|
answers
I regards to tstevens original question.
I can speak from first hand experience on one of SR's "underground locals". This particular group originated from a
once recognized fraternity at SR. The core group of the former recognized fraternity decided to keep functioning and taking new members. (Myself being one of the first post-recognition "members") Since then the group has operated for 2 more years taking in new members. When I was in the process of joining, there was still a slight chance that the debt and problems with the school could have been resolved and the group continue to be recognized. The remaining brothers and the about half dozen interested in joining decided as a group not to pursue this.
Now this may shed some light onto the question why would anyone join something not recognized?
Here are a couple of reasons...
1. In our case it was a desire to remain small and not have to maintain a certain number of members. We didnt like the feeling
of having to fill quotas per say. We enjoy taking in exactly who we want when we want. This was a big one and the main reason... a desire to be small and exclusive to exactly the kind of member we want.
2. Right or wrong we didnt like the dues associated with being a part of a nat'l group. Our group consists of those who mostly could not afford the dues of a recognized group.
Next concerning any mis-representation issues....
Our group no longer uses the greek letters of the National Fraternity we were once a part of. The group is though still known
as the nickname the group had. This name is what we call ourselves and what we are known as. (Although,Some of the members do still have a few shirtswith the letters on... these are now mostly hand-me-downs and eventually will just go away I imagine.)
New members absolutely positively are NOT mis-lead in any way that they are joining a nat'l group. Everyone is made sure to understand exactly what we are, and what we arent. New members learn everything about the history of this particular organizion pre-national and post. INCLUDING how and why the group became a local. Concerning history members learn only about the particular chapters history, NOT the old nat'l fraternities as it is irrelevant to us now.
Is it a Fraternity?
Yes, IMO. If you share the same definition as I do. We are a brotherhood. We call each other brothers, and take the brotherhood VERY seriously. When we become members we make a committment to the group and to each other. If this is a fraternity then it is what we are. Alumni from our group as far back as I have met, accepted out decision and still consider me their brother. Do I consider members of the nat'l group we used to be a part of my brothers? NO.
Is it just a group of people who party?
NO. This is the common misconception with underground locals and something I cant stand. (True we are known as group of people who like to have a good time), but it isnt what we are about. Since going under the quality of member has been excellent. (We have had student government members, student leaders, other recognized campus group presidents, athletes, overall a good group GPA... I could go on and on(probably the
kind of people the recognized would love to have....) We are a group that holds to some of the ideals of the former nat'l fraternity...but we have also formed out own very unique ones. We hold to these ideas, we are VERY loyal to each and we have formed our own traditions.
One last note, not sure what that amalia or whatevers problem is. I'm not familiar with how the ASA group operates. They do still wear the nat'l letters. This though is none of my business. Its not what we do though. And as far as the other 2 local fraternities, the gentlmens club like us is not known by their old nat'l letters anymore they have dropped the last from their name, and the last is a merged new group of two former SR groups. We as a group get along with the recognized GLO's. I dont sense any animosity against us from them ever except minor rumblings every now and then when the rec. GLO's have problems recruiting and I guess they think the 2-3 people we take away from the pool of men each semester is taking away from their ability to recruit from the other 4000 elibigle men on the campus ha.
So essentially... we are now our own thing I guess. And before you slam it. Remember every fraternity had to start somewhere and at some point it was a group that just decided to do their own thing. We are very careful not to infringe on any copyrights
or break any laws.
I'm interested in what you all think?
|