National Fraternity
 

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I'm super confused as to what you are asking.

When I read it last night, it basically sounded to me that they are an underground group of gentlemen who are functioning as a chapter of an NIC fraternity. They really wish they weren't underground and would love to be part of the whole again, but are afraid of losing autonomy as well as paying expensive dues.

On the other hand, they could become their own organization, but then they lose the sentimental things they hold onto.

So what should they do?

I didn't respond because I haven't a clue.

I re-read it, and I'm pretty sure your interpretation is correct.

I have no idea either....

It sounds like they don't even have letters currently.... Or is it that they kept the NIC Fraternity's letters and can't wear them?

What does he mean by

^^^ I read that part to mean: "We pledge, possibly haze a little, but if are recognized officially, they might make us do something like Balanced Man, or some other non-pledging membership program."

I think you've got it, if you add that they lost their charter four or more years ago for unspecified activity, and that they are afraid that if they try to be rechartered by the national, they will not be able to haze like they do now (that's what he meant about guys getting in "without going through all of the stuff we do now," AOEforme) and they will have to get their grades up.

They want to be able to keep using the national org's name and symbols, but they don't want to get into legal trouble for copyright infringement. Bottom line: They want the benefits of being part of the national organization (name recognition and the like) without the obligations (financial and otherwise).

They need to make a choice -- try to reaffiliate with the national org, even if that means giving up some things, or make a clean break and go local.
Maybe I'm too skeptical. I read the whole as, "we lost our charter for hazing or other similar high-risk/liability activity and we're still doing it and we don't want to stop doing it."

I'm hoping he meant what Sensuret said, but I think this interpretation is more correct.

You're absolutely right with the choices. They need to sit down as a group and decide which fraternity they want to be: the original (or a different) NIC fraternity or the group they became after the charter was pulled.

Is this a school that doesn't allow local fraternities? Maybe that's the reason they feel pressured to go national...

The Answer is YES
 

I bolded your last statement because I want to emphasize that YES-having a NATIONAL organization is really worth all that it is cracked up to be (provided you are not being hazed).

The reason I say this is because as an Alumna, I realize the benefits (and I'm sure many other Alums on this board can agree) of being a member of a National Organization, whether it be NPC, NIC, IFC, NPHC, National Service Orgs (i.e. GSS, APO, etc), or National major-based groups (AXE, SA, Phi Sigma Rho, PMA, SAI, etc)...simply because of the connections that can be made!

Think about it: You attend specific schools with specific programs because they are "known" either as great schools all around or with specific programs-you're essentially paying for the name! I am def. not against that and I recognize the benefits of such.

How many GCers on here have possibly gotten jobs or even career advice pertaining to Graduate School, Med School, Law School, etc. from other members of their own org. or even from other Greek orgs? How many have made connections because of their Alumni Association? People need to start looking ahead to what is going to happen AFTER they graduate.

I wish more people would consider this before going through rush-you know, what they can expect AFTER graduation. Maybe if more people realized that Greek membership was for LIFE and not just for a good time in college, we would have less people drop out of both rush and their own organizations because there is a "bump in the road"...That's why I get so mad when people get upset that their GLO isn't the biggest or the best on their campus-GET OVER IT! Every GLO has their best and worst chapters-so, think of joining a smaller (less desirable) chapter as an opportunity to meet amazing people and learn something about teamwork and leadership.

So-to answer your question in short: YES-IT IS WORTH IT!

Keep in mind that if you have been initiating people since your charter was revoked, they are not really members of the national organization. If you were to petition for reinstatement, the national organization may not accept those people.

Perhaps you should concentrate more on correct capitalization and spelling of the word "haveing" aka "having". Must be the English teacher in me.

Anyways, you have to evaluate as a chapter whether you want to be a national and change the way you do things or keep doing things the way you do and not become a national. Research the national if you are very concerned. Ultimately no one here can tell you what to do. I think a national is definitely worth it but to each his/her own :)

I agree with you, although I also agree with trelyt249 that you should join where you feel like you belong. It doesn't have to be an either/or choice. I can't say that I joined a national fraternity because I thought it would help me get a job or network per se, but I did like the idea of having brothers wherever I went, and that has proved to me to be a good pay-off.

Just a tangential quibble, though: Phi Mu Alpha is not a "major-based" organization; we have no requirement that brothers be music majors (or minors). I've known of chapters with no music majors at all. We simply require a love of music -- it's probably more accurate to classify us as a "special interest" fraternity.

Good luck!

Agreed: Good luck!