Why So Many Greek Letter Orgs?

[PhiMu_Gator]

I'm just wondering why people feel the need to create SOOO many of their own frats/sorors. It seems like there are tons and I almost feel like the whole point of having a Greek letter org is to have something that is expanded and national and creates a cohesive efforts and connection among its members. There are just so many out there that really serve very similar purposes. I understand that the organizations available might not be exactly what you want, but part of the reason you join is to add something you want to it and to improve it so that it's YOUR org and something you contributed a lot to. Reading all of these threads I see that there are literally hundreds upon hundreds of Greek letter orgs and it seems slightly redundant at this point to continue to create them when we're not strengthening the ones that are already existing. They have hundreds of years of tradition, but still every pledge class or new addition of members can add something special and important. So, I'm asking for input from those who have started their own orgs or those who might understand the plethora of Greek letter orgs and those who might have similar questions!

Thanks =)

[nate2512]

Originally Posted by PhiMu_Gator

I'm just wondering why people feel the need to create SOOO many of their own frats/sorors. It seems like there are tons and I almost feel like the whole point of having a Greek letter org is to have something that is expanded and national and creates a cohesive efforts and connection among its members. There are just so many out there that really serve very similar purposes. I understand that the organizations available might not be exactly what you want, but part of the reason you join is to add something you want to it and to improve it so that it's YOUR org and something you contributed a lot to. Reading all of these threads I see that there are literally hundreds upon hundreds of Greek letter orgs and it seems slightly redundant at this point to continue to create them when we're not strengthening the ones that are already existing. They have hundreds of years of tradition, but still every pledge class or new addition of members can add something special and important. So, I'm asking for input from those who have started their own orgs or those who might understand the plethora of Greek letter orgs and those who might have similar questions!

Thanks =)

Well some of them create locals with the hope to be absorbed by a National.

Some create locals to defy traditional Greeks on their campus.

And some just can't hack it as a Greek so they just create their own.

[KSUViolet06]

What? I'm confused. There are 26 NPC member organizations. Are those the ones that you feel there are too many of? All of them have hundreds of chapters at various schools, so they're hardly new.

As a member of one of them, I'd hope that you are familiar with them (and don't think they're new):

http://npcwomen.org/about/member-organizations.aspx

*About local sororities and other newer sororities: Yes, there are unfortunately situations where people "just want to start something" and decide to start a sorority. But the majority of newer sororities are founded because a group of girls on campus didn't find their niche in any sorority already present on campus.

[FSUZeta]

i'm not sure that i fully understand the question, but i will take a stabbed at it.

i think that most greek organizations were begun by a group of friends who wanted a way to make the friendship lasting and make it something more than just a friendship.there were other circumstances that called those founders to begin a new group, depending on the group. i think that is why new greek organizations are still being started today.

they obviously fulfill a need, or the group would die out. for instance, as ksuviolet said, there are 26 npc sororities. if someone decided that there were too many npc sororities and some had to be eliminated, which groups would be the ones to go?

every year during npc recruitment, many pnms go bidless-on a large campus enough usually to start several new chapters. if we were to limit the number of npc sororities, more women would be going bidless.

i think there is room for all of us.

[AOII Angel]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

i'm not sure that i fully understand the question, but i will take a stabbed at it.

i think that most greek organizations were begun by a group of friends who wanted a way to make the friendship lasting and make it something more than just a friendship.there were other circumstances that called those founders to begin a new group, depending on the group. i think that is why new greek organizations are still being started today.

they obviously fulfill a need, or the group would die out. for instance, as ksuviolet said, there are 26 npc sororities. if someone decided that there were too many npc sororities and some had to be eliminated, which groups would be the ones to go?

every year during npc recruitment, many pnms go bidless-on a large campus enough usually to start several new chapters. if we were to limit the number of npc sororities, more women would be going bidless.

i think there is room for all of us.

I completely agree...and I don't think that this is a new trend. If you look on ebay, there are numerous badges for sale from old defunct local and national organizations. You just don't know about these groups because they aren't the 26 NPC groups that you hear about.

[knight_shadow]

Originally Posted by GirlNextDoor1

On my campus all other social greeks are national organizations. Here is why my founding sisters and I started a local:

1. We believe the sisterhood and fraternity can get lost when it gets caught up in the policies & procedures of nationals & npc.
   
2. We believe its easier to communicate and follow ideals, morals, and values as a local organization. Thus, we believe in being a sole, independent, local chapter.
3. We do not believe in recruitment parties. Therefore, how we recruit is alot different.

