No GLO at our University

[bigbrothaV]

Hello,
I am the Vice President of a “Step Club” at a University that was an Institute. For legal reasons, I cannot say the name of the University; however, I would still like to find out how to make our step club into a co-ed incorporated fraternity. I joined Greekchat.com to find out more about Greek Life Organizations and what it takes to become one. From what I researched, I see that we have much work to do because we have to back track our founding members since we technically started in November 2006. Although I know I have more research to perform, my dilemma is that our University does not have a Greek Life Office so I have no idea of how our organization can become nationally recognized. We already have the necessary paperwork, so the information I need goes beyond that. To make a long story short here are my questions…
1) Because our University is not affiliated with any type of Greek organization, who would I need to talk to about bringing a Greek organization into the school? Or do I need to create a Greek Life Office?
2) Would it be easier and/or safer to form a patented group via another Greek organization and becoming a chapter of that Fraternity/Sorority at another University, or to patent the name ourselves?
3) Is there any place, department, and or organization that I can go to nationally as a one stop shop for Greek Life Organization needs?
4) If all else fails and the “Step Club” will only stay as a club, what is the best way to reach out to local businesses as sponsors for funding since the club would not have a national reputation?
Thank You,
Big Brotha V

[knight_shadow]

You can't say the name of the university due to legal reasons? OK.... (you don't have say what campus, but what university would encourage legislation to keep its name secret?)

This post seems ridiculous, but here goes:

1) Greek life = student organization. Talk to your campus's student organizations or student activities office. They will determine whether or not Greek life is needed/necessary on your campus.

2) *Sigh* I think you're asking if you should form an established group as opposed to a new one. This is not something we can answer. Think about the reasons you want to start this organization. If there is a GLO out there that fits your needs, reach out to it.

3) No.

4) Funding for what? Step shows? Talk to them, I guess. Being "national" doesn't guarantee you funding for step shows though.

I hope you're trying to start something for more than just stepping. Also, you say "you already have the paperwork" to make your group nationally recognized. There is no recognition paperwork. What exactly are you talking about?

Read this thread. It says sorority, but most of the information still applies.

ETA: QFP

Originally Posted by bigbrothaV

Hello,
I am the Vice President of a “Step Club” at a University that was an Institute. For legal reasons, I cannot say the name of the University; however, I would still like to find out how to make our step club into a co-ed incorporated fraternity. I joined Greekchat.com to find out more about Greek Life Organizations and what it takes to become one. From what I researched, I see that we have much work to do because we have to back track our founding members since we technically started in November 2006. Although I know I have more research to perform, my dilemma is that our University does not have a Greek Life Office so I have no idea of how our organization can become nationally recognized. We already have the necessary paperwork, so the information I need goes beyond that. To make a long story short here are my questions…
1) Because our University is not affiliated with any type of Greek organization, who would I need to talk to about bringing a Greek organization into the school? Or do I need to create a Greek Life Office?
2) Would it be easier and/or safer to form a patented group via another Greek organization and becoming a chapter of that Fraternity/Sorority at another University, or to patent the name ourselves?
3) Is there any place, department, and or organization that I can go to nationally as a one stop shop for Greek Life Organization needs?
4) If all else fails and the “Step Club” will only stay as a club, what is the best way to reach out to local businesses as sponsors for funding since the club would not have a national reputation?
Thank You,
Big Brotha V

[ASTalumna06]

And in reference to #4... please don't assume that because fraternities and sororities are nationally recognized that the organizations just throw money at all of the chapters. Membership in a GLO requires the payment of dues by individuals. Fundraising on the chapter level and donations made by alumni/alumnae are also major ways in which the chapters thrive financially.

[bigbrothaV]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

You can't say the name of the university due to legal reasons? OK.... (you don't have say what campus, but what university would encourage legislation to keep its name ...
ETA: QFP

I am sorry if my post is misleading and confusing to you but hopefully I can answer the questions you gave me.

When you said...

“But what university would encourage legislation to keep its name secret?"

What do you mean by "legislation"? What I meant by I could not say there name for legal reasons is that my University does not want its name to be advertise with another group and/or entity unless it’s a partner. For example, on MySpace I could say I go to XYZ University, but I could not have my own website with its name and logo and information about the campus.

For the questions you ask for #4, yes. But are organization also does community service work and some of the community service projects that we are a part of raise money. As an example, we help our community outreach department raise money for High School and or Prospective University students to receive Scholarships.

And to address your last paragraph...

”I hope you're trying to start something for more than just stepping. Also, you say "you already have the paperwork" to make your group nationally recognized. There's is no recognition paperwork. What exactly are you talking about?"

That was an assumption mistake on my part when I browsed through the forums on topics concerning starting a Sorority/Fraternity. Most topics stated things that needed to be on paper, i.e. a set of Rules/Guidelines for joining and staying in the Fraternity/Sorority, A mission statement, etc. I was trying to basically dodge those statements from being repeated on this topic. But I guess my wording was not clear and I do apologize for that.

I assure you that even though our group is labeled as a "Step Club", we are about more than just stepping. Every member is a dedicated individual that wants to enrich his/her life and our community and we are trying our best to learn everything we can about GLOs and would like to be recognized as one not just for self gratification, but to start a new movement within our own University because it has campuses all over the United States. And we feel that since there is no other "Club" like ours, what better way to show pride for our University and it's hard working students then to start a trend that could catch on to other campuses, and enrich the lives of students by making them proud and helping our country one campus at a time.


