Your Opinions

[AMTS]

Greetings everyone. I was looking for your opinions on what I should do. I'm currently in a confusing situation with my fraternity. To start off, I'll give a quick background; I'm part of a local fraternity that has been around for 15 years at my college. I would assume like most do; I love everything about my organization, what we stand for, our traditions and my brothers. Or at least I used to.

It does not seem so long ago when a few members suggested the idea of merging with a national fraternity. At first most members objected but then were convinced slowly by the others that this was the route to go and without an official unanimous vote, before you knew it we're became established as a colony and are close to finalizing everything. The thing is, as one of the older members, this whole process went by so fast and it came as a surprise.

First off, I was always happy with being a local organization. There were national organizations at my college and if I wanted to join them, I would have. In fact, the reason I joined my fraternity was because I was proud that we were our own group. Not saying there's anything wrong with being a part of a national. I worked for my own letters, not someone else's. If we were to ever expand I thought everyone would have wanted to do it with our own letters. Some of my brothers even said that it would never happen; way to have ambition, but I do not care about whether we expand or not. May seem stupid but I was looking for a family not a networking opportunity. The former, which I thought I had.

There was no official vote that took place. Returned to school to find out that everyone was going for it. Everyone who originally shared the same opinion slowly changed their minds and was finally left alone. Now all they talk about is being a part of the national and all the benefits that come along with and only start referring to ourselves as the national and not as what we originally were. I understand that merging into a national happens quite often these days. It's especially frustrating because it's like, have you forgotten what we were already and do they not care anymore? Most of the brothers can not stop talking about can't being able to wait to wear the new letters, but it's like what's wrong with the ones you have now. No offense to anyone who has done the same thing but I feel like they've sold-out. It's disgusting.

I do have much respect for the national organization that we're being absorbed into. The only thing is it has definitely changed us. The other brothers learned that I was not fine with this decision. Since then, they're attitudes have changed towards me. I do not know what I should do. I do not think I want to be a part of this. It's just hard because there are some close relationships. What other choice do I have? I've considered dropping my letters because it's just not the same anymore. Even considered starting my own but I really love my letters. What should I do? What would you do in this situation? I appreciate you guys taking the time to read this. Thanks.