Starting a Fraternal Organization for Veterans

[jestersrobe]

I am considering starting a new fraternity especially for veterans. At first, I would like to open a chapter at my alma mater, the University of Georgia, but feel that it is an idea that could spread quickly.

My idea is to create a house where all types of veterans can come together and deal with the difficult issues that surround being a veteran in school. Handicap access, a wheelchair enabled van, information on veteran's financial aid, and (I hope), PTSD counselling could all be available at the house.

As it stands, too few of our veterans utilize the GI Bill; this is unacceptable, considering the drastic improvements that have been made to the GI Bill within the past couple of months. If there was an organization that actively recruited vets, and offered them help in their scholastic endeavors, as well as reintegration into civilian life, it is my sincere hope that more veterans would enroll in college.

Georgia would be a perfect place to start, since there is the HOPE Scholarship available to Georgia residents. Since the HOPE Scholarship covers tuition and fees for Georgia residents, the GI Bill comes to the veteran/student as a paycheck each month. There is no excuse for any veteran who is a Georgia resident to NOT go to school. Many states waive tuition for veterans, and I would like to see more vets take advantage of this.

Even if I could offer veterans their first semester's lodging for free at the house, I think it would be a boon to getting them into school. I realize that the house would need to be co-educational, which presents its own, unique set of problems; not to mention the issues that surround having a bunch of former Army, Marine, Air Force and Sailors cooped up in one place. The answers to these problems exist, and I feel that a well thought out constitution, as well as strong initial leadership (which should be easy enough to find within the veteran community), would limit the obstacles that I foresee along the way.

The advice I'm looking for is this--what do I need to do to initiate such an endeavor? Do I need to approach the school first, or should I try to raise funds first? In the best case scenario, this would be a not for profit organization, and that means a board and fundraising. Also, do any of you foresee any conflict with the existing Greek organizations? I don't want to step on any toes, and it is my intention to make this a group that works hand in hand with other Greek organizations to the betterment of the school and the local community. If we offered free lodging for a semester, I think it only fair that our members be involved in community service as much as possible.

Any advice on starting a fraternal organization is much appreciated. Just so you know, I myself am a combat veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom who attended UGA on the GI Bill, and I now work for the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Thank you all in advance for you time and consideration.

[knight_shadow]

Serious question -- Why does this need to be a fraternity? You can accomplish your goals with a campus/community organization.

Also, there are a few threads about this. Do a search for the topic.

[jestersrobe]

Originally Posted by knight_shadow

Serious question -- Why does this need to be a fraternity? You can accomplish your goals with a campus/community organization.

Also, there are a few threads about this. Do a search for the topic.

Fair question:

Why does any fraternity need to be a fraternity? It is my intention to offer veterans a house where they can socialize, and not have to worry that their stories will offend anyone, where the bond shared by those who have borne the sting of battle is understood, and where reintegration is made easier by the realization that military experiences are shared experiences. I can think of no greater bond than that shared by those who have worn their country's uniform.

I don't know where I heard this, but I once read that a veteran is someone who wrote a blank check, payable to their country, and in the amount line wrote "up to, and including my life." If those who have made this promise are not "brothers," then I don't know who is.

Campus and community organizations can only offer so much. The ability to offer live-in support and camaraderie, as well as social functions and a chance to give back to the community all seem like great reasons to make this a fraternity. A campus group can meet a couple of times a week. What I envision is a place where veterans can be together every day.

I have seen several threads about starting a new fraternity, but feel that starting a non-profit organization that sponsors a fraternity where veterans can live and socialize together creates a unique set of problems, and I was hoping for some input directed toward my goal.

I appreciate your post, as it has forced me to focus my thoughts on this subject. I am quite serious about doing this. Any and all input is welcomed.

[33girl]

The problem with this is, you have to think forward to the time when (God willing) this war will be over and we won't have as many college age combat veterans as we do now. Then the fraternity either dies out for lack of a member pool or it has to change its purpose. I believe that one of the NIC groups was originally formed for this purpose after WWII, but is now just a general-interest fraternity.

There is Pershing Rifles but I'm not sure if they have changed their programming at all to accomodate the increased numbers of veterans at colleges. You could try giving them a call though.

[jestersrobe]

Originally Posted by 33girl

The problem with this is, you have to think forward to the time when (God willing) this war will be over and we won't have as many college age combat veterans as we do now. Then the fraternity either dies out for lack of a member pool or it has to change its purpose. I believe that one of the NIC groups was originally formed for this purpose after WWII, but is now just a general-interest fraternity.

There is Pershing Rifles but I'm not sure if they have changed their programming at all to accomodate the increased numbers of veterans at colleges. You could try giving them a call though.

I am not looking at strictly combat veterans--I would like to accommodate all veterans who have served in the military. I do not see the number of veterans leaving the military decreasing any time in the next decade (at least). I truly believe that the numbers will increase long before they decrease.

As far as Pershing Rifles goes, they are not a veterans group. They are involved with ROTC. It seems like a great resource if I can get them involved, though.