Families
 

Hey, I've lurked around here a bit in the past, but this is my first time posting :)

I was wondering if yall's chapters have "families"?? Are they named? I know this is a common thing for sororities, and my chapter has had the tradition of families for a long time. However, recently there has been a push from nationals to do away with them all together... we were told that families "disrupt chapter unity."

I was just curious to see if other Phi Mu chapters have experienced any negativity from nationals regarding families. Thanks in advance for any input!

Yes, my chapter had them and did away with them. Of course, because I had them when I was there, I still give my littles the "family colors" shirts. We still took our "family" picture with all of the people who "would be" in my family last year, but I don't know if it'll happen this year as people start to forget. But it doesn't play much of a role anymore. In a way it's kinda said, but I'm not going to be the alum screeching about holding on the "old ways". It's their chapter, they can do whatever they want. Especially if it's what nationals wants them to do, although we most certainly were never hazed and never discriminated based on family as we were all "one" in th chapter.

I believe nationals is trying to rid us all of families and I know here at Alpha Nu we have very strong ones. I think subtle families will be tolerated, but when it becomes literally a sorority within a sorority, it could cause problems. We have family names, symbols, and letters and only those within the family are allowed to know what they all mean. It's a little bit more ritual, but I feel it makes you feel even closer to your sisters!

at my chapter we do. its not a huge influence or anything within the chapter. Basically, most families will just have dinner together once a semester.