Quote:
Originally posted by Eirene_DGP
I don't think making Interest Group, colony and basically trial periods by new members is a good idea. You have enough to do just to get the new organization on your campus that any other drama makes you question whether or not it is really worth it. I know when our school was looking for a sorority we were not going to go with a "Up and Coming National Sorority" that had a year long wait period because college is only 4 years for most of us. You would spend more time stuggling than you would in the actual organization.
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From experience, having the stages of Interest Group, Colony, Chapter are benefitial to a new, young group. These stages of a chapter, parrallel that of a new member: rushee, candidate, initate.
As an Interest Group, the members do research on what it takes to bring a new organization to campus and which sorority or fraternity they are interested in. They also recruit new membes. Once contact has been made to a National org, the National organization has to ensure they meet the requirements of membership, and a charter status. This maybe a bit more work then a typical rushee. But the concept is the same.
A Colony is made up of non-initated members. Giving a charter to a group that is not ready, would be like initating a member that wasn't ready. They are learning about the organization. They are establishing themselves and the stablity of their group. They're not left alone to do this, they have an initiated member as a guide just as a new member class would have an educator. It takes a full year to get established. And even then the first year out of the gates as a chapter is difficult and full of uncertainties.
The stages may appear to be a big drama from the outside. And after the first semester of a colony, you are VERY eager and you feel ready to get the chapter charter. But a purpose exists. And maturity of the group during that last semester is amazing to watch.
The time period when comparing one year to four years seems extrodinary. But a new group can not look at it as one year to four years. That is a selfish perspective. One year for a hundred or more, that is not an unreasonable to ask. A new group is establishing a chapter that should far outlast their college career. And taking one year or all four is not an unreasonable request, for you are giving something to the future.
In addition, a sorority is not limited by four years. The sisterhood lasts long beyond that, if you are willing to let it. With an Up and Coming Sorority/Fraternity, much has to at a National level as well as a local, and alumni level.
Even long established chapters struggle. Its almost a never ending battle of recruitment, National obligations, public image and survival. When an "active" chapter has a turn over of membership every 4 years, you are building a survival schedule into their existance.
Sisterhood (Brotherhood) is about making and fostering a level of trust and respect beyond that of a friendship. I was only on campus for the Interest Group phase and only 1/2 of the colony phase of my chapter. I was a senior when I became invovled with Alpha Sigma Kappa. And the day I initiated, I went from candidate, to active, to alumna, all in one day...
Today, I do my best to serve my active chapter as an alumna and as a friend to members, I serve my alumnae chapter as a member at large, and I serve my National organization with my committe membership and as a National Expansion Represenative to a wonderful group of women whom after just a few months under 2 years, will initiate and receive their chapter charter this coming weekend becoming our 4th chapter. ~ I would never trade it for the world! or even 4 years of being a sister on campus.
In the love of the sisterhood,
jennifer