Why did you choose your TYPE of GLO?

[sairose]

I was thinking about how many different types of GLOs there are, and their different roles. Which led me to start this discussion: if you chose one type of org instead of another (like NPC instead of NPHC; local instead of national; professional instead of social) why did you choose your type of org?

SAI turned out to be the perfect fit for me. I always wanted to be in a sorority, but when I found out how much NPC orgs' dues are, I knew I couldn't afford it. So, I chose SAI instead because not only can I afford the dues (only a small reason for choosing SAI), but I loved the thought of having all my sisters be musicians, since I am a music major. And the smaller chapter size (as compared to NPC) really appealed to me. And the idea of everything being related to music and promoting it was a huge draw for me. And honestly, it's the perfect fit for me. NPC orgs are wonderful, but I think I wouldn't have been as happy in one.

And no name calling/insulting/flaming. Just friendly discussion. I mean, one kind of greek org isn't better than another; we're ALL Greek, we just have different roles.Quite honestly, the reason there are so many different types of GLOs is because our respective founders saw a need that wasn't being fulfilled by the existing kinds. For instance, SAI was founded basically to promote sisterly bonds among female musicians and give us a support network in our profession and our lives.

Discuss!

[CASIGKAP]

I went SK b/c right from the start, everyone was really friendly & interested in getting to know me. The gals actually listened when I spoke. It's awesome to know that you can turn to any of your sisters & they are there for you. By the same token, it was awesome to realize that not everyone can get along but we all share a common bond.

[MsCongeniality3]

I went APO but I had previous experience and contact with other orgs. However, I was never initiated. I loved the service and co-ed aspect of our group. I also couldn't afford NPC dues.

[preciousjeni]

I feel the need to break it down for all the PNMs out there! There are wonderful opportunities in all orgs, if you give them a chance!

Alpha Phi Omega - I went APO because of the open membership and service aspect (both of which really appealed to me as a freshman.)

Theta Nu Xi - I went TNX because I was strongly drawn in by the idea of multiculturalism in a social/service organization. I realize the beauty of my Sisterhood more every day!

1) Professional - I wasn't really involved with a particular profession or skill, so there wasn't anywhere for me to go!
2) Honor - The only one I would have considered would have been Sigma Tau Delta, but I didn't want to. Honor orgs are GREAT for first resumes and networking!
3) Social - TNX is social. Being in a social organization is exciting and enriching.
4) Service - APO and TNX are service. I LIVE for service. I try to live by Jesus' example. Service organizations are so fulfilling!
3) National - Both APO and TNX are national orgs. I just like the idea of having Brothers and Sisters EVERYWHERE!
4) Local - I had the opportunity to check out a local, but I didn't like the geographical limitations - however, that was one of the major selling points for their members! They knew they could focus all their energy on making one chapter the very best.
5) Regional - I never had the opportunity to check out a regional. To me, they're like the in-between for women who want more than one chapter, but want to be able to focus their energy somewhat.
6) NPC - Rushed and loved it, but didn't click with any sororities in particular.
7) NPHC - Rushed and went to an interest meeting, but it didn't work out.

[sairose]

Originally posted by preciousjeni
There are wonderful opportunities in all orgs, if you give them a chance!

Too good not to quote! We actually have a sister who is in THREE orgs: Delta Zeta, SAI of course, AND Tau Beta Sigma. When she pledged, I asked her why 3 GLOs. Her response was basically because each one offered something different that she felt a connection with: DZ offers her the chance to get to know lots of people on campus she might not have otherwise; SAI gives her sisterly support in the music field (she's a music major); and TBS' coed setting and service opportunities were a draw for her. I personally can't imagine being able to juggle 3 orgs, but she does it and loves it!

[MsCongeniality3]

I am also a Brother of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, I may not go into law (as of now) but it is all about the networking.

[KSigkid]

I wanted to join a social GLO...I knew that much when I came into college. I talked to guys from a few orgs, but Kappa Sig ended up being where I wanted to be. I liked the guys, and that was that. There weren't really any deeper reasons behind it, but I'm happy with the choice I made.

[Kevin]

I never gave it much thought really. I just ended up where I ended up after initially never expecting to join any kind of GLO.

I've never given it a second thought really. There was no chace I would have ended up somewhere else.

[aphibeach]

at my school we dont have any local chapters......well we did but they left campus to rebuild a couple of years ago. we have service fraternities but only 1 or 2 and they can actually get away with hazing and i'm not down with that, and there are some honor fraternities but they are for people within that major and well Sociology doesn't have one.....which leaves me with Alpha Phi

[jharb]

I chose my NPC organization because of several reasons. The first being Butler doesn't allow local GLOs to be recognized by the University for RME issues. The second was that I didn't feel that the NPHC orgs were groups that I would fit in with, and they were much smaller groups on campus. Third, I wanted to be a part of something like my high school. I went to an all girls catholic high school that was a very close knit group. I missed that when I came to college because there were so many people and being in an NPC group made it easier to meet people.

