Kappa Beta Gamma/Kappa Delta

[BootyKBG]

Ok, I would have posted sooner but was not aware of this discussion until extremely recently. Here is what happened.

The Nu chapter of KBG at Franklin and Marshall decided as active members that they wanted to affiliate with a panhellenic sorority. They had been in discussion about this with nationals on and off for maybe a year before they formally requested disaffiliation. Several years back our nationals was weak and supported by ONE active alumna who didn't ask for help until other former executive members stepped in. Since then we have continued to grow and strengthen as a national organization.

Because of this weak time period, said national alumna who was serving as sole board member with poor judgement suggested the possibility of a merger to the chapters during the annual convention. Our strongest chapters at that time took this back with them, dispite the fact that during that same convention an entirely new national board came on and began the revising process.

Nu initially began asking for items that we simply couldn't or wouldn't supply, such as buying them a house. We had 5 chapters with extremely low dues compared to many NPC sororities, and because of this that is something that constitutionally we just don't provide. After much discussion the chapter decided that buying "stuff they could find their letters on" was more important that honoring their history and the support that KBG had provided up til that time, including the efforts of re-recognition by campus.

The chapter initially began the disaffiliation process as defined by the national bylaws and was open about the situation, compared to the chapter at Loyola who approached NPC without any discussion with nationals. Unfortunately, the affiliation with an NPC on both account began while the chapter was still under KBG. To this point, neither chapter completely disaffiliated as required, and NPC allowed their organizations to move in on the chapter with little to no formal contact with KBG Nationals.

NPC has in neither case given KBG the respect it gives its own sorority members in disaffiliation and affiliation with another organization.

[LPIDelta]

Originally Posted by BootyKBG

NPC has in neither case given KBG the respect it gives its own sorority members in disaffiliation and affiliation with another organization.

NPC is not a "governing" organization per se--no one really decides what can and can't be done, so much as the member groups work together to establish "unanimous agreements." So it may be more accurate to reference NPC member groups rather than blame NPC in general.

[KSUViolet06]

Could the difficulties in communication between KBG and the NPCs involved be explained by the fact that there is little precedent for this kind of thing? NPCs typically absorb locals, so I don't think they were really sure how to go about dealing with expansion and another national.

[33girl]

Originally Posted by KSUViolet06

Could the difficulties in communication between KBG and the NPCs involved be explained by the fact that there is little precedent for this kind of thing?

cough cough AES sororities cough cough. I'm sure there were some sort of standards set up back then when all that went down.

And as I've said before, non-NPCs have released chapters to NPC groups before. I know, mine did it, for reasons very similar to KBG's.

[BootyKBG]

Originally Posted by LPIDelta

NPC is not a "governing" organization per se--no one really decides what can and can't be done, so much as the member groups work together to establish "unanimous agreements." So it may be more accurate to reference NPC member groups rather than blame NPC in general.

I understand this, however, when expansion is opened up on a campus for one of our chapters and we are told there is nothing we can do about it, I find that extremely disrespectful. This is exactly what happened in the Loyola situation when we were contacted by NPC, and I am not sure we even were contacted with the F&M situation, but I may be wrong on that one as I am not the main contact.

[LPIDelta]

Maybe the answer is for your organization to approach NPC with your concerns? I honestly think that there is no clear understanding of what to do in these situations and if there is a continual dialogue between your organization and NPC then maybe that will alleviate some of the confusion.

I know that from an NPC perspective, I was once asked if I personally knew anyone in KBG to contact because there were issues with one of the chapters--keeping that website updated is certainly a key to building legitimacy and connections.

I do understand your perspective--but what about the women in the chapters? Shouldn't it be the goal of every sorority to ensure a positive experience for its members? I truly believe KBG tries to do everything that it can to ensure that their sisters do have a good experience but should an NPC member group turn away in the case where there is a strong group women who are seeking a different experience from what they currently have?

And what kind of programming is in place to ensure that KBG sisters are instilled with loyalty and fully understand what kind of experience they can expect as a sister and alum?

I don't know--just throwing some thoughts out there.

[BootyKBG]

Originally Posted by LPIDelta

Maybe the answer is for your organization to approach NPC with your concerns? I honestly think that there is no clear understanding of what to do in these situations and if there is a continual dialogue between your organization and NPC then maybe that will alleviate some of the confusion.

I know that from an NPC perspective, I was once asked if I personally knew anyone in KBG to contact because there were issues with one of the chapters--keeping that website updated is certainly a key to building legitimacy and connections.

I do understand your perspective--but what about the women in the chapters? Shouldn't it be the goal of every sorority to ensure a positive experience for its members? I truly believe KBG tries to do everything that it can to ensure that their sisters do have a good experience but should an NPC member group turn away in the case where there is a strong group women who are seeking a different experience from what they currently have?

And what kind of programming is in place to ensure that KBG sisters are instilled with loyalty and fully understand what kind of experience they can expect as a sister and alum?

I don't know--just throwing some thoughts out there.

You are correct, the lines of communication NEED to be opened. It was during such a conference call during the Loyola situation that we were basically told that because we were not NPC we couldn't really do anything about it. Later attempts at communication during that situation failed. If NPC is willing to re-open that communication, that would be wonderful.