There are a lot of policies and procedures that go along with being in a national organization, but that shouldn't prevent you from experiencing brother/sisterhood. Most of my bonding has come from "Hey, bro, let's go hang out today!" rather than "Hey, bro, nationals said we have to have a brotherhood retreat today!" Also, there are several non-NPC organizations that hold recruitment without the parties, so there are other options out there.

Originally Posted by PhiMu_Gator

that's what I meant, there are so many NPC, NPHC, IFC, professional orgs, interests orgs, all greek letter orgs that it seems a little crazy to be creating brand new ones all the time. all of the ones currently have many years of tradition (especially npc, ifc, and some pro groups) so why continue creating so many new ones? to me, the point of joining an org is to give something back to them and get something out of it as well. you're supposed to make it your own and mold it into the best experience you could possibly have. if you can't find your "niche" maybe greek life isn't what you expected, but there are still many ways to create a niche in your org or join some other org. I just feel we're a little "if it's not exactly what we want, then we'll just make our own!" crazy. =) I'm for joining pre-existing orgs because each one is different but let's face it, if you are going out to join a social sorority, then you have to be ready too meet those expectations like being social, outgoing, attending public events like greek week and philanthropies. if you're more interested in something academic, there are plenty of honor societies out there or honor frats.

I agree. Speaking from the NALFO aspect, I think there are WAY too many organizations (in the council, and the new ones popping up every day -- that's a WHOLE 'nother topic though). Back in the 70s/80s, it's understandable since most of the organizations were regional back then. But with the creation of the internet, I find it hard to believe that someone can't find ANY organization already in existence with aligning goals/values. Too many people with founder-itis.

FYI - NPHC and many of the NALFO Greeks have rich histories as well, so let's not count them out

[H0NEY1987]

Originally Posted by PhiMu_Gator

that's what I meant, there are so many NPC, NPHC, IFC, professional orgs, interests orgs, all greek letter orgs that it seems a little crazy to be creating brand new ones all the time. all of the ones currently have many years of tradition (especially npc, ifc, and some pro groups) so why continue creating so many new ones? to me, the point of joining an org is to give something back to them and get something out of it as well. you're supposed to make it your own and mold it into the best experience you could possibly have. if you can't find your "niche" maybe greek life isn't what you expected, but there are still many ways to create a niche in your org or join some other org. I just feel we're a little "if it's not exactly what we want, then we'll just make our own!" crazy. =) I'm for joining pre-existing orgs because each one is different but let's face it, if you are going out to join a social sorority, then you have to be ready too meet those expectations like being social, outgoing, attending public events like greek week and philanthropies. if you're more interested in something academic, there are plenty of honor societies out there or honor frats.

My local is my only access to an organization that makes me feel comfortable. And as stated in previous posts, we'll see how many of these newer orgs will be able to stand the test of time. There's so many personal reasons as to why people begin new groups. But I think it relates to more than just greek life. In general, some people find "new" to be of more interest.

Example, while many people choose to stick to a a daily exercise regime and healthy eating to stay in shape, more and more "doctors" are producing new methods, pills, patches, and equpiment that all could have similar results. We know of weight watchers, and slimfast, but what about jenny craig and others? People continue to create while there already exists a number of programs that have been scinetifically proven to be effective. Not even just living healthy, this "new is needed" is diplayed in other areas of life. The production of "new" shopping stores, they all sell the same things, so why are we seeing so many new store fronts opening up?

My point is, though there exists 'older' orgs with strong effective memberships, many people still choose to create something new, because there are people out there who believe there needs to be something else. Some founders were previous members of other organizations, just because they couldnt make their experience in the former group more appealing to them, shouldnt mean that they are forced to change things from within. It could be difficult to change years of tradition. But very easy to say "enough is enough, im out of ABC and im creating ABD, where we wont do this, but we'll do that"

these newer orgs arent a representation of what 'we couldnt have' but a representation of 'what we really want'

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by PhiMu_Gator

I'm just wondering why people feel the need to create SOOO many of their own frats/sorors. It seems like there are tons and I almost feel like the whole point of having a Greek letter org is to have something that is expanded and national and creates a cohesive efforts and connection among its members. There are just so many out there that really serve very similar purposes. I understand that the organizations available might not be exactly what you want, but part of the reason you join is to add something you want to it and to improve it so that it's YOUR org and something you contributed a lot to. Reading all of these threads I see that there are literally hundreds upon hundreds of Greek letter orgs and it seems slightly redundant at this point to continue to create them when we're not strengthening the ones that are already existing. They have hundreds of years of tradition, but still every pledge class or new addition of members can add something special and important. So, I'm asking for input from those who have started their own orgs or those who might understand the plethora of Greek letter orgs and those who might have similar questions!

