So whats the first step for a local that wants to grow
 

Greetings
I am a sister of Sigma Chi zeta at St Johns University and we have been around for 15 years. St Johns is not very local friendly and neither are a lot of school is the area it seems. We would love to start a new chapter, maybe even two at the same time. I know we must esttablish an alumni boarde which will guide the expansion, but I have no idea about insurance, and what schools accept locals on their campuses. We dont wnat to be national but rather a strong force in the northeast, keep the spirit of a local alive-being hands on and visible for all sisters. I just know that if we dont establish at other schools, the school will force us to go national. I have no problems with nationals( except the ones who keep trying to turn our history filled local into a colony to boast numbers) Schools dont seem to like locals and we are unfairly treated. They associate locals with hazing and abuse. This is far from the truth and we know it. If anyone has any resources please let me know. I contacted national Panhell for guidence( we are under panhell at St Johns) but they basically told me to consider a national. Any help will be appreaciated
******** KEEP LOCALS STRONG*********
-Joanne

I think that there are too many risk management issues involved with keeping locals around. There are no established rules regarding hazing, you NEED insurance, it's just not a great idea. It is the support system that comes with going national that makes it the best choice in the long run. We were local before we went national and there were too many consequences we did not know how to deal with when we acted in the ways we did because we had no one to answer to. I am not saying this is you, but, hey, when the cat's away...What is the issue you have with going National? What sort of restrictions do you not want? Because truthfully, some locals do not want to go national, because of what they WON'T be able to do any longer...Also, you say you don't want to be National, but you do want to spread....What's the difference?I think many locals fear their rich history will be absorbed and forgotten, but it never will if you make sure it is remembered...None of my post is hostile, its just what I have experienced. I have been on both sides, local and now National. I am SO glad we went National. It was the best experience of my college years...

JoAnne,

First of all, say hello to Jeopardy for me - we used to chat alot on another Greek discussion board (Duncan's).

Probably your best bet would be to post this question on the up and coming groups board. Not everyone there is national, there are a few regional on there too.

I've got some other ideas, too, but let me work them out in my head and I'll post it later.

Take care,
Barbara
ZTA Alumna

YinYangEXZ -

Are there any fraternities or other sororities on your campus that are local? They cannot make only EXZ go national, if one of you are forced to do it you all have to do it.

I believe there are a few "regional" sororities in the SUNY system - they had to get rid of nationals in the 1950's, and when the national ban was lifted not everyone swiitched back. A lot of them seem to be basically self-governing and have their own traditions but are loosely affiliated with each other. You might want to look into that.

If you have been there for 15 years, get your alums to start making some noise. I don't blame you for wanting to stay semi-local at least - I've seen your website, it seems like y'all are really tight and have a lot of history in your sorority. I wouldn't want to lose that either.

I must say I am happy that I have never found any resistance to locals at my college (Emory & Henry College). To sigmagrrl, there are risk management issues to any association. Also where did you hear that locals do not have hazing rules or insurance. Before you decide to get rid of us maybe you should take a poll to get your facts straight.

Milissa
Delta Rho Delta

Ying YangEXZ,

I would definately look into becoming insured as well as incorporated if you aren't already just so you have a soft pillow to sleep on at night. ;) Make sure you have everything together with your chapter now before you think about expanding because little problems can turn into huge ones. I am all for locals and up and coming nationals, but did your chapter look into nationals together, basically doing some research and seeing if any of those fit your beliefs/goals etc.