Before You Found a New Sorority

[MysticCat]

[NinjaPoodle]

^^ *giggle*

[APiPhiHottie]

I feel as if I've typed this up so many times on greek chat I'm going blue in the face, but here it goes, yet again:

As someone who is a founding mother of a NATIONAL sorority in Canada (Alpha Pi Phi, founded 2009, 3 collegiate chapters in Ottawa, St. Catherine's and Kingston, Ont.) starting a new organization, be it trying to get another NPC on campus (and even then, all THAT has to go through NPC), local, etc. is A LOT of work. A Ton. As in, taking an overload of two classes would probably be easier than starting a new sorority worth its salt.

It's also very expensive. Who's going to fund recruitment? The chapter that has yet to exist? Everything costs money, and I think that's something a lot of people who come onto Greek Chat with the intentions of starting a new org don't think about.

The point is it is going to requite copious amounts of time, energy, money and, oh, FRIENDS! It's not impossible, but if you want to do it PROPERLY, and actually found something to be proud of that still EXISTS years to come, it's going to be hard work and a long swim upstream.

[APiPhiHottie]

requite = require

[Xidelt]

Congrats on your new chapters!!

[APiPhiHottie]

Thanks :-)

[PhiAlpha05]

Apologies if this isn't the right place to post--but in response to the OP's request to post our successful foundings of local sororities--feel free to add Phi Rho Alpha at the University of Michigan to the list! We were established in 2005 and have just extended bids to 13 wonderful ladies in the Omicron fall pledge class. (We rush every fall and winter, and we intentionally keep numbers a bit smaller so each member doesn't feel lost in a house of 150+ sisters!)

Our website: http://www.phirhoalpha.com

I should also clarify that the biggest difference between us and the other houses, aside from size, is the recruitment process. We had scheduling and course load issues that prevented us from being able to dedicate 3-4 weeks (!) to our university's overly drawn-out fall formal recruitment, and we figured that many other women had this same problem, but still wanted the experience of Greek Life, with the sisterhood and service opportunities. Here, even taking a once-a-week night class (as one of my film-major sisters did) can pretty much shut you out of recruitment, nevermind if you are on an athletic team, in the music school and committed to nighttime rehearsals/performances (as I was), in the Marching Band, etc.

[misscherrypie]

http://www.nevadasagebrush.com/blog/...d-in-new-frat/

The gentlemen of Nu Phi were recognized as a Fraternity by campus IFC council last fall. As the article suggests, rules were later changed that de-recognized them by the University and IFC, and now they are classified as a "club". The entire situation that happened with Nu Phi really gets my goat for various reasons, and pretty much nips in the bud any attempt by a group to start a local on campus without affiliating with an already extant National. For now. I get the point from the side of risk management, and keeping "founderitis" at bay, as well as heading off other potential issues.

In my opinion, recognizing an org, only to not recognize them the following year is rather screwy. :-/ Especially for the reasons that were out of the fraternity's control that led to it.

[Old_Row]

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

www.nevadasagebrush.com/blog/2011/10/24/veterans-attain-social-bond-in-new-frat/

The gentlemen of Nu Phi were recognized as a Fraternity by campus IFC council last fall. As the article suggests, rules were later changed that de-recognized them by the University and IFC, and now they are classified as a "club". The entire situation that happened with Nu Phi really gets my goat for various reasons, and pretty much nips in the bud any attempt by a group to start a local on campus without affiliating with an already extant National. For now. I get the point from the side of risk management, and keeping "founderitis" at bay, as well as heading off other potential issues.

In my opinion, recognizing an org, only to not recognize them the following year is rather screwy. :-/ Especially for the reasons that were out of the fraternity's control that led to it.

Sorry to say I think you are becoming a little too invested in Greek affairs to be healthy.

[misscherrypie]

Originally Posted by Old_Row

Sorry to say I think you are becoming a little too invested in Greek affairs to be healthy.

One of my best Friends is a member of Nu Phi. I was simply stating my opinion on the matter, which I certainly heard about often enough as it was going on. I don't consider that to be "too invested".

[Old_Row]

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

One of my best Friends is a member of Nu Phi. I was simply stating my opinion on the matter, which I certainly heard about often enough as it was going on. I don't consider that to be "too invested".

It's not just that. It's a cumulative thing. Someone told you in another thread that going to the places where Greeks on your campus are found is revisiting the scene of your disappointment and it won't help you move forward. I think coming to Greek chat is doing the same. Please understand that I am saying this out of love and concern. I don't think it's very good for your heart and soul and you should talk to someone about it.

[33girl]

My question upon reading that is, does Omega Delta Sigma really have a written age limit in their bylaws, or is that what the 31 year old is telling himself after not getting a bid?

If a purely social group wants to discriminate on a certain thing like that (i.e. you have to be a veteran to join) it can get dicey.

[misscherrypie]

Originally Posted by 33girl

My question upon reading that is, does Omega Delta Sigma really have a written age limit in their bylaws, or is that what the 31 year old is telling himself after not getting a bid?

If a purely social group wants to discriminate on a certain thing like that (i.e. you have to be a veteran to join) it can get dicey.

I can't answer that question, but this is what Omega Delta Sigma says about the matter.

http://www.omegadeltasigma.com/eligi...-for-prospects

[33girl]

Originally Posted by misscherrypie

I can't answer that question, but this is what Omega Delta Sigma says about the matter.

http://www.omegadeltasigma.com/eligi...-for-prospects

Exactly my point. There are no age guidelines listed there.

[Cmartin94028]

What if I wanted to start a new chapter of Alpha Phi at University of Georgia? How do I know if we are open for expansion or not?