What Umbrella Org is this?
 

I did a brief search but didn't see this answers anywhere, so I apologize if this is a common set of questions.

I'm trying to figure out what umbrella organization houses the Asian interest sororities (such as alpha Kappa Delta Phi and Kappa Phi Lambda). I'm having trouble finding a clear answer.

Also, could anyone tell me if these are considered social sororities? If they are not, what are they classified as?

I have an unusual situation where I was pledging an NPC several years ago, but I ended up depledging a few days before initiation. I accept responsiblity for my poor decision making, I should have done my homework, but I took everything at face value and pledged with the wrong people for me. I was jaded at 18, did not understand the processes involved, and I was told that I would not be a sister based on my verbal "goodbye" to the group. However, a few months later I found out that I was initiated even though I'd left beforehand (which, I don't know the full process involved, but any papers signed were forged), and it took me over a year to get my letters dropped with the org. They implied to me then that I would be erased from all records and it would be like I was never put down as an initiated member and I would be free and clear, which made me believe that I would be able to keep the greek option open for the future - but I found out later that that was very untrue.

I understand that there's no going into another major social sorority associated with NPC or NPHC (so please don't start flaming me for that), which does leave me bitter as I had made the point to depledged to leave that option open in the future - but I've mostly made my peace with that. There are however a lot of aspect of greek life that I do like and would like to try to be involved in. As such, I'm very interested in cultural based sororities that pertain to me, I'm just not positive how they classify themselves or what rules they have for/against people like me.

If the Asian interest sorors are a dead end for me, is there anything left that I could even consider (besides the honorary societies)?

The individual organizations make rules that describe dual memberships, so I'm not sure it matters what the umbrella organization is for those two groups. You should check out their websites to be sure. If you were initiated,meaning that you participated in the initiation ritual, that will limit your ability to join other groups. There is a post at the top of this forum regarding dual membership that you should check out.

Thank you, the part on duel NPC/NPHC memberships is very clear to me and I've given up any hopes of that. I have gone through the sticky post and done searches on the topic, but I don't really see much on asian/hispanic and other types of cultural sorors. I'm also having issues finding clarity on the national/local websites for the groups as to what their rules are, so I'm really hoping someone might know the answer.

I'm also a little confused, I was under the impression that most national sororities were members in a larger organization (like NPC) that sets up blanket rules. Am I completely mistaken with that? Thank you again.

Sage_la,
The umbrella organization for Asian American Fraternities & Sororities is the National APIA Panhellenic Association (NAPA). If you want more information on orgs such as KPL, aKDPhi, etc., feel free to PM me as I'm Vice Chair of NAPA.

Thanks
Nate

So are you looking into alumnae options, then? Or are you still in school?

Wow, this sounds like a complicated situation!

I don't understand how this group "initiated" you without you even being there! Further, why would they even want to after you already left? Very odd on their part. :confused:

Can you get a letter from the national of this sorority indicating that you de-pledged and were never an initiated member? I am wondering if that would help as you go forward.

The group is probably low on numbers and forged her signature in anything she might sign at initiation. Where they got the $$ for her I don't know...sage_la, did you ever get your money returned?

Thank you to everyone who has replied.

to DSTRen13:
I got an ASS and have been working for a few years. Now I'm 22 and about to start going to a new college next quarter, so I hope I'm not unreasonably old to turn back to greek involvement.

LatinaAlumna and 33girl:
The chapter I got myself involved in had been a local sorority that just became an NPC sorority the quarter before I came in. The impression that I was given over my pledge sister time was that they wanted the national name, but that they were going to still behave however they wished and ignore national rules. Hazing, kidnapping, drinking, they did all the things that nationals forbid. However, they were the only sorority on campus, so if you weren't aware of the conduct rules you wouldn't realize there was a problem. There have been many complaints by many sisters of that chapter, but they've managed to keep their charter and always deny anything brought against them. As such, all I could do was drop my letters as it was insisted that I was initiated. I do have a drop letter, but that's the best I think I will ever get.

I was told after my big dropped her own letters that their plan was to initiate as many girls as possible, and make them go inactive if they didn't like them (which seems to fit as they initiated me on paper and then put me down as inactive the next quarter). My guess would be that they wanted the extra name in their new membership count since it was their first NPC pledge class. From what I recall, my pledge dues covered the initiation process as well and the entire amount had been unrecoverable since I dropped out at such a late date.

For more information on the National APIA Panhellenic Association you can access our website here: http://www.napa-online.org

It's still in the works a little, but it does have some information for people who want to know more.