Big Brotha V

[knight_shadow]

As far as your mission statement and regulations, that's a step in the right direction.

However...

If your group is successfully performing service and making an impact, why do you want to change it? Why does it need to be a fraternity? (Serious question. Not trying to be an asshole at all)

[Senusret I]

I founded a step team at a university. If they became a coed GLO, I don't know how I'd feel. Several of their traditions have evolved to be more "Greek" than we imagined, while other traditions we knew were Greek were lost over time.

I'd rather they stay a step team because that's more inclusive.

The original poster sounds like he goes to Strayer or The Art Institute.

[knight_shadow]

^^^ I always wonder if people think the group's dynamic will change dramatically if there are Greek letters attached (even if it's the same people). If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

And if this is Irving, TX, I think it's another school.

[Senusret I]

oop.

You so observant.

[bigbrothaV]

Originally Posted by ASTalumna06

And in reference to #4... please don't assume that because fraternities and sororities are nationally recognized that the organizations just throw money at all of the chapters. Membership in a GLO requires the payment of dues by individuals. Fundraising on the chapter level and donations made by alumni/alumnae are also major ways in which the chapters thrive financially.

I am sorry if you got that impression but I had no intentions on only finding money when I posted my topic. I do understand that GLO requires the payment of dues, (so do we), and fundraising at the local level, ( in which case we do that as well), and donations by alumni (which we do not have yet).

I just feel that we would have more creditability and have less of a hassel when trying to reach out to businesses if we were nationally accredited.


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For future to all post...

Thank You for your time and your postings. I really appreciate it. And dont be afraid to criticise my postings. What doesn't kill me makes me stronger.

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[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by bigbrothaV

I am sorry if you got that impression but I had no intentions on only finding money when I posted my topic. I do understand that GLO requires the payment of dues, (so do we), and fundraising at the local level, ( in which case we do that as well), and donations by alumni (which we do not have yet).

I just feel that we would have more creditability and have less of a hassel when trying to reach out to businesses if we were nationally accredited.

You'd be surprised. There are several people and businesses that will not support groups because they are Greek organizations. National recognition won't help that.

************************************************** ***

For future to all post...

Thank You for your time and your postings. I really appreciate it. And dont be afraid to criticise my postings. What doesn't kill me makes me stronger.

************************************************** ****

Now that, that, that, that don't kill me...

[naraht]

Sometimes a little research can give all the answers...

bigbrothaV lists his location as being Irving and by far the largest Irving in the country is Irving, Texas. I look at the wikipedia page for Irving, Texas and among the colleges listed for Irving Texas is Devry University (which a lot of it's campuses used to be Devry Institute of Technology). The campus community page for Irving is at http://www.dal.devry.edu/ClubsandOrganizations.html (yes, that's for Dallas, but it is the right place.)

That page contains the following...

Alpha Delta

"The beginning of change..." this organization is a step club open to all students interested in stepping and participating in fund-raisers and other events. Its goal is to bring excitement to the students' lives while exploring the history of stepping.
Faculty Advisor: Barbara Kirksey
President: Ophelia Webber


BTW, in terms of using Alpha Delta, there is a local Social Fraternity at Washburn University founded in 1912 by the name of Alpha Delta as well as a new regional Social Fraternity with that name with chapters at University of Maine, Orono, Duquesne University and possibly Drexel University.

Doesn't say you can't use it, but thought you should know ahead of time.

Randolph Finder

[bigbrothaV]

Originally Posted by naraht

Sometimes a little research can give all the answers...

bigbrothaV lists his location as being Irving and by far the largest Irving in the country is Irving, Texas. I look at the wikipedia page for Irving, Texas and among the colleges listed for Irving Texas is Devry University (which a lot of it's campuses used to be Devry Institute of Technology). The campus community page for Irving is at http://www.dal.devry.edu/ClubsandOrganizations.html (yes, that's for Dallas, but it is the right place.)

That page contains the following...

Alpha Delta

"The beginning of change..." this organization is a step club open to all students interested in stepping and participating in fund-raisers and other events. Its goal is to bring excitement to the students' lives while exploring the history of stepping.
Faculty Advisor: Barbara Kirksey
President: Ophelia Webber


BTW, in terms of using Alpha Delta, there is a local Social Fraternity at Washburn University founded in 1912 by the name of Alpha Delta as well as a new regional Social Fraternity with that name with chapters at University of Maine, Orono, Duquesne University and possibly Drexel University.

Doesn't say you can't use it, but thought you should know ahead of time.

Randolph Finder

WOW! You have some skills. And Thank You for the encouragement. We have added letters to our name and changed our mission statement, but the Student Activities coordinator has not updated the site yet. And since you've shown me that a little research if done properly can go a long way, it inspires me to keep looking. I will check out the Universities you gave me. Thank you for assistance.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by bigbrothaV

WOW! You have some skills. And Thank You for the encouragement. We have added letters to our name and changed our mission statement, but the Student Activities coordinator has not updated the site yet. And since you've shown me that a little research if done properly can go a long way, it inspires me to keep looking. I will check out the Universities you gave me. Thank you for assistance.

My research skillz rock.

The local is at www.alphadelta.org, I don't remember where I saw the page for the regional.

Sharing Greek Letters with another organization is no guarantee that their interests and focus are near yours...

Randy