigma Kappa and use it as a springboard to create something totally new, different, and unique? Good luck to you in your endeavors! :)

Edited for typos

Honey, I know you mean well, but check it: Lavander and Maroon , K?

I'll get it all straightened out.

lavender and maroon.

*Applause* Well said. Thanks greeklawgirl, I knew you'd pop in. :)

My words are being mis intrepreted.

I am trying to create a local chapter.
I was told the history, and stuff comes from those who create it, not already existing from another sorority, like SK.

We had a chat ... i think she is unconfused now ... and is on her way to create her own unique womans group at Mt. Ida and shes doing an awesome job getting it all set up :)
<3

Well that makes one of us!! :eek: :confused:

Well... as it stands right now, as of 930 AM on Tuesday..

We are Sigma Kappa Epsilon Pi. The EPi stands for, might change, but in the end we'll be Sigma Kappa and something attached to that.

I'm not so focusing SKEPi as a "sorority" but more of as a "woman's group" regardless if the school will approve of a "sorority".

Well I've pin-pointed what it is that I don't get about all of this.

I understand using those letters if they were chosen for personal reasons...BUT you've stated in more than post that you are interested in being a LOCAL sorority, woman's group, etc, whatever, with no interest in affiliating...But then you're like ^ (see above). I don't understand the attachment to "Sigma Kappa" if you're not interested in eventually BEING Sig Kap.

At some point I'm sure the Sisters would want to try and affiliate. But yes I'd like SKEPi to affiliate, but not right now.

What is special about someone's letters is the meaning behind them. Our founder's did not just up and choose letters. Hell, Phi Mu coulda been Alpha Delta Pi Phi Mu if that's how it is. It may be meaningful for you to choose Sigma Kappa such and such letters, because you admire them. However, just because you read their history DOES NOT mean that you know the meaning behind their letters. The letters Sigma and Kappa were chosen for this particular organization because of a special meaning for the founders, and it carries on through each sister that is INITIATED. I believe Sigma Kappa is similar to Phi Mu and other sororities, in that the true meaning of their letters is revealed in their initiation.

I think it's great that you want to start an organization. However, if you truly wanted to start a social sorority, then you will do anything in your power to do that. If you wanted to start a service sorority, you'd do the same. But you should not keep changing your mind because of what you think the university will accept. That is what is different between you and National founders... they had a dream to do something and they did it.

I'm sure the ladies of Sigma Kappa are flattered, however I can only think that you are, in a way, stealing their letters and ideals.

Quote:

There's not a Sigma Kappa Epsilon Pi chapter. Whether we change or name, or keep Sigma Kappa... and add something to it- that will be determined by the group.

Quote:

We are Sigma Kappa Epsilon Pi. The EPi stands for, might change, but in the end we'll be Sigma Kappa and something attached to that.

Quote:

We'd be the only SKEPi around, which is very special and unique. I really fell into love reading about SK's history and what they stand for.

Quote:

I like what Sigma Kappa stands for, etc and represents. Our history may be taken off of Sigma,....

Quote:

if I use SK's or Mount Ida's history... or how that is detemined. Same with colors. Our colors are green and white, while SK's are violet and white. Common is white. Does violet, white and green go together? Combing the colors of Mount Ida (white and green) with SK (violet)?

I am sorry but I have to say that if you were doing this with Phi Mu, I would be extremely offended. Especially saying "if I use Phi Mu's or Mount Ida's history...". You cannot use Sigma Kappa's history... their history is their own and unless you become an initiated sister, or your organization becomes officially affiliated with Sigma Kappa... it will always be their own and not yours.

I am sorry to be so blunt and maybe bitchy, but I am possibly saying the things that others don't have the heart to tell you. Sigma Kappa's, I apologize if I am stepping on toes, but one Sigma Kappa told me that she is offended by all this, and I am sure that there are more.

editted to add.... I thought this was in the Chit Chat forum for some reason, I aplogize for crashing your board. On another note... I love Sigma Kappas! Two of my good friends from high school are sisters at different colleges so you girls must be doin something right! :D

I am not "stealing" anyone's ideas!!!

We are not using SK's history!!!!!
I stated that everything SKEPi has- hisotry, etc.. IS THAT OF OUR OWN

I don't know what sorority has their colors being green and white.

Let us get feet off the ground instead of knocking a Sister down.

We are not taking SK's history
colors, mascots.. etc

All my school is doing is trying to see how that stuff is regulated, etc..

Kappa Delta, Alpha Sigma Tau and Alpha Epsilon Phi, for starters...also a local on my campus called Zeta Beta Chi...

And why are you posting in the Sigma Kappa forum if you don't want to start a Sigma Kappa colony?

edited because I forgot the lovely ladies of AST

Oh my god people..

I am staring a social women's club in hopes of turning the social women's club into a sorority in the future.

So that would belong in a general forum, not the one for SIGMA KAPPA SORORITY.

cristina,

Please don't get discouraged. People are only questioning you in hope to understand better. We have serial helpers here on gc. It is what we live for. It is understandable that without a greek life at your school, and MTV's sorority life as an example, you might not understand how greek letter organizations work, especially pertaining to national groups. But you found the best place for information, anywhere! Just keeping reading the threads, it will all come together.

Still wishing you luck,
~Kristin

Our group is a women's group. The advisor that I am working with to create this project doesn't know (but I know now) that we are unable to use all SK marks, logos, symbols, etc. because they are registered and trademarked with SK by itself. But, from this e.mail from Pat Mount (she's involved w/ recruitment of SK):

All Sigma Kappa marks, logos, symbols, etc. are registered, trademarked
and/or word marked so you could NOT use the Sigma Kappa part of the name by
itself. Using the four Greek letters (assuming they, in combination, do not
connote an existing member of the National Pan Hellenic or Inter Fraternity
Council) would not be a problem as far as I'm able to determine. But you
would have to be consistent in using all four together.

Does it mean I can use SKEPi together and use marks, logos of SK? I am not using their history since it does not pertain to use since there isn't another SKEPi around.