How long does it take for a colony to become a chapter in your organization?

[BigRedBeta]

Simple question. I'm interested in finding out for as many organizations - fraternities and sororities.

From the time the colony is founded, what is - on average - the length of time it takes for them to get their charter and be a full fledged chapter?

[knight_shadow]

In my org, there are certain steps that must be taken and requirements that must be met before a colony is granted chapter status. I've seen some colonies become chapters within a year and a half; some 3 or more years (don't really have an average number). It all depends on how quickly that colony gets its work done.

(sorry to make your simple question complicated, ha)

[Psi U MC Vito]

Yeah in my fraternity it really depends. There are a bunch of requirements that each chapter has to meet before becoming a full chapter. May I ask why you are interested?

[tld221]

same here -the turnaround can be as quick as a semester (very rare) or as long as a few years. its a matter of getting recognized by the campus and having enough eligible candidates for membership to charter.

[AlwaysSAI]

It took my SAI chapter from January 1999 to October 1999. But, there are other chapters that take longer. As it was state above, it really depends on a lot of things. They have to have the required number of non-graduating senior members and complete the MIT program. We recently had a colony at WSSU (which I was really excited about) that was shut down before the MIT process was completed.

In Phi Sig, they set up a timeline which is supposed to only take one semester from the time the colony is recognized to the time the charter is recieved. I bet in most places it takes longer than that, though.

[nate2512]

Um, I think this seems to be a general consensus, I know we have a list of requirements that have to be completed. Ive seen a chapter do it in 91 days, but I tell you that is not common.

[KSUViolet06]

I think our Membership Development team aims to get colonies installed in one semester.

Typically, a colony has recruitment in the fall, spends the semester working to meet the goals for installation,gets approved, and is installed at the end of the semester or the very beginning of the next one.

However, if a colony doesn't meet the goals within that timeframe, they can be given some extra time/help, but it really depends on the situation and what they're having trouble with.

We've had colonies get installed in a semester, but we've also had some take 2.

[rufio]

in my chapters history, it took 4 years. we started as a local in '02 and were picked up by DU that same year. we chartered in feb 06.

[AGDee]

I've not seen one of our colonies take more than a semester. The colonizaton/recolonization occurs early in the semester and they are installed by the end of that semester. We do have a special volunteer team that continues to work with them while they are a new chapter (new chapter development) and it can take some time for them to be removed from that status. That is just to ensure that they receive a lot of extra support until they are financially, organizationally, and numerically stable.

I'm curious.. when it takes longer than a semester and a colonist ends up graduating before the colony is installed, what happens with their membership?

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by nate2512

Um, I think this seems to be a general consensus, I know we have a list of requirements that have to be completed. Ive seen a chapter do it in 91 days, but I tell you that is not common.

Likewise, we have requirements that must be met, and our colonization program is in two phases. Phase One can last up to two years. I'd say it usually takes at least one year and is considered complete when all requirements have been met and approved. Phase Two lasts nine weeks and ends with initiation/chartering.

[IBelieve1897]

1 year

[emb021]

In APO, there is no specific time line. There are phases that must be completed: Interest Group, then Petitioning Group, then Charter, then an 'after care' period that lasts about a year.

Ideally, the chartering effort should take about a year. There is concern that if a group gets it down in less then a year, there is a real chance they could collapse soon after being chartered (hence the new 'aftercare period'). If the group takes too long (more then two years), there is concern the group doesn't have their act together, and if progress isn't made, the effort could be shut down.

[PKPILZ003]

IN Phi Psi it can take anywhere from 1 semester to 2+ years. Generally we go from interest group to chapter charter in about 1 year. If someone is to graduate before that happy day, we let them come back to initiate.

[Ilaria Ame]

the colony has 18 months to meet all the requirements of being a chapter. if after 18 months the women of the colony have failed to meet requirements, they stay initiated to the grand chapter but lose their chance to charter a chapter.

[techzbt]

In ZBT it has been done in 1 year but there is at least one colony that's almost 10 years old.