[BootyKBG]

Our website is being redone as we speak. I hate how out of date it is, but we should have a much better, current website in a month or so.

In addition to our Xi chapter, we currently have 2 colonies (Penn-State Harrisburg and Keene State College) and several interest groups. We are also in process of improving our alumnae relations and membership procedures. We are also in discussions with other non-NPC sororities about coordinating efforts, since NPC as a whole seems to find us insignificant and no more relevant than a local. (No offense to locals, but there should be a difference when it comes to "absorbing" or "colonizing" with another national sorority.) I would not be surprised to hear that the sororities who presented to our chapters were not aware that either chapter at F&M and Loyola had been formally released because of the disregard we've recieved as a national by NPC.

As a national organization we are continuing growth and improvement, so as far as gossip about being absorbed elsewhere, it is far from true. I am open to discussion if anyone wants to discuss this directly.

vice@kappabetagamma.org

Annie

[Katydid617]

Originally Posted by BootyKBG

Nu initially began asking for items that we simply couldn't or wouldn't supply, such as buying them a house. We had 5 chapters with extremely low dues compared to many NPC sororities, and because of this that is something that constitutionally we just don't provide. After much discussion the chapter decided that buying "stuff they could find their letters on" was more important that honoring their history and the support that KBG had provided up til that time, including the efforts of re-recognition by campus.

I agree with nittanyalum as buying "stuff they could find their letters on" is as far from the truth as humanly possible and it is unfair to say that. That had absolutely no bearing on the decision. It is quite easy to get these things now a days as evidenced by the plethora of websites offering these services. The F & M chapter also never asked KBG for a house as per F & M policy the college provides houses to all greek organizations. The chapter absolutely asked for assistance on a variety of matters, but a house was never asked for. Also as a side not, the National Dues paid to KBG are more expensive then then National dues the women of F & M pay to KD.

The women of F & M have always appreciated the efforts of KBG during our re-recognition time and we will continue to appreciate it. As previously mentioned we grew apart and in the end I think the best decision for both groups was made. It has been a goal for the women of F & M to include KBG in our New Member Education program as it is part of our history and will always remain so. A strong appeal of KD was their willingness to allow the women of F & M to continue to educate its new members on our KBG history.

As has been previously mentioned, the F & M situation happened above the table as NPC was in contact with KBG Nationals (I was present for the conversations) and I do not understand what else there is to be discussing specific to this situation. I am sorry, but I am not comfortable with my chapter and my sisters being unfairly insulted on the internet.

[nittanyalum]

Sorry, but I had to LOL at the competing Est. dates in the signatures now...

[BootyKBG]

Originally Posted by Katydid617

I agree with nittanyalum as buying "stuff they could find their letters on" is as far from the truth as humanly possible and it is unfair to say that. That had absolutely no bearing on the decision. It is quite easy to get these things now a days as evidenced by the plethora of websites offering these services. The F & M chapter also never asked KBG for a house as per F & M policy the college provides houses to all greek organizations. The chapter absolutely asked for assistance on a variety of matters, but a house was never asked for. Also as a side not, the National Dues paid to KBG are more expensive then then National dues the women of F & M pay to KD.

I would send you a PM, but it doesn't look like you have that option.

I served as the national advisor for the chapter, and in fact I'm pretty sure I remember meeting you during my chapter visit last October I believe it is. The truth of the matter is that yes, both of these items were repeatedly brought up to us. No, they were not the only concern, and no, I'm not trying to bash your women.

As far as disaffiliation, there are several steps that were never met and Jenna has not responded to contacts made by our secretary. As I said before, yes, I understand and respect the reasons for the break, but my problem is with the disrespect toward Kappa Beta Gamma in the refusal to follow our own protocol as well as the disrespect from NPC as mentioned before. Its these issues that I'm trying to address.

[ForeverRoses]

Slightly off the current topic, but in respect to the women that were initiated into KBG and have now been initiated into KD or KKG, were their memberships is KBG revoked? I know the chapters (should) have asked to disaffiliate, but what about the individual members? I assume they are no longer considered members in good standing? And what about the alumnae?

[FSUZeta]

wouldn't the alumnae still be considered alumnae, much like our own members who were initiated into a chapter that has closed(for whatever reason)?

[33girl]

Originally Posted by FSUZeta

wouldn't the alumnae still be considered alumnae, much like our own members who were initiated into a chapter that has closed(for whatever reason)?

As far as the alumnae who are out of school, I don't know why they wouldn't be considered alumnae. They are not responsible for the actions of the actives.

With regard to the actives though - if they disaffiliated, either as part of a group or individually, I don't think they would be alumnae any more than anyone else who disaffiliates/self-terminates from her sorority.

[FSUZeta]

Originally Posted by 33girl

As far as the alumnae who are out of school, I don't know why they wouldn't be considered alumnae. They are not responsible for the actions of the actives.

With regard to the actives though - if they disaffiliated, either as part of a group or individually, I don't think they would be alumnae any more than anyone else who disaffiliates/self-terminates from her sorority.

well said. that is what i was trying to say, but you said it better.