Non-NPC???
 

Hi, everyone.

I hope I do not offend anyone. I have a serious question. Please bear with me- it is a long story.

I am a freshman at a big state university. My mother and sister are both Greek and went to schools with big emphasis on greek life.

I went through recruitment in the fall. I really didn't fit in with any of the groups. I will admit that I did have a favorite (my mother's sorority) which is a top chapter here and I was dropped by it. I went through until pref and only recieved one invitation, to a group that is pretty popular but just not for me. I attended pref and did not sign my bid card.

I contacted the Greek Life Office about COB and found three groups doing it. All are members of PHC but one is not a member of the NPC.

I attended several events for all three, and fell in love with the non-NPC. (They are a part of a national organization however. They are not a local.). I loved the girls and they have such a strong sisterhood! I love what the Sorority stands for and their programming. I spent about one hour on their website learning all I could about this sorority.

I was so excited when they offered me a bid! I called my mother and sister right away. My mother was very excited for me. (She is driving up this weekend to take me shopping for a dress for initiation.:D)

My sister, on the other hand, told me to turn it down. She said by joining a non-NPC, I'm throwing away all the opportunities a sorority should provide. She said it was a stupid choice and I'd regret it. Her sorority is not here, so I do not believe she is biased in that manner.

The only thing I can see I am missing out on is living in a house, which isn't the end of the world for me. I would like to live in a sorority house, but it is not the deciding factor for me. In fact, I really wanted to be an RA so this may be a great opportunity for me!

They even have a strong alumnae program and the area alumnae chapter is very active and helped out at one of the COB events I attended.

Is my sister right? Should I turn down the bid because they are not part of the NPC? :confused:

Right now, my instinct is to accept the bid, because I really adore this group, both on a locally and international level. However, I don't want to be regretting my choice because I missed what my sister is talking about.

Any advice would be helpful. I have a bit to accept the bid, but I don't want to keep them waiting because I feel like that is rude and I don't want to hurt their feelings, especially because I really like them!!!:D

Thank you in advance for your advice.

You've just explained that you want to join this organization and listed a few valuable experiences and benefits of membership...Do what you want, your sister will get over it.

Yeah I agree with Gusteau. Also your sister only has experience with a NPC sorority, so how can she really know what you will experience with this one?

ETA: We also have many people on GC that are members of non-NPC sororities and they seemed to all get a great experience from it. What opportunities was she talking about?

Take the bid. Your sister made her own decisions going through recruitment and you get to make your own.

On and aside, I wasn't aware that a sorority could be national/international but not be affiliated with NPC...unless it's an NPHC/multicultural...but I could just be missing something....

Alpha Omega Epsilon is a perfect example of a national non NPC/NPHC/MCGC/NALFO sorority.

By all means join! I am in an NPC, but I knew it was right for me right away, just as you knew this was right for you. Join and enjoy your experience. This is YOUR CHOICE, not you sister's. She did what was right for her, but you need to do what's right for you.

You should absolutely join the sorority you fell in love with! It's not like you are unaware of the other sororities on campus. You investigated all your choices, and you found the one that you feel is the right fit with you. That's the very best outcome that recruitment could have.

Just remember -- in a few years, it will be your turn to come back as an alumna and help make a COB event special for a future PNM. :)

Hugs.
Ginger

Aahh, touche.
I knew I was overlooking something!
Thanks.

You found a home! Go for it!!

You have to do what makes you happy. I would accept the bid. You sound so excited about it. The NPC is not the end-all, be-all of Greek life.

If they're a national organization then there will be alumnae associations around the country so you won't be missing out there. You love the national organization. You love the girls in the chapter. And you love the programming. NPCs are unhoused at many schools so what's the difference? As long as you can accept that you won't have a house (and it seems like you do) then there isn't any reason not to grab that bid and start enjoying this new chapter of your life!

Good luck to you!

Keep in mind, any sorority will give you valuable experiences that will carry over into your professional life (time management, delegation, obligations and responsibilities, dealing with difficult people and committees). You're also going to have nationwide alumni to connect with, just like an NPC woman would. Go for it, be happy, and tell your sister she needs to put her panhellenic socks on.

I was actually thinking she may be talking about Omega Phi Alpha or Gamma Sigma Sigma. If that is the case-then go for it! I have to admit that I am partial to NPC sororities, myself. I do think, however, that Gamma Sigma Sigma and Omega Phi Alpha are great organizations! Since they are both National/ International-you would have a great experience.

While you don't always get the same benefits of joining a local sorority-joining one of those Service Sororities would be very beneficial. They are very respected, as well.

Good Luck! Besides, if you choose to join one of those organizations, you are able to (at some campuses-so, KSUViolet or OTW, please correct me if I am wrong-I know you both are always up on that stuff) usually also join an NPC later on. I'm pretty sure at my school you were able to do that.

Go for it! Good Luck!

I don't think you can if the organization is a member of the campus panhellenic, which is the case here, but its not my lane so I may be wrong.

^^If the group is a member of PHC on her campus she could not join an NPC at her campus later.

That being said - your sister is being very narrow minded and bigoted. It sounds like you love this group, and that this will be the perfect fit for you and what you want to do on campus (i.e. being an RA). Also, you've already seen that the group has a strong alum chapter. That's more than some of the NPCs at your school can show you, I'm sure.

You've already shown you don't just want the shallow things like popularity out of being Greek - if that was the case you would have signed your bid card after formal. You want a chapter you truly connect with and it sounds like you've found it.

So go for it!! Sign your bid ASAP!!! :)

Sounds to me that your sister just wants you to have the same positive Greek experience that she had and she probably has a lot of positive memories around living in a house. You will find tons of members on this board that never lived in a house for one reason or another and had just as gratifying of an experience as those house dwellers. You know what is right for you and your sister will eventually get over whatever her hang-ups are.