I also really liked the idea of sisterhood, and I thought it was kind of neat that they had secrets!

[astroAPhi]

Well, quite honestly, my only choice was a NPC sorority. When I joined, we didn't have locals, NPHC, multi-cultural, and to join a professional organization you have to be a junior. I might have considered an engineering sorority, but we might as well be one anyway. We do have Alpha Phi Omega, but I was looking more for girlfriends because it's a predominately male campus (70%). I grew up a tomboy, so it was important for me to learn how to deal with other women.

Now we do/did have a local (they will be colonized by Phi Sigma Sigma this Fall) starting my junior year, and I knew the girls who started it and had been planning it for a long time. There isn't too much "need" for a multicultural organization because Florida Tech is about as multicultural as you can get (20% international students), and every organization on campus, Greek or not, has people from a wide variety of ethnicities and backgrounds. (When I say need, I mean that it wouldn't be a huge selling point on a campus like this.)

While I am good friends with many of the girls in the former local, Alpha Phi gave me exactly what I was looking for. I needed a variety of service, social, and leadership development opportunities while meeting and relating to women.

[AXOKatie]

Originally posted by jharb
Third, I wanted to be a part of something like my high school. I went to an all girls catholic high school that was a very close knit group. I missed that when I came to college because there were so many people and being in an NPC group made it easier to meet people.

Ditto to that, i went to an all-girls school and knew that sisterhood was cool plus, there were no locals on our campus and APO was HUGE...i loved AXO because they were down to earth and very nice and the musical/arts heritage appealed to me...and they were SO GREAT to me during recruitment

[sarahgrace]

I joined a professional sorority (SAI) because I wanted to be more involved in the music department at my school since I'm "only" a music minor. I really liked the sense of community in the first year music theory classes (which music majors and minors have to take) and I knew that I would miss that in my sophomore, junior and senior years if I didn't get involved in other ways.

I joined a social sorority (Theta) because I wanted to get to know people at my school outside of the music, sociology (my major) and honors departments. Because of the small size of the honors program, you end up with pretty much the same people in all your honors classes, plus I lived in a house with all honors students my freshmen year. I wanted to branch out and meet other people.

[kateshort]

I joined Delta Chi Epsilon, a local, because all of the sororities on campus were locals (and all of the fraternities were national, go figure!). I wanted what I thought was the sorority experience. It was okay to great depending on what was going on.

I didn't join Alpha Phi Omega because I didn't know most of them and I didn't think I'd have any time. We didn't have any NPHC orgs on campus, and I wasn't a music major or minor so Sigma Alpha Iota wasn't an option.

I was initiated into Sigma Tau Delta, the English honorary, the last semester of my senior year. Haven't done a thing with it.

When DXE went national, I decided to join Alpha Delta Pi. I thought it would be great to be part of a national NPC sorority. I'm gradually getting into the alumnae association near where I work, and I like the option of meeting new people and making friends since most of my friends are from college or online and are now everywhere across the country!

I was given the option of joining Beta Phi Mu, the honor society for library and information science, but I'll probably wait until my husband graduates next May. Since he's currently busting a 4.0 in grad school, it'd be cool to be initiated together. I have no idea whether the org actually *does* anything, though...

Finally, I've accepted a bid into the Delta Kappa Gamma society, an honor society for women educators. I already know three of the people in DKG, and it'll give me the chance to make more friends and get involved in my educational community in the Aurora/North Aurora/DuPage/Kane county areas.

[erica812]

SERVICE GLO: I came to college with a strong interest in sororities. I really wanted that tight bond of friendship that I had heard so much about. But I soon learned that a sorority (we had 4 NPC groups) was going to take up more time and money than I had to offer. I joined Alpha Phi Omega because I could have the long-standing tradition, leadership opportunities, and close relationships that I wanted from a GLO but with much lower dues and a smaller time commitment (I realize that at some colleges/universities APO takes up just as much time as other fraternities & sororities, but my chapter was pretty laid back). Also, service has been a big part of my life since elementary school, so I felt very comfortable in the APO environment.

I'm adding a new category!!

NON-COLLEGIATE GLO: As much as I loved APO, I still wanted "sisters." As a graduate student, I learned about Beta Sigma Phi, and I looked into joining a chapter in my area. Before I was even contacted by a Beta representative, I started talking to other women about the sorority, and I found a few others who were interested in starting a chapter. I love that Beta Sigma Phi members can be any age and ALWAYS be active sisters in a chapter. It's wonderful to watch someone pledge at the age of 18 or 80 Because members can come from all different levels of education or professions, we are a very diverse group of women!

HONORARY: I am a member of Sigma Tau Delta, English Honorary, and Pi Delta Phi, French Honorary. I chose to join these organizations because I genuinely felt honored to receive invitations to be inducted into these groups. Sigma Tau Delta has been a wonderful way to stay connected with the literary world after graduation, and my membership in Pi Delta Phi challenged me to improve my French because I had to say the ritual in French...LOL

Erica