Other GLOs mentioned in your founding?

[pas]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

And by the way, in a month or so, when we start getting the annual "I want to start my own sorority" threads

HAHAHAHA. I'm sorry, but I wish I could give you a hug right now. This is so true. hahahahaha.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by DubaiSis

And by the way, in a month or so, when we start getting the annual "I want to start my own sorority" threads, take heed: virtually every NPC sorority and NIC fraternity (and probably the NPHC as well) have another sorority or fraternity who helped. Bitter and alone is no way to start a successful sorority.

True, but I think the difference needs to be mentioned as well. There is an outside possibility that a small group of men can successfully drive the creation and extension of a social fraternity to the point where it becomes a member of the NIC. The NPC, OTOH,...

[lulutnl3]

One of the founders of Sigma Lambda Beta was a member of Phi Beta Sigma.
And I thought Sigma Lambda Betas were supportive of the founding of Sigma Lambda Gamma? They're like unofficial brothers and sisters I believe.

[badgeguy]

Originally Posted by AlwaysSAI

It is because of Phi Lambda Epsilon that Phi Sigma Pi National Honor Fraternity exists today.

Our history reads, in part:



taken from www.phisigmapi.org

Here is a badge of Phi Lambda Epsilon from 1903.


BG

[pktcougar]

A Sigma Nu helped write and shape many of the original Phi Kappa rules and rituals

[OPhiAGinger]

Originally Posted by naraht

Omega Phi Alpha - definitely would mention Alpha Phi Omega

Yep. Specifically, the APO chapter at Bowling Green State.

[Psi U MC Vito]

Originally Posted by modorney

Acacia was originally founded as a masonic Club - meaning you had to be a mason to join. This also meant a member had to be (roughly) 22 years old. Up until the 1920's, college students didn't usually start at 18; a campus was full of students mostly in their twenties.

Many of the early Acacians were members of other fraternities, and dual membership was allowed for a while. For much of Acacia's early history, other masonic fraternities existed, and they acted as fraternities (not masonic clubs) - participated in rush, had houses, were members of IFC, etc.

Prior to Acacia, two other fraternities discussed the idea of being a Mason-only fraternity. In the early 1800's, Psi Upsilon talked about it, but the anti-masonic political activity of that era pretty much ruled it out. In the late 1800's, TKE had considered being mason-only (actually, the group that formed the Knights of the Classic lore explored the idea). But when TKE formed, they opened up to all, and not mason only. TKE did stay close to masons, and when Sigma Mu Sigma, a mason only fraternity, folded in 1935, a few chapters became TKE and the official national was absorbed by TKE's headquarters.

It would be interesting to hear someone from Psi U or TKE report on this part of their archives and history.

Just saw this now. I know nothing about that aspect of our history. I wasn't even aware there was any masonic connection to Psi U. Huh, more you know i guess.

[naraht]

Originally Posted by OPhiAGinger

Yep. Specifically, the APO chapter at Bowling Green State.

Of course.

[Kevin]

Sigma Nu was founded in opposition to what our founders perceived as abusive treatment of others by either Alpha Tau Omega or its precursor (I'm not sure they were using a greek letter name at the time) at VMI. Kappa Alpha Order sort of sprang up at Washington & Lee (right down the street) around the same time.

Here's an excerpt from The Story of Sigma Nu, originally published in 1936, but reprinted and sold at a very handsome price in 2010 about one of our founder's run in with ATO:

A dramatic incident in connection with official order marked the beginning of [James Frank Hopkins'] duties the next fall. A disturbance in one of the rooms was reported one night, and the Corporal of the Guard was ordered to investigate. Fate decreed that Hopkins was on duty that night. Gaining access to the room, he found himself in a meeting of masked men, hooded and robed in white, their booted feet protruding in such contrast that at a glance the effect was startling. Only a glance was permitted, for with more abruptness than he entered, the Corporal of the Guard was thrown bodily out the door. Breathless with excitement and fury, Hopkins rushed to the guard room, his incoherent report so emphasizing that apparition of "black feet" that the name attached itself for years to the members of the fraternity whose secret meeting had been officially interrupted.

Sigma Nu somehow became known as the "white feet" and to this day, some ATO/Sigma Nu chapters hold "blackfoot/whitefoot" events.

[MaryPoppins]

It's not mentioning the other GLO's but I think Theta's badge resembles both the Phi Gamma Delta badge and the Beta Theta Pi badge.

[AnchorAlumna]

Originally Posted by MysticCat

...I can't recall ever seeing any reference to that in any (sub any GLO name here) history...

I think alot - make that most - of our GLOS have only brief recounts of our histories, especially compared to what members now want to know about their foundings. In reading my own sorority's history, one member is cited as taking the initiative to contact a founder some 40 or 50 years after the founding to acquire some of the fraternity's artifacts. And lucky we were that they still existed! One of the founders also stated at a Convention that they never realized their little club would grow to be an international organization. So it's no wonder written histories are piecemeal.

And ritual history? Even worse! This stuff was not necessarily written down anywhere. The first 50 years, nobody thinks there's a need to write down "history." After all, everybody involved knows what happened. It's not until a third or fourth generation is asking for it that people realize how much as been lost and forgotten.

I would not rely on online histories, even on a GLO's national website. There's just not enough room.
On chapter websites, I've seen proven myths repeated as fact ("voted most beautiful badge" anyone?)

So any efforts to write down a fact-checked, detailed history is to be applauded.

[pas]

I was surprised to read Delta Zeta's history which includes another NPC...you never do get to hear the true founding of many orgs. I know my sorority doesn't have a lot of documentation of our history and when I do ask questions about our history some sisters get weird about it and wonder why I am so curious...which is weird to me. Ha.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by Psi U MC Vito

Just saw this now. I know nothing about that aspect of our history. I wasn't even aware there was any masonic connection to Psi U. Huh, more you know i guess.

I wouldn't assume that.

[MysticCat]

Originally Posted by AnchorAlumna

I think alot - make that most - of our GLOS have only brief recounts of our histories, especially compared to what members now want to know about their foundings. . . .

I would not rely on online histories, even on a GLO's national website. There's just not enough room.
On chapter websites, I've seen proven myths repeated as fact ("voted most beautiful badge" anyone?)

So any efforts to write down a fact-checked, detailed history is to be applauded.

I see your point, and I can agree to a point, but to be clear, the post of mine you quote was referring specifically my fraternity's history, and what I said was based on reading lots more fraternity history than just what's on a website or even in a probationary member handbook. We, like lots of GLOs, have published a fairly extensive history, and there are lots of other historical writings and resources (even on ritual) if one knows where to look or who to ask. Some of it you might have to go to HQ to read, but it's there.

I've read everything on our history I can get my hands on, and have listened to those who know our history better than anyone else. So that's the perspective from which I was speaking.

[Kevin]

I would expect most older/more established GLOs have fairly extensive historical works. I know we do.