Thanks =)

I totally agree with this. While I can understand the enthusiasm in wanting to create a new org, people often focus on what they think an org can do for them as opposed to what they can bring to the org. If more people thought in terms of what they could offer an already established org and in making that org stronger and better because of their membership, there wouldn't be a need for so many orgs with similar ideals and philanthropies. While having choices is great, having so many orgs causes some newer orgs to have to struggle to increase membership and establish new chapters. It also takes away from the prestige of Greek Life and GLO's. And I'm not talking about those GLO's with a long standing history but more the fly by night ones you hear about in popular threads that read something like "Starting a New Org..." How about starting a new chapter of an org and make it your own, focussing on what you can bring to the org.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by PhiMu_Gator

I understand that the organizations available might not be exactly what you want, but part of the reason you join is to add something you want to it and to improve it so that it's YOUR org and something you contributed a lot to.

I see your point (and rhoyaltempest's), but just because that's part of the reason you joined doesn't mean everybody joins looking for that.

Your question -- "why so many Greek letter orgs" -- doesn't have one answer. Some people start new orgs because they don't see what they are looking for in the existing ones. Some because they want to be part of something new. Maybe even some because no one else wants them. There are a whole variety of reasons and combination of reasons.

And AOII Angel is right -- it's always been this way. You might as well ask, just to use an example, why did three friends start the Philomathean Society at Wesleyan College when there was already an Adelphian Society? Why did anybody in Farmville, VA, think that Zeta Tau Alpha and Alpha Sigma Alpha were needed when they already had Kappa Delta and Sigma Sigma Sigma? Why did Miami of Ohio need Beta Theta Pi when it already had "eastern" fraternities, or Sigma Chi or Phi Delta Theta when it had Beta?

Ever since the founding of Kappa Alpha Society in 1825, students have formed new GLOs. Some have survived, some haven't, and some have merged with other groups. But I'd bet that when most of them were founded, their founders saw a niche or a need that they didn't think was being filled and they went for it.

Maybe it is a simple answer after all.

[CrackerBarrel]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

Why did Miami of Ohio need Beta Theta Pi when it already had "eastern" fraternities, or Sigma Chi or Phi Delta Theta when it had Beta?

I think Sigma Chi is a fairly poor example. It wasn't started because there wasn't anything else there they wanted to join, it was started because the founders felt that they couldn't with good conscience remain associated with DKE.

[TSteven]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

I think Sigma Chi is a fairly poor example. It wasn't started because there wasn't anything else there they wanted to join, it was started because the founders felt that they couldn't with good conscience remain associated with DKE.

With all due respect, this reason seems to support MysticCat's point. The Founders "started" Sigma Chi Fraternity because as far as they were concerned, a certain niche or need was not being met at Miami.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by TSteven

With all due respect, this reason seems to support MysticCat's point. The Founders "started" Sigma Chi Fraternity because as far as they were concerned, a certain niche or need was not being met at Miami.

Exactly. Though perhaps I could have been a little more precise and asked why start Sigma Chi when DKE (rather than just Beta) was already on campus.

[Tom Earp]

Today, there are many reasons that locals are started even back in the olden days.

It mostly was the same thing, they didn't feel right for the individuals so they looked to something else.

Today there are Asian, Latino, and Multi-Cultured being started becauswe they want to fit in with as was well said, niche.

That always made me think that the existing GLOs did not do enough to bring them in or maybe they felt left out?

[CrackerBarrel]

Originally Posted by TSteven

With all due respect, this reason seems to support MysticCat's point. The Founders "started" Sigma Chi Fraternity because as far as they were concerned, a certain niche or need was not being met at Miami.

The niche was being met. The founders were originally initiated DKEs (except for one). Then they decided that they couldn't condone the way DKE was acting anymore, so they went out on their own.

[Tom Earp]

Originally Posted by CrackerBarrel

The niche was being met. The founders were originally initiated DKEs (except for one). Then they decided that they couldn't condone the way DKE was acting anymore, so they went out on their own.

Excellent point!

DKE one of the Union Triad to this day are not very active in